While we are out on Vancouver Island this week attending my nephew’s wedding and visiting my folks, we will try to get in some great R&R on those magnificent beaches at Parksville, as well as just wandering around jolly old Victoria.
I might even get to grab a slice of birthday cake at the Empress Hotel to help celebrate British Columbia’s 150th birthday, along with my dad’s upcoming 90th. One of the unique annual events held every hot summer on Parksville’s Rathtrevor beach is the Canadian Open Sand Sculpturing competition from Aug 8 to10. Entrants from all over the world toil for hours on their hands and knees fashioning unbelievable splendour out of the sand. Some of those real life sculptures, figures, castles and what-ever stand over six feet high when exquisitely completed in every detail, and spread out across the entire beach front. At the end of the three-day competition the splendid creations are judged, with the winners advancing to the World Championships, while the tides slowly and sadly wash their labours of love away.
The miles of beaches on this picturesque inside passage of the Pacific Ocean features hot sand and warm water during the right season. When the tide methodically comes in each day it brings with it many tiny treasures of shells, colored stones, driftwood, the odd running shoe or swimsuit top as well as all sorts of wiggly creatures. On most days it is a haven for kids (of all ages) and their sand toys to dig and play for hours, to wander and roll in the waves and to chase multitudes of noisy seagulls.
It is also great sport for parents and grandparents; with loads of fresh air and exercise, trying to keep up with the kids, great swimming, tossing Frisbees, tanning, or just plain relaxing with a drink and a good book. I am proud to admit that whenever I get the opportunity with my grandchildren I still love getting down and dirty in the sand!
When the tide is out you can wander out for hundreds of yards with your lawn chairs, treats and water toys, then relax in the perfect soft spot while the kids are chasing crabs and digging for clams. Later in the afternoon when you are tired you do not need an excuse for a break, as the incoming tide will slowly chase everyone back to shore. It is the treat of a lifetime, but don’t forget that you buried your brother up to his head in the sand, and that whatever you left behind will go out with the morning tide forever on its way to Alaska or exotic locations beyond.
In the area there are also caves to explore, some of the world’s tallest trees, whale and sea lion watching, scads of flowers, magnificent Butchart Gardens, double-decker-buses, waterfront performers, fish and chips to die for, the famous $25 afternoon tea and crumpet session at the historical Empress Hotel and on and on. It’s a neat place to visit that’s almost as great as our Alberta, but not quite.
Just for a few laughs
*A tea party with her daddy! When she was a little girl, someone had given her a little ‘tea set’ as a gift and it was one of her favorite toys. One evening daddy was in the living room engrossed in his evening paper when she brought him a little cup of ‘pretend tea’, which was really just water. After several dainty cups and lots of praise for such yummy tea, her mother came home. Dad proudly made her wait in the living room to watch his little special little princess bring him another cup of tea, because it was, “just the cutest thing!” Mommy waited and watched intently, and sure enough she came down the hall with one more cup of tea, just for her Daddy, and then perched on the arm of the chair and watched him drink up. With a little smile she then came over and whispered to her husband, “did it ever occur to you that the only place that she can reach to get water is in the toilet?”
*A man had always wanted to buy a parrot, so he visited the local pet store and explained to the owner that he would love to have a parrot that talked politely. He was directed over to a fancy cage where a large parrot was perched under a price tag of $1,000 and had a string tied to each leg. Pull one, the owner urged, and the parrot quickly replied, “Polly wanna cracker”, pull the other and the parrot expressed, “Hi, my name is Sam!” Impressed, but still inquisitive the visitor inquired, “What happens if I pull both strings?” Quite disgusted the parrot came back with, “I’d fall off my perch you idiot!”
Have a great hot and happy week, all of you!
