Yes, we're heading back over to Victoria...more appointments and, of course, we always like to take the opportunity to spend time with family and friends! We also offered to look after our grandsons for a couple of days as Angie returns to work (school) next week.
I had made reservations for the 11:00 a.m. sailing. We never used to make reservations but with heavy summer traffic and possible sailing cancellations, it takes some of the stress off...and if you reserve early enough, you can often get a better rate and no extra fees.
Another beautiful day for a ferry ride! After a very slow start to our summer weather, it has been pretty magnificent the past month! Here we are going through Active Pass...where the 2 ferries pass each other midway between the two ferry terminals...
We arrived at Rob and Angie's house just after 1:00...and were surprised to see Rob home! He has been having some issues with his back so decided to stay home...besides, they were having cleaners come to vacuum out the house ducts and he wanted to be there.
After sitting out on the deck visiting, Steve and I took the boys for a hike to get them out of the house while the cleaners were there. It's nice having trails available so close! Luckily the trails are in the shade for the most part...but it was still a very hot walk!
Wednesday (Aug. 24) morning Steve was greeted with "Happy Birthday, Grampa!"...along with a homemade card and picture from Bryce...
We met our good friends, Rob and Nancy, for breakfast at the Spitfire Grill and enjoyed a wonderful hour and a half catching up with them...always great seeing them (and we try to every time we come over to the island)!
Next was my appointment with an Ophthalmologist...and the main reason we made another trip over. On my check up last April with my Optometrist, she had noticed a slight haze developing on the membrane behind the lens after my cataract surgery a couple of years ago...thus the appointment with the Ophthalmologist. The hope was to correct a yellowish hue that I see on some plastics (i.e. the visor on my helmet) and people's eyeglasses. The Ophthalmologist, like my Optometrist, had never heard of this issue. It doesn't really bug me...but is just odd. Anyway he suggested that it be "lasered". It wouldn't hurt to have it done, especially since the film will increase over time...he likened it to clear cellophane that turns to wax paper. I agreed to the procedure, he put drops in my eyes to numb them (the pupils had already been dilated) and used a laser to create an opening in the capsule situated behind the implant. The procedure was quick and didn't hurt (what hurt more was going out into the bright sunlight afterwards...even with sunglasses on!). The result...the yellowish hue is still there but my eyesight is "crisper".
We had hoped to do our favourite walk along the waterfront after my appointment but no way could I bear the sunlight, so we went home instead.
As we were approaching the house, we came across a familiar car...it was Rob! While having breakfast with them this morning, they hadn't realized that it was August 24th and Steve's birthday! So he followed us to the house and we sat out on the deck...delivering a birthday card and lottery tickets to Steve. No winners but got a free play...thanks guys!
Thursday (Aug. 25) morning we had an appointment with our financial advisor. Like many others, our investments have gone down, but we will continue to ride the wave, looking forward to the markets to improve. Afterwards, we headed downtown to Fisherman's Wharf...
Just around the corner from Victoria’s Inner Harbour, Fisherman’s Wharf is a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. This unique marine destination offers food kiosks, unique shops and eco-tour adventures amongst fishing vessels, pleasure boats with live-aboard residents, float homes, and commercial businesses.We ordered lunch from one of the food kiosks...Barb's Fish and Chips...and found a picnic table on the waterfront to enjoy the delicious Halibut and chips (we shared a 2-piece order).
Barb's Fish and Chips...
No seals in the harbour today...
Our last visit here was with Jim and Barb Nelson in 2016...there are many more vendors now...
Well done and interesting area...and a very busy tourist spot! Just love all of the brightly coloured buildings!
Next we drove to Ogden Point for a walk on the breakwater...
The Ogden Point Breakwater is a popular walk near downtown Victoria that follows the cement structure from Dallas Road out towards on the Juan de Fuca Strait to a lighthouse on its furthest end. The area gives people an opportunity to see Victoria's busy harbour traffic as cruise ships, ferries, sailboats, float planes, helicopters and more all pass through the area to reach Victoria. Wildlife is also commonly spotted along the breakwater, from seagulls playfully gliding through the harbour winds to seals hanging around as fishermen cast their lines from the edges of the breakwater.
Pilot boats and the cruise ship, Ovation of the Seas, is in port...
Friday (Aug. 26) morning...and another appointment! This time for Steve...like I had done last April, he too wanted his hearing checked as he has a little Tinnitus going on. Seems we both have some hearing loss that is normal for our aging bodies LOL!
We had heard of a new brewery in Sidney, so had to go check it out. We actually found 2...that were almost side-by-side in a new complex on a side street. After checking out the menu at the entrance to Small Gods Brewing Company, we didn't find anything that interested us food-wise. Steve says if he can't pronounce it or recognize it he's not eating there. So we ventured two doors down to Beacon Brewing and decided to try them out.
