Cowichan Bay extra trip

Our almost full magic bus rolled out of the centre just after 10:00 am on the way to Cowichan Bay.  Our driver, John, took us on the by-roads to reach the scenic bay community in time for a browse of the many interesting shops and boutiques. Some of us took a walk to view the marina from the north side.

Although it was cloudy, the views were excellent.

An example of the artisan ware available in Cowichan Bay, this pottery was both elegant and functional.

It was great to be able to celebrate Frank's birthday during lunch at the Rock Cod Cafe. Many Happy Returns of the day, Frank. We had time for a short postprandial stroll to work off some of the lunchtime calories.

A scenic drive back to the centre via Shawnigan Lake rounded off a very pleasant Let's Do It Day Trip.

Oak Bay and Galleries Browse

We started out at The Avenue Gallery.  Everything in here was beautiful - some great paintings, ceramics, and some brilliant and very fine fabric collages that had to be examined with a magnifying glass to tell that the images were made from tiny pieces of fabric!

Next was the Eclectic Gallery. This was eclectic in nature as well as name, including interesting pieces made from perforated and moulded metal sheets, back-lit to display the perforations. Also on display were crystals and fossils as well as jewelery, sculpture, ceramics, wood turnings, and gemstones.

Lunch at the Penny Farthing was very good. The pizza and a pint of beer for $9.99 proved a popular choice for some reason!

Then we visited Side Street Studio,  with its wide range of art, crafts, jewelery, and gifts.  At least one of us took advantage of the 10% discount offered to our group!

We had time for some independent browsing of the Oak Bay shops and other scenic locations before it was time to head back on a really good circuitous drive to the centre.

Thanks to everyone who joined us on this enjoyable and excellent value Let's Do It Day Trip.

There is no trip next week.  We had to cancel the Chemainus trip to Steel Magnolias due to lack of ticket sales. See you at the Cowichan Bay trip on May 25th!!

Let's Do It!!

Dinghy Dock - May 4, 2011

With the organizers there on time this week, we got off to a flying start and arrived at Nanaimo in good time for the special sailing of the ferry the Dinghy Dock laid on for us.

The 10 minute voyage to the floating pub seemed to go in a flash - seemed like just a few minutes!.

We spent some time looking at the stylish ornamentation.

This was before lunch!

After lunch we looked around the dock or went up to Protection Island - land of golf buggies and place names from Treasure Island. It was fantastic!

We all arrived safely back at Nanaimo for the journey home.

A quick stop at...

 for coffee and/ or ice cream or coffee with ice cream in it (in some cases) on the drive back to the centre rounded off a really enjoyable trip.

Some comments from the Let's Do It Day Trippers:

• My first visit to Dinghy Dock. Ate too much to have "Sex in a Dinghy"  - the dessert I mean.  Pity!
• My first visit - enjoyed, very good
• First visit - everything enjoyable - didn't get to see the dessert menu - next time!
• A lovely day trip - second time I've been there - nice views and good food.
• This is my third trip - a great day.
• Had a nice trip - this is my second trip.
• Good driver, good food, good company.
• All good - my second visit to D Dock - enjoyed the drive and the lunch.
• Loved the ferry ride.
• Lovely day - thank you very much
• These trips are always enjoyable
• Great trip, nice driver, not enough walking - thank you very much.

And thanks very much for your company on the trip and for all your comments.

Lets Do It - again sometime soon!!

Chris and Tom

2 pianos 4 hands - The Belfry, April 27, 2011

After a slightly delayed start (one of the organizers thought it was a 10:30 start instead of the 10:00 start clearly marked on the tickets - mentioning no names of course!*) our large group set off for the Fernwood Inn.  We had a great scenic drive to the inn and a short stop at Mount Tolmie en route.

The inn had a display of art derived from photographs. They looked pretty interesting, and this was before any of us had had a beer!! 

 We liked the food at the Fernwood, and the inn is handily situated right across the street from the Belfry. It's almost as if we had planned it!

