It Shirley is!!

If you take the road West past Sooke you will pass places like

Gordons Beach, Muir Creek and French Beach.

But wait...just before French Beach you'll pass through the 

dot on your map known as Shirley.

Sure, you might think its famous for the Sherringham Point Lighthouse

which I've written about  here ..

...or maybe it's the quaint little community hall that flashes by

as you drive through...

...But let me fill you in on a locals secret.

Next time you're heading out, or back from points west like China Beach, Sombrio or Port Renfrew,

take a break at this little gem of a cafe...

 As soon as you walk up through the sweet gardens and through that inviting red door...

 ...you get that warm, welcoming feeling..and it's not just the choice of paint colour...

 ...or the little rainbows from the crystals in the window...

 Of course it helps, but how about those super friendly faces!!

 But wait! 

That's not all!

The sights and smells will 'Shirley' make you swoon...

 ...and it's all made from scratch, right here...scrumptious muffins...

 ...melt in your mouth savoury scones...

 YUM!!

 Most excellent coffee too!

 Today I was here for the muffins and coffee but the menu has so

many other DELICIOUS options.

( I can attest to this since I've been here several times for lunch!)

Soups from scratch, massive paninis, sandwiches to die for!

Come the warmer weather the patio awaits...

 ...bright coloured chairs ready for the lounging...

So next time you head West...slow down at this jewel of a spot, come on in

and say hi to Phil and Sheena and the rest of the awesome staff...

 You'll SHIRLEY not regret it!!

To the beach...

The other morning, Regina and I took Griffin and Rosie out to French Beach.

Usually full of tourists and campers all summer, September is much quieter

and since the tide was out early in the day we thought

 to take advantage of this gorgeous fall weather we're having.

Locals know the back way in so you don't have to pay for parking!

I haven't walked this path in nearly a year.

It was last October that I came here with my family to spread some

of Tracy's ashes. It was another beautiful day on the beach.

I brought a big sunflower for her and 4 smaller ones for Steve and the girls

and left them in 'her' spot in an old bottle wedged between the logs...

We walked along the boardwalk and through the woods...

Finally the dogs got their wish and tore off down onto the sand...

Just like us, they love a good open stretch of beach!

This beach has the most lovely, smooth rocks and you are guaranteed to

bring home a pocketful..

Some people leave them here in cairns to mark their visit...

There's always something pretty on the beach...

A walk on the beach, first thing in the morning, with a good friend, dogs

and precious memories...

priceless.



Thanks Giving...

This weekend we had a full house with family.

They came from the mainland  to celebrate a birthday, to eat, to drink, to tell stories and to 

be thankful for being able to share a few precious days together.

We joined the five other cousins, my younger brother and his wife who live close by,

as well as my older brother from the mainland.

The forecast was for rain but high above us the sun brought warmth 

and a gentle breeze, just the kind of day we hoped for.
You see we had another purpose for this beautiful autumn Sunday.
Down through the woods we scrambled...

... past the slough and over the little bridge...

Although most of the family was there, one was missing.
We came down here accompanied by her spirit.
To mark her life in yet another way.

We have been choosing places that my sister loved and scattering ashes here and there.
Some of her ashes will be upon the sand on this part of the coast.

Tracy loved to bring the dogs and kids to the seashore and let them run.
"Oh they'll sleep good tonight!" we'd say as we watched from our seats on big
abandoned logs.
Today the cousins were reunited once again and played together inventing
games in the leftover forts of someone else's day at the beach.

It always intrigues me how children just 'are' with each other.
As soon as they're out of the van, they're running and playing and telling
each other stories as if they were together only yesterday.

...already making plans for the next time they can be together.
We explain to them the reasons for coming here today and, although not grasping
the full understanding, they know that we are a family who are missing a piece
and making it possible for us all to have somewhere to come to feel closer to her.

Steve has been so generous with his efforts to allow us into this most difficult part of his life.
He has made this trip over here several times now, knowing how much we all want to remain close.
We all have different roles in each others lives now and he truly understands how
important the bond is and will continue to be in the coming years.

For those of us who come down to this beach often, it will remain an adventurous playground...

...but will also be a place to quietly keep Tracy close by.

Today I sit here in the house with the rain pouring down outside and once again I am
so thankful to have had such a perfect day to add another goodbye on this journey.

' You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
or you can be full of the love you shared.'

(Anonymous)