Sooke Fine Arts Show, July 27, 2011

We left the centre at 10.30, after welcoming John back from his sojourn in sunnier climes,  and went directly to Sooke FIne Arts Show.

The entrance was graced with a floral arrangement announcing that this is the 25th show.

The art was really well displayed.  A short video in a mini theater explained how the exhibition design's main challenge was to avoid long sight lines that would betray the fact that the exhibition was in a hockey arena.  The design worked, and the overall ambience was excellent with good lighting for the displays and plenty of room for varied views of both the two and three dimensional pieces.

The program had a retrospective feel with plenty of information about the birth and development of the show.


With no photography in the display area, it's good that the program had photographs of the art including those winning the 25th Anniversary Artist Awards.

We sat for lunch in the dining area next to the classical pianist, as advised by the helpful volunteer as we entered the show, only to have a less than helpful "volunteer" put a "reserved" notice on our already occupied table, accusing us of "not being Rotarians." It turns out that this rogue and over-zealous Rotarian was out of order, and all the matter was resolved with profuse apologies for her misconduct.  However, you only get one chance to make a first impression.

After lunch we completed our art viewing and returned to the centre via Beacher Bay.

We were blown away by the wide variety of art on show and by the generally really good quality of the exhibits. With food available on site, good quality live music, and a variety of special events throughout the week, this was a great day trip. As one of our party mentioned, despite the fact that she has lived here for over twenty years, this is the first time she has actually visited the Sooke Fine Arts Show.

That's what Let's Do It trips are all about.

Let's Do It!

Happy Valley Lavender & Herb Farm

We took a scenic drive to My Chosen Cafe, taking in Royal Roads, Duke Point, Olympic View, and WIlliam Head (just visiting).  Our meal was good, as was the service this visit.  As far as I know no-one ate any of this guy's relatives.

We had a relaxed time after lunch taking in the gift shop and critters and then headed off to the Lavender farm. What an excellent place!  We were lucky in that the lavender was to have been picked a couple of days ago.  It is now slated for harvest on July 31.

The beds were first planted in 1988, and some of the current lavender has been producing for 10 years.  Lynda explained that there are various varieties in the farm all pollenated by their bees.

Happy Valley lavender is exported to many countries, including in a "coals to Newcastle maneuver" the UK.  We were advised not to cavort or otherwise jump on the 100 year old lavender coloured bed.

The 'dribbler" home-made fountain was constructed from old sprinklers and was operating in full magnificence.

Toadstool art proving that some good can come from chain saws.

Next came the lavender tea ceremony where we ate and drank lavender.  The tea was black tea with bergamot and lavender and the cookies were lavender shortbread baked especially for us.

Lynda provided us with her recipe for Tropical Lavender Cookies 2011, selected for this year in honour of Lynda's daughter, who is currently in Australia (a country that, incidentally, does not allow the import of lavender - or other plants)

Tropical Lavender Cookies
1 cup butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tbsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp dried lavender

Blend smoothly in a food processor.

In a large bowl, add

2 cups flour
1 cup shredded coconut
1 tsp baking powder
1tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp milk
100 grams macadamia nuts
100 grams crystallized pineapple

Mix well with hands into smooth soft dough, place by generous tsp onto parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350F for 10 mins for a soft cookie.

PS You can roll the completed dough into a log shape in waxed paper and freeze. To bake later: thaw slightly, then slice in half-inch rounds and bake as usual.

Thans to Lynda for the recipe.  The lavender shortbread that she served was also delicious.

Lynda's husband, Michael, had been working on this "infinity wall" of rock incorporating farm implements and other objects.

A tour of the vegetable and ornamental gardens followed our afternoon lavender tea.

A quick try at croquet, and it was back to the bus for a more direct return to the centre.

This was a great trip, really relaxed and enjoyable.