Walk #153 January 7th 2015 Rolston Trail all the way to Royal Oak Drive
For the CAMRAmblers first walk of the year we re-did the Rolston Trail from Rithet's Bog to Royal Oak Drive and back via Emily Carr and Carolwood to get back on the trail again. The small creek was running fast after all the heavy rain we have had these past few days. But as usual our walk was on a dry but foggy or misty day. We did the complete walk in just over one hour, a new record speed for our group. It seems that we are getting faster with our walking as we get in better shape. We drove to the Monkey Tree Pub for lunch and soon three more of our group joined us for lunch. It was a nice outing for the first one of the year. I have noticed that my new camera has problems with focusing in low light conditions. That is why some of today's photos are a little out of focus.
Here is the link to Terry's photos https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/6101732184397818049?authkey=COT8wNOa4tXCpAE
Here is the link to Terry's photos https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/6101732184397818049?authkey=COT8wNOa4tXCpAE
Walk # 154 January 14th 2015 The Sayward Park Trail in Cordova Bay
This
walk was organized by Terry, who was unable to join us due to recent
surgery. Seven of us met at Lochside Park on a lovely sunny day,
crossed over Cordova Bay Road and walked up Sayward Hill Crescent toward
the new condo buildings. This was a steady climb, which got even
steeper when we turned off the road onto a pathway up the hill behind
the condo buildings. There were good views over to the mainland on this
clear day, and we looked down onto the little golf course beside
Cordova Bay Road. We checked out a couple of side trails which led into
the residential area behind the condo development, then followed a
pathway through a wooded park which eventually led us back to Cordova
Bay Road. Lunch was at the Fireside Grill. Thanks to John Adlersparre for taking the photos.
Here is the link to John"s photos https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/6104765458530552001?authkey=CMWn0ZKap5_FTA
Here is the link to John"s photos https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/6104765458530552001?authkey=CMWn0ZKap5_FTA
Walk # 155 January 21st 2015 Exploring Gordon Head Part 2
As you probably have figured out by now, I like to find the hidden laneways that connect streets in various parts of Victoria and design a walk that uses these interesting connectors to get off the major roads and to see neighborhoods that we've never seen before. This walk is the part 2 of a previous walk that we did about a year ago in the general area of Gordon Head. Due to some heavy rainfall recently there were a couple of soggy parts on the walk that were supposed to be trails on the maps and turned out to be nothing more than a deer trail. We managed to find solid ground though and got through these parts without too many wet feet. See the map attached to see the two old orchards that we went through. We had a nice lunch at the Maude Hunters Pub afterwards.
It was a good day for a walk
Here are Phil's photos https://plus.google.com/photos/117826671765550615361/albums/6106921714497185729
Here are Terry's photos https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/6106921417965711345?cfem=1&authkey=CI3Uo_nwyOTxTw
It was a good day for a walk
Here are Phil's photos https://plus.google.com/photos/117826671765550615361/albums/6106921714497185729
Here are Terry's photos https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/6106921417965711345?cfem=1&authkey=CI3Uo_nwyOTxTw
Walk # 156 January 28th 2015 The Thetis lake Park Lower lake Trail
On a mild but cloudy day in January the CAMRAmblers met at the Thetis Lake Park main parking lot and walked around the Lower Lake Trail. This trail has it's ups and downs which makes for some good exercise and cardio. In all the trail was in good condition, with only a couple of muddy sections that were easily passable. The walk only took us one hour exactly, and that even allowed for some sightseeing at a few scenic view points. After the walk we drove the short distance to the Four Mile Brewpub where most of the group enjoyed some of their brewed on premises ales. Here are Terry's photos
https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/6109526850061202721?authkey=CL3WyLOxj46-BQ
https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/6109526850061202721?authkey=CL3WyLOxj46-BQ
Walk # 157 February 4th 2015 A backstage tour of the Belfry plus Fernwood area
It was nice of Judy to organize a backstage tour of the Belfry Theatre for our group. We got a very complete tour of the parts of the four buildings that comprise the theater complex as it is today. Right off the bat we got to climb up into the tower, (the belfry) to see where the playwrights and other staff can study the many scripts and plays that are submitted to the society for consideration. We got to see the second theatre where there is seating for approximately eighty people and the paint and woodworking workshops where the scenery and props are made by talented carpenters and painters. Downstairs we got to see the dressings rooms and the green room where the actors wait until their turn to go onstage comes up. Under the stage we got to see where the actors would drop down through the various trap doors. They really have to be agile to fit down through such a tight place. Our tour lasted nearly forty five minutes; so we only had just under a half hour to do a few blocks walk around the neighborhood to look at some interesting historic houses. A nice lunch at the Fernwood Inn completed the day.
