Roadtrip-Pacific Northwest

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

Well, we waited a while on the way back, but it wasn't too bad.


Now, where was I?

Tea.

At The Empress.

It was an experience we had to have, but next time we go up north, we'll have tea at Butchart Gardens, where I've been told it's less expensive.

Afternoon tea was lovely, although warm (if the Empress has air conditioning, they weren't using it in the tea room). Jamie insisted that we dress up nicely for this, and I agreed. We didn't see anyone else dressed up nicely though!



Our party. Now, what you cannot see in this photo is the large coffee mug sitting down on the floor by Steve's left leg. He carried that into the tea room, and between sips of tea, he drank coffee!





Wee Xena was happy with her chocolate cupcake (and her brother's chocolate cupcake too!)




After eating two cupcakes and drinking hot chocolate, she declared, "Mommy, I feel sick!" Well, duh!


Her brother was less thrilled.



But he liked the lumps of sugar.

Who says sugar doesn't make children hyperactive?!







Jamie fit right in. Can you get that pinkie up just a little higher, Panache?





After tea, our hostess brought out cute little certificates, declaring our children to be the Prince and Princess of tea. Unfortunately, due to unusual names, she had our son as the Princess and our daughter as the Prince.

We soon got that sorted out.


We were told we had to visit the Bengal Lounge. We parked the children on the elephants near the entrance and went in to get a peek. Steve caught us on the way out-note how blurry the photo is-maybe a little less coffee?




After tea, we walked over to the museum.

Everywhere you go in Victoria, you see these beautiful hanging baskets of flowers. Apparently there is a company whose sole purpose is to drive around with a water truck and a guy holding a watering wand up on the back to water all these baskets.




We passed this Carillon on the way. I've never seen a musical instrument this large before!



Museum pictures to follow, but maybe not until later today-I've gotta go unpack and do laundry, etc. And we've got to go get our dog, Bella.

Be well,

Star

[Sheep In Wolf's Clothing]

Thanks for sharing the photos of your great Northwest adventure. It looks like all of you had a ton of fun on your vacation. I really enjoyed the headgear chosen for tea at the Empress!!
I can't wait to see the rest,
Sara

:ootd:

[Kett]

Thank you for sharing your vacation with us. It has been a lot of fun watching from the sidelines!

Melissa

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

Here we go, more pictures ready.

We went to the Royal BC museum. The museum is cool enough on its own, but what made it really fascinating was having our very own docent to lead us through.

Because Steve was wearing his vest and because he tends to talk loudly ("project", I think he called it), we picked up quite a little group of people along the way. There were two very amusing things that would happen as Steve went through his spiels at each exhibit.

First, every once in a while the PA system would come on with an announcement (along the lines of, "Would so-and-so please come to the front desk. Thank you!"). Each time, Steve would immediately stop speaking (mid-syllable occasionally!), and start pacing up and down like a lion in a cage. He would then resume, exactly where he left off, after the announcement was finished. I just found it fascinating that he was incapable of standing still, unless he was talking loudly at the same time-it was as though the energy he had been directing into his voice had to go somewhere.

Second, every once in a while his cell phone would ring and he'd stop, modulate his tone and talk on the phone for a few sentences, then explain to the audience that he was actually not officially working that day, sorry about the call (which he would also explain-once it was Freedom Kilts, once it was the vet calling with test results on his cat!), and go on exactly where he left off.



We got a lovely picture of the children being "bear hugged"





There was a nice little aquarium area with a 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea theme.

Everybody wanted to be the captain!







But Steve found a bigger wheel





The information on the First Peoples and the Poles was fascinating (even if Steve did manage to actually cause Xena to burst into tears at one point!)


Here's a lovely pole we could crawl through (you can see that Xena is not in a very good space at this point, but she cheered up later).




There were kilts.



The British Museum had an exhibit as well. I'm probably going to get Steve fired for this one, since we weren't supposed to take pictures.

What sort of man wears a fly plaid brooch this big!




At that point, the museum closed down and kicked us out.


We drove to Freedom Kilts after our museum tour, for another little tour...pics coming up soon, but right now it's vodka tonic time!

Be well,

Star

[Kiltman]

More wonderful pictures. Brings back memories of the tour of the museum with Steve after the first kiltkamp. Where to next?

[GMan]

Wonderful

[GDub]

Oh, stop it! You're making me miss my friends in BC!! And Seattle...

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

Freedom Kilts!





I had to sit where Steve always sits when Skyping with us.





This, I couldn't resist. The apron has pleats! And, it is a perfect match for The Pink Panache!





There was a tree out front. Jamie was so delighted to see it! Gee, I wonder why? See this link: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/p...x.html?t=28216





After driving, ferrying, tea, walking around the museum (in high heeled shoes!), and visiting Freedom Kilts, I needed a rest!





Oh, but wait. Not to get out of sequence, but we visited the shop again the next afternoon. I figure I'll just put the photos here.


The kids liked the mannequin (hey, isn't that a handsome tartan? I wonder what it is?)







Daddy became a mannequin, just to get the kids' attention.





I find Steve amusing. Sinbad isn't so sure.



Next up-we visited the most beautiful place on earth. No, really. Even the kids were in awe...

Be well,

Star

[GDub]

..."Daddy became a mannequin." Stop it, you're killing me!!

Kilties are a weird lot!

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

Yep, we're definitely weird!

After I'd had a bit of a rest, we all changed into more comfie clothes and went over to Macman's place for a pool/dinner party. Bobbie flew in and took a cab over to the party.


David and Anna were amazing hosts and kept us well liquored and fed.




The pool made the children incredibly happy.






And the alcohol made mommy happy!




A pair of Freedom Kilts (with nearly matching sporrans). I like the fact that David is wearing Maple Leaf tartan, while Jamie is wearing a maple leaf belt buckle!




Here's their top halves.




I spent some time in the pool, the children pulling me about (or should I say aboot?)




Steve and Jamie had a little moment.




Bobbie can roll her eyes better than almost anyone I know.



The evening ended with the kids crashed out on the couch, Anna wearing a very nice little mini kilt and us breaking the law on the drive home (but we weren't caught). I'll leave all the details up to your imaginations

Be well,

Star