Monday

It really is very wintry here in Victoria BC.  The morning started beautifully with bright sunshine but as soon as we left to head downtown, things changed.  It wasn't horrible, but it was very cool.  We walked all over the downtown area and found some cool shops.  Most importantly we found Baggins, the shoe shop with every variety of Converse  and Vans shoe ever made, and the kids were absolutely enthralled... except Thomas who wasn't all that impressed.  We ended up buying 6 pairs of Converse/Vans (I abstained and Hannah bought two pairs) and they loved us so much they gave all the kids free t-shirts, stickers and an iPhone case.  The guy behind the counter had actually been at the same high school as me.  

Photo by Thomas

We had lunch at Murchie's Tea Room and hit all the tacky souvenir shops, buying gifts and then went down to the BC Museum which is pretty great.  We only had two hours to closing time but managed to see most of it.

Following the Museum, we walked along to the Parliament Buildings for a quick look, then were about to walk back when we spotted the carriages.  We were all tired of walking, so we paid them to carry us back to the car and it was really lovely.  The horse dealt very well with peak hour traffic, thankfully!

We returned home and had the loveliest evening with Tim, Jane and Jeff.  Jane had prepared a gorgeous salmon dinner, with the most delicious and enormous piece of salmon I have ever seen.  She had also baked a rhubarb and strawberry pie, with rhubarb from her garden and fresh strawberries which are sold in massive 2 pound punnets for about $2.  Unbelievable.  

It's hard to get used to the light evenings and getting everyone into bed is hard, but we are earlier tonight.  

Love to everyone....xxxx