May 2023 May 3rd 2023 An out and back walk along the beach at Royal Bay. A good turnout for this nice hot day in May. Then to The Rose Pub for some much needed liquid refreshment and lunch. Here are Colin's photos https://photos.app.goo.gl/dTodBddHSnDA7DdZ7
May 10th 2023 A walk through Quicks Bottom Park This time we parked on a Cul De Sac off of Viaduct Ave E. and walked through a path to the entrance to Quicks Bottom on Wilkinson Rd. We crossed the road and walked through the park to Markham Rd. and turned left and walked down to Mann Road where it comes into the Camosun College grounds. The we turned left again and followed Wilkinson Rd. back to our starting point. The group went to The lakes Restaurant at the Holiday Inn on Elk Lake Drive for lunch. Here's a link to Colin's photos of the walk https://photos.app.goo.gl/UYSTFhxeUgBR7AtMA
May 17th 2023 The Dean Park hike. A large group of walkers did a challenging loop walk through Dean Park. They later went to the Waddling Dog Inn Pub for a much deserved lunch. Here are Colin's photos https://photos.app.goo.gl/AeRJRSn2GLehau2eA
May 24th 2023 Island View Beach - north This hike was lead by Dave, who has a extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna of this restricted area. A special arrangement made it possible to visit this site. The group went to the Prairie Inn for lunch afterwards. Here are Colin's photos https://photos.app.goo.gl/bQDvZREnB3fmLFL46
June 1st 2023 Island View Beach Our walk on June 1st got off to a bumpy start as we "did not have permission" to walk on the First Nations Reserve beach so we went to the Island View Beach Regional Park instead and then to Mary's Bleue Moon for lunch. Here are Colin's photos https://photos.app.goo.gl/nEU1fCdtqgTRFZBW7
June 7th 2023 A walk around the Cedar Hill Golf Course. It was a hot day to walk around the chip path at the Cedar hill Golf Course this time. The group enjoyed a cold drink and lunch at the Club House after the walk. Here are Colin's photos https://photos.app.goo.gl/qZj86ypWr6rgQcJj6
June 14th 2023 This time the group met up at McNeil Bay at the waterfront in South Oak Bay. They walked a route that took them to the shoreline nearest to the Trial Islands and then through several streets and back to their starting point. It was a very nice day for a walk like that. They went to Christie's Carriage House Pub for lunch afterwards. Here are Colin's photos https://photos.app.goo.gl/qX6DtmGVMyq2XdEY7
June 21st 2023 The Tod Inlet Provincial Park trail from Wallace Drive to the beach behind Butcharts Gardens was the destination for this week's walk. Parking along the edge of the road at this Provincial Park is limited and a gentle sloping trail leads down through the woods to the former site of the docks where cement was loaded onto ships form the quarry and cement plant where Butcharts Gardens is now located. The group went to the Prairie Inn for lunch after the walk. Here are Colin and Karon's photoshttps://photos.app.goo.gl/bvXVg4sNSA1PcvYV8
June 28th 2023 A good turnout for this walk around Swan lake. A nice sunny day for this walk around the perimeter of this bird sanctuary. A Nature House is located near the parking lot and the beginning of the trail. At a good pace this walk will take the average walker about an hour to do. The Monkey Tree Pub was the lunch destination. Here are Colin's photos https://photos.app.goo.gl/CirFJwD6JzFtyGjt7
July 5th 2023 This time Phil lead the group on a walk that started at the Fairfield Plaza and walked toward Hollywood Crescent and then back along the waterfront on Dallas Road past the Ross Bay Cemetery. They did a leisurely walk through the cemetery looking for historic graves and finally ended back at the Fairfield Paza where they had lunch at the Ross Bay Pub. Here are Colin's wonderful photos https://photos.app.goo.gl/5Xvex2MsJ7M2qwNTA
July 12th 2023 Peter chose this walk at Arbutus cove. A good tide level is important for making the walk across the beach and up the other end to make this a loop walk. The group went to Maude Hunter's Pub for lunch after the walk. Here are Colin's photos https://photos.app.goo.gl/myx2WtD9szRTewEDA
July 19th 2023 A walk along the beach at Island View Beach - going to the south This is the second time this year that the group has walked along this stretch of beach. A little known fact is that the cliffs in this area have yielded fossil remains of mastodons and gigantic Megalodon sharks, that were found in the clay and sand that was deposited during the ice ages. Here are the photos of the walk, Black & white are by Dero, the colour are by Colin. https://photos.app.goo.gl/hd2C7wQ6ribDwLcHA
July 26th 2023 A trip to Sidney Island for a walk and picnic was the plan for this date. The group took the Sidney Island ferry to and from the island. After setting up a site for the picnic the group set off to explore the long spit, as the tide was low and it was perfect for a beach walk. Here are the photos from Colin https://photos.app.goo.gl/oth6MYoHXhWJZvQx9
