JULY AND AUGUST the dog days of summer...

 By July the garden at Chemainus Garden was in full swing.  New beds were constructed that weren't claimed. Many prospective gardeners were not sure how they would take care of their plot, others dismayed at the charge for the plot. Because the area is provided with water and startup soil and nothing else, we have to make it work !  Long timers have purchased the wood for beds and soil but now there are several beds available.  The fee is strictly for Garden use for supplies such as new hoses for everyone to use if they haven't purchased a drip system. A 4'x12' bed is $20.00 a year.  People are encouraged to share the care and produce of beds  with others if they would like.  For example if you and another person each purchase a bed, then you could work out your own work schedule and share your produce.  When you purchase a bed no one else has permission to use it or do anything to it unless given warning that their bed condition is jeopardizing the others.  Weeds and little trees popping up are a monthly task that must be done to fulfill our part of the contract with Chemainus Gardens.   
This year we  filled the extra beds with potatoes, so next year the soil will be richer for it!
 I'd like to encourage anyone who loves to garden to join this venture.  The Management has provided a good plot with decent sized beds.  The garden itself didn't really start ( over for the 3rd time) till last year with high interest and little information available to those who have now wandered by it and wonder how to "join".
This garden is by way of grant from Management to the Residents and we have to fund it ourselves as far as further infrastructure.   This year should have a little more organization and not just work!

soil for more beds

 Plans to help people contact the group are underway.  For now please let Agnes Aaberg know you're interested in a Spring Bed. 




 Her email is: abaaberg@shaw.ca 

We're excited to help those "from the other Canada" people who have come and are GREAT gardeners that actually didn't know lots about our microclimate on the Island, thus getting discouraged.  Some of us are discussing having lectures on a variety of subjects by some who have lived on the Island for awhile and understand the microclimate here.
We can and will try to help anyone who would like space. Though there are structures in the garden that take space, it remains to be seen how actually useful they are or whether we want to keep them if demand for beds is growing .Because we are a sub Committee on the CGRA,  we can vote to change things or ask CGRA to make our concerns known to management  if we aren't happy with the way things are. We are committed to helping anyone have a plot who would like one.

 Our summer was spent between camping spots that chased our grandkids or kids!  One of our first outings was to Strathcona Park. Our grandson was getting an award in the form of a check towards schooling and plaque for Youth Excellence.  We discovered several places and visited some we hadn't at that side of the Island.  Strathcona has Provincial Parks that are very nice, though not with the same amenities as a National Park ( like Green Point in Tofino). Pit toilets are standard and showers not available in many.

 We happen to like rough camping and so this is no big deal to us.  We like a safe place to sleep, however!
On our way home we stopped to try a trail we'd seen on the way in. It wasn't a long or hard trail and the waterfall at its end was spectacular!

 The hike up had nice little rest spots for just enjoying the forest and its environment. More like the Hermits Trail was about 10 years ago. 
It is a well kept trail and  very pleasant even in the rain or mist!

 This photo doesn't do it justice...it's worth the climb!




















Then on to Strathcona Lodge...actually a beautiful rustic hotel with a long history.  Because the Junior Canadian Rangers used this as their base and the Guides on the outings were employed there, we were allowed on the grounds!!

  
The ceremony presenting Braedon with the Youth Excellence award during wind up ceremonies The small envelope contained a check!!  for $1,000.  :  I'm not OVERLY proud am I??
He spent it on school supplies, as he got a scholarship for 4 years (tuition) at Simon Fraser University

 Our daughter in law, son and grandson Braedon with younger brother, Grandpa and Grandma.....

One day while camping, we went into Gold River.  It was quite pretty and we found the people very friendly... their wonderful coffee shop/art gallery was worth the drive!

 If you ever get a chance to go out there, please stop.  It is one of the jewels of the Island that is little known except by worldwide buyers.  It reminded me of our place in Telkwa way out of town and not hardly known in Smithers, but well known around the world!
The art there was stunning...each piece quite the masterpiece from pottery to carvings... makes a great morning walk about too...the river is not far ( Gold River) and is easily walkable in good weather.  Rain always complicates, however and it can be slippery.

 The owners of the Cafe side are selling because their Art side is doing so well they can hardly keep up...
It's called CLAYWORKS CAFE AND GALLERY.  
The coffee and teas are great and they make a fresh batch of muffins daily.
Well worth the trip in my opinion!

 On the way home we meandered till we came to where we thought a couple nights would be good... Miracle Beach, near Campbell River.  



We stayed 2 nights, as it was so relaxing for us. 

 Mornings were lovely right on the beach.  We set up our art boards and did some drawing right there.  I find it a great way to remember our doings, as I use it as a day book!

 Doesn't even matter if they are great looking...your mind always recalls what you endeavor to set down.

Other outings during the month to Cowichan Bay were pleasant... There was a new dog treat shop and they had fixed up a nice area we were welcome to use.  Her shop had all sorts of Dog treats.  Skip would have loved this shop!!
 

Treats galore!!

Our love of small spaces done beautifully always attracts us to the marina at Cow Bay.

 I love to see the unusual use of space.

We were looking around and went in to a shop where we recognized a name that was displayed: When we went in we found that the man running the Art Gallery was indeed brother to the man we knew in Hazelton, B.C. so we had a good talk with him and he remembered us because his brother had boots made by Charles years ago.






Then came our Ice Cream Social.  It wasn't as well attended as in years past, but the people were as friendly as ever!
Sonia and Goodie agreed to pose for a photo...sweet! 

Donna and Laurie were servers and ticket takers.

? with Dennis and Maureen, ? and Hettie

Dian and Carol with Brian and Frances.

