Good weather fortune continues and a small journey to Hatley Castle seems to be in order. The beautiful grounds overlook the sound and the magnificent Olympic Mountains, a breathtaking setting.
The gardens here are just as impressive as the ones we visited yesterday, just smaller and quite serene. There is not the throng of visitors that Butchart garners, and the peace is extravagant.
Before touring the castle itself, we stroll through the gardens, again enjoying the different venues it allows. The rose garden is in full bloom, housing heirloom roses dating back to the 1500s. Incredible. Balance in the Japanese garden is palpable and meandering through the area, complete with tea house overlooking ponds and arched bridges, is pure heaven.
Peacocks prance and hens with their babies are spotted often along our stroll.
The castle itself is quite impressive.
"Money doesn't matter, just build what I want." This is the quote of the original owner, James Dunsmuir, and is apparent in the spectacle we witness today. Taking only 18 months to complete is much more understandable when cost is no option whatsoever.
Today the castle and it's beautiful gardens are part of Royal Roads University and the castle actually serves as administrative headquarters. This would be a very nice place to come to work each day indeed!
We have one more excursion this afternoon before we call it a day. We've heard of a little waterfall called Niagara. A short drive brings us to the beautiful Goldstream Provinal Park where it's found. Just a 15-minute hike brings us to an area of such bliss, it's hard to imagine. The fall is almost as high as it's famous namesake, but quiet and serene. Hidden in a corner of this park where it's not even marked, we have to inquire several times to find it's location. It is, indeed, a magical and mystical spot. We are fortunate to have witnessed it's beauty.
The day has been filled with special moments and the glory of Victoria has been fully appreciated.
Magical day
ReplyDeleteWOW!!!
ReplyDeleteCeleste, Your photography gets more beautiful each day. With such beauty in pictures, you have to wonder how much more fantastic it must be to actually see all this. Susan, I don't know how you do, keeping up the narrative as you do, but a fabulous job, dear. I had to play catch up today as the past few weeks have been difficult.
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