Pender Island Visit

Sorry about the long silence. A combination of slow internet and a busy schedule (hey, relaxing is serious business!) has meant that this is the first chance to get some thoughts down about our trip to the other island.

We left Paul’s Motor Inn fairly early on Monday morning. We weren’t too sad to leave. It wasn’t the worst place we’ve stayed. It was clean, and quiet, if dated. Since we had time, we stopped at McDonald’s on the way to the ferry, and still were about fourth in line.

It was a short hop to Pender, and we immediately checked into the B&B (Hummingbird Hollow), and the kids made themselves at home.

Then we headed to Shingle Bay for our first hike and a picnic lunch. We had fun exploring the confines of the park, which featured about a half-dozen camping sites. ($4.90 per person over 13 per night, if you’re wondering…) Lots of apple trees, too.

Baba had crafting plans, including watercolour painting and a bracelet-making set. Ian and Miranda painted, and then Miranda tried the bracelet kit with Baba while Ian played on the iPad.

Tammy and I headed back to the B&B and took out a canoe onto Buck Lake. It was successful, without drownings or even moderate dunking.

The evening featured ribs, rice and veggies at Colin and Carol’s, as well as varied libations. Good thing the B&B was only a short way down the road.

Tuesday featured a major hike to the Beaumont Marine Park. It was two and a half kilometres from the parking lot to the beach camping area, but it was up and down and quite the endeavour. It was beautiful, when we remembered to take breaks and look up from the trail.

The beach was a beautiful spot for another picnic lunch and a clamber on the rocks.

When we made our way back to the car, the next order of business was taking the kids and Colin and Carol to the B&B, so that we could take the kids out for a paddle on the lake. You have to take advantage of these opportunities.

Again, no drownings, and no dunking. The kids were unnerved, but it was because of little spiders that stowed away in the canoe, not the ride itself. Colin and Carol surprised us with an early anniversary gift: a bottle of sparkling wine, glasses and chocolates. Tammy and I celebrate our 18th anniversary tomorrow. 💖

In the evening, we went to Pender Sushi for dinner, and then returned to the plantation to play a game of Rummy-O, which is the same game as Rummy Kub, which we’d played with Elijah’s family a couple of weeks ago. The first evening, we played dominoes, which was lots of fun, too.

The deer at the B&B were sad to see us go.

The Queen of Cumberland was our means to depart Pender Island. It was full, and some people got left behind. We were lucky to get on.

It was a great visit, and for the first time in a few years, we had a relaxed visit to Pender. Normally it involves an early ferry, a rushed visit, then a ferry after dinner. Staying two nights at the B&B was great. We’ll have to do it again.

Now we’re settled at the Sandman Inn on Douglas Street in Victoria. We have had a walk downtown, and a swim in the hotel pool. The environs are much more contemporary. The room has a kitchenette and the kids have a sofa bed.