Friday 21 September 2012
This morning we caught a couple of buses to go to the Butchart Gardens. Transport costs are really cheap here and it only cost $1.65 each one way (seniors' rates).
The gardens were absolutely beautiful and well worth the visit. The original owners, Mr and Mrs Butchart, built a residence on the Tod Inlet in 1904 and the gardens evolved over many years of hard backbreaking work. The gardens cover 55 acres of the 140 acre estate. Paths lead you through the sunken gardens (built in a disused limestone and clay quarry), to the Rose (6,600 bushes), Japanese, Italian (once the old tennis court) and the Mediterranean gardens. There is an outdoor stage and lawn area for concerts held during the summer months, a Rose Carousel and children's pavilion and event room for children's parties and many fountains and statues scattered throughout the grounds. There is lots and lots of colour everywhere - just beautiful. You can even take a ride on an eco-friendly electric boat exploring the history and wildlife of Tod Inlet and the local waters of Brentwood Bay.
We had our lunch in a lovely restaurant and after visiting the gift shop caught the bus back to our hotel. It was a typical scene outside the gift shop, men sitting "patiently" on benches while the women were spending up big on the credit card. Fortunately Jim was prepared and had a book to read! He was very lucky that he went with me to see the gardens and not with his 2 sisters otherwise he would still be there - they are avid gardeners!!
I can now cross the Butchart Gardens off my "bucket list".
Tomorrow we will be packing and on the move again. We will be catching the bus and ferry back to the mainland to spend our last night in Canada in a hotel close to the airport.
The weather has been kind to us again and we have enjoyed our stay on this lovely island and were glad that we could spend at least 2 days here.
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