clayburn village

It's not often these days that one has a chance to be transported back in time...to a place where people sit on their front porch and greet their neighbours as they stroll by on their way to the general store.

I found myself in just such a place recently. We have a bit of a hidden jewel in our valley...known as Clayburn Village. Now quiet and secluded...it was once a bustling company town for one of Canada's largest brick mills.

We had our family reunion just up the hill from the village...and had a fun time exploring. Every house was made entirely of brick...or featured a brick wall. I couldn't resist taking a photo of this home...with it's inviting front porch...

...and lovely hydrangea bushes. And it's even for sale...if anyone is looking for a century-old heritage home in a quiet rural location. And just a few doors down...

...is the Clayburn Village General Store & Tea Shop.

If you want a freshly baked scones with Fraser Valley jam...or a Ploughman's lunch...you might want to pay them a visit.

Or step back in time...browse the country store...and see what treasures you might find. I located lots of my childhood favorites...they still look the same...just the price-tag is different.

The adjacent garden looked like a wonderful place to enjoy tea. I'll be going back...sometime soon...to see what I all missed.

Greetings from the road...

a weekend to remember!

I'm checking in from afar...while on an island vacation...and will leave you with a few photos of our long weekend adventures.

We had the privilege of spending some time at an incredible RV Park on the southern island...with the most amazing hosts. It was a private park...and I think it should remain that way...and so I won't be giving you the exact location...but it is situated in a beautiful treed park...up on a hill.

You've heard of B&B's...but this RV Park takes service to a whole new level.

Not only were we served breakfast in style on the pondside patio...

...but we enjoyed a most delicious dinner at the same venue...served by my friend and gracious hostess.

Our hosts took us to Witty's Lagoon...

...where we had a wonderful time wading and watching seals. We saw things we would have never found on our own...and so enjoyed the commentary that came with a local perspective! The best way to see a new area...is with a local tour guide.

We so enjoyed attending the Symphony Splash in Victoria Harbour on Sunday night together with our friends.

We enjoyed a wonderful picnic on the lawns (compliments of our hosts) in front of the parliament buildings...

......and listened to the concert together with 40,000 others.

No visit to Victoria is complete without catching a glimpse of the grand old Empress. I have old photos taken at this very spot 38 years ago...while on our honeymoon.

The sky grew dark...and the lights came on...

...and the evening ended with a wonderful display of fireworks. It was B.C.'s 151st birthday party...and it was one I won't forget anytime soon!

I won't likely be posting anymore vacation pic's this week...but I have a pre-vacation post ready to go that I'll share with you one of these days. While I am exploring places with names like Cowichan, China Beach, Campbell River, Courtenay and Chemainus over on the island...I'll tell you about a place called Clayburn that I visted recently back on the mainland.

B.C. Day

Bless the Lord...O my soul...and forget not all his benefits.

Psalm 103:2

We are celebrating B.C. Day in our province this weekend...and so I am reminded again of all the 'benefits' that our mine to enjoy in this beautiful province. I will be spending the provincial holiday in our province's capital ...Victoria...which happens to be the most British city in North America. What a privilege it is to live in British Columbia...there is no place like it!

Emblems of B.C.

• Bird ~ Stellar Jay
• Flower ~ Dogwood
• Flag ~ the sun, the waves and a reminder of our colonial past.

Sunday blessings...