The Wild Roses of a Romantic Land 2015

Just got back home from a lovely day at the beach.  We've had no precipitation on the West Coast for almost three months and the drought like conditions are quite unusual for this region.  Finally, last Friday the rainshowers arrived and what a lovely blessing.  Early this morning it began again and we all still left to the river-marshlands.  A break came almost around noon time and we resumed our paintings but without the portable covers.  As we were about to leave late in the day, another deluge poured and left this area so shiny and new in appearance.  This Nootka rosebush always sits so pretty with the river closely supplying it with a wonderful drink.

Canada Day Island Retreat 2015

We left so early this morning and the ferry ride was so beautiful along those Gulf Islands.  We're staying at a very nice hotel in Victoria and quickly drove up the Malahat towards Parksville.  Lots of our friends live there; so we arrived in the late morning at Rathtrevor Beach which was enjoyable.  We ate our lunch alfresco in the open air and painted the same way with that gorgeous view of the sea.  The weathers warm today and a little on the humid side.  Our large beach umbrellas shaded us from the hot afternoon sun and thankfully the sea breeze wasn't to strong.  Our umbrellas just moved like the boughs on the large spruce and cedar trees growing in the forest behind us.  Tomorrow we'll be on the early morning sailing back to the mainland to finish off the work week.  I hope you're all enjoying this Canada Day too!