Roadtrip-Pacific Northwest

[Macman]

Great pictures, Star! We had a wonderful time and enjoyed meeting you all. I was so busy pouring that I didn't take many pictures.
Here are the bairns snuggly wrapped in Mackintosh and Robertson tartan blankets just before the eyelids closed.

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

Omigod! They are sooooo cute! But wait, I'm a bit biased aren't I?





The next day, we pulled the kids out of bed at the crack of about 10:00.

I was less than happy, but a bit of coffee from The Wizard's magic machine (and a few ibuprofen), and I was ready to go.

What really cured my hangover was a large hot dog with extra relish, peppers and onions, and mustard at .....

Butchart Gardens. The most amazingly beautiful place on earth (at least that I've seen, which, admittedly, isn't much)





There were fuscias, of course (this one is for Madalyne)





The fountains were amazing. This one is lit up at night.





This one features Sturgeon-a favorite of Sinbad's





The flowers were amazing as well...here's a little sample (believe me, I could bore you with a lot more that this, but these ones are exceptional).



Here's the rose garden






And the flowers, close up












This one is called "Scotsman's Purse". Can anyone tell me why?





More pictures of the gardens to come....

Be well,

Star

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

They have these wonderful trees (apparently the Victorian's loved them). They are named for the fact that every branch has spikes on the end of every leaf-therefore it really puzzled the monkeys to climb these trees.



Monkey Puzzle tree with kilted family.





That one was small. Steve and Bobbie have one that is about 100 years old, in front of their house.




Back to the gardens...


Panache with Zen Garden.



Star with Star Pond.






Kids with Pig (apparently it was good luck to rub the nose of this bronze boar-it was very, very shiny over the nose).




Italian Garden.




This was a greenhouse near the gift shop, etc. I stopped and said, "Wow! Just...wow! I mean, wow!" and Jamie said, "What she said!"



Believe me, there are a lot more garden pictures, but I need to move on. If ever you find yourselves on Vancouver Island...



GO TO BUTCHART GARDENS!!!!


That's an order.

Be well,

Star

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

The gardens were incredible. We went back to Bobbie and Steve's and had a nap, then went out for a kilt night with David (Macman). Unfortunately, Anna could not make it, so you will all have to make do with my legs rather than hers (believe me, you'd rather see hers!).

As we were getting ready to go out, Jamie went to get his X-Marks kilt from the lovely pink garment bag (thank you, way2fractious!) and discovered the bag was nowhere to be found (it contained his and sinbad's X-Marks kilts, as well as his McLeod kilt). A quick call to the aunt in White Rock confirmed that it had been left there. So, he had to wear the camo kilt, courtesy of AlanH. After all, he'd been wearing the Isle of Skye for 36 hours-it needed an airing. Also, the camo was a good match for my Pink Death.


On the way there we passed...





We had a lovely meal. Everyone had a good time.




Except wee Xena.




Our story tellers expounded.

Here, I think it's Steve talking.




And here, it's actually David, NOT Jamie.




Group shot by the waitress.




Hamming it up. Ladies first.




Then the rest.




We went back to the house, had a nice little scotch, and/or some port and talked about our pets into the wee hours (well, until about 11:00 or so, remember, I was hung-over!).

Long fairwells the next morning, coming up...

Be well,

Star

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

Regrettably, the next morning we had to leave. Of course, the reason we had to go was to get to Big Mikey's party on time, so that helped to make up for the wrench of leaving Victoria.



I got up early and wandered down to the computer. There, Sushi found me and interfered with my posting.





Steve is not a morning person-how many have seen him wearing pants! At least they're tartan.




We all got dressed and ready to go, including Sinbad's bear, Moon.




The kids saying goodbye to Bobbie




Steve was a little slower about getting dressed.

But he finally pulled himself together. Look at these two-what a pair!




We drove to the ferry, stopping in Sidney for some early lunch. There we stepped into a used book store and Sinbad bought a joke book with which he tortured us the rest of the way home!

