Day 17 - Mount Work and Sidney

Not an early start, but we swam before breakfast then enjoyed a feast in the garden. The ladies decided to go shopping at Winners, while Peter and I would go and hike up Mount Work.

Peter led the way up the trail through the woods, welcome shade from the heat of the sun.

As well as the conifers, there were many arbutus trees with their spectacular peeling bark: dark brown over golden brown over green or beige.

From near the summit there was a good view north - Salt Spring Island (with brown patches) on the far right and Finlayson Arm the inlet between us and the Malahat.

From the summit the view was to the south, across the southern edge of the island and across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the Olympic Mountains in northern Washington State.

So then it was time to head down again

More views of peeling arbutus trees.

From half way down we got views to the east, across the Gulf Islands and the San Juan Islaands to Mount Baker 70 miles away (10,778 feet high).

Back to Cordova Bay for lunch and a quick shower, then we headed off to Ian and Sally's house in Sidney where we were offered tea on the deck - a scrummy fruit tart.

Their little west cost house is lovely

After tea we took a walk down to and along the waterfront - again views across to Mount Baker.

The hot sun was moderated by the stiff breeze off the sea.

Oh no - somebody caught me with my own camera.

Sidney is very pretty

A series of statues occupied the benches throughout the town, including this one who always gets a flower to hold.

No this isn't a statue...

Back at Ian & Sally's we said goodbye to the cats before heading back to Cordova Bay for another fine supper.