The salmon run..

We were fortunate to be back in Victoria when the salmon return to spawn in the Goldstream river. Although a small run this year, we found the rivers jumping with big Chum, Cohoe and Chinook fighting for spawning space in the fast flowing river. It's always amazing to see the determination of these fish to jump rapids to return to their own spawning grounds. Gulls, eagles, bears and other smaller predators gather at the rivers and it's a smorg for them all. About half way through the run, there are already dead salmon everywhere on the banks and in the river.

Over to the out-islands...

There are lots of lovely islands off the main Vancouver Island. No wonder people out there are great sailors. We enjoyed our various ferry rides but prices have skyrocketed since our last trip 4 years ago. We drove north of Victoria, camping on the ocean at Nanaimo, then took two ferries to first Denman Island then Horby Island, to stay at Gloria's glorious cabin at the far end of Hornby. Although they had had a lot of rain, we had two good days, tide-pooling on the beach and watching the sea birds, seals, and huge California sea lions coming to round up their harems of lady seals and barking at anything that came near. They are huge, bossy buggers. Hornby has two lovely provincial parks, one of which is Tribune Bay, known as Hawaii of the north, and deserted this time of year.

Seafood Galore

It was great to be back on the coast. We didn't eat meat for two weeks! We found fresh crabs, Fanny Bay oysters (I bought 32 oz and we ate them in two evenings), halibut, salmon, sole, a feast of good things. Ted got adept at finding inexpensive wines - not from BC! - at the local outlets. We didn't have to fight the birds for the seafood but they were tame and everywhere. Lots of cormorants, bald and golden eagles, mandarin ducks breeding off Horby Island and of course, millions of Canada geese which breed like rabbits.

On to Sidney with Michal and Gordon

After a week in Victoria, we headed to Sidney to stay with Mikes and Gordon. Good weather allowed us to walk some lovely trails and enjoy the glorious Fall colours. It was a perfect time of year, although the rainy season started the minute we bought a ferry ticket to sail to the Island.
Next year we will head back same time to celebrate Gordie's 80th in Tofino. We celebrated my cancer-free news with a bottle of bubbly compliments of Uschi and Dieter, away in Europe right now.

Victoria Chinese connection

While in Victoria, we got together with president Gloria from Victoria and VP Joan, who are off to China to join Morag and Donna from our Calgary chapter. Ted and I went to their dinner, meeting with the new Consul General from Vancouver and other old friends from the Victoria group.

Thanksgiving in Vernon & Mexican Train in Victoria

Yup, I have a lot to be thankful for this year. We took off for a month after all the visitors had left and enjoyed a month on the road in our RV. She's called Lupita and can't wait to go to Mexico. (Registration is LUP 111) We spent the holiday with Les/Sandy/SuperDave in Vernon along with Welsh friends Eileen and Mike, and a bloody big turkey. I always enoy it when somebody else cooks.
After that we headed to Vancouver Island, and camped out in the Knott's driveway for 5 days. It allowed us to go to the Victoria Children's Choir harvest dinner and concert compliments of 11-year-old Gemma. Gemma was so excited with her new Mexicoan Train game, she was foaming at the mouth...