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| Frenchman's Creek fishing wharf and Fresh Seafood store |
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| Deep Bay at low tide does not look very deep at all |
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| Deep Bay moorage, seems nothing more than a fortunate deep area amidst intertidal flats |
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Fresh from the sea, Fanny Bay's pearls of the Ocean, small, sweet, delicious.
One can find them shucked or in the shell in various establishments, as one oyster farm after the other lines the shore. But, try to find a place, where one could actually eat a few... |
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| The fertile plains - ocean side. In this narrow channel between Denman Island, Hornby Island and Vancouver Island - this seems the area most beneficial to farming oysters. |
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| Oyster farm environment |
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Kingfisher Resort, between Fanny Bay and Courtenay, right on the shore with a vast view of Georgia Strait and the Coastal Mountains. Recliners ready for travellers - however, still deserted today, when temperatures did not favour beach side lounging.
But, inside, a sea view restaurant/bistro, where local oysters had made it on the eclectic menu.
My friend indulged in Champagne (I was driving) and I indulged in oysters: fresh, their half shells perched on smooth pebbles from the beach, accompanied by freshly grated horse radish, and a champagne dip. Scrumptious. |
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Goose Spit off Comox. A different kind of BBQ pit, maintained and supplied with firewood by your friendly Park Steward.
As the wind whipped up the Strait today, no beach side revellers around, ergo picnic benches (trunks provided by frequent storms) and fire pits remained empty. However, white plastic buckets filled with water to douse any flames, stood beside each fire pit, (again provided by your friendly park staff) just in case an anyone would actually dream of lighting a camp fire. |
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| With so many floating logs abounding, why not use them to construct an attractive wind break along the entire spit? |
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| With the chilly breeze on the sea side of the windbreak rendering a contemplative rest somewhat uncomfortable, here are some more protected logs, where the sun was strong enough to provide a cozy retreat. |
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Sand - Sea - Sky - Mountains
Vancouver Island treasures |
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| Behind Goose Spit, a protected but treacherously shallow bay at low tide, paradise for para surfers. |
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| Mountains across the Strait, and here, mountains ashore on Vancouver Island. |
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Comox Marina, several tidal grids provide public access to boaters wishing to perform 'underwater' work during a short time span between high tides.
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| Comox Marina |
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| Somewhere up there in the brooding clouds hides Comox Glacier |
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| Comox Fishing Harbour |
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| Harbour Side Fish and Chips |
After a teaser taste of succulent oysters in San Diego, California, and inquiring about the source of those delightful shellfish, it just seemed natural to look it up. Right here, on Vancouver Island, a couple of hours drive north from where I live, they hailed from oyster farms around Fanny Bay. Another example of how to be made aware of great attractions in your own backyard.
My friends have recently moved to Qualicum Bay, a beach side community, blessed with grand vistas across the Strait to Mainland of British Columbia and its towering snow capped mountains. Resorts line the shore, the road passes through fishing villages, farmer's fields and meadows grow famous Island produce and feed famous dairy cows and cattle, who are the source of Comox cheeses and German style home butchered meats and sausages.
I had the good fortune to be welcome for a visit to my friends, so exploring up-island was doubly pleasant when shared with good company.
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| Bucolic meadows for free range cows... |
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| Driving along long stretches of shore exposed during low tide. |
