Monday In Victoria

We woke up this morning to a beautiful sunrise.

We went down for breakfast, we had waffles and fresh fruit with whipped cream and maple syrup...but...there were other guests at the table and I know that Jeff would be mortified if I took a picture of breakfast with strangers that we just met.  We met a lovely couple from Ontario. They have been married for 55 years and were staying in Victoria before heading off to Seattle for the Sweet Adeline competition. This is quite ironic because on the plane we were sitting right next to a lovely group of ladies from Dallas that won the Sweet Adaline competition last year.  They were on her way back to Seattle to uphold their rein! It is such a small world.  We had a very nice conversation with them and also learned a lot.

But, after breakfast, I was able to get a snapshot of Alice and Taco, the resident canines around here. Jeff felt it was appropriate for me to capture this moment.

Apparently they keeps themselves warm this way and it was a bit on the chilly side today.

I was also quite amused by this pack of cigarettes.  Why can't they do this in the states?

Well, anyhoo, after breakfast Jeff and I did some major shopping today. I found the greatest knitting shop! This is by far the best knitting shop I have ever been to.  The guy working was so informative and nice. I think I may go back on Friday for a carding lesson. I wish there were shops like this in Texas.  This shop is called Knotty By Nature.  Jeff even liked it!  They had a bike that had roving needle felted around it right outside the store front.

I was able to take a few shots of the store. It was fantastic! If I ever had a store, this is what I imagine it to look like. 

We did some major shopping in downtown Victoria. We even joined the Mountain Equipment Co-op.  That was unexpected and fun. This store is very much like REI, but they actually like to think of themselves as better and made that very clear, but friendly. However, I am now an official member of the co-op.

After major shopping, including the Roots store...which I loved. We walked over to Fisherman's Wharf.  When we arrived we saw a seal!  The seagulls were everywhere too and there were signs not to feed them but Jeff did anyway.  But this seal was fun to watch.

Seal in the water.

Seal almost out of the water.

Seal out of the water to eat some fish! 

We stopped at Barb's Fish and Chips.

We had, fish and chips of course...and also fish chowder.  OMG, it was gooooood!!!

After that we went on a little tour of the float houses.

Such a lovely little area.  Jeff and I found a little trail back to the Downtown area from the Wharf. It was so much fun. We saw so much! But, on the way back, we saw this sign. I got a kick out of the picture on the bottom left hand corner.

I had to capture this pretty little trail too.

There was also a giant drop spindle sculpture!!! Wow, can you believe it? I am so impressed with this.  Spinning seems to be popular around here. It was certainly popular among the native people which is why there is a sculpture.

We shopped for about 5 hours today. On the way home we got stuck in traffic. But, it was fine with me. What better place to get stuck in traffic in?  

Cheers!