Vancouver Island

**cessna152towser** · 28th August 09, 05:29 AM

On the ferry from Tsawwassen to Vancouver Island.

The Wizard of BC was waiting to greet me at the bus station, he was carrying his coffee mug to provide sustinence while waiting.

**cessna152towser** · 28th August 09, 05:37 AM

Next day I encountered one of the island's resident Utilikilters.

I took a wander round by the Royal Scot Suites Hotel to see the kilted bear for whom the Wizard of BC had produced an outsize Black Stewart kilt.

On the Friday Big Mikey and Raphael came over from the mainland.

**cessna152towser** · 28th August 09, 05:41 AM

The Wizard of BC and Kilted Knome hosted a barbecue and kilt night.

I had collected my new Maple Leaf tartan kilt from The Wizard of BC when I arrived on the island and this was my first opportunity to wear it to a kilt night.

MacMan, Big Mikey and Raphael.

**cessna152towser** · 28th August 09, 05:46 AM

Raphael in Utilikilt

On the Sunday I travelled to Sooke to visit my mother's cousin Isobel who is now 93 and lives in a care home for the elderly, seen here with her son.

A gathering of the clan. With the exception of Edith's husband Victor who is standing next to me, everyone else in the photo is a descendent of William Mewhort (1843-1913) and of Elizabeth Wilson (1849-1933) who were my Irish set of great grandparents. Appropriately I wore my Wilson tartan 5-yard kilt on this occasion.

**cessna152towser** · 28th August 09, 05:52 AM

My second cousin Edith is married to Victor who is a native Canadian. Here their son Carey tells the story of the native craft sculpture which he is preparing for the forthcoming Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Carey's younger sister Ellen contemplates her brother's artwork.

Carey's older sister Marion was unable to join the family gathering as she is currently in Toronto.

Carey and his dad are the people behind the Blue Raven Gallery of native arts and this is a Protector Pole which they jointly carved.

**cessna152towser** · 28th August 09, 05:56 AM

Next day I had arranged to meet cousin Gord, who was over from Chillawack on the mainland, for lunch, along with his new Fijian wife Doreen.

**vmac3205** · 28th August 09, 05:56 AM

Great photos and revived memories of good times with the Wizard.

**cessna152towser** · 28th August 09, 06:01 AM

Next morning I was up early to catch the train.

A very scenic trip through the Malahat area.

I had a date for lunch with an old friend Phyllis at Qualicum Beach.

Hunting MacLeod tartan at Qualicum Beach

**cessna152towser** · 28th August 09, 06:09 AM

Another day I took a ride on one of the small Victoria harbour ferries, or pickle boats as they are nicknamed, piloted by James from Aberdeen, Scotland.

I went to see Craigdarroch Castle

The obligatory kilt shot in front of the Empress Hotel.

Hiking on an old rail trail, known as the Galloping Goose trail.

Beacon Hill Park

Gaze towards the USA.
Twenty miles across the water can be seen Mount Angeles and Mount Olympus in Washington State, USA. As I stood on Beacon Hill I recalled that last time I was here Ann and her mum and my aunt had all been beside me. Now I was here alone, yet thanks to xmarksthescot and my clan society activities I now have many new friends in that country across the water, perhaps I shall visit that new land some time soon.