Here are the links to the photos that were taken today:
Terry's https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/6112124829375023857?authkey=COyEj6_Pt96RgwE
Claudia's https://picasaweb.google.com/claudia.boorman/20150204_belfry_tour?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLTg8Y6O1M6jTg&feat=directlink
Phil's https://plus.google.com/photos/117826671765550615361/albums/6112145356866115297
Here are the links to the photos that were taken today:
Terry's https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/6112124829375023857?authkey=COyEj6_Pt96RgwE
Claudia's https://picasaweb.google.com/claudia.boorman/20150204_belfry_tour?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLTg8Y6O1M6jTg&feat=directlink
Phil's https://plus.google.com/photos/117826671765550615361/albums/6112145356866115297
Walk # 158 February 11th 2015 Around the perimeter of James Bay
On a grey day in February the CAMRAmblers parked along Dallas Road near Beacon Hill Park and walked from there along the waterfront and all around the perimeter of James Bay to the Legislature Buildings and then back to the cars before heading to the Bent Mast Pub in James Bay for lunch. It was a nice long walk for a change. The total distance walked by most people was over 3.5 miles or 5.60 kilometers. Not a bad walk for this time of the year. We have been lucky to have such a mild winter this year; and so many dry walking days too.
Here are the links to the photos:
Terry's https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/6114720703553147841?authkey=CLmqo-D2v56R0wE
Phil's https://plus.google.com/photos/117826671765550615361/albums/6114731702661720753
Here are the links to the photos:
Terry's https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/6114720703553147841?authkey=CLmqo-D2v56R0wE
Phil's https://plus.google.com/photos/117826671765550615361/albums/6114731702661720753
Walk # 159 February 18th 2015 Hiking the Boulderwood Hill Park trails
The CAMRAmblers walking group parked at the Broadmede Village Shopping center where there is three hours parking for shoppers. We walked across the street and met at the corner of Falaise drive and walked up to Falaise Crescent and up to Deventer street where we started into the trails. The trail is pretty rough in places with boulders to climb over and a fairly step hill to walk up. This park is much larger than it appears on the map. Eventually as we followed our trail map we came out at the top end of the cemetery. We looked at our watches and decided at that point to walk down the road through the cemetery and back into the trail that took us back the shortest route to our cars. The Monkey Tree Pub was the place for lunch this time and we all had a good meal and something to drink. This walk took about 90 minutes.
Here are the photos of the walk.
Phil's https://plus.google.com/photos/117826671765550615361/albums/6117331490645077441
Terry's https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/6117318834399211713?authkey=CKS9sqG90f_SQQ
Here are the photos of the walk.
Phil's https://plus.google.com/photos/117826671765550615361/albums/6117331490645077441
Terry's https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/6117318834399211713?authkey=CKS9sqG90f_SQQ
Walk # 160 February 25th The Summit Hill trails and wild flowers
Today’s walk went around Summit Park and the Reservoir. Back to February skies but lots of winter and early spring flowers and trees in blossom to show the warmth of the last few weeks. Terry went to the dentist instead. Lois got us started up the hill and around the trails we strolled. Fifth Street for lunch, where Terry caught up to us. Good timing today, the rain had started by the time lunch was over.
Here the photos
John's https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/6119941957265826305?authkey=CN2B0ryonoaR2QE
Phil's https://plus.google.com/photos/117826671765550615361/albums/6119910830897559297?authkey=COXhptinv5L2YQ
Laura's https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/109567001728485403565/albums/6119901098895540401?authkey=CJiKvIiZ9IftaQ
Here the photos
John's https://plus.google.com/photos/108709526830847929475/albums/6119941957265826305?authkey=CN2B0ryonoaR2QE
Phil's https://plus.google.com/photos/117826671765550615361/albums/6119910830897559297?authkey=COXhptinv5L2YQ
Laura's https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/109567001728485403565/albums/6119901098895540401?authkey=CJiKvIiZ9IftaQ