Day 15 - Island to Island

The weather was overcast when we go up but there was no forecast for rain so off to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal and over to Salt Spring Island. It is the largest of the islands between Vancouver Island and mainland BC. and has a reputation for it's art. There is a big market every Saturday but we decided to go on a quieter day.

The trip over takes approx. 35 minutes and the views are stunning. It was a tad chilly but I wasn't going inside or staying in the car.

Our first stop was to check the Visitor Information Centre in Fulford Harbour. The girl on duty suggested just the right stops to appeal to us.




First stop was Salt Spring Island Cheese. They have glass windows in the small plant so you can see the steps taken to make the goat and sheep cheese.

The first photo is of the sales counter, the second, the tasting table. We tried them all and ended up buying a lemon feta and a St. Jo's. ( olive, oregano and rosemary ) My frugal self refused to consider the cost.
They had a table set out with free coffee and tables set out in the garden if you wished to stay and picnic.





Second stop was the Salt Spring Island Bread Co. just a short drive away. We could smell the wood smoke from the oven driving up the roadway to the bakery, a small building right next to the owner's home.
Inside she was just removing fresh bread from the oven and we had a terrible time decided what to buy.
We picked the still warm fruit and nut bread and paid an incredible $7.00 for it. Most expensive bread I've ever bought. We'll be eating it tomorrow.

From there we continued up island to Ganges, the larges community and toured some of the typical shops and galleries, had our picnic lunch looking out at the harbour and after getting coffee at a local cafe we continued the drive right to the top of the island, around the top and down the other side.
There are not a lot of roads.

Finished our trip at Vesuvius Bay visiting a unbelievable glass study. We got a tour of the workshop, had a lovely chat with the artist and watch a young deer wander out of her side yard, pause in the driveway and continue across her lawn.


Last stop, still in Vesuvius, the dock area for the ferry to Crofton, were we had a wonderful fresh Halibut and Chip dinner at the recommended Seaside Restaurant. We almost didn't get a table, Wednesday is all you can eat Cod and Chips and it was very busy. We watched one ferry leave as we ate, watched it return and after dinner drove aboard for the 20 minute trip.

Stood outside on the way back. What skies!

Back to Victoria along hwy #1 and a chance to see the Malahat region without the morning haze.

Salt Spring Island