rain followed us home

We managed a sleep in once Britt was on her way to work early. Sheldon will not be seeing her before her turn to the 2nd decade tomorrow so needed a hug and wishes. When we did awake still on PST after a late night it was like Victoria weather; overcast damp and drizzly. I won't complain because the pastures have greened up a bit since we left and are looking promising.

and of course rain makes mud for the piggies ;)

The rain came and went thru the day. It was hard to get motivated requiring Sheldon to. Even catch a nap in the chair after our coffee and a quick pitch of hay. I did get started on housekeeping such as laundry of the Lexi-field door mats, vacuum and such. Sheldon headed out early after 2 to drop rummage sale boxes off and fill with fuel before heading back to the airport for his flight north. I continued on accounting for the afternoon while watching Outlander and finishing season 1 even.

few pics of the Bali girls

I threw on a pot of hamburger soup, perfect for this days weather. B was home early at 6 to catch up on her birthday celebration weekend details over hot soup. Tuckered after her long day she was off to her room. I rounded out my night with a hot shower, then curl up in my freshly changed sheets to continue Outlander.

roadtrip Sunday

Today is our last day ;( It is an overcast dreary start. We got our stuff ready to roll and met the Cole's again at Milestones. Just a coffee though for Sheldon and water for me before we were back to the hotel to check out and the Cole's were off to the airport. The concierge had printed us out a trip to Sooke with first stop at Metchosin at a little restaurant. Yummy seafood chowder filled me to the brim as did Sheldon's beef dip.

good bye spring home

Our next stop was the Sooke potholes after a winding rain forest drive. It is a neat provincial place that hosts swimming pools in summer and salmon run in the fall. Rain started to drizzle a bit off and on as we went.

When we got to Sooke Harbour House the driver needed a wee nap. I caught up on birthday wish thank yous before we headed to check out the house, its grounds and Wiffin Spit. This is quite a popular walking place for people and their dogs for sure. We had planned on supper here but the late brunch had us both stuffed!!

driftwood and totems

aren't these mirrors super cool?

driftwood arch then heading out on the spit

Time to head back to Victoria. The sun was now trying to pop thru.

Sheldon has had his heart set on eating at the food truck red fish blue fish. The line was never ending the whole time we were there but as we came over the stairs there was no line today, perfect. He ordered his halibut and a quick rain  let loose then the sun was back out and the line for fish started again.

trying to capture a photo of me in front of our weekend home finally before we leave

We looped thru the legislature gardens before getting back to the car.

love the gold guy up top

Sheldon captured these great shots of this blooming beauty, so pretty

check out the size of this sequoia tree and it is not even close to the one on the front lawn

back side of legislature

boss man found his chair ;)

We still had about 4 hours before we fly so entered north meandering thru residential areas on our way even getting thru the line to the ferry at the far north. Time to fill the rental with gas, grab a Tim's coffee to finish the baileys and find a local to take the bag of beverages we had left. We ended up finding the perfect fellow who said "I hit the jackpot!" with this package.

Returning the car and getting thru security took virtually minutes which gave Sheldon time to catch up on recent news and I could catch another Outlander with the free airport WiFi. Another packed flight had everyone there early, loaded early and taking off early getting us back to Calgary 20 minutes early!! We finished the movie Lion on the way home after only getting half watched on way there. We were back to the car just after midnight (dang as it caused another day parking) but it was raining, at least no snow. It rained most of the way home which made us feel like we had not even left BC but it was only 2 ;) Britt was fast asleep but Lola was happy to see us for sure.

drizzle don't stop us Saturday

The weather changed to overcast threatening rain. It was probably a welcome change for the drink tours. Sheldon and I went across the road to Milestones for breakfast. Glen and Roxy joined us as we were finishing up. Back to the hotel for umbrellas as now the rain had started. Cole's planned to nap but I suggested a drive and they opted to join us.

We toured the coastline around Victoria touring many fancy home areas too. Our loop went north until we found the correct route to Cowichan Bay, another suggested place Sheldon was given. The weather had some sun when we stopped for a restroom stop that turned sub lunch. However when we did get to Cowichan Bay, a cute little harbor town the rain started shortening the walk about.

An alternative route on the old #1 highway back took us through lots more of the island suburban areas eventually landing us back home at the empress.

these are kiwi vines

Cole's had a rest in their room but the sun was now trying again so Sheldon and I headed to the lounge to enjoy our complimentary drinks.

view out the lounge window

This led to steaks there as the restaurant Pagglichis that I hoped to go to had a long line seeing it was Saturday. The hotel serves up tasty food for sure and the lounge has complimentary unique charcoal seasoned popcorn.

back at home, Britt was celebrating her birthday early

We had tentatively planned on seeing a burlesque show at the local theatre but plans changed when Cole's opted out and then ended up in the lounge joining us after we ate. We ended up staying there for the evening but headed up a bit earlier then last few nights. Again the magic pillows worked their charm putting Sheldon into a deep sleep and me with my Outlander.