On to Victoria, beautiful city by the sea

September 08, 2014

On to Victoria, beautiful city by the sea

After being gone for about 6 weeks we are in the last 8 or 9 days, and head into Victoria, capital of British Columbia for a wonderful 3 nights back at Ashcroft House. It's a great B&B located a block from Beacon Hill Park and a block from the coastal path with great proprietors, Paulanne and David, who provide great accommodations, and a fantastic breakfast (with leftover scones, etc. for lunch). The inner harbor is the most touristed part of Victoria, and not without good reason as it is a very beautiful harbor with famous icons the Empress Hotel, and BC parliament building among many others. We visit the harbor once, but our focus this time ends up being biking. We had our bikes with us and at breakfast we sit by Celine and Denis from Montreal, a wonderful couple about ten years younger than us who are big bikers (that's bicycling, not Harley's). They inspire us to take two really great bike rides on our two full days here. The first we ride around the coast up to Oak harbor, and then back across town stopping by for a visit to the Lieutenant Governor house gardens and a ride by of Craigdarroch castle. The second we ride the galloping goose trail (a rail to trail) starting north of town and riding out to the Sooke pot holes. Both were great, but we particularly enjoyed riding around town - a great way to see Victoria! Our final morning Donna caught up on email at Ashcroft house, and I walked around Beacon Hill Park taking flower pictures. Then it's off to the ferry to Port Angeles and our last stop before heading home.