So, we took a 'city' break for a couple of days, setting off Wednesday and returning Saturday morning.
I know I know. But Victoria IS a city-break if you live on Salt Spring – and it IS the capital of BC…
So, why do so many people in Victoria wear hats (that aren't baseball hats)?I know it's getting chillier out there and Fall is on the way. But I really don't think I've seen so many people wearing (non-baseball)hats in one place before! Maybe it's all the students in Victoria? Or maybe it's all the funky (as in cool and hip – not smelly!) little places we kept finding – maybe 'hat-people' hang out in funky places?
And WHO ARE all the people hanging around in coffee shops mid-morning and mid-afternoon? Before becoming a life-coach and running my own business I used to work 9-5 (and sometimes 8-7!) rarely leaving the office. Sad but true. So, on our Victoria visit, whenever we stopped for coffee or had brunch (we did that every day!) places were packed full of people relaxing, chatting. It wasn't lunchtime. It wasn't the weekend. And they weren't all students.
I can only surmise that as an office-worker I led a very boring and sheltered life. And all those people hanging around in the middle of the day in coffee shops are much more interesting (and relaxed) than I used to be. Or maybe it's just a West Coast thing versus London thing?
All in we had a fabulous time eating, drinking, strolling around, visiting the castle, fisherman's wharf (being startled by a seal and enjoying the floating houses there), hanging out in coffee shops, walking the sea wall and checking out various funky and eclectic clothes, gift and furniture shops!
Our personal Victoria awards go to:
Best Brunch: Mo:Le on 554 Pandora Avenue
Best Dinner: Brasserie l'Ecole on 1715 Government St
Best Live Music: Tom Hooper (formerly of Grapes of Wrath) at new pub Bard & Banker
Most likely to be repeated wrongly Pub name: The Bard & Banker (ask a Brit to explain this) 1022 Government St