We spent March Break at Victoria BC visiting Tracy’s wonderful Aunt Rachel. It was our second time visiting Vancouver Island, we spent 10 days there about a decade ago.

Jake on the beach near Victoria BC

Ever since I first visited the Vancouver Island I’ve loved it. Seems to have everything, most of the best bits about Canada, and of course better weather and proximity to the sea. A few months after moving to Ottawa, it hit me hard how land locked we were – how unnatural it was for me to be away for the sea and the mountains ( I grew up in Ireland ).

So I couldn’t believe our luck when Rachel invited us for March break. We could only spend a few days there because of the definite time limits of March Break for my teacher wife and our two school age kids, and also because the cost of flying seemed to double if we didn’t travel Monday-Friday.

Rachel spoiled us with delicious breakfasts, and we ate out a couple of nights – one night Rachel ate pizza with the kids while Tracy and I had a bit of time to ourselves, and another night we ate all together at a restaurant  beside the sea.

During the days we visited the Bug Zoo, the BC Museum, downtown and the Beaches. It was rainy most days, but it was warm compared to the wintery weather we’d been experiencing in Ottawa.

One day as we walked down to a beach, the seagulls just dispersed even though we were no where near them. As we walked closer to where they were, something black shot over our heads … as we walked further it all made more sense.

Eagle having lunch on a beach near Victoria

A beautiful eagle was eating lunch in a far from beautiful way. Amazing that these huge birds of prey live so freely so close to a city.

We had a lovely time – a really simple and graceful stay. Thanks so much, Rachel. I’m very serious about wanting to move!

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