Victoria Lavender Farm

After reading in the local paper that Kent, UK native Alan Mayfield will be scaling back operations at Victoria Lavender Farm, we decide to pay a visit. The farm will be closed to the public after this weekend's North Saanich Flavour Trails Festival, however, the shop on Beacon Ave in Sidney will remain open.

The farm is also home to a herd of Nigerian Dwarf Goats, peacocks (regular and white), ornamental pheasants, and a number of dogs. I have to admit that the idea of participating in "Goat Yoga", a regular activity here,  does not appeal to me personally.

While hubby & Alan get into car talk, I choose three lavender plants, which have been discounted by 25 %, for my garden. Unable to decide which gourmet product to try, I opt for the sample pack which has four 60ml sized jars:  Lavender Raspberry Jam, Lavender Honey, Marmalade, Jelly.



Read the newspaper article here. 

The Village Restaurant

Lunch at The Village Restaurant's Estevan location - Mt Douglas Omelette (Zatar roasted butternut squash, yam, red onion and goat cheese), multigrain toast, fresh fruit including tax and tip: 20 dollars

Mother of the Bride dress and shoes from Hillside Mall: 125 dollars

Coffee and cookie at Tim Hortons: 4 dollars

Carpool Karaoke with your fashion consultant to Alice Cooper's Billion Dollar Babies album: Priceless.


The Village Restaurant
2518 Estevan Ave, Estevan Village,
Victoria V8R 2S7
Open 8:00 am to 3:00 pm daily

Artisan Bistro and Penna & Co. Kitchen Shop

Our search for wiper blades for the smart car takes us to Broadmead Village shopping centre, about 20km due south of Sidney, just off Pat Bay Highway.

We stop for brunch at Artisan Bistro where we're served by the enthusiastic and efficient Kayla. If you need to train serving staff, observe her in action to learn how it's done properly.

I opt for the breakfast special bennie - poached eggs, avocado, tomato, smoked cheddar and Hollandaise on a croissant, exquisite at $17. Hubby enjoys the Traditional Breakfast, substituting avocado for sausage or bacon. The scrambled eggs are properly prepared, by restaurant standards, $14. Total with tax and tip, $46. Recommended.

Artisan Bistro
Broadmead Village
350-777 Royal Oak Drive
Victoria, BC V8X 4V1
Open daily: 8 am to 9 pm

Before leaving the mall, we notice that Penna & Co. kitchen shop has a 20% off sale. They've got all the high-end brands (Le Creuset, Peugeot, Bodum) and lots of chef toys. I felt like a kid in a candy store and purchase a USA Pan square cake pan, baking rack, a couple of sporks made in Sweden and other goodies.  Staff are very knowledgeable about their products. Recommended.

The Urban Bee

You can't help noticing the colourful hives and fields of flowers across West Saanich Road from The Urban Bee. Inside the shop is a vast selection of honey, beeswax and bee-themed items from tableware to jewelry. 

We enjoy coffee and baked treats served up on china dishes made to resemble vintage enamelware. The honeyed almond cookie and blueberry muffin were both delicious. Unfortunately, I haven't got the itemized receipt but coffee was about $2.50 a cup and the total including tax about $12.50.  Recommended. 

I purchase a package of three different sized Goldilocks Wraps, which I've wanted to try for some time. They're a locally made eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags and cling film. A tea towel and wooden honey dipper also come home with me.

It's fascinating to watch the bees in the open hive and as they fly in and out through a transparent tube in the wall.

Urban Bee Honey Farm
6440 West Saanich Road, Saanichton BC

Island Mavins Vintage Market (sic)

Totally out of character, we randomly followed signs to a Vintage Market being held in a farmer's field.  We lined up and paid the $3 each admission charge and were given event bracelets that would allow readmission, should you need to put merchandise in your vehicle and then continue shopping. I score a Pyrex Crazy Daisy water pitcher, which I had never seen before, for $3 (selling on eBay for $33). It's interesting to find out the current selling prices for vintage wares we've got at home.

We enjoyed some lovely home baked cake and coffee served by these charming ladies at their delightfully presented stall. A jazz quintet called Mile Zero was setting up but the drummer arrived late so their gig got stalled out. Listening to the bass, clarinet, trombone and keyboard warming up, I'm sure they're an excellent band.

Yard Saling (sic)

I gathered up 6 notices about Yard Sales happening today, we mapped out a route and set off just before 9 o'clock. I'm a big Pyrex and Corelle collector and hit the jackpot with Crazy Daisy pattern bowls and plates at an estate sale where brother and sister were dealing with their mother's worldly goods and their own grief. 

At another stop, I score a gardening reference book and a delightful cup of apple cinnamon iced tea poured by a charming four-year-old. Luckily we also stumbled upon an additional 3 Targets Of Opportunity (TOO) which netted us a plant for the garden, a ratcheting wrench (aka a rat), an apple pie and freshly picked raspberries.

All this and home for tea by 11 a.m., gotta love it!