I took myself away for 4 days to Salt Spring Island before our week at Pender.
I opted to stay close in town and park the car and walk to the shops and galleries.
My room overlooked the harbour.
The Salt Spring Island Inn was a very pleasant surprise.
It was built in 1937 and has been updated over the years...it has 7 rooms.
Three of the rooms have ensuite bathrooms and are advertised as deluxe rooms.
The 4 others share 2 separate bathrooms with showers.
It is very cozy.
The room was quiet and clean and had a TV which I never turned on once!
I purchased the deVol Kitchen Book from a fabulous shop called Rhubarb.
They have the MOST beautiful things in the shop...
they also have a website with some of their items.
I could have spent a fortune in there.
I finished knitting my neck warmer while I was at the Inn.
There is a wonderful cafe on the main floor.
It is popular with the locals and with tourists.
The food was really delicious and even though it was busy,
the service was wonderful. The staff were friendly and animated.
I ate at the cafe every evening and opted for healthy meals.
(No fries or burgers)
Rain did not stop me from getting out and about...
I was out for an early morning walk before the shops opened up
when I spied this bottle on the sidewalk.
There must be a story here...
Pod has some amazing things inside!
European brands, cashmere sweaters scarves and hats.
Beautiful coats, clothes and shawls.
Met up with my friend Ali and she and I perused the shops.
She loves the Rhubarb Shop too so I went back with her again...
I went to 2 of the 3 thrift shops on SSI.
Found a sparkly brooch stamped Butler.
Love the size of the brooch...it makes a statement.
Found a basic tee top by Mododoc at Mouats.
They have a vast selection of clothing and were having a sale.
I found the Golden Amber scent at Mondo...
it is woodsy and I love the fragrance.
Denim skirt also from Mouats.
I haven't had a denim skirt in many many years.
This will be a serious work horse in my wardrobe.
I am already planning what I am going to wear with it...
My crisp white shirt and pearls, tights and Black Chelsea Boots for a start...
Tee tops with my hand knit sweaters and vests.
Met up with Terry, my husband's cousin, who has lived on SSI for many decades.
We had a fun day together!
Terry is an avid walker and has made many trips to walk the Camino and various walks in the UK and Scotland.
She took me on a 5km walk in the Channel Ridge area.
I held my breath when she showed me a road that was so steep it went straight up!
I was VERY intimidated...
Terry was patient with me and said I'll talk and when you need to stop I'll wait.
Well I stopped 3 times to catch my breath but I did make it to the top.
After our walk she showed me wonderful areas of the Island that I had never visited.
For example, I had never been to the Mercantile...
The Woodshed
Glorious colours and a wide variety of veggies.
Beeswax Candles...
Fruits and Funghi
Salt Spring Island Kitchen Co.
They make wonderful and unusual jams, sauces, and vinegars.
Also sell the Salt Spring Island Cheeses and have yummy crackers too.
Tempting tasty samples too :-))
I bought two jars of jam...
Hot Mango and Onion and Thyme
The uber popular Francis Bread Bakery...
Totally loved these lights! They remind me of jellyfish.
Lots of tempting treats...
We had a delicious bowl of chowder at The Oystercatcher in Ganges.
Thank you Terry :-))
Went into Louise Campbell's Gallery...
colourful paintings and silk scarves.
I purchased 3 packages of art cards.
On November 11th there was a parade and a ceremony in the town square.
Many people turned out to watch the horses and Canadian Navy Bands.
After the event was over I grabbed a coffee
then
I checked out of the Inn and went to the bookstore to buy another book to take with me to Pender.
I read this book in a couple of days and have the sequel waiting at home.
I had never been to Pender from SSI before. It was fun to see the different scenery.
Well that about wraps up my holiday away...
Pender Sunset on our last evening...
I must apologize for being so slow at responding to emails!
I don't use my computer much when I am away.
I have laundry to tackle, bread to make, food to buy, and
YES many emails to answer...
Only then will I read some more of Ina's new book!
What a lovely story!
Thank you for staying in touch and reading my blog.
~ Be Well and Be Kind ~
24 comments:
Wow! This looks beautiful! It is definitely being added to our places we must visit list. Thanks for sharing this charmer!
It sounds like a really lovely getaway. So many fun shops on Salt Spring. I haven't been there for years.
This sounds like the perfect solo getaway. A cozy Inn, new shops to explore and treasures to bring home.
Oh my, that sounds so wonderful. Did you go alone?? I would like to do that. I'm 72 and have never gone away alone. Maybe it's time. Well, actually not right now as my husband is in the middle of chemo ( again) different cancer this time so I'm the designated driver everywhere.
Wonderful post—what a great spot for a getaway! It’s been decades since I’ve done that— I used to treat myself to a weekend at a place called Alice’s, if i remember correctly. Also right in Ganges….i always loved the shopping there—Mouat’s!!! —looks as if there are even more great places now.
So happy to hear about your solo getaway. I’m an older mum, with a 12 year old at home. It’ll be some years. But I can enjoy your getaway vicariously. ~ Laura
Salt Spring is particularly popular in the Summer months when the vibrant Saturday market is open...lots of boaters tie up in Ganges Harbour. That is how we visited for the past 4 decades on our various boats to fuel up and provision and I would go to the thrift shops and the Mouats clothing store!
It is a quick ferry ride from Swartz Bay and BC seniors are free Monday through to Thursday :-)) Or you could take your boat over!
It was great and I enjoyed not cooking!!!
Yes I was alone...I haven't travelled by myself since 2015 when I went to France. This island is a lot closer than a 9 or 10 hour flight for me...it was a lovely way to have a mini holiday. Perhaps you have an opportunity once your hubby is well to take a wee solo trip closer to your home.
I do not recall seeing Alice's but there are numerous wonderful B&B on Salt Spring and a couple of good hotels and if price is no object I highly recommend Hasting House ! We stayed there for a long weekend and we were totally spoiled by the accommodations and the amazing meals. They have a Spa onsite too!
I understand your situation.
I am almost 70 with no children living at home...although I have 2 cats and a husband! He's very generous when it comes to my travel ideas over the years...this was so much fun I might make it an annual event! Or perhaps explore the other Gulf Islands?
What a jam packed post and lovely get away! Sounds like a very refreshing time. Wonderful!
Great getaway....and I loved Ina's book. Devoured it in one day!!!
Thank you for the lovely travelogue, shared surprises, and beautiful and atmospheric photos!!! You and your blog are a blessing!
It was a wonderful change of pace experience and I liked it so much that I may make it an annual event!
I loved her book too and I make so many of her recipes...they never fail! Hope you are getting ready for a lovely Thanksgiving holiday.
Thank you for reading my blog and taking the time to share your thoughts :-))
The brooch may have been made by a British brand called Butler & Wilson . Also Scotland is part of the UK ! Best wishes from Cheshire England UK
I look forward to your posts because you’re not selling anything and your are very relatable. .I’m only a Coho ferry ride away in Port Angeles and love visiting Victoria and beyond whenever I get a chance.
Thank you for taking us along on you solo adventure! SSI seems wonderful!
Oh thank you for that information...I will look into that company and see what other lovely things that they may have made!
Sounds like we are almost neighbours...just a wee bit of ocean apart...thank you for reading my little blog which is just a hobby. We haven't been on the Coho for quite awhile...we did toy with the idea of going to the crabfest in Port Angeles...we really must try and get across the pond for that event next year!
Salt Spring Island is a fun place to visit...a fabulous place for local art. At one time it had more millionaires per capita than any other place in Canada...not sure if that is still true...and it used to have a lot of "Hippies" The Yoga studio that I used to attend has retreats there.
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