Day 4 – Victoria, a beautiful city Part 1

Let me start by saying that if you get to Canada, make sure Vancouver Island and Victoria is on your list. This place is spectacular with its harbour, gardens, architecture, people and amazing things to do.

We had a huge day covering possibly the top 4 and taking about 400 photos, from which there are way too many highlights. Because I can’t help myself I have a lot to show you so please see the rest in Part 2.

We started at Parliament House, a magnificent building with a very interesting tour. The Provence governments are all single house parliaments and based on the British system. British Columbia is very proud of its female representation which is currently 38% as well as indigenous representation.

We were given an introduction to Mr Tom Uphill, 40 year member for the region of Fernie, our wedding destination in 6 weeks. Being so revered in the area he says he expects to see us there.

Next on the list is Miniature World, an experience not just for kids. This is an amazing display of fantasy and history covering topics as diverse as Star Wars, WW 1 & 2, the gold rush, Camelot and the circus.

The Civil War

A fully operational saw mill

Vintage car meet

King Arthur and the knights

Then on to Craigdarroch Castle, built by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir in 1890. Unfortunately he died 2 years before completion but his wife and family lived there until his wife’s death in 1908. Since then it has been a military hospital, a college and a music conservatory.

The castle is now owned by a non profit charity who has faithfully restored and maintained the building in close to its original form. It is a grand building with extensive use of beautiful timber throughout. A fascinating tour that I will try to bring to you in photos.

The 4 flights of staircase

The library. Note the timber parquetry and carved fireplace

A heater using hot water pumped through the house.

For the sewers

An original classic

We finished the tour with a picnic on the shady lawn before heading off for our last activity for the day, the Butchant Gardens. This is an absolute must.

The gardens were started over 100 years ago by Mrs Butchant, the wife of a very prosperous quarry and cement works owner. The gardens are in part of the old quarry and take up 55ha, displaying plants from around the world and featuring Japanese, Italian, and rose gardens among many others. We spent 4 hours wandering the gardens and the time flew by. Again I will try to tell the story in pictures.