Walk # 191 October 14th 2015 Lochside Trail from Lochside Park North
The day started out with clouds and foggy areas; but as soon as we started walking the sun broke through and it became a very warm and pleasant fall day. In fact some of us had to remove jackets and sweaters because it was so warm. We walked out as far as the group wanted to, and then turned around a walked back to the cars that were parked at Lochside park. A short drive to the Beach House Restaurant on Cordova Bay for lunch. We wished Cathy Smith a Happy Birthday at lunch.
Here are Claudia's photos of the lunch
Here are Terry's photos
Here are Phil's photos
Walk # 192 October 21st 2015 Exploring the Braefoot area and History
It was a really good turnout today for a walk starting at about the centre of what was once the centre of the Simon Fraser Tolmie Farm. We followed some public footpaths over the pedestrian overpass to the Bow Pond /Feltham Trail and soon were at the Bow Pond watching the ducks as they came right up to us looking for food handouts. I have attached a link to his report that tells about the Tolmie family.
Here are Terry's photos
Here are Phil's photos
Here are Claudia's photos from lunch
A map of the Simon Fraser Tolmie farm
Read more about the Tolmie family
Here are Terry's photos
Here are Phil's photos
Here are Claudia's photos from lunch
A map of the Simon Fraser Tolmie farm
Read more about the Tolmie family
Walk # 193 October 28th 2015 A Return to the Macaulay Point Park
A little rain didn't keep the walkers from visiting the historic Macaulay Point Battery and Park again. This was the site of the CAMRAmbler's very first walk way back in 2011. This 125 year old military fort was built at the same time as Fort Rodd Hill in Metchosin but Macaulay Point was still part of the Work Point Army base until 1985 when it was turned over to the township of Esquimalt. It's overgrown with blackberry vines and Scotch Broom and bush so bad that it's hard to find some of the cement structures that were part of the original gun emplacements. Graffiti has just been painted over and very little maintenance has been done to preserve this historic site. A work party of municipal employees were seen cutting back vines and broom when were walked around the site, but otherwise not much is maintained on a regular basis.
Here is more information about the Macaulay Point area
Here is still more information about Macaulay Point and Fort Rodd Hill
Here are Phil's photos
Here are Terry's photos
Here is more information about the Macaulay Point area
Here is still more information about Macaulay Point and Fort Rodd Hill
Here are Phil's photos
Here are Terry's photos
Walk # 194 November 4th 2015 The Nature House & Around Swan lake
Many Thanks to Marion and Dave for organizing this weeks walk and leading the group around Swan Lake and over to the Monkey Tree pub for a lovely lunch. The weather cooperated for some pleasant weather and the trail wasn't muddy at all. I took lots of photos but my SD memory card from my camera failed, the first time ever. :-(
Here's Phil's photos
Here's Phil's photos
Walk # 195 November 11th 2015 A short walk for Remembrance Day
Seven CAMRAmblers met at John and Di’s and walked the short distance to the Saanich Municipal Hall to attend the Remembrance Day ceremony. It was a beautiful, sunny fall day. Afterwards, some of the group went to the CFB Wardroom for snacks and conversation.
Walk # 196 November 18th 2015 Beckwith Park and North Quadra area
This walk was lead by Paul, and started at Beckwith Park and followed the path around the small lake, then through some laneways to other streets, and part of the Lochside trail in the general North Quadra/lake Hill area.
Here are Phil's photos
Here are Phil's photos
Walk # 197 November 25th 2015 Beckwith Park to West of Quadra area
The weather was bright and sunny, but quite cool for this walk lead by Paul. Starting at the parking area of Beckwith Park the group walked back along Beckwith to North Quadra and across to the trail through Hutchison park and the old Rogers Family dairy farm, "Chesterlea". Following another laneway they came back out at Quadra and then walked back to where they could cut through a laneway that took them back to Beckwith Park. A nice circle route to do on a brisk fall day.
Here are Phil's photos
Here are Phil's photos
Walk #198 December 2nd 2015 SW Beaver Lake Park trails
The CAMRAmblers braved a chilly and damp day but with no rain in sight they walked the trails of the SW corner of Beaver Lake led by John McM. We parked at the big gravel parking lot at the Equestrian Centre and walked through the fields near the ponds where the retriever training goes on. This part of the lake gets much less walking traffic than the rest of the lake's trails. Terry left the group when they headed over to the west part of the lake, and walked back to his truck.
