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| Why not travel 'up island' for a weekend to enjoy the picturesque and quaint east shores of Vancouver Island? Summer has arrived early, temperatures are soaring, the skies are blindingly blue, and nature invites to abide a while and have a couple of picnics 'al fresco'. Here is the lighthouse at the south end of Denman Island...guarding one of the most prolific oyster farming areas in British Columbia. Fanny Bay Oysters come to mind, a delicacy that slithers down one's throat without too much trouble, especially when steeped in a 'salsa' of champagne. This time around, I skipped the oyster tasting, and just admired the small hills consisting of shucked oyster shells, shining white and quite dry wherever there is an oyster farm. |
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| The waters around Deep Cove across from Denman Island are all but deep. At low tide the sea bottom is exposed to the sun - and heat. A combination that results in a rather strong algae scent. The mountain range surrounding the Comox valley makes for a majestic backdrop to the flats along the Vancouver Island side of the sea....oysters know how to pick their spots! |
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| A little inland from Comox and Courtenay, located almost at 'mid island' one encounters the highest mountains of Vancouver Island. The Golden Hind tops them all with a height over 2500 meters. Our one and only island glacier - shrinking like all of them - glitters above Courtenay, our skiing mountain Mount Washington (no artificial snow needed ever - 16 feet of snow seems normal during the depth of winter) offers winter as well as summer diversions. Whether one just wants to take in the grandiose views from the top of the chairlift towards the massive Coastal Ranges towering above the Strait of Georgia, or hike or bike through endless wilderness (beware of bears and cougars) or just hang out at a beach of Lake Comox - it's all a joy to behold. |
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| Having to conserve one's energies for an afternoon milonga, a restorative rest and picnic lake-side, was the 'activity' of choice. |
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| Inviting shallow shores of Lake Comox, which is snuggled among forest covered mountains. |
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| The Milonga....at The Abbey in mid town Cumberland (the last outpost before Lake Comox), the town looks like a movie set built for some period piece of the early 20th century. Definitely worth a visit for history buffs. |
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| The Abbey dance studio combines symbols of just about every faith known to man...here one to Christianity with a bit of a twist. However, hands of Fatima, Buddhas, Ganeshes, Shivas, Arabic Script, Turkish inspired tulip motifs in leaded windows...all created a rather eclectic atmosphere to pay homage to the Gods of Tango. |
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| ANd the dance floor was superb!! |
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| Comox Valley being a foodie's paradise (just like my own Cowichan Valley) fresh nibbles from local gardens ensured that strength to dance was not flagging. Home baked cakes and cookies rounded out the delightful fare. |
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| Reminders, that the 'Abbey' functioned as an art gallery some time ago....a few paintings still adorn the walls. |
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| It could even be a Tango Orchestra..... |
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| A Mobile Piece of Art..... |
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| Outside the Abbey, in the meantime, Milonga Dog waited faithfully in his owner's car aptly christened 'Starry Night'...the whole car war covered in paintings in the style of Van Gogh's painting Starry Night. |
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| Back at the home front, literally, from my Front Patio, on watches the spectacular sunset skies over Cowichan Valley. |
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| Whilst the peonies live their short but flamboyant lives.... |
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| the bucks are growing fresh racks, covered with velvety silk |
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| Peony Burst... |
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| Delicate to the core.... |
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| And good old Mount Baker, our sleeping volcano, rising into the dawn...Life is Good! |
