Encouraged by the beautiful virtual tours found on my fellow bloggers' sites, and filled with enthusiasm for the suggestion by Les
http://atidewatergardener.blogspot.com/ I found myself armed with camera, walking the seafront on a breezy, blustery, decidedly chilly March afternoon.
The purpose of the winter walk-off is to provide a visual record while taking a walk from your home. You are not supposed to include any pictures of your own house and garden. Sounds simple enough - however, I soon discovered that creative photography in the middle of a stiff south-easterly gale could be challenging to say the least.
The seafront walk is located across the road from our house (and at the end of a very long driveway). The municipality has just completed various"improvements" including a new path, lighting, and landscaping (all too new at the moment). On a fine day one can see snow capped Mt. Baker in the distance. Today was not one of those days!
The seafront path is a favourite place to run, bike, stroll, or just relax while taking in some spectacular views at the water's edge.
This is Sidney on the west coast of Vancouver Island (not to be confused with the ones in Nova Scotia or Australia). Winters are wet and mild (usually) and summers are dry and almost Mediterranean in climate.
The fishing pier was almost deserted today, although this rugged fellow can always be found sitting at the entrance holding an impromptu bouquet of wildflowers!
The sea walk continues past the pier towards the town of Sidney.
Still too early for leaves on most deciduous trees, especially those in exposed locations such as this.
Crocus are in full flower sharing the spotlight with this scuba enthusiast!
Waves crashing on the rocks under the pier.
White water churned up by the wind and waves empties into the small bay between the fishing pier and the Sidney fish market.
Best place in town to buy really fresh fish.
Some of the many crocus flowering by the sea walk.
A splash of green...
...and the earliest blossom trees line the road into the town itself.
Residential housing close to the high street
Colourful utility boxes add some creative colour on a grey day.
I spotted these fishy upside down umbrellas in a local garden shop just as it started to rain.
Love the display of flowers for sale outside the drugstore and supermarket - always a cheerful sight while we wait for our own garden flowers to bloom.
This final view shows the koi pond looking south towards the woodland garden. Today, for the first time this season, we were able to feed the fish. They have been sheltering under the rocks and pavers all winter - safe from the cold water at the surface as well as any hungry raccoons, herons, or cats. In fact, for a while - we weren't sure they were there - so effectively were they hidden! As the days grow longer and the weather warmer, the koi and pond goldfish are waking up from their winter hibernation. The koi pond was our garden project last year, and I'm amazed how quickly the area surrounding the pond is returning to its natural woodland beauty. We have planted a few grasses and spring bulbs, but it is nature that is responsible for this part of the garden.
