Due to the rules governing the Covid 19 quarantine most walks were greatly reduced.
Social Isolation is slowly easing in British Columbia. Some group walks are returning with a strict distance between people being suggested. We will try to choose places that have wider pathways so we can safely give some distance to other people we meet. Those members who live together are exempted from the social distancing.
Playfair Park May 6th 2020 A small number of members showed up to view the Camus lilies and the Rhodos for a short walk. No lunch was scheduled for this walk as all of our usual places are still closed.
Colin"s Vimeo slideshow
Terry's photos
Royal Roads - Charlie's Trail May 13th 2020 We did a walk along Charlies Trail at Royal Roads today Terry worked his long distance magic and we did not get rained on. We only saw a total of 6 people on this walk
Colin's Vimeo slideshow
Cedar Hill Golf chip trail - May 20th 2020 A small number of the members of this group did the perimeter chip trail at Cedar Hill Golf Course.
Colin's Vimeo slideshow
Walk # 426 May 27th 2020 An organized walk at last. An Inner harbour walk
Marion organized this walk for those who were ready to go out in public again. The parkade under the main branch of the library was where we parked. It wasn't at all busy and there were lots of parking spots. We met near the Strathcona Hotel and Marion led us down to the inner harbour and all the way to the Laurel Point, which is now called Peter Pollen Park. It is completely changed and there are no trees, The paved sidewalk is now a gravel path along the waterfront and the park is only lawn now, no trees. On the return trip we stopped at the Days Inn on Belleville across from the Coho (Black Ball) office. We decided to have an outdoor lunch there. After lunch we walked the rest of the way back to the parkade to collect our cars. The parking charge was much lower than I expected.
Colin's Vimeo slideshow
Terry's photos
Claudia's photos
Colin's Vimeo slideshow
Terry's photos
Claudia's photos
Walk # 427 June 3rd 2020 A stroll out the Lochside Trail from near the Monkey Tree Pub
The weather was perfect for a walk out the Lochside Trail and there were lots of bike riders using the trail too. Social distancing wasn't a problem, but making sure we didn't get run down by a bike rider was our main concern. We went to the Maude Hunter's pub since the Monkey Tree is still closed for renovations. The pub was quite empty, and even though they can still have 50 customers, there dodn't seem to be more than about a dozen people there not counting us. I had made a reservation for two tables and it wasn't a problem. Before we got our food served; another couple joined us for lunch. That was a nice surprise!
It was good to get out for a lunch at a pub again. Our server seemed happy to see us again too.
Here are Terry's photos
Here are Colin's photos
It was good to get out for a lunch at a pub again. Our server seemed happy to see us again too.
Here are Terry's photos
Here are Colin's photos
Walk # 428 June 10th 2020 Walking part of the Galloping Goose Trail from Atkins Road
A large group of 14 persons came out for an out and back walk along part of the Galloping Goose Trail starting from the Atkins Road parking lot. The weather was great for this walk, in fact it was almost too muggy and warm. There were lots of bike riders along the trail that we had to watch out for. Most of the group went back to the 4 Mile Pub for lunch this time.
Here are Colin's photos
Here are Claudia's photos
Here are Terry's photos
Here are Colin's photos
Here are Claudia's photos
Here are Terry's photos
Walk # 429 June 17th 2020 Walking the trails of Centennial Park in Central Saanich
The weather was perfect for a leisurely stroll through the tall timber of Centennial Park in Central Saanich. There were very few other walkers, and the scenery and fresh smell of the forest was like a tonic. We had planned to picnic in one of the large picnic shelters but they were all closed due to the Covid virus. So were the washrooms !
We found some clean metal bleachers behind a baseball field that were in the sun and ate our lunches at those seats. A really good turnout for today's walk with 15 persons coming out today. We all finished our lunches and were leaving for home before 12:30pm. It was a really nice day.
Here are Colin's photos
Here are Terry's photos
We found some clean metal bleachers behind a baseball field that were in the sun and ate our lunches at those seats. A really good turnout for today's walk with 15 persons coming out today. We all finished our lunches and were leaving for home before 12:30pm. It was a really nice day.
