Escape to Spring

Part of the series: Living in Saskatchewan

Snow fall, My Front Yard, Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Being my first full winter in Saskatchewan, when we had a foot of snow at the beginning of November last fall, I wasn't overly concerned.

When the middle of April arrived this spring and I still couldn't see my front yard due to the two feet of snow in it, I became... agitated.

And when I got caught in a freak snowfall last Tuesday evening, I was just barely hanging onto my sanity.

So on Wednesday, when Angharad was commiserating with me on the never-ending winter and texted me this little note:

"Come on ovah for some rare sunshine with blossoms added!"

I booked one of my flight pass trips to go to Vancouver for the weekend. :) I know. Twist my rubber arm or what!?!?


Part of the series: Living in Saskatchewan

View from Steveston Harbour front

I arrived in Vancouver in time for a late dinner, which was had with good friends I haven't seen for a couple of years in a restaurant in the small town of Steveston, then headed off for coffee with another friend.

Saturday morning we woke up bright and early and caught the 7am ferry to Victoria, where we wandered around for the morning up and down the streets, into bookstores and gift stores that caught our fancy, buying some very pretty but expensive yarn for next year's fall scarf, stopping for lunch during the rain that started falling at just that time before heading back to the car around 1pm to go to Butchart Gardens for the afternoon.

We strolled leisurely through the gardens, snapping pictures to our hearts content, and left for supper at Sidney around 5:15.

The Empress Hotel, Victoria, BC

We got to Sidney just as everything was closing (5:30 on a Saturday!!) and so only got to wander through one bookstore before stopping for supper at the most crowded little Thai food restaurant I've been in for a while. Although the only other type of restaurant we saw was Greek (4 Greek restaurants in one little town!!) so I kind of understand the busyness of it.

And really, our feet were trying to kill us because of all the walking we had done during the day, so it was okay that we had run out of time to do anymore shopping.

Sunday afternoon, before I got on the plane, we stopped at a shoe sample sale, and I exerted my willpower and only bought 5 new pairs of shoes.

Peacock, Beacon Hill Park

Fortuitous [adjective] 

Merriam-Webster's definition: coming or happening by a lucky chance.

My definition: The events which led me to book a last minute trip to Vancouver on the weekend of a sample shoe sale, the timing of which coincided with all the snow melting in Regina.

New Shoes!

Because when I came home, I had a double-wide driveway, a backyard with a patio that while not great, is good enough for me to put a barbecue on, and only two tiny patches of snow in my yard.

Spring has FINALLY come to Regina.

And now, it is raining...

Chinatown, Victoria, BC

Cherry Blossoms

The Italian Garden, Butchart Gardens

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