Summer Sighs...and is gone? Nope!

Last time this year we'll see swimsuits on the bow rail

Calm

Hot

Perfect!

Off in the dingy (quite a wake huh?) to explore Christian Island

Ferry between Christian and Cedar Point

We walk around the tiny community on Christian

School...neat paintings on the walls

Neighbouring Hope Island... uninhabited like Beckwith Island, however anchoring and walking
on the wonderful beaches are permitted.  

And the water is just as clear as at Beckwith and Christian

Off to explore the top of Christian Island

Cottages up here with deep clear water not too far off the beach

And more beautiful anchorages

Back at TULAW, we dive into the crystal clear water

She never took her eyes off me

Summer continues into September:  Steve and Tina usually host the annual Labour Day weekend family BBQ, however having just returned from two weeks in England and Scotland and knowing they would be a bit jet-lagged, Paul and Maggie offered to host the party at their home in Burlington.

Gabe - hot tub foam and fun

Bob shows his meek side

Then gives us a flash of Arnie muscle

It wouldn't be a pool party if someone didn't get thrown in!

Steve once again wins the cannonball competition while
Alex hangs on to a floaty to counter the tidal wave

Mom couldn't stop smiling

Jenn, Mary and Tara

Bob, Ev, Marcin and Craig lined up at the bar

Paul and Maggie

Tina, Karen, Maggie and Jill

Jill and Kevin

Tom, Wayne and Mom

Mary and Craig flew in from Calgary and surprised everyone

The following week, I flew to Victoria to visit Rachel and Peter and to take part in an art workshop on the campgrounds in Metchosin.  Rachel's friend Laura teaches the workshop and Rachel organizes and serves all the food and teaches yoga class in the morning.  She usually does it all herself, however this time, she had assistance from two very special people who came from Calgary and Vancouver, on their own dime, to help with the event.  Peter provides moral support and runs about collecting whatever is needed.  I find what I always find in Victoria;  warm welcomes, good friends and family and loads of laughs.  And Summer!!!!  The sun shone and the warm breezes continued.

In the few days leading up to the workshop, we tramp around the property with the dogs, reconnect with Rachel and Peter's friends, go to yoga early in the morning and I do whatever they need me to do. Anything called "work" just doesn't seem at all like "work" in the laid-back atmosphere of the island.

Tula's usual game of "fetch" in the pond

Only this time, she has to contend with Lexi,  a young pup who is visiting
for a few days

The camp gardener's son "plays nice" with Lexi

Exhausted after her run in the forest, Lexi relaxes with her teddy bear 

 Art Workshop

First day of the workshop, Laura, looking like she is in a painting herself,
 heads back to the barn with her sunflowers

...and gives us our first demo of textures applied with gesso and
archival tissue paper

Then the application of colour

We apply our tissue and gesso, then allow to dry while we
head off for the amazing luncheon provided by Rachel,
in the perfect Ocean View Cabin

One must check messages and email (most appropriately not allowed
during the workshop) as we head to lunch.

A little walk to the cabin for a delicious lunch

After lunch, we take another walk to enjoy some quiet, on a hill
overlooking the 100 acres of gorgeous Metchosin
Boy's and Girls Club property.  Rachel gives us a tender
and informative understanding of the meaning of the bench
which rests at the top of the hill

Everyone feels emotion as we listen to the story...

of the young man who passed away, doing what he loved to do best...

and the father who built and positioned the resting place in honour
of his son, overlooking the camp that supports the children
who need support the most

Some of us lay down

Others sit

and the one participant who can, hangs over a branch...all silent, all thinking their own
private thoughts.

Then back to the workshop where we learn to paint

Where beauty and good food surrounds us

One of Laura and Rachel's brilliant supporters....Alice, from Calgary.
Sadly, I didn't get one pic of Claire!

The cabin dinner table....beautiful!

Mist rolls in just before dinner

Pete (Rachel's husband) and Pete (Laura's partner)

Cocktails before dinner

Laura in deep conversation with Jim.  Jim and his wife Joan's business
is corporate coaching.   Oh yes, I did get one photo of Claire...that is her with Peter, behind
the table.  Nice one!!!

Yummy home-made Italian meatballs, salad and pizza (invisible in this shot)
with the best wine ever!!

