Brickyard Beach

I was on my way to the south end of Gabriola to put up a sign and visit the fish market for fresh spring salmon. I stopped at Brickyard Beach on my way. This is the site of a factory that made bricks during the 1930's. The remains of rejected bricks still line the coast there. I took a stroll and watched a Heron who kept his distance from me.

Island Visitors

We had visitors last week, my old Mum and Dad came for a few days. The weather was beautiful, the great grand children as sweet as ever and we had plenty to do. Sitting in the sun topped the list, lunch out at the Surf Lodge, a family dinner in the garden, coffee at Artworks, a bit of shopping, a drive round Gabriola to see the sights, plus a trip to the bakery - the warm cornish pasty and fresh cup of coffee was as good as remembered. At the end of their visit I put Mum and Dad on the float plane and they departed from Gabriola out of Silva Bay. They both greatly enjoyed the flight to the Vancouver airport which eased their trip home.

It's for the Birds

These beautiful second growth Douglas firs offer an excellent roosting spot for a pair of Ravens that visit our property regularly. We see them every morning doing aerial acrobatics and in the evening perching at the top of our largest tree enjoying the last rays of sun.

Miracle Beach

20 km north of Courtenay and about 1&1/2 hours drive north from the Gabriola ferry is Miracle Beach Provincial Park. This campground, in a mature second growth forest, has 200 campsites and every one is beautifully maintained and quite private. The campground has numerous walking trails, an amphitheater, a playground, a nature house, showers and a beautiful sandy beach with good ocean swimming plus nice tidal pools for the children. It is located alongside Black Creek, a salmon spawning river with a fish counting fence which was very interesting. We stayed for two days, the weather was warm and sunny and we enjoyed a campfire each night.

Good Earth

It was late on a rainy afternoon as I headed out for my daily walk. I choose a different route than usual and found myself at the Good Earth market garden. I saw that their garden is far ahead of mine with vegetables almost ready to pick and was reminded that the Gabriola Farmers Market opens for its 14th season this weekend. The Farmers Market takes place every Saturday from 10-12 and runs until Thanksgiving. It is very popular and offers fresh produce, flowers, baked goods and local crafts.

The Cottage Garden

On sunday morning I drove out to Gabriola's Orlebar Point. There across from a beautiful stretch of sandstone beach with a fabulous view of the Entrance Island lighthouse is a delightful little plant stand called The Cottage Garden. I found Pat at work in her great selection of bedding plants. We chatted for a while and I bought a pretty bright purple shade plant called Burgundy Coral Bells and some curled leaf parsley.

How Does My Garden Grow

With this beautiful balmy weather we are having it is hard to resist the call of the great outdoors and the little voice in my head that says 'go buy plants'. Lucky us, we have the Wild Rose Garden Centre on Gabriola Island. They literally have all our gardening needs - plants, pots, tools, seeds, fencing, soil, fertilizer and great advice - everything a gardener needs! So off I went to buy bedding plants, there was such a good selection that it was hard to choose. Lobelia, alyssum, dahlias, geraniums, everbearing strawberries - the list goes on, but that's enough for now. I rush home and lovingly pop my treasures into pots, these little gems will be decorating my patio with colorful blooms and juicy berries all summer long!

Easy Exploration

Spring is a wonderful time to explore Vancouver Island. The weather is balmy and you avoid the crowds of summer. Approximately an hour drive up island from the Gabriola ferry is Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park. It is adjacent to the Horne Lake Regional Park Campground. To get to the caves you cross a river via a suspension bridge. About a kilometer up the trail are the lower caves that are open to everyone. The upper larger caves are locked and you can only go in on the guided tours. We stuck to the two lower caves which were very interesting and fun to climb around in. We were with friends who camped with us at the lake. The weather was beautiful, the company was great and the experience was memorable - plus, we pretty well had the place to ourselves!

Time Out

Two girls, cousins, meeting for steamed milk at the Artworks coffee bar after vigorous exercise on their playround.

Snake Fence

A common sight on the islands is the split rail fence, it is sensible, easy to assemble and has a certain romance about it. The base ingredient is a small diameter cedar log. The tools, an axe and wedge. Split rails are a great way to utilize the small cedar trees that are removed when developing a property or clearing for a garden, the large cedars are better used for custom milled siding, trims, exposed beams and decking. Assembly can be as simple as just stacking, or more sturdy versions are spiked together. Low fences can enchance gardens and define areas, six foot high fences can keep animals in and deer out. Any way you do it they are very attractive and enchance the rural lifestyle we so enjoy!