The goods..yummmm

Then off to our 50th Anniversary Celebration in Victoria, a lovely hotel stay at ABIGAILS HOTEL...for 2 nights in a luxury suite...

 

 Set in downtown Victoria this little specialty boutique hotel was a wonderful gift from our children.
For 2 nights and 3 days we were carefree and happy to laze through the sunny hours of freedom.
We highly recommend this hotel.  It is a little more expensive than most, but is as nice or nicer than the EMPRESS.

 Its drawback is for those who have problems getting up flights of stairs, because it is a reconfigured house and didn't have such amenities. Since we were on the 3rd floor we ( avid walkers both) found the first day a real "huffer". But after awhile it was fine. Amazing how your body adapts! I think the Coach House had an elevator in it, so you could check that out...it's done very beautifully and worth the expense when you consider free parking, {five star} breakfast, and an appetizer buffet between 4:30 and 6:00 pm.  It was more than enough for us for dinner!!







All day drinks were lovely too. ... the Lattes were really good!

 I loved the 19th Century furnishings and the story of the hotel.  
The staff not only included a cookie 
(all guests receive one )



                                           but a bottle of 

Cabernet Savignon and a card from the staff! I was pretty impressed.  The food was delicious and staff were extremely attentive.







Throughout the 3 days we walked everywhere... to shops, to the water, down to the  Causeway and enjoyed every minute.  AND if was sunny...after the rain we'd had in July.



 We got to see the little ferries do a "dance" routine in the harbour.  It was beautiful. Other buskars and acts were done all day.  So we pretty well were spoiled with the life of a SUMMER tourist!

 
 




 One of the intriguing parts of a walk along the area near the FLYING OTTER was fishermen cleaning their catch.  One sea lion in particular was hanging about chasing away lesser seals and hogging all the offal that was being tossed into the water!  No waste there!!
The gardens around the EMPRESS were pretty, but gone is the rose Arbor...I miss it.  And I miss the ivy on the front...it's nice, it's just not my style anymore.

 Our last morning this was our breakfast:  Each day a new grouping of entrees are given.  It was Sunday, so I had a really yummy waffle with all the cream available!  With a Latte, of course.

 Coming home I find I am still in love with Chemainus Gardens... my total retreat and resting place...wonderful neighbors and many friends.....

 But on the 17th  of August I was informed that one of my dearest friends had passed away.  Mary Squire...the most cheerful and positive person in the Park I think. 


 

At our last hot dog roast at Honeymoon Point with Karen, Dave and Jane and Bill

 

Mary and Louise at the Christmas Fair..

   I'll personally never forget when Mary and Louise were scoping out the Gardens as a home and being invited in to our house to look at the possibilities of downsizing. It was so exciting to follow the Squires as they ordered a place on the Waterlily Pond and settled in!  Talking with Bill and Mary was like refreshing water.  So positive.. so sensitive!
Mary and I had so many things in common...especially Art and Gardening.

   We had many chats about both.  Mary was my spare on the Executive for the Garden Club...we worked to make everyone happy with the Garden...taking and talking about ideas and plans thrown out by the new Resident Members. 



 Her biggest gift to the Garden Club was a passion for flowers...anywhere!  Our beds that have zinnia and budleia and other bee attractors are part of her Legacy.

  She worked hard to make sure the rules were followed, by being "the enforcer"...and NO ONE took umbrage with her! She had a way of talking to those in "non compliance" to make them see the error of their ways to the whole garden.
   I will never forget Mary's attitude toward Life:  Laugh and Live...
She always tossed off my too picky attitudes with an encouraging word and lots of laughter.  I miss her smile and I miss her encouragement.  She was a Sister like no other and I know many others are also mourning.  But her legacy was Peace and Joy and Love.  And she was a perfect example of all these attributes....May she Rest in Peace.

Mary  Squire

Since our last entry the horrid looking dead cedar trees are taken out. Poor things didn't get water last year and finally died. Of course when we first came they were beautiful, but for a few years now they took on an unhealthy skeletal look..  
Now we can see the magnolia in the early spring and the black acacia the rest of the year.  I'm sincerely hoping that the new garden contractors will once again restore this lovely area. It doesn't deserve being neglected...

 The Ponds are dropping.. and far too many alder are again taking hold.  Again, hoping that these banks will be kept clear and not return to marsh totally.

 Harvest depends on the weather.  If it is sunny and warm most days we can leave it with a covering to avoid mildew and virus.  If it rains a lot or if it is heavy nightly dew for too long, then the crops can be picked and laid out to dry in the covered plastic area to mature.  This so that virus and fungi don't spread in the soil...something most Canadians don't worry about no matter where they live!

So welcome to Fall.  May the days be long and sunny...

 Correctly pruned tomatoes...lovely to see...
Thornless blackberries and strawberries...

The fruit of our labour!  strawberries with blackberries

On other matters:  The official closing of the OFFICE has taken place, HOWEVER the signage is not down and in a very small place on the far side of the window is a new address to address concerns....in Duncan.

 Of course signage is important, so be aware there is now no resident OFFICE or Office Manager.  
 I will ask that the signage saying otherwise be taken down and a more prominent one replace it.
We all got letters with the email of a couple of weeks ago informing us that Max is now in charge and to write to him in order to address problems to do WITH  THE  PARK AND ITS MAINTAINENCE.

For all who are asking:  yes, there is a NO SOLICITING sign in 2 places in the upper entrance.  It is up to you to enforce by refusing to open your door, though.  
Please feel free to use the email for Max.  I have sent and received an answer for one question I had.  Let's be super fair and let him get used to us!!

If there is anything our Residents want covered in photo and in words, please email me or leave me a note on this site.

Have a lovely Fall!

Cheers....

Leslie