Woods, meadows, marsh and beach...

Yesterday I took my niece and nephew for a ramble at Royal Roads.

 It is and old estate turned University/park with miles of walking trails through all sorts of terrain.

First we walked through some old growth forest...

There are some big old Douglas firs in these woods...

Then the woods open up into the most beautiful long path through the meadow where the sun came out!

Yum! the first salmon berries os the season!

Then it was into skunk cabbage land where they grow so big we almost lost Hannah!

Down at the back of the gardeners house, the road leads past more meadows where a young doe stood to watch us...

These fences are made of metal, lead I think and are probably from the late 1800's when the estate was being used privately by Lord Dunsmuir...

This place has an 'old world' feel to it with its narrow laneways and stone walls...

Nick loves to take pictures so I always bring along an extra battery and let him go nuts taking picture after picture.

Thank goodness for digital cameras...I showed him how to use the action setting and we took hundreds of 'running' pictures alongside the walled garden...

 These structures were built ages ago and are fish ladders which helped the cut throat trout make it from pond to ocean during spawning time...

It makes the most calming gurggling sound as the water tumbles down to the sea.

More giant, old trees...

And down to the lagoon.

See that pretty little house at the back of the marsh?

I always wanted to live there. It houses offices for the University now.

Here are some more of Nicks photos...I think that boy has something of an eye for things...

It was a beautiful day spent with 2 great kids who love nature...such a pleasure to take them out...