Finlayson Arm is a reach of water extending from Saanich Inlet. Being fjord-like it has steep sides so I expected good views across it to the Malahat where the main Vancouver Island highway passes.  

Hiking at Finlayson Arm

I was planning to explore trails in the southern end of Gowlland Tod Provincial Park, one of many BC Parks in our area, which flanks Finlayson Arm on the Victoria side. The starting point is at Caleb Pike Access (more of him later). I took the wider southern trail surrounded by foxgloves (favourites of mine) and dragonflies doing their whirly-birds acts. This route was somewhat disappointing so I suggest you ignore it and just go north following signs to Holmes Peak. This is allegedly 1.3km but don’t believe them; they’re for optimists. Actually the signage could be better says one who strayed off the track more than once. Anyway the whole 2.5 hours on different trails did produce some great elevated views, as above.  To add to the pleasure, I met no one at all en route. The paths were quite rugged at times but the runners I wear for gardening at the B&B were adequate.

Caleb Pike House

I needed to return to the B&B but wanted to stop first at the nearby Caleb Pike House. As you can see this is an old homestead full of character if lacking in comfort (though somehow it has a sitting room, kitchen and five bedrooms).

Caleb Pike was an early colonist (what else with a name like that) who arrived from England in 1849. He and his two sons started building this house in a remote setting whose return trip to Victoria by horse and buggy took a full day. I want to bring Linda back here and we can try to get a sense of what life was like then.

B&B reservations have been down a bit (hence our Summer Special – 10% discount on two nights or more) so I left before breakfast despite a yearning for more sleep and headed the short distance to Brentwood Bay. I was to start the day with my first kayaking experience and later do some hiking.

I met Peter of Pacifica Paddle who showed me the ropes, sort of.  Some recent guests had had a good tour with Pacifica and I knew the waters to be quite sheltered so felt reasonably comfortable about this first time. I became totally confident about setting off with Peter whose calm professionalism allayed any fears. After kitting up (first time I’ve worn a skirt!) we put out a kayak and I gingerly stepped aboard for some instruction. It was a bit wobbly at first but later I realised that that was the only time, once out it was “plain sailing”.

Launching out there was an instant feeling of calm and relaxation: I’d left the world behind. Occasional instructional comments fitted into easy conversation. I remember Peter asking an odd question “How often have you changed the wheel of a car?”. “Never” I replied. “Well, that’s about as often as a kayak tips over”.

We recently attended an IMAX film at our local Victoria IMAX theatre. We’ve been several times before but it is always impressive. The screen is over 80 feet wide so, here’s a hint when you attend, do NOT sit at the front – your eye’s will pop out!  There is apparently 12,000 watts of sound; I’ve no idea what that really means but it certainly sounds good. More than one film is offered daily with most being about 45 minutes.

IMAX Hubble

We saw IMAX Hubble which shows footage of the repairs made to the Hubble Telescope. The space-walking sequences and behind-the-scenes views and explanations were fascinating. Then the presentation explored the realms Hubble was built to investigate taking us into the depths of distant galaxies. This was thoroughly mind-boggling.

The Royal BC Museum

The Royal British Columbia Museum is the setting for the IMAX theatre. A visit to the museum will take two or three hours so you can visit one then take a break in the museum cafe before going to the other, making a superb morning or afternoon visit in Victoria.

IMAX is part of the Royal BC Museum

Located near the Victoria’s Inner Harbour the Museum is easy to reach. It is surely one of the best museums in North America – we often tell our bed and breakfast guests how they will really experience what it was like to be in the Ice Age or the pioneer days or within a native village. Don’t forget that it is also a great rainy day attraction (yes, there’s a good reason why Victoria is so green!).

This video summarises the manor house and its guest rooms. Another features our lovely Victoria gardens and more will follow. As novices, we’ll be glad of comments.

Victoria BC whale-watching

Fortunately the ”season” to see orcas in the waters around Vancouver Island coincide with the summer tourist season. Even in the late summer and early autumn there are excellent sightings not only of killer whales but also of migrating sea lions and humpback whales.  You will also see many other species of marine life on the water. The three local pods, ie families, of orcas total nearly 90 whales with transient pods passing by.

Consequently there is a good likelihood of success on your trip. Eagle Wing Tours, for example, have a 95% success rate. Their boats are fast and deep-hulled for an exhilerating and surprisingly smooth trip, able to reach orcas where slower vessels fail. However do not book before you arrive since the whales may be distant or sea conditions inclement – we will check this when you arrive and help set a time most likely to result in a wonderful trip whale watching in Victoria.

Seattle WA to Victoria BC map

Ferry crossings are about 90 minutes and the BC Ferries route is hourly at peak times so you just need to estimate driving time to the ferry and add about 20 minutes once on Vancouver Island to reach our Victoria bed and breakfast.

We recommend Seattle travelers drive north on I5 and enter Canada on that highway, which becomes #99 in British Columbia. After passing through immigration there it is an easy 45 minute drive to Tsawwassen for the lovely crossing through the Gulf Islands. This may not seem as obvious as crossing from Port Angeles but there ferries are infrequent and it is a slow road to reach it via a further ferry.

So, since it is neither lengthy or difficult to travel betweem Seattle and Victoria you can plan to relax perhaps for a romantic getaway or weekend break. Our Victoria bed and breakfast is ideal for these – in a quiet yet central location. Choose from a secluded garden cottage or elegant manor house rooms, all with high quality decor and amenities. Relax in our acre of glorious gardens, visit the 50 acres at the Butchart Gardens, have soothing massage treatments, savour fine dining, wander in parks, on beaches or downtown. There’s so much to do (or not to do!). We hope to welcome you on your next trip from Seattle, or wherever home may be, to  beautiful Victoria BC.

Perhaps we should call ourselves the Butchart Gardens Bed and Breakfast!

Seriously though, we can not compare. For one thing we have an acre rather than 55. For another, we fit in gardening when there’s a spare hour or two whereas the Butchart Gardens have about 50 gardeners. So you will see weeds here!

Gazebo Bed and Breakfast cottage gardens