More Nature News from SSI

I was driving into 'town' this morning to get groceries for the b&b and a barred owl (like the one pictured above) was sitting on a wooden fence right beside the road. His back was to the road and he was being pestered mercilessly by robins, although he wasn't bothered. His head was tilted down and I thought he was sleeping. I only had my phone camera so got out carefully to take a shot but startled him and he flew away.............with a long, long, rat tail hanging out of his mouth.

Butchart Gardens

Thursday was a vacation day for us and Kevin's last day in B.C. Friday morning he catches the seaplane from Ganges to Vancouver and from there to Calgary and Kitchener. It was a gorgeous day that was supposed to start out with an oil change for my car at 9 a.m as per an appointment made several days before.. Ah, the island way. Kevin arrived at the mechanic's and was asked to leave the car for the day and they could do the change around 4pm. So why the 9 a.m. appointment? They also don't seem too familiar with the concept of people only owning 1 car and needing to wait while the job is done. I must source out another mechanic who charges less than the $88.00 I paid in February for my oil change!  So, we drove onto the ferry at Fulford and, after a half hour ride were in Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island.

Mt. Baker, Washington in the background

The trip to Butchart Gardens was only about a half hour drive from the ferry. What an amazing place. I strongly urge anyone visiting the Victoria area to check this out. Here are a few pictures of the amazing places and plants.

The Sunken Garden

The Sunken Garden

We made a stop in Sidney for a glass of wine and a snack before catching the 7pm ferry back to Salt Spring. The waterfront is nicely developed with a sculpture walk. The dog walker and dachshund are a shoutout to my friend Alice, in Maine.

So many options, so little time.

Kevin's Tuna Tataki - delicious

Velo Village

This weekend Salt Spring is hosting Velo Village. 400 cyclists are riding the car free ferry from Swartz Bay and descending on the island. They will cycle uphill for 14 kilometres to the town of Ganges where they will be welcomed with a Beer Tent (they're gonna need it). There is a gala Friday night at the local performance centre, Artspring. Ten artists on the island were given bicycle parts to create art with. Their works are being auctioned off, the proceeds to provide bikes to the 3rd world. There are also funky,painted and decorated bikes all around the island. Here are some of them.

A yarn bombed bike

A be-ribboned bike

In the Visitor's Centre

Goldfinger's Bike

The history of midwives and Bikes

Wrapped up in bubbles wrap

The Meow Prowler