Oh, I always love visiting Victoria BC.  First of all, the ferry from the mainland to Vancouver Island is always a unique experience, even if you’re just staring out the window and watching the wonderful and ever-changing ocean view during the 1-1/2 hour trip.

But this time our ferry ride over from Vancouver to Victoria was a completely different, and very refreshing, occasion.  We were treated to an impromptu concert by a local band (yes, on the ferry!) called Headwater.  What an amazingly talented group of guys!  They were on their way to do a gig in Uclulet on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, and decided to do a little jam session while on the ferry ride over.  We were so impressed we just had to purchase one of their CD’s.  Here is what the website says about this great group:

Headwater jamming on the ferry

Headwater

I think I’ve found me some new quilting music!

You never know who you’re going to meet on the ferry, even quilters!  I had a great chat with Sue, a long arm quilter from Kamloops BC who was on her way to the island for her father’s 83rd birthday.  She was busy finishing a quilt for his gift when I interrupted her and started talking quilt talk.

We arrived in Victoria and bustled down to the Victoria Conference Centre to set up the booth for this weekend’s show.  Here’s the booth all done up…

Victoria Sewing & Crafts Show - QC Magazine booth

We’ve had a great response to the magazine so far at the Victoria Sewing & Crafts Show, and I’m excited about another great day tomorrow.

If you’ve never been to Victoria, you must visit some day!  It’s quite a lovely city, and very easy to get around on foot.  On our way to dinner last night, we wandered by the BC Parliament buildings, all lit up and lovely in the dusk of early evening.

BC Parliament Buildings

A visit to Victoria is not complete without a visit to one of the great restaurants in town. My husband and I are are lovers of good food, and are always keen to try something new!  The staff at our hotel, the Chateau Victoria, recommended a restaurant for dinner, and we took them up on their offer of a ride there.  The Rosemeade Bistro at the English Inn exceeded our expectations beyond belief!  The food was incredibly delicious, and in our opinion an extremely good value.  The desserts, from the chocolate truffles, to the flourless chocolate cake (aren’t we all chocolate fans?) and the lemon tart were all absolutely delicious – we had to have a taste of all of them (and their tasting trio was the perfect size for two).  Jason, the head chef, visited our table and provided us with the secret to his special technique for the Chicago-style steak, the finer details of the Creme Anglaise that accompanied the Lemon Tart, and to top off the evening, a personal tour of the restaurant’s kitchen.  If you’re ever in the neighborhood, you must stop by for lunch or dinner and say hello to Allen, Sarah, Jason and the rest of the staff at this wonderful establishment!

Another big day tomorrow at the Sewing & Craft Show, and then back to Vancouver to start on the next issue of Quilter’s Connection Magazine!