More Hiking - Westwood Lake and Buttertub Marsh And Our Christmas Potluck

Sunday afternoon, we decided to get some exercise.  The sun was shining and all was right with the world.  Westwood Lake Trail meanders around the lake for 6 kilometres with some secondary trails.  Six km, we can do that.  Yes we can!  However with a few wrong turns we ended up walking over 8 km.  I was afraid it was going to be dark before we got back to the truck.

Westwood Lake

Wayne contemplating life

I was afraid the trail was across these logs.  It wasn't.

Paddle surfing?

Mushroom growing in a tree

Weird or what?

Stream at the end of the lake

Colourful rocks in the stream.  Wonder if this is a geocache?

Our friends - Carol and Bob

We met Carol and Bob on the trail.  They were headed in the opposite direction.  Small world.

Just before dusk

Today  the Snowbird Hikers headed to Buttertub Marsh.  This is a short level trail, only 2 km.  It was a nice stroll with good company.  Great way to build an appetite before our Christmas Potluck.

Kathryn, Alex, Bev, Wayne, Colin with Scott at back

Buttertub Marsh

Heron in Osprey nest

This Heron flew across the marsh screeching all the way.  It was very impressive but my camera wasn't turned on - so no photo.

My rum cake

Tonight was our Christmas Potluck.  Approximately 60 people participated.  It was delicious.  Turkey, ham and all the trimmings.  I tried to show restraint.  Not sure how successful I was.

Wayne at our table

Back room buddies

Shirley scoping out the buffet before dinner

Ladies eating the last of the rum cake

Visiting Victoria With Marilyn and Tom

Sunday morning we set out for Sooke (just outside of Victoria).   Marilyn and Tom live in a beautiful subdivision in this lovely town on the southern end of Vancouver Island.

After catching up with each other, admiring Marilyn's new sewing machine and Tom's guitar, we set off to shop at Capital Iron.  This is our favourite store in Victoria.  It is 3 floors of interesting stuff - kitchen stuff, fabric, outdoor equipment, tools, gardening things and Christmas decorations.  Wayne and I bought each other our Christmas presents.  Next stop tea at Murchies.  I bought some delicious teabags.  A special Christmas mix with orange and spicy flavours.  We checked out a New Balance shoe store and then headed for the Keg.  This restaurant is one of the original Kegs.  We used to eat here back in the 70's when we were posted at CFS Holberg.  It's still as good as it was over 30 years ago.

After supper, we stopped at Walmart.  I bought a bread machine for $38.  What a bargain.  Then back to spend the rest of the evening, sipping wine and relaxing with old friends.  Great day!

The next morning Marilyn made waffles on her new toy - a Cuisinart breakfast station.  This gadget will make waffles and pancakes or omelets at the same time.  What a treat!  Wayne also had fun playing with their Kuerig coffee maker.  I was otherwise occupied lounging in the bathtub.  I really miss having a tub.

Thank you Marilyn and Tom for a great visit.

Wednesday, I thought I had an appointment at the spa.  Turns out I was a day early.  They squeezed me in for a waxing but I couldn't get my pedicure.  Boo hoo. We went to friends - Carol and Bob for  supper.  It was a lovely evening.  They bought a mobile home a year ago and have done a wonderful job renovating.  Other friends (Alvesia and Bob) were also at dinner.

We are having a wonderful time here in Nanaimo.  There are lots of activities and social events.

Here are a few photos of our trip to Victoria.

BC Legislature lit up for Christmas

Building murals

Scenes from the Malahat.  A mountain pass on the way to Victoria.  You can see a long way from here.

Mount Baker (This is in the USA)

Yacht club

Huge trees on logging truck.  Most of the trees are not this big these days.

This and That And The Other Things Leading to Christmas

Our Christmas Tree

  Tuesday, Wayne went to the second meeting of the Men's Breakfast Club.  They doubled attendance from last month.  Apparently everyone had a good time eating and talking.  Of course it's all hearsay to me as not being a man, I was at quilting club.  We're both having lots of fun at our varied activities.

Wayne has been promising a new trailer tire for Christmas.  Whoopee!  Well it's here.

Getting ready for new tire.  Terry supervising.

We have a new neighbour. Santa came to stay.

Wednesday night we travelled to Ladysmith to see the lights. Ladysmith decorates Main Street to celebrate the season.

Main Street Ladysmith

Coffee cup on Timmy's roof (Ignore the reflections)

Angel of the Forest

After sightseeing with Janet and Terry, we went for supper at the Crow and Gate Pub. It was very busy and the food very tasty.

Last night, lots of campers gathered together to sing carols.   Living Forest hired  a trio from the university music program to lead us.  They set up on the patio overlooking the water.  We sipped hot chocolate and cider while munching cookies and sang our little hearts out.  Such a great night.  Thanks to the Living Forest Campground family and staff.

Enjoying spiced rum in his hot chocolate

Janet and Terry

Our youngest caroller.  She's a great little hiker too.

The whole gang

As you can see, we had another fun filled week.  Loving the RV life.

Hiking at Morrell Sanctuary

Today's hike was at the Morrell Sanctuary.  The land was deeded to the city by the Morrell family to be used as a nature sanctuary.  The park is a charity operated by volunteers and used by individuals, school groups and other organizations.  There are many trails including some that are wheelchair accessible.

Nurse Tree Stump

 A nurse tree is a tree that has died and is now providing nutrients to other trees that grow out of them.  The new tree doesn't have to be the same kind of tree.  It can be any seed that lands and grows.

Many mossy trees - not just on the north side of the tree

Morrell Lake

Our hiking buddies

Morell Sanctuary Trail Map

We hiked the Yew Loop and the larger route marked in brown.  We travelled 6.8 km and there is still lots of trails we can do at a future time.  These trails also link with others to more lakes and parks.  Nanaimo is a great place for hiking.

This week's plans include:  Men's breakfast club for Wayne and sewing for Kim on Tuesday, going to see the lights of Ladysmith and supper at the Crow and Gate on Wednesday, carolling and campfire on the cafe deck overlooking the water on Thursday night.  Then on the weekend a trip to Victoria.  Let the fun and games continue.

Decorating for Christmas

I'm getting into the Christmas Spirit. Decorating the trailer, going to a performance of the Vinyl Cafe and making a wreath.

Marilyn came up to attend the Stuart Maclean and Hawksley Workman concert. We went for supper and then had a great time at the Port Theatre.

Friday we made wreathes from evergreen boughs, holly and berries. It was all fun and games until I started itching and my hands turned red. Guess my tree allergies are alive and well. Went home and took an antihistamine. Next time I'll wear rubber gloves.

Hopefully this is the snowiest we'll get.

Kathy, thank you for my flag and stand.  I'm having such fun with different flags.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas