Wintering in Victoria
The tourist have almost all left. The mornings are overcast and in the afternoons the sun peeks out from behind the clouds. The temperature range shrinks and cools. Soon all the cruise ships will disappear. Then the city will settle into its wintering phase. A few shops will close and their owners will head to warmer climes till May. The streets and side walks will be less crowded. And the line at counter of Murchie’s Tea & Coffee Shop will almost disappear.
This is when the city becomes a village. Walking along the cobbled streets, and hidden alleyways becomes an adventure of discovery. What small shop, not yet discovered, is of interest. I once found a hat maker on Johnson Street in a store front smaller than a closet. Her custom make hats hung on hooks up the back wall. She stood in the doorway and worked at a small bench to the left of the door. A full length mirror was to the right for customers to discover their new appearance. She had to step outside so you could step in.
On another occasion, the black facade of a building captured my attention. The head of a raven, the size of a delivery truck, covered half the building. Inside artists displayed an eclectic selection of painting, sculptures, and graphic designs.
In Fan Tan Alley a couple own an import shop filled with exotic wood utensils for the kitchen and hand woven rugs for the floor. Next door is a shoe designer displays her exotic creations for every taste and colour palate imaginable.
I once discovered two separate used bookshops, side by side. One selling only books of mystery and the other selling everything else.
One of my favourite discoveries are the many unique coffee shops. One is a Continental style shop and Rap Music record store. The owner combined his two passions. Another is a hangout for the digital generation. Requiring black attire, coffee, and computer on uncomfortable seating. Its like suffering for your art.
But my favourite is Farmhouse. Here Sawa and her staff, know your name and drink choice after your first visit. They make you feel at home every time you enter.
I don’t know if it is the discoveries that draw me out onto the streets or the streets themselves. I have walked some of them dozens of times or more and still find something new each time I wander along the walks. I could spend the rest of my life and never see all of Victoria, much less the island.
It’s my search for the “Everyday Sublime” that pulls me out of Ensō, the van, and onto the side walks. I believe it was David, a dear friend here, who mentioned that term to me first. It is my preoccupation now, and search fills some portion of everyday.
McLoughlin Point
Across the road from the campground is the Work Point Training Centre for the Canadian Navy. The gate, often locked, was open. While out for a walk in the rain I decided to explore the road down to McLoughlin Point.
The point juts out into the harbour across from the Cruise Ship Dock. I enjoy the view from points of land. They offer panoramic vistas, often up to 270 degrees of horizon.
From here you can see the International Marina in town and on a clear day the Cascade Mountains to the south. On this day the rain clouds shrank and greyed the landscape.
The Cruise Ship Dock on the opposite side of the harbour mouth is a mainstay for the Victoria economy. On an average year almost 250 ships and a million passengers visit the city. Only a few remaining ships will arrive for this season.
Some Everyday Sublime
Eno’s Fuel Efficiency
Vespa’s first fill up. I have driven over 100 kms around town and the fuel gauge is at ⅓ and I prefer to fill the fuel tank at ½ full. The dealer filled it originally and this was my first opportunity to check the fuel efficiency.
ENO fuel efficiency: 26 kms per litre - 62.5 miles per gallon
Only thing better than that is a bicycle. Quite pleased and I still get a big smile on my face every time I sit on Eno.
Lovecraft at his best…
… a short (10 min) read with an exquisite twist in the last line. Save reading it till the end and enjoy.
What I am Reading & Watching…
John Carpenter’s Apocalypse Movie Trilogy - The Thing, Prince of Darkness, In The Mouth of Madness
Strugatsky, Arkady and Boris, (2001, 1972) Roadside Picnic - One of the classic science fiction novels, later made into the movie Stalker.
Next post (every Sunday)
Hi Lloyd
My wife was the costume designer on The Thing and it was made in Vanvouver