Crossing Saanich Inlet on something other than my own Millennium Dragon, namely on the 'new' Mill Bay Ferry, is always a scenic pleasure.
On the Way to Brentwood, the eastern terminal for the 25 minute crossing, one passes the small church 'Our Lady of the Assumption', perched high on a hill overlooking Finlayson Arm, the lower part of the fjord of Saanich Inlet.
A simple wooden structure, with an intricate portal architecture, the church is surrounded by towering Linden and Chestnut trees.
Wild Flowers bloom on the lawn surrounding the church
Expansive vista from the churchyard over Finlayson Arm
A farmer on an open tractor was mowing the hayfield below the church, filling the air with tantalizing hay aroma.
One of the 'Stations of the Cross' inside the Roman Catholic house of worship
Not a bad little place beside the Ferry Pier to enjoy waiting time - Seahorse Cafe, overlooking the local marina and Brentwood Bay, where even more boats are swinging at their moorings.
The very welcoming and cozy entry to the Seahorse Cafe
Here she comes, ready to dock.
The M.V. Klitsa, now the 'new' refurbished ferry covering the Mill Bay - Brentwood Bay crossing. In her previous life, she carried passengers, cars, supplies and fuel between Denman and Hornby Island. Now she has been promoted, due to her 'ample' capacity, as compared to her predecessor. The old Mill Bay Ferry has gone into semi-retirement and is now owned by a private enterprise 'somewhere up island'. The ferry man on Klitsa told me, that 'they just handed over the keys and told them to get her out of there'. Well, she is gone. And this one is living up and exceeding expectations - freshly painted, cleaned up and just humming along.
As there are only a few miles to cross, navigation is not exactly a challenge. But, docking in fresh breezes can be a bit nerve-wracking, even for an experienced ferry skipper.
The view North
View at the bow...
View on the car deck - Whimsical adornments (except the 2nd from left) on a dash board on a truck from Parksville.
The only flag missing is the one of the Vancouver Canucks hockey team, given that it is the date of the 7th and last play-off game for the Stanley Cup tonight.
Quieter on this side of Georgia Strait tonight. More than 100.000 fans are crowding the downtown area of Vancouver, where the Canucks are facing of with the Boston Bruins for the LAST SHOWDOWN of the season.
Although the sun is shining brightly all over, belated April showers still travel up 'Squally Reach' in Finlayson Arm.
Prices and Schedule on a sign on the Mill Side side of the Ferry Route.
Ferry wake, old or new, still looks exactly the same....
