Walk #34 May 9th Esquimalt area Macaulay Point to Saxe point loop
The weather today was sunny, but there was a very strong and bitterly cold wind blowing off the ocean so we hurried along the waterfront part of the walk and soon got into the historic fort area of Macaulay Point where there was some shelter from the wind. There are several old gun emplacements and lots of old military buildings dating from 1895. We explored the tunnel that leads up to a lookout and then headed back to Lampson Street where we walked through the grounds of the Old England Inn property. Then we headed across to Saxe Point Park and explored the trails before heading back to Macaulay Point and our cars. After the walk we enjoyed a nice lunch at the nearby Tudor house Pub. If there had been less wind we would have spent more time in the park enjoying the gardens and sea views.
View Claudia's photos.
View Claudia's photos.
Walk #35 May 16th Swan lake Victoria Area Swan lake and Christmas Hill walk
From Judy: We set off on a very warm and high overcast day, led by Terri and Roger. The Nature House was interesting, especially for those who had not been there before. A great place for young and old! A volunteer who takes a special interest in the snakes happened along and he gave an interesting presentation to a few of us. The trail was well maintained and we certainly saw a few duck families and other "critters". After circling the lake, we puffed our way up Christmas Hill and then enjoyed a panoramic view of the city. Lunch and brew were at the Monkey Tree Pub.
View Roger's photos.
Walk # 36 May 23rd Island View Beach Central Saanich area Walk and Beach clean-up
Roger and Teri organized this walk to Island View Beach as a clean-up and walk combined. It is felt that this way the walking group can pay back the beautiful natural areas that we all enjoy walking through. I hope that someone that was on the walk will submit a short story about the day's activities.
View Roger and Teri's photos.
View Phil's photos.
View Roger and Teri's photos.
View Phil's photos.
Walk # 37 June 6th Thetis lake View Royal area Thetis Lake Trails walk
Roger and Teri organized this walk in the Victoria CRD Thetis lake Park. From Judy: The weather was clear, allowing us to enjoy fine views of the lake, especially from the higher sections of the trail, which we shared with more people and dogs than usual. Seeming to finish early, we reconvened at the Six Mile Pub, where we enjoyed the food, drink and surrounding garden. And Di discovered cheese curds on the menu!
View Roger and Teri's photos.
View Roger and Teri's photos.
Walk #38 June 13th West Song Walkway Esquimalt area
From Marion: It was a bright but windy day for walking the Songhees waterway. Lots of activity on the water- the Coho traveled by, kayakers paddling the new day, and dog walkers braving the breeze. Enjoyed looking at the Victorian homes. Didn't make it to the old sea captain's home, as we ran out of time. Could hear but not see sea lions barking-probably Californians migrating. Always lots to see on that lovely stretch of coast. Lunch at Spinnakers's. They have a lovely porter-tastes like blackberries. And for the piece de resistance - chocolates with the porter used as a flavor. Yummy.
Walk #39 June 20th South Fairfield Victoria Architectural/History walking tour
We met at the corner where Cook Street and Dallas Road come together. It was good to see all the walking friends again and hear all about their various trips etc. And to share our news about our recent trip to Britain. The walk led back along Cook street looking at early Victoria homes and apartment buildings; including one that was owned by the Guinness family. We wound through several streets and made out way back to cook street about an hour and a half later. As this was only just over the half way point for the walk, and everyone was getting hungry, we decided to save the second half of the walk for a later date and we headed down Cook street to the Beagle Pub for some lunch. View Claudia's photos.
Walk #40 June 27th Durrance Lake Saanich/CRD Park Loop around the lake
On a nice sunny and fairly warm day we met at the parking area at Durrance Lake off the Willis Point road in Central Saanich. A hiking path followed the edge of the lake to make this a nice loop walk. We saw families having a picnic on the lake shore and some men fishing from boats in the lake. This is a nice place to get back to nature, walk the dog and enjoy the fresh air. The trail information says it should take one hour to walk around the lake, but we only took 40 minutes. We tried to get into the Roadside Bar and Grill, for lunch but it was fully booked for a retirement celebration so we went to the Monkey pub instead.
View Terry's photos.
View Phil's photos.
View Terry's photos.
View Phil's photos.
Walk #41 July 4th Uplands Park Oak Bay area A Loop walk through the Uplands
The largest group ever met at Cattle point where we started off into the long grass of the Uplands Park where we followed the trails through to the corner near Midlands Road. From there walked into the Uplands residential area to look at the circular road where the street car line ended with a turn around. Some pieces of the old track can still be seen in the grass boulevard. We walked through the shady Uplands streets towards Beach drive and checked out two small coves that are public beach access points and are seldom used. We then walked back to our starting point at Cattle point and the group went to the Smuggler's Cove Pub in Cadboro Bay for a nice lunch.
View Terry's photos.
View Phil's photos.
View Terry's photos.
View Phil's photos.
Walk #42 July 11th Layritz Park to Horticulture Centre of the Pacific Royal Oak
We parked in the backyard of my brother-in-law on Markham Road and walked towards the Vancouver Island Technical park grounds. Just around the corner we headed into the tall trees and followed the forest path towards the field that is owned by the HCP but it is left as a natural field of tall grass. We followed the cedar chip path down to the lake view area, then walked back up to the trail that leads around to parallel Interurban road and walked to the bird watching platform at the end of the lake. After admiring the view of the lake we headed back towards the Tech Park. AS the weather was hot and sunny we turned into a dog walker's loop in the trees for a while. Finally we came back out on the chip trail and came out between the Tech park and the Interurban campus of Camosun College. We walked past a few buildings and saw the stalactites growing under the cement slab roof of an entrance. i called them Techtites. We returned to our parking place and went to the Roadside Bar and Grill for a nice lunch on the patio.
View photos.
View photos.