The moon appears

The mist clears and this is the view from the Oceanview cabin

Next morning, bright and early, many of us gather on
the lawn in front of the cabin, for an hour of yoga....led by
Rachel

I spot a beautiful little flower in the grass in front of my mat

Before we begin our class, I catch this photo of lovely Laura,
gathering her energy for her day of teaching and inspiring

Rachel's longest term friend since the age of 4,  is
Claire, who came from Vancouver to serve in any way she could.  She, Alice and Rachel were the perfect trio
to help Laura make this the best art workshop so far.
Claire took over my camera and caught most of the following wonderful pics

Impressed?  This is Jeff...Rachel's yoga boss
and art workshop participant...a birthday gift
from his lovely wife Harmony.  Wish I could
do this!!!

Elsie - happy as a clam!

My work in progress

Laura's wonderful work desk, covered in dried
paint and a jumble of paints and brushes that are exactly
where Laura can find them....until Jeff gets his
hands on them of course.

There is a heart breaking story to this painting
that caused many wet eyes

Laura - adding some touches to Jim's vibrant piece

Laura Bradbury's gorgeous piece

It is this Laura who will be providing the accommodation
for Laura Harris' next workshop in France.  

This is Rose's second workshop with Laura

Rachel wandered about with Laura's little Mexican rescued
dog Chester.

Two of my pieces in progress and altered
significantly by the time I returned home....benefits
of a daughter with a studio...using her paints and brushes

The one I didn't change a bit, thanks to Laura for putting her
foot down and telling me to "STOP!"

Cathy with one of her favourite results

Elsie's flowers in a vase

Elsie definitely has talent

Another Laura...can you believe it?  And beautiful
paintings!

Jeff's mystical piece, honouring his 3 year old son

Claudia's soft and misty piece

Penny's sea grass

Her brother Dean's flowers.  He's a golf course
manager by the way, and this was his first ever
experience with painting.  We think he's got it!

One of Joan's beauties

Joan and Jim

Robin's lovely result

It was a fantastic experience and I was so happy to come, meet all the lovely people who attended the workshop, learn Laura's techniques - Laura's paints with beautiful music as her inspiration and it works.  She encouraged us all to just let everything go, let the music move us, paint by instinct - and enjoy this beautiful property where Rachel and Peter live and where many good things happen to young people who need a lift in life.  Laura Harris, you are a beautiful soul!

A couple of days later, after all the excitement and activity, Rachel treats herself to a
haircut, a restful day on the porch and a cuddle with Laura's other dog Norris

They're back!  Spotted in the apple orchard....a doe and her fawn

Morning mist then lots of sunshine as summer continues

As honourary "dog-parents", Rachel and Peter
look after Emo when Steve and Celine are away.
Rachel tries out a bindi on Emo's forehead.
Not entirely certain that he's impressed.

Rachel in her hammock

We are treated to the blasting of the gravel pit behind the camp.
I could even hear "fire in the hole" shouted for the first time
in my life.

Our grandaughter Sidney and her partner Tony, come for the weekend.  It was my first time meeting him and we had a blast.  Good job Sidney!!!  They leave for Asia in November and it just might be a very long time before we see them again, so we made the most of every minute.

Tony is a terrific photographer, just published in a magazine.
Here he's out and about in the early morning mist, gathering
truly beautiful shots

And here are 3 of Tony's shots of my favourite grandogs, Cortes and Tula.  Gorgeous!  Also check out Tony's website and blog at the following link

www.tonymyshlyaev.com

Who loves the camera?

Downtown Victoria, while waiting for a table in
a restaurant, Tony and Sidney demonstrate their
juggling abilities

Our only rainy day...we head out to the forest for a walk with
the dogs

Tony and Sidney admire the Arbutus trees that don't
grow on the mainland

Saying "farewell" and "safe travels"

Such a wonderful weekend!

Love this mural that reminds me of our travels last summer

Dinner with Laura before she leaves for her France workshop
 site examination.  

Always lovely sights in Victoria

Fan Tan Alley

The most adorable puppy visits the camp

Chester's natural hairline....a bit of a Mohawk happening here

Laura's dogs just love Rachel and Peter!

Not certain how Laura would feel about the following fun!

Our last evening together in a fun Indian restaurant.  The
food was declared (by Rachel) to be exactly like the food
she ate while in India.  Delicious!

Visiting BC is always a blast and this trip was extra special!  Thank you everyone, for your talents, your kindness and all the fun.  I haven't laughed that much in years!!  Safe travels Sidney and Tony.  We will be thinking about you!  Safe travels to Hawaii in December, Rachel and Peter.  We'll be thinking about you too!!!