At the ferry, we had a little bit of a wait, so we hammed it up


Kilt Man and his side-kick, Canada Boy!




The smallest porter.




Demure? Maybe not so much!




And, we got 2 new birds-a Glaucous-Winged Gull and a Pelagic Cormorant! (so, I guess our trip wasn't completely wasted time. )

[BEEDEE]

If ever you find yourselves on Vancouver Island...



GO TO BUTCHART GARDENS!!!!


That's an order.

Be well,

Star

Been there, done that and you are absolutley right. They are fantastic. Unfortunatley we were there in early May and the roses were not out, but the hyacinths! You did not have to bend down to smell them, the air was full of their perfume.

Brian

[Jock Scot]

Wow, a purrfect holiday I would say!Thank you for all those super pictures.

[cessna152towser]

Wow, this really has been a guid gangin threid.
Lovely pics all the way, and its been great to see so many x-markers featuring at the various kilt meets along the way.
Sushi sitting on your lap is especially cute.

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

We finally caught the ferry to Tsawassan (I love saying that word!), and had a nice trip back. There was a naturalist talking about the unique ecosystem of the estuary. It was fascinating to learn that there are three orca cultures, and that they all speak different dialects. I thought it was especially funny that they prefer members of the opposite sex that have accents! I guess that does help with genetic diversity.


We watched our ferry approach the dock.




And on the way across we saw this good omen in the sky-A Saltire!




We arrived at our wonderful hosts in Langley, the pub sign was up.





And Mikey was in rare form. Here he is in the first kilt of the afternoon. How many did you wear Mikey? If you want to see the back of the shirt-ask Mike!





People began to arrive shortly after we did (and here we were worried about being late!).

In no particular order....

Here's ronstew and his lovely wife, and BruceBC. What are Ron and Bruce doing, you ask? I'm not sure either, but it looks like some version of "Pull my finger".





Everyone kept telling Ron that his sporran and belt were not on correctly, but he wouldn't do anything about it, so I fixed things for him.




Here's Jamie and Colin. Two different species of man. And yes, I know, Colin's not wearing a kilt, but it was hot and all of his kilts are heavy wool tanks apparently.





Colin, didn't you see the sign?






Here we have the beautiful Maid Marion.





Oh yeah, she came with someone else. Hmm... Oh, here he is. Raphael.





More people and photos to come....

Be well,

Star

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

There was a really cute guy there, a bit of a lurker on X-Marks, but he's recently retired, so we may see more of him soon. Login, unknown, so we'll call him by his real name.

Here's Don. I'm being obnoxious, as usual.




Here's another one whose login I don't know. Jerry, accepting the Quaich from Mike.





We had promised to lift a glass to RetroRed, but we did one better that that. We sat around telling as many pun filled jokes as possible-hopefully we were able to fill the void, so he doesn't feel the need to tell extra puns when he feels well enough to post again.



Even Sinbad joined in the fun (remember that joke book he purchased at the used book store in Sidney?)





Shelly gets ready to deliver a punchline.




Jamie does laugh from time to time.





Wee Xena didn't have any jokes to share, but she's quite the artist.





I commented on the cool shirt that Bruce was wearing. Mikey immediately asked me what size I wore. He also has hats.




Immediately I felt the urge to enforce the "kilt laws". This one must go, it's not even a tartan!



We then had to do the kilted line up.


Front view. From left to right: Jamie (Panache), Don (?), Mike (Big Mikey), Jerry (?), Raphael (Raphael), Ron (ronstew), and Bruce (BruceBC).




Pleat shot.



I could keep posting pictures from the party until I've filled up the entire site, but I'll show restraint. The rest of those who took pictures might want a turn. It was a marvelous time, and we are, as ever, grateful for Mike and Shelley's hospitality and generosity!

Next up, we finally go home...


Be well,

Star