Fountains and Flowers

After several days of staying close to home, we venture a bit to visit the legendary Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay. What a spectacle awaits us here!









These renowned gardens definitely do not disappoint and we spend several hours exploring the wide range of venues. A carousel ride is not to be missed and brings back visions of Mary Poppins for all of us. If only we could get these horses to go off trail...this is the perfect place for that to happen!





There are sunken gardens to traverse, a rose garden to inhale, Japanese gardens to reflect and a Mediterranean garden to lead us to tea. It just doesn't get better than this. As the weather continues to cooperate, clear sunny skies prevail and provide the perfect backdrop for this glorious haven.

















A charming boat tour takes us along the bay surrounding the gardens. Our guide is from Denmark and has the most melodious tone when speaking. Between his voice and the scenery, we are transformed into an other worldly place. The peacefulness and serenity of the area is pure heaven. Swarms of non toxic jelly fish surround and large, beautiful, and colorful
starfish are prevalent everywhere. We literally float off our little vessel at our journey's end. This is more than worth the extra $$ for the excursion. For all of us, one of our favorite experiences by far.

















The gardens cannot be complete without the obligatory high tea experience at the dining room and so we, of course, have to indulge. Another must and more than worth the expense it entails. The quaint room has gorgeous views of the grounds and the tea and service exquisite. Dessert is served first (does it get better than that?) with a delicious individual trifle loaded with the most amazing cream. Champagne cocktails accompany the first course and, therefore, bring us to a whole new level of enjoyment. Tiers of goodies follow, each with a specific purpose. Top tier is loaded with scones, lemon curd cream and strawberry jam. The middle has offerings of truffles, lemon tarts, and raspberry napoleons. At the bottom, a savory display of salmon and cucumber finger sandwiches, sausage rolls, pinwheels and mushroom tarts. Pure heaven! Oh, and the tea is pretty good, as well.

Yes, high tea at the Butchart Gardens is a very good thing!