Here are Terry's photos
Here are Phil's photos
Here are Terry's photos
Here are Phil's photos
Walk # 199 December 9th 2015 Exploring the town of Sidney
Today's group met at Iroquois Park, so named after the ship that sank off the Sidney coast in 1911 during a storm much like the one experienced last night. Under sunny skies and balmy temperatures, we started our walk on the promenade leading out of town...puddles and bits of wood, stones, seaweed tossed up over the sea-wall were clear evidence of last night's storm. We enjoyed the sea views,watching the arrival of the Anacortes ferry and the fresh, salty air. Returning to town, we wended our way through the quiet streets and came upon the boardwalk by the marina. We followed it back into town passing by metal sculptures to our lunch destination at Beacon Landing...the decorations and lighting signaled the imminent arrival of Christmas. After lunch, some of the group chose to explore the shops along the avenue.
Here are David's photos
Here are David's photos
Walk # 200 December 16th 2015 Walking the west side of Elk lake
The walking group turned out in force today. (14 persons!) John M took charge again and organized that everyone would park in the small area halfway along Bear Hill Road on the left. Then we walked south from there along the west side of the lake on the old V&S railway bed, abandoned and removed by the end of the First World War. I think that the group walked all the way to where there is a sign that tells the story of that railroad and displays a piece of track and a few old spikes. I only walked about 2.5 k and turned around.
Here are Phil's photos
Here are Terry's photos
Here are Phil's photos
Here are Terry's photos
2015 December 20th 2015 The CAMRAmblers 2015 Christmas party
The CAMRAmblers got together at the beautiful home of Linda and Larry for another warm and wonderful house party. There were more appys that anyone could eat, and later the pizza order arrived. After dinner Wenche, Lois and John performed a 100 year old skit called Dr. Kronkite. It brought smiles to all the faces.
Later in the evening Marion and Martin brought out their guitars and most of us sang Christmas songs and carols. It was a magical evening! So many thanks to Linda and Larry for sharing their home this time. And to all the CAMRAmblers for such a supporting group of friends.
Here are Claudia's photos
Here is the photo that Larry took
Here are Kathy's photos
Later in the evening Marion and Martin brought out their guitars and most of us sang Christmas songs and carols. It was a magical evening! So many thanks to Linda and Larry for sharing their home this time. And to all the CAMRAmblers for such a supporting group of friends.
Here are Claudia's photos
Here is the photo that Larry took
Here are Kathy's photos
Walk # 201 December 23rd 2015 A walk from Beacon Hill park to Ogden point
, MartinWe met on Dallas Road just below the old tea shop building in Beacon Hill Park. There was no rain but the south wind was considerable and clouds scudded across the sky. The plan was to walk west towards Ogden Point and proceed on to the Coast Guard Station and perhaps Fisherman’s Wharf before retracing our steps.
We were joined by Dave and Marion’s daughter Lynne and her husband Asif Haque. Also joining the walk were Lois, Paul, John A, Wenche, Martin and Merv.
After clearing the boat pond, we noticed the waves were being washed up over the breakwater so most of us moved to the north side of Dallas except for Lynne, Asif and Marion. One wave managed to fill one of Lynne’s rubber boots with a lot of water!
Outside an apartment block was a family of wooden moose. See photo. Dave’s finger points the way.
We could see clear across to Port Angeles and on approaching the Ogden Point Café, observed a large rain cloud bearing down on us. Our Leader, Dave, ushered us into the Café for Tea or Coffee until the downpour had passed. We then retraced our steps back to the our cars and went to the J.B.I. for lunch. It was a very busy place that day. Larry and Linda joined the group for lunch.
Here are the photos from that walk
We were joined by Dave and Marion’s daughter Lynne and her husband Asif Haque. Also joining the walk were Lois, Paul, John A, Wenche, Martin and Merv.
After clearing the boat pond, we noticed the waves were being washed up over the breakwater so most of us moved to the north side of Dallas except for Lynne, Asif and Marion. One wave managed to fill one of Lynne’s rubber boots with a lot of water!
Outside an apartment block was a family of wooden moose. See photo. Dave’s finger points the way.
We could see clear across to Port Angeles and on approaching the Ogden Point Café, observed a large rain cloud bearing down on us. Our Leader, Dave, ushered us into the Café for Tea or Coffee until the downpour had passed. We then retraced our steps back to the our cars and went to the J.B.I. for lunch. It was a very busy place that day. Larry and Linda joined the group for lunch.
Here are the photos from that walk
Walk # 202 December 30th 2015 The Mount Douglas Park Trails (south)
We had a great turnout for this walk which was the last one of the year. Mt.Douglas park is a quiet and scenic place to enjoy a sheltered walk in the tall trees. Winter or summer it always is a nice place to enjoy the fresh air and natural surroundings. We did the first trails so fast we decided to drive to the main park area and look at the trails that go next to the Mt. Douglas creek to see the new work on the creek beds that Saanich has done this past summer. For lunch we went to Maude Hunter's Pub.
Here are Claudia's photos
Here are Phil's photos
Here are Terry's photos