Here are Colin's photos
Here are Terry's photos
Walk # 430 June 24th 2020 A walk from McNeil Bay to Anderson Hill and back - a loop walk
This day the group walked from McNeil Bay in South Oak Bay, up Beach Drive to the corner of the Victoria Golf Course and then up to Anderson Hill Park via Newport Ave. The weather was very good. Even the wind was warm this day. The view from Anderson Hill is very nice. For the return part of the walk we took a trail that leads out of the park through the Garry Oak trees and behind the houses on island Road and comes out at the top of the stairs on the Centennial Trail.
These stairs go down to Transit Road where we turned left to take us back to Beach drive where we parked at McNeil Bay. Half of the group went in search of a pub to have lunch in, and the other half of the group went to Windsor park for a picnic.
Here are Terry's photos
Here are Colin's photos
Here are Claudia's photos
These stairs go down to Transit Road where we turned left to take us back to Beach drive where we parked at McNeil Bay. Half of the group went in search of a pub to have lunch in, and the other half of the group went to Windsor park for a picnic.
Here are Terry's photos
Here are Colin's photos
Here are Claudia's photos
Walk # 431 July 1st. 2020 A Canada Day walk through Beacon Hill Park
It was cloudy but otherwise a fine day for a walk through Beacon Hill Park, starting from Dallas Road near the Tallest Totem. We walked through the park for nearly an hour avoiding crowded paths and enjoying the flowers, ducks, and ponds. After the walk the group of 15 persons split up into two groups and half went to a pub and the others had a picnic near the waterfront at Dallas Road. It was a nice way to celebrate Canada Day.
Here are Claudia's photos
Here are Colin's photos
Here are Terry's photos
Here are Claudia's photos
Here are Colin's photos
Here are Terry's photos
Walk #432 July 8th 2020 A walk out and back at Beaver / Elk Lake
A cloudy but warm walk starting at Beaver lake and heading towards Elk Lake. This walk took us out on the path near the lakeshore and when we came near the Rowing Team buildings at Elk Lake we turned around and followed another path back towards our starting point. At about 1.5 k from our starting point we got back on the lakeshore path and went back to The Beaver Lake park where some had a picnic and a few others went to Floyds in Royal Oak for lunch.
This was one of our longest walk in recent history. I measured 8243 steps on just the walking part of the day.
Saying for the day "Pride goeth before the fall" Those who were on the walk will know the reason for that saying.
Here are Claudia's photos
Here are Colin's photos
Here are Terry's photos
This was one of our longest walk in recent history. I measured 8243 steps on just the walking part of the day.
Saying for the day "Pride goeth before the fall" Those who were on the walk will know the reason for that saying.
Here are Claudia's photos
Here are Colin's photos
Here are Terry's photos
Walk # 433 July 15th 2020 Gordon Head to Arbutus Cove and return
This walk was a large loop from near Houlihan Park to Arbutus Cove park, along the beach to the far end and back up the stairs to Arbutus Rd and back to the starting point. Some of the group brought their lunches and had a very nice picnic at the picnic table that was dedicated to the memory of Suzanne McGroarty the late wife of one of our members. The weather couldn't have been finer. The tide was out far enough for the beach walking and there was just enough breeze to keep us from baking under a blue sky.
Terry's photos are here
Colin's photos are here
Terry's photos are here
Colin's photos are here
Walk # 434 July 22nd 2020 A walk across Cedar Hill Park (golf course) and some other streets
Diane was the leader of this walk and she planned a very interesting route that went across the golf course, up the chip trail to Epsom Dr. and through several laneways and other residential streets before coming back to the starting point. The walk passed the Nut House, a private home with some very artistic cement sculptures in the front yard. A picnic in Diane's back yard was very popular and all but two of the walkers brought their lunches and ate them there. Thank You to Colin and Laura for taking photos on this walk
Laura's photo are here
Colin's photos are here
Laura's photo are here
Colin's photos are here
Walk # 435 July 29 2020 A walk through the roads and trails of Ten Mile Point
Martin was the leader for this interesting walk through some of the roads and trails Ten Mile Point. If you drive around that area you will notice lots of sign posts for the trails that intersect the many small parks and Konukson Park that is centered in the middle of the point. Everyone who came on this walk, and a couple of others as well went back to Martin's shady yard and enjoyed eating their picnic lunches before heading home.
