Victoria has oodles of gardens worth a visit...
Butchart Gardens, Abkhazi Gardens, Royal Roads,
and this historic garden home Point Ellice House which is off the beaten track.
It's fun exploring local sites and seeing the parts of Victoria that the "tourists" see.
I chose a sunny Sunday to explore before perusing "the secret vintage shoppe."
Point Ellice House also offer a tasty afternoon tea which can be savoured while sitting in the verdant garden with heritage roses and plants.
The home and garden are not open every day so please check the website for times on the link above.
Frothy Native plant Ocean Spray
Yellow Phlomis
After the tour of the gardens I wandered into the secret vintage shoppe.
There were chintz pillows, linens, scarves, housewares, silver trays, collectibles, wicker pieces, teacups, plants and more...
I purchased this charming white candle holder which will goes nicely with my vintage ironstone pieces like this simple white tray.
Hope that you enjoyed this scenic tour of one of our local heritage sites.
Do you go on an adventure as a tourist in your own hometown?
I needed a break from all the weeding and deadheading in the garden so this was a perfect escape!
What is new with you?
20 comments:
I enjoyed your scenic tour! Sometimes, I discover local places. I wish I could go to your
secret vintage shoppe. Im going to the farmers' market tomorrow. Lots of fun to get B.C. fruit and to discover what is unique. thanks for your blog.
I enjoy the journey with you-such a beautiful garden!
Returning home,after visiting other countries,makes me realize all the beauties that we have,and yes,I love to play a tourist from time to time,visiting museums and some hidden gems or tourist spots.
Dottoressa
Love the candle holder with it's stylish fluted shape!
Such a lovely garden!
I do like to be a tourist in my own home town - so many times I hear people say "Oh I've never been there" even though they've lived here for years!
Just yesterday a friend and I visited the Aga Khan Museum and Ismaili Cultural Centre, along with the gardens onsite. It was an amazing experience, both buildings are works of art in themselves and contain many treasures. Of course the museum houses treasures of the past - although they had a very moving exhibit on the aftermath of the war in Syria and showed it through the eyes of modern artists and music from The Silk Road Ensemble.
The tour of the Ismaili Cultural Centre was amazing - we had a wonderful guide who explained why things were laid out in certain ways and what the significance was of artistic and architectural decisions. He also explained to us that Arab/Muslim gardens are to showcase the senses and are laid out in a certain manner for very specific reasons. It was a wonderful experience and everyone was most welcoming - I highly recommend a visit.
I have a few things on my list to visit this summer right here in Toronto - for instance, I know I went to Queen's Park (the provincial legislative bldg.) as a kid but don't really remember much of it so I am going back for a tour as an adult. There are also a couple of new walking tours that I am going to do as I find them a wonderful way to learn so much of the history of our home town. The tours are either free or cost a nominal amount, you get some fresh air and exercise, and you learn a bit - all for a couple of hours of your time - excellent value for money!
A new section of the waterfront trail has just opened at the old Ontario Place - some friends went last week and said it is well worth a visit so that is also on the list. And finally, Edwards Gardens has been given a facelift and as I haven't been there in years I will head over one morning for a long walk through this lovely spot. I always say, if I have to put up with the negatives of living in a large city then I am darn well going to take advantage of all the great things that it offers as well. A good reminder to us all Leslie to appreciate what is on our doorstep - thank you.
I have been to The BUTCHART GARDENS about 10 years ago...........beautiful.
SELDOM in answer to your question...........I live close to SAN FRANCISCO and have never walked THAT BRIDGE!!!!!!!!!As far as thrifting and scouring antiques shops well that was my business for years...........I LOVE THAT YOU GET OUT AND ABOUT!XX
Farmers Markets are a lovely way to shop...we have a local market every Saturday just a few blocks from the Humble Bungalow called the Moss Street Market. It is a mix of fruits, vegetables, breads , jams and baking plus there are local crafts and food stalls on site.
Enjoy your day at the market!
Its interesting how we seek out these spots when we travel and often take for granted the gems that we have in our own cities...I plan to explore more soon.
I think the fluted edges on the candle holder makes it special...
You have an abundance of cultural and historic venues in Toronto...it would be fun to plan to visit one each week! I hope to go to the museum and art gallery as well as Government House and Abkhazi Gardens...I try to go at least once each season.
We didn't walk the Golden Gate bridge either but we drove over it and back! We walked SO MUCH when we were there...about 7 hours every day! Loved the city and we must go back sometime.
The Secret Vintage Shoppe is an addition to the historic site and I love that you can peruse the home and garden then have tea and shop! I saw two women partaking in high tea wearing beautiful straw hats....not quite a lovely as your hat though...I covet that hat!!
You have so much beauty in your own yard and in the area surrounding you. Thanks for sharing this tour. We have numerous garden tours (personal gardens) throughout the summer in the greater Milwaukee area. I like to do at least one of the tours each summer. I am hoping to do more than one this year. Such an enjoyable thing to do and so much inspiration can be gained!
Thank you....now I have another garden to visit. So many gardens...so little time
Ali x
Point Ellice House is on my list of places to visit one day. Perhaps this summer will be the one. Your candle holder is lovely with those fluted edges. White is always classic, isn't it?
I have never been to the West Coast but it is on my bucket list. I think I told there is a ferry from Seattle. I live in a little town outside of Charleston, SC and so enjoy being a tourist in my own town. I have lived here for over 20 years and this Spring was the first time I attended the Charleston Historic Society Home and Garden Tour...such fun!
I hope to visit the Monet exhibition this summer. We're having visitors from Shetland so I'll probably go to the Museum of Anthropology as well. I visited artists a couple of weeks ago at Open Doors Richmond. Many had lovely gardens as well. I do like your candle holder. It's just about time for me to change my coffee table display to seashore for the summer. I'm still such a teacher!
I love seeing how other people's gardens look...it is easier when you have a full time professional crew maintaining a garden but the real challenge is when one does all or most of the work ! Enjoy the tour!
You'll be able to stop for tea here too Ali! Kayak up to the dock or take the wee Harbour ferry...or drive...you have options!
Let me know what you think of the shoppe too if you visit...and hope you can make time for tea.
The passenger ferry is a high speed catamaran from Seattle...if you come by car you'll drive to Port Angeles Wa. or Vancouver just across the border from Bellingham.
Charleston has so much history too...I can only imagine the beautiful homes and gardens...good for you for joining in on that tour.
It will be a great exhibit...I may pop over for a peek myself.
Ah yes...themed seasonal accents are very much in keeping with the curriculum!
Have fun!
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