After lunch we took our seats for 2 Pianos 4 Hands by Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt. Patrick Burwell and Tom Frey were excellent as the two characters Richard and Ted, and they used their musical and acting skills to take us through their characters' involvement in the piano from childhood to middle age. There were scenes of piano lessons, music festivals, discussions between parent and child, piano exams, and interviews for top academies - all acutely observed and full of humour with some pathos.The music was excellent - those guys can play, and the comedy timing was right-on.  Overall, this was an excellent production, which is why it has been getting rave reviews.

Thanks to everyone who attended the trip and made it a fun day out!

Check out the upcoming season at the Belfry and let us know which of the productions you would be interested in for a Let's Do It Day Trip! The new season at the Belfry starts in September.

*mentioning no names, but it was Chris :-)

April 20 Art Gallery of Greater Victoria

Our select group of art lovers left the centre at 10:30 and enjoyed a scenic drive to the Beagle for lunch.  We stopped off at Saxe Point to take in the ocean views and the spring flowers before heading off to the pub.

We had private tour at the Art Gallery.

First, we visited the Serenity exhibit that featured art depicting aspects of Asian gardens.  We learned that the concept of having a garden was first developed for a few "scholars," or high ranking civil servants in China.  Instead of focusing on flowers and plants, these gardens incorporated high and low ground, flowing water, and caves. Plants were, of course, featured as well with each having a specific meaning or connotation. Gardens were a mega status symbol at that time and the ornate naturally etched "scholars' rocks" featured in the very best Chinese gardens were extremely rare and expensive and were themselves the subject of portraits.

Next we visited the Flora exhibit which focused on flowers and plants with art employing a wide variety of different styles. One section of the exhibit depicted the changing seasons while another showed how different techniques have been used over the years in still life.  Our guide reminded us that the purpose if still life was to remind us that life is fleeting and we should enjoy it while we can.

Next we went "down the garden path" to see a more modern exhibit featuring a split image seventeen minute video loop showing a boulevard in Berlin at dawn and at twilight simultaneously, some interestingly adjusted photographs showing how we alter public and private spaces, and a piece featuring furniture and wallpapers alongside a series of photographs that explored themes of environmental destruction and reality versus artificiality.

The old mansion and other exhibits were ideal for browsing.

Also, we had time to appreciate the Emily Carr: On the Edge of Nowhere exhibit.

Overall an interesting and enjoyable day trip!

April 13, Songs of Spring

The trip started with a scenic and excellently well timed bus ride to the Fernwood Inn for an early lunch.  The food and service were very good, so we are using the Inn again in two weeks' time when we go the Belfry Theatre, which is just across the street, to see 2 Pianos 4 Hands. Several people we met had just seen the dress rehearsal and said that it is an excellent show.

After lunch we browsed a couple of galleries.  We met Harumi Ota at the Collective Works gallery.

He gave us all one of the beautiful ceramic paperweights (shown in the picture above) that he has prepared to promote an event supporting Japan on Saturday, April 16, at the Ecole Victor Brodeur School, 637 Head Street, Esquimalt, 11 am to 4 pm - FREE ADMISSION. The event features Japanese cultural performances including Taiko, Dance, Nagomi Tea Circle tea ceremony and more - cultural activities, children's corner, Japanese food, craft and bake sale, giant garage sale, and silent auction.  Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon T-shirts will be on sale. Harumi's ceramics were excellent and very striking!

Next we chatted with Marnie Hueston in the She Said Gallery.  It's an Aladdin's cave filled with art produced by local women artists. We're hoping to see her again when we visit the Belfry.

Next, we drove over to the Royal Theatre to join the other music lovers for a refreshing cup of tea and some cookies.

Victoria Symphony's Songs of Spring was an excellent way to get us in the mood for the new season. Host Duncan Regher's introductions were lugubrious and droll, soprano Melanie Krueger's singing was wonderful, and the concert was a refreshing interlude. Everyone had a great time, and we're looking forward to seeing you on the next Let's Do It Day Trip!

April 6, Birds of Prey

Unfortunately, due to a sudden medical situation, we had to miss the trip to see the Birds of Prey at Duncan.  Thanks to John and Merilee for stepping in at the last moment to host the trip.  I know that several photographers went on the trip and we are hoping to post some of their pictures soon.

Everyone said it was a fun day out!