The Island that makes you slow down

So I am still feeling the effects of a restful holiday with my daughter. We stayed at a little place called Indigo Farm. It is a working bio farm and very rustic. If you are looking for high end accommodation this is not the place for you. It is clean and private, with lots of space to lie around and do nothing, which we did a lot of. We did puzzles, played cards, hung out with the family cat - Meeka (and occasionally Marbles and Marmalade would pop by), cooked delicious meals with produce and eggs (which we collected ourselves) from the farm, fish from the dock, fresh lamb from Sunset farm (Salt Spring is famous for their lamb) and ate gallons of ice cream from Glad’s.

We went on outings that took us to every part of the Island – Vesuvius Bay, Fulford Harbour, Ganges, Long Harbour, Musgrave Landing, Beaver Point, Fernwood, Walker’s Hook Mt Maxwell, Ruckle, where we found interesting beaches, parks, lakes, artists’ studios, beautiful landscapes and cute little cafes stuck in quiet secluded corners.

We went where the wind took us. No plans. No pressure. The only outing we had planned was to visit the ‘Market’ on the Saturday. The Market is a famous event on Salt Spring, which is held every Saturday during the summer. It is a gathering of artists and artisans from all over the Island and the stuff they bring is amazing!

We got there early because we definitely wanted to get our pick of the bread from the bread lady (Linda) as she tends to sell out early. Oh my! What a spread. Baskets of savoury and sweet breads all fresh baked in her enormous brick oven. The cookies and sweets from Two Sisters were a treat and there was a French baker, who made traditional French pastries and other baked goods that instigated a second and third visit to her stand. Gosh I am drooling just thinking about it all.

On our last day we went horseback riding with Moray, from Island Carriage Tours and Guided Trail Rides. She took us up past the old Mowat campground and up to the hilltop into an open meadow where we enjoyed amazing views of Ganges Harbour.

The vacation was short, but felt long. The opportunity to relax and spend interrupted time with Arden was fabulous. It reminds me that we often let too many distractions interfere with the things that are really important. So I am still feeling the effects of a restful holiday with my daughter. We stayed at a little place called Indigo Farm. It is a working bio farm and very rustic. If you are looking for high end accommodation this is not the place for you. It is clean and private, with lots of space to lie around and do nothing, which we did a lot of. We did puzzles, played cards, hung out with the family cat - Meeka (and occasionally Marbles and Marmalade would pop by), cooked delicious meals with produce and eggs (which we collected ourselves) from the farm, fish from the dock, fresh lamb from Sunset farm (Salt Spring is famous for their lamb) and ate gallons of ice cream from Glad’s.

We went on outings that took us to every part of the Island – Vesuvius Bay, Fulford Harbour, Ganges, Long Harbour, Musgrave Landing, Beaver Point, Fernwood, Walker’s Hook Mt Maxwell, Ruckle, where we found interesting beaches, parks, lakes, artists’ studios, beautiful landscapes and cute little cafes stuck in quiet secluded corners.

We went where the wind took us. No plans. No pressure. The only outing we had planned was to visit the ‘Market’ on the Saturday. The Market is a famous event on Salt Spring, which is held every Saturday during the summer. It is a gathering of artists and artisans from all over the Island and the stuff they bring is amazing!

We got there early because we definitely wanted to get our pick of the bread from the bread lady (Linda) as she tends to sell out early. Oh my! What a spread. Baskets of savoury and sweet breads all fresh baked in her enormous brick oven. The cookies and sweets from Two Sisters were a treat and there was a French baker, who made traditional French pastries and other baked goods that instigated a second and third visit to her stand. Gosh I am drooling just thinking about it all.

On our last day we went horseback riding with Moray, from Island Carriage Tours and Guided Trail Rides. She took us up past the old Mowat campground and up to the hilltop into an open meadow where we enjoyed amazing views of Ganges Harbour.

The vacation was short, but felt long. The opportunity to relax and spend interrupted time with Arden was fabulous. It reminds me that we often let too many distractions interfere with the things that are really important.

Art

So no, it did not take me this long to recover from the race on July 4th. We did well - ok - we did not come last. We did however, raise plenty of funds. The real reason for my absence is that I was on vacation with my daughter on Salt Spring Island.

It was really beautiful and wonderful to be away on our own - doing the girl bonding thing. We did spend considerable time looking at art. Salt Spring is a hub for artists and artisans of every description. Everything from wood turning, glass blowing, painting, felting, to the art of cheese. Yes, I said cheese. If you have the opportunity to try Salt Spring cheese (it is quite famous) do - it is incredible.

My daughter has the art bug. She received a scholarship this year to attend the Artists for Kids program this year and next. Being around all of the art of Salt Spring was quite inspirational. We spent hours collecting small flat shells that had naturally been worn to flat rectangles on a beach we found. Arden intends on making a mosaic with them and then painting an elaborate pattern.

Today's Google Doodle will be an inspiration too. Check it out.