Albert Head Lagoon/Beach

Just a short drive on Metchosin Road, from Colwood and when you pass Latoria road on your right, take the next road (lower park drive), then park drive and then Delgrada Rd until you come to the parking lot. Behind you is Albert Head Lagoon and in front of you is Juan de Fuca Strait. There is a long beach hear and at the end of it is the opening to the lagoon. It is possible to swim in the ocean here on warm summer days and the scenery here is second to none. Many people do not know where this beach is so it is often quite quiet. Check it out.

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Sannich Pennisula Wine Tour

Dates: May through OctoberMeeting Time: 9:00 a.m.Departs From: 1000 Wharf St., Victoria BCDuration: Approximately 7-8 hoursDistances: 55 kmCost: $119.00 Cdn/PPRide Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult

This day-long guided cycling adventure incorporates the best of cycling trail networks and quiet country roads that make Victoria the undisputed “Cycling Capital of Canada”. Add in locally operated Wineries, Cideries and even a Ginnery and you have a truly unforgettable cycling experience. The ride begins in Victoria’s beautiful Inner Harbour and follows the Lochside Trail as it traverses bird sanctuaries, active farmlands, and train trestles. This tour offers incredible views of the Coastal Mountains, including the massive Mount Baker volcano. After a delicious lunch we stop for some tastings at the local wineries and return via the picturesque Colquitz River Trail.

This full day of touring includes a hybrid-style bicycle, helmet, map, water bottle, all fares and transfers, lunch, and, of course, your friendly guides.

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Muse Wineery Saanich Peninsula North of Victoria BC

Our lunch arrives and the presentation is spectacular, so we quickly take some photos and then dig in to these culinary delights. Each bite brings a new burst of flavour. The Bistro Muse bills itself as an intimate alfresco open- air dining patio. The weather is over 25C, the sky is pure blue, we are nestled right against the vineyard, we have great food in our hands and good wine in our glasses –it seems more like heaven. The Muse Bistro has indoor dinning space as well but on a day like this the patio is perfect. As we enjoy our incredible lunch, the flow of guests is steady. Many take a seat for lunch and some just stop for a wine tasting. It is $5.00 for five wines at the tasting bar. We shared a couple to tasting plates to get a good feel for what was available at the Bistro. One was a selection of local cheeses and meats paired with delectable compotes, Little Qualicum Spice Cheese, Rosenborg Blue Cheese with Pear, Pinot Gris Salami and Prosciutto, Comox Valley Brie and Elk Salami. The other plate, The Muse Trio, had three fabulous tarts, a layered candied salmon tart with mascarpone cheese and lemon zest, a caramelized onion tart with gorgonzola and thyme drizzled with balsamic vinegar glaze. The final of this trio was a spectacular dark chocolate panache with raspberry coulis. Have I got your attention yet? This is an excerpt from an article on the Muse Winery just 20 minutes north of Victoria. Don't miss this winery and bistro. It is exceptional and what a setting!

Royal BC Museum brings famed Lewis Chessmen to life — literally

VICTORIA, BC – The Royal BC Museum (RBCM) puts a new spin on an age-old game next week by hosting an outdoor living chess game – the kick-off event for the Summer Chess Fest in Victoria.
A pair of Grandmaster chess players will spar in the life-sized chess match that celebrates the most famous chess pieces in the world, the Lewis Chessmen (see above as they appear in the British Museum).

Five of the 850-year-old chess pieces are featured in the current RBCM exhibition, Treasures: The World’s Cultures from the British Museum. The Lewis Chessmen were also featured in the 2001 film Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
“With people acting as pieces, this is chess as you’ve never seen it before,” says RBCM CEO Pauline Rafferty. “It’s a showdown between two Grandmasters, a Canadian and an American, on a giant chess board. I’ve played chess before, but nothing even close to this.”
Volunteers from the Canadian Youth Chess Championship will be the chess pieces for the half-hour game – each sporting a vest screened with an image of a different Lewis Chessman. Their moves on the five-metre (16-foot) square chess board will be directed by the Grandmasters sitting on the sidelines.
This free event takes place Monday, July 20, 1:30 - 2 p.m., outside the entrance to the Royal BC Museum.

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Victoria Food and Wine Festival - Year One "TASTE"

Photo above credits Rebecca Kirstein of Bullock and Kirstein Photography

Victoria's 1st annual festival of food & wine offers a local taste of Vancouver Island & the wine regions of British Columbia. Uncork with us on Thursday July 16, 2009 with an evening tasting of more than 150 British Columbia wines & local cuisine prepared by top Vancouver Island chefs. Not just a wine festival, TASTE offers culinary tourism experiences at venues around downtown Victoria, as well as farms & vineyards throughout the Saanich Peninsula & Cowichan Valley. Enjoy an extra long weekend of 15+ tastings, seminars & events. The main even is on Thursday evening from 6:00 - 9:00 pm and runs through Sunday July 19, 2009. For more information check out their web site at "Click Here".

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Gay Pride Parade in Victoria BC

Victoria showed its pride today, that is Gay Pride. The Annual Gay Pride Parade was held today under sunny skies and attended by a rather large crowd. We staked out a location early near Fisherman's Wharf where the festival was after the parade. Just about every politician in Victoria and some from Vancouver were present along with Mayor Dean Fortin and other members of the City of Victoria council. It was good to see such support for this event. The parade was high spirited and exciting to watch. Music, dancing, cheering and messages of support were the highlights. Check it out next year.

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