Holiday Weekend

MacMini and I are at Rob's house, in Saltair, for the long weekend. I came over Thursday afternoon on the 3:15 to Duke Point, and Rob and Nikki picked me up. As it was dinner-time, we went to one of my favourite places, the Crow and Gate - an English pub near Cedar. It was very busy, but we managed to get a table and have a delicious pan-fried oyster dinner.

Friday, which felt like Saturday to all of us, was fun - Rob had to do some inspections on Salt Spring Island, so Nikki, Therese, and I went along too. He dropped us in Ganges at 9:30 am, saying he would pick us up at 2:30. We started at Barb's Buns, which Nikki wasn't familiar with, and had delicious coffee and some baked goods. It is a neat place, full of Salt Spring regulars, with yummy food and, happily, few tourists. I have eaten there many times, both breakfasts and lunches, often related to sailing, as it is just a couple of blocks from the marina.

Nikki, Therese and I then set out on a marathon gallery-visiting, shopping spree, checking out anything of interest. I actually spent quite a bit of money, mostly in a Fair Trade store that had very neat stuff from India and other places, and in the Art Gallery/Gift Shop on the road just past the fish shop. I have been there quite a few times before; they always have something different, and their things are good quality. They have paintings, sculptures, jewellry and all manner of interesting things, and I ended up buying a present for Mel and a couple of things for Christmas presents - probably a first for me, the last-minute shopper!

We didn't stop for lunch, just had a snack on a bench overlooking the bay, so by the end of our time in Ganges I had sore, tired feet. I found I have been there so often that I know the village and the shops quite well. I was able to take Nikki and Trey out on the short little hike past the townhouses out to the point - I don't know what it's called, but it's a little trail that winds past these luxurious townhouses, over rocks and up and down until you climb up, then down to the point. The point faces an island separating the marina basin and the channel leading from the other marina out to the waters south of Ganges. Therese was fascinated to see a large white swan swimming over by the island, and she was delighted when it swam all the way over to us, probably thinking that we might have some food for it - it came right over and walked onto the sand, but we were up on the rocks so removed from any harrassment it might have planned! Trey took lots of photos....

Rob met us an hour early, which suited my feet very well, and we made the 2:10 ferry at Vesuvius. We had come on the 8:30 am ferry from Crofton - the small, cars-on-open-deck type of ferry. It's a short trip, about 20 minutes, and on the way back, beautiful in the sunshine. We had dressed for cooler weather and clouds, but it got sunny as the day progressed, and then positively warm.

On our way home we shopped for groceries at one of my favourite places, Russells Market, and took the slow road back to the house - I do like Island time! After that, it was relaxing, and reading, and helping with dinner....Afterwards, Kathy and Andy, and Fred and Sheena, came over and we all had a nice visit, drinking wine and yakking.

Rob and I stayed up after Nikki went to bed, but only for about 40 minutes - I was dead tired after all that relaxing!

Today, Saturday, I am excited because Liam and Mel are coming to visit. They have never seen Rob and Nikki's beautiful house and I know they will love it. I am so pleased they are coming, because Liam has always enjoyed Rob's company, and I have wanted for years to get him, and Jordan and family, to come over and visit. Rob and Nikki are so welcoming, and they have such a neat place and so many things to do here, that I know Mel and Liam will like it, and hopefully, decide to come again, especially in better weather (it has rained, sunned and clouded so far today). Having Liam and Mel come is like going on a holiday with them!!