This was the route of this walk. From Wolsey Pl down Phyllis St and along the path to Spring Bay Rd, then onto White Rock St where we paused to take in the views up the coast toward Wedgewood and Queenswood. We walked along to Smugglers Cove Rd, and paused at Smugglers Cove to look for interesting rocks on the beach and admire the distinctive Michael Williams house on the corner of the cove. We then walked up McAnally Rd to Tudor Ave and along Sea Point Dr. We turned onto a pathway which took us across Konukson Park to the emergency access road between Arbutus Rd and Phyllis St, offering us a glimpse of the Wedgewood portion of Ten Mile Point. We finished up by walking down Phyllis St to our starting point at Wolsey Pl.
Colin's photos are here
This was the route of this walk. From Wolsey Pl down Phyllis St and along the path to Spring Bay Rd, then onto White Rock St where we paused to take in the views up the coast toward Wedgewood and Queenswood. We walked along to Smugglers Cove Rd, and paused at Smugglers Cove to look for interesting rocks on the beach and admire the distinctive Michael Williams house on the corner of the cove. We then walked up McAnally Rd to Tudor Ave and along Sea Point Dr. We turned onto a pathway which took us across Konukson Park to the emergency access road between Arbutus Rd and Phyllis St, offering us a glimpse of the Wedgewood portion of Ten Mile Point. We finished up by walking down Phyllis St to our starting point at Wolsey Pl.
Colin's photos are here
Walk # 436 August 5th 2020 Walking the waterfront path - Spinnakers to Victoria's Inner harbour
A report from John A. I got a few pictures from today’s walk. Diane, Lois, Wendy, Wenche and I were there. We did the walk the other way around because the paths were wider. When we were walking over the bridge, the horn sounded and up it went while we were standing on the foot bridge next to it. So, we had a delay for several minutes. Earlier the tsunami siren went off but it was apparently a dress rehearsal and there was no actual tsunami that we could see. My camera has a lens cap that I couldn’t get completely off so the pictures are slightly blurry. I think I saw a python snake but nobody else saw it. We had lunch at Spinnakers. Lois didn’t join us because she was going to a theater to see how it was doing. She mentioned she was looking for wooden clothes hangers with writing on them. We have a couple that say “Made in China” on them and will donate them to her.
John's photos are here
John's photos are here
Wa;k # 437 August 12 2020 Walking out and back on the Lochside trail from Lochside Park
A good number of us met at Lochside Park located at the end of Lochside Drive (behind Mattick's Golf Course) and walked out this nice wide trail. There were more bicycles using this trail than we had ever seen before. It was a chore just keeping an eye out for the many cyclists, and of course the horse droppings too.
The weather was nice, but there was a cool breeze and we needed a sweater in the shady places. After walking out as far as we wished, we turned around and walked back. We found some picnic tables at lochside park and a sunny spot to set up our chairs in a wide circle and ate our picnic lunches. It was a very nice day.
Here are Colin's photos
Here are Terry's few photos
The weather was nice, but there was a cool breeze and we needed a sweater in the shady places. After walking out as far as we wished, we turned around and walked back. We found some picnic tables at lochside park and a sunny spot to set up our chairs in a wide circle and ate our picnic lunches. It was a very nice day.
Here are Colin's photos
Here are Terry's few photos
Walk # 438 August 19th 2020 Walking out the Trans Canada Trail from the Humpback Reservoir
The report : from John. We had a large group today. The people on the list all came, except for Wendy’s friend, Bern. Linda also came, as well as Roy and Peter and his wife. I think there were 14 in all. The weather was sunny but not hot. We walked past the Humpback Reservoir, across the watershed access road, and along the winding, hilly trail, then turned around after half an hour. Some blackberries were picked. I think everyone seemed to enjoy the route. Afterward, some of the group went to the Loghouse Pub. I don’t think there was a picnic group today – Di and I went home.
Linda's photos are here
Colin's photos are here
Linda's photos are here
Colin's photos are here
Walk # 439 August 26th 2020 A walk from Banfield park to the Cecelia Ravine
This time the group parked at the Banfield park lot and walked to the Selkirk Trestle and up the part of the Galloping Goose Trail that's known as the Cecelia Ravine. It was a lovely summer day to do this walk. They walked as far as they wished and then turned around and walked back to the starting point. Most of them went to the Moon Under Water BrewPub nearby.
Here are Colin's photos
Here are Colin's photos