Steve ordered a pint of Disconnect Dark Mild...Dark fruit and toffee are the first impressions from our version of this English favourite. Low abv and a light body make this beer best consumed in multiples. And I had Ladder Truck Lager...This beer is a tip of the hat to the fire hall that stood on this property and to the men and women that worked there. This easy drinking pale lager is sure to quench the fieriest of thirsts, with it’s subtle hoppyness and light malt character.
Both were very tasty...as was the pizza we shared! A good choice this time...next time we'll have to try the other brewery just for the beer!
Saturday (Aug. 27) morning Angie headed into Victoria for an appointment and lunch with friends and Rob decided to take the boys to the bike park. Steve was going with them, so I called Nancy to see if she wanted to walk the Sidney waterfront. We enjoyed a great walk and then Nancy treated me to coffee afterwards...another great visit, thanks Nancy!
Steve took pictures of the boys at the bike park. Bryce in Red and Conner in white...
That afternoon, we had a small family reunion with Steve's sister and her family. So nice to all get together...it had been a long time since we saw their kids! Left to right...Steve, Conner, Amanda, Matt, Nadine (sitting), Mike, Angie, Bryce with Rob...and me...
Sunday (Aug. 28) Steve and I went into Sidney for our walk along the waterfront. Never get tired of the views!
Monday (Aug. 29) was the first of 2 days that Steve and I have Conner and Bryce all to ourselves. And we had a special day planned...the Malahat Skywalk, the newest tourist attraction near Victoria. The drive up there is just under an hour so we left shortly after 9:00, arriving about a half hour after they opened...good timing as it got much busier by the time we left 2 hour later.
Just before entering the TreeWalk we discovered the first of a few creatures that lined the walk. A Fox or Wolf...
Our first view of the towering SkyWalk...
As we entered the SkyWalk the attendant said did you look in the tree? We had missed the Eagle...
With the ground far below you and breathtaking scenery all around, walk out onto the sturdy 84 ㎡ Adventure Net for an experience unlike any other. Suspended above the centre of the tower, you’ll have uninterrupted views of the lush arbutus forest and the spiralling structure beneath your feet.
Steve took a 59 second video of the view from the top...
Brentwood Bay 250 meters/820 ft below, and Mount Baker in Washington State in the distance...
The Spiral Slide
Coming down from the tower on the 20 metre spiral slide might be the only thing as awesome as the view from the top
Steve went down the slide first to be there when the boys arrived. I stayed up top and waited for the boys to run back up so they could go down again.
He took a video on his way down the slide...
Next was Bryce...
The boys ended up running back up and going down a third time. I would have gone again, too, but I wasn't into walking the spiral walkway all of the way back up!
Next, we went over to the playground and picnic area. The kids played, we all had a drink/snack...
What a fabulous 2 hours we had! And I think all the running up to the slide tired out the boys...they were much quieter on our way back! Brycie had a little snooze as we headed to the restaurant for lunch...
Tuesday (Aug. 30)...and day 2 with the boys! Today we thought we'd go for a hike to John Dean Provincial Park. It's not far away and has miles of hiking trails. We will do our usual hike, that we have done a number of times.
The worse part of the trail we take is that it starts going up...and up...and up immediately. A terrible way to start but after that part is done, then it's down...
Although the hike was only just under 4 km (2.5 miles), it was hot and seemed a lot longer, so we were all happy to get back to the parking lot and our car! Another great outing with the boys!
Wednesday (Aug. 31) morning with big hugs, we said goodbye to Rob when he left for work at 6:20 am. Later on, we did the same with Angie before she left. Thanks so much for all your hospitality! The boys went with Angie as they are attending a day camp at school the next 2 days. Always good to spend as much time as we can with you all! Going to miss the happy hours sitting out on the deck enjoying the summer!
Again, we had reservations on the 11:00 am ferry back to the mainland. And another beautiful day for the ferry ride. Entering Active Pass...Galiano Island left and Mayne Island right...
We were back home just after 1:00 pm...quickly unloaded the car and unpacked our suitcases. I was planning on going grocery shopping but decided we had enough food in the freezer for dinner...and along with toast for breakfast, shopping could wait until tomorrow. So we relaxed the rest of the afternoon inside with the A/C running!
Wow, what a whirlwind of a time! Happy birthday Steve! Was that wharf you went to the same on you took us to? How did Steve react to the VR goggles? Any motion sickness?
ReplyDeleteThanks guys! That was the same wharf we took you to but it's a much more happening place now. I did fine with the VR goggles. Previously a WWI flying game made me feel queasy but the WWII flying game didn't, as well as the games we played that night. It's a lot of fun and some games are a good workout!
DeleteI just love that Forest Bridge Walk place! What lovely views and slide. Great family time, beautiful scenery and hiking!
ReplyDeleteWe were very impressed as it was much more then what we expected. It's also more fun with the grandkids.
DeleteThe boys sure have grown tall. They will be towering over you soon. :)
ReplyDeleteThey sure have!
DeleteSo wonderful spending time with the boys. You and Steve are pretty cool grandparents doing all that fun stuff with the boys!
ReplyDeleteWe had such a fun time with them!
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