Saturday, June 17 to Tuesday, June 20, 2023 (Trip to North Saanich, BC) PART 1

Our week in Victoria (North Saanich) was pretty full with us trying to keep our grandsons entertained 😄...so we broke our blog update into 2 parts. Here is the first few days....

Saturday (June 17) morning I had a mammogram appointment at 9:00. Before I left, I pretty well had my suitcase packed, leaving Steve to finish up with his. I was in and out quickly and as soon as I got home, we loaded the car up and were on our way down island. We decided to stop at what has become our favourite lunch spot...The Shady Rest Restaurant and Pub in Qualicum Beach. 
It didn't open until noon and since we were a little early, Steve took a short video of Qualicum Beach.  
We enjoyed another delicious meal with a fabulous view (hint...the Shrimp Cobb Salad is excellent!)...
Today is the last day of school before summer break for our 2 grandsons, Bryce and Conner, and the reason we are on our way down to stay with them. Although the boys have finished school, Mom (Angie) still has one more week before she is off for the summer, so we will be "watching" them for the week.                                                         (Angie's photo)
We arrived at Rob and Angie's at about 4:00 and were greeted enthusiastically by the boys...(and of course, Rob and Angie!) We enjoy sitting out on the sundeck...a little chilly this afternoon, though, as the sun went in and out from behind the clouds. Angie, Conner and Rob...
Sunday (June 18)...and Father's Day! The boys made Grampa a very sweet card from the family...
They must know he has a sweet tooth, as a box of chocolates was in that gift bag!
We had plans this morning with our good friends, Rob and Nancy. They had made reservations for breakfast at Mary's Bleue Moon Cafe. We enjoyed a wonderful hour and a half catching up with each other. We continued our chatting as we headed out to the parking lot...so wonderful seeing them! No pictures this time, though!

After saying goodbye to Rob and Nancy, we headed into Sidney and a walk along our favourite waterfront walk. Somewhat cloudy and a bit breezy on the waterfront this morning, but nice just the same. View of the Sidney Pier with lots of sail boats out on the water...
Beacon Park...
Rob and Angie had another wonderful dinner planned for us tonight...roast beef done on the rotisserie. Rob has just put the roast on as we all relaxed on the deck...with Bryce entertaining us with his latest magic trick. He's quite the entertainer!
Looking good, Rob!
Perfect!
Sitting down to a wonderful dinner...roast beef, Yorkshire Pudding, gravy and Caesar salad...Delish! 
Happy Father's Day...a great father/son picture!
Monday (June 19) morning I had a dentist appointment at 9:00, leaving Steve and the boys to have a relaxing start to the day. Mom and Dad had already gone to work. Usually Steve and I both have our appointments together but of course I had to make them separate since we are looking after the boys. 

It wasn't a particularly nice day...cloudy with rain sprinkling off and on. So early this afternoon, when Steve headed to his dental appointment, he dropped the boys and I off at Panorama Recreation Centre. It was a good way to keep them busy, especially since they love the pool! 

I sat in the viewing area alongside the pool and as they were getting ready to go into the pool, it was hilarious to see Conner's face...the pool was full of seniors taking an aquafit class. Although the boys school year has finished, most public schools still have another week or 2 before they are finished. They are used to going to the pool and seeing lots of kids...so I explained this, and directed them to the area of the pool where they could swim.

They are the far right towards the back...
Enjoying the hot tub for a few minutes...
Speaking of the hot tub, about an hour into their pool time, the life guards started blowing their whistles. I looked over to see an elderly man underwater in the hot tub. The pool was quickly evacuated as they worked to revive the man. I sent the boys into the change room to get dressed and met them in the lobby. We saw an ambulance and fire truck as we went out to check out the playground...we still had to wait for Steve to pick us up. The ambulance was there for awhile and wasn't in a hurry when it left, so I'm hoping that the elderly gentleman was fine. That was the "excitement" for the boys today!

Tuesday (June 20) and another cooler, cloudy day. On the agenda for today was a visit to Fort Rodd Hill in Victoria. On our way we stopped at 2 different cemeteries to pay our respects to both Steve's and my parents, as well as Steve's brother and grandparents. After lunch at McDonald's, we arrived at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites

Much to our surprise, we were greeted by Steve's brother-in-law, Mike. Steve had talked to Nadine and Mike this morning, finding out that Nadine has not been feeling well...so after hearing that we were going to the Fort this afternoon, Mike decided to join us! Great to see him and have him along!

Over to Steve...

Entering the fort...
Bunkhouse...



We continued up the hill to the first gun battery...

There's Uncle Mike!
View from the gun battery...
Looking back at the entrance from the gun battery...
Time to check out below...
Bryce in the lead...
Gun Battery Magazine...
One of many Search Light locations...
(Click on photo to enlarge)


We exited the gun battery and continued along the pathway...

For $128 a night you too can camp in one of these oTENTik's. Seems a bit rich to me!
We continued along a heavily forested trail and noticed this gnarly looking tree...



As we neared the gun battery there were birds darting around us. As we entered we found out why...



Rear view of the guns...


Fisgard Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse on the west coast of Canada...
Searchlight building...


Rusty submarine net and buoys...

Looking back at the Belmont Battery and Searchlight Building...
Access to the lighthouse used to be by row boat until a causeway was built in 1951...


Once entering I climbed the circular stairs...
...where I found Dianne and Bryce already playing checkers upstairs...


Displays of marine lenses...
Conner steering a ship on an interactive screen...
There was no access on theses stairs to the top of the lighthouse...
I texted Rob, who works across the harbour at CFB Esquimalt, a photo of the boys saying "Hi dad"!
Dad's workplace

Navy divers returning to base...
We came across this fellow...
He proceeded into an outdoor eating area and is between the picnic tables...

Entering another gun battery...




Not a bad view!

Conner operating the lever to raise and lower the gun...







That was an enjoyable afternoon! It had been years since we had been there...actually neither one of us really remember much about it.

As we neared Rob and Angie's we spotted 2 does and 4 fawns...
Stay tuned for Part 2...and the rest of our busy week!


8 comments:

  1. What a great Fathers Day meal. Nice lighthouse. What a fun week with the kids!

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    1. A fabulous meal, Debbie, and a great start to the week with the kids!

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  2. Awwww GreatPhotos. LOVE my LIGHTHOUSE

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    1. I always think of you when I see a lighthouse, Suzanne! xo

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  3. I don't know if I would have enough energy to keep up with the boys like that. Good for you guys!

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    1. They certainly keep us busy but are old enough now to entertain themselves once in awhile which gives us a break.

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  4. Great times with your grandsons. Deb K

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