Hi everyone.
Pam, could you put the names here as well please. Don't worry, I figured I could do it as well. ;) (Linda just shaking her head)
OldFlowerGirl (Donna) Castlegar, British Columbia
jagonjune (Lynne) Edmonton, Alberta & Gardening Friend
MG99 (Linda) Victoria, British Columbia
spklatt (Shannon) Gatineau, Quebec
Roselaine (Elaine) North Vancouver, British Columbia
brugcrazy (Jeanne) Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Heatherbelle (Heather) Victoria, British Columbia
inanda (Ginny) Winnipeg, Manitoba
Lilypon (Pam) and DD Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Paradise (Ingrid) Quebec
Kooger (Laura) and DS
yumiko Nanaimo, BC
Sunrise (Dawn) BC
Liz (probably)
ggd (Glenda) maybe
Regrets, and will be missed:
Echoes
Ceedub (Christine)
Monika's Book "Engelstrompeten"
OldFlowerGirl
Yumiko
Lilypon
Heatherbelle
Paradise
Anyone else that's interested please jump in! :D
Since the last thread was getting a bit long.....here's a new one for plotting and planning.
Just a word of planning for all of you planning on staying in Victoria, and flying out here. I noticed on the news tonight, that the 2005 WORLD curling championships are here in Victoria, April 2-10 2005. I'm thinking that you should be making reservations PDQ.
Are people interested in going to watch some world class curling? I haven't yet scoped out the price, I thought they'd be too much for my blood, but I will check if folks want to go.
Linda
editted to add names
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Candain round up planning, part 2
Linda, you spell like me after two glasses of wine. or without the wine.
Linda, are there any B & B's in your area? I'd sure appreciate some names if there were.
OK, let me get some listed for you, give me a bit of time though, I'll them by supper time.
Then I was thinking, after I wrote the above, I'd go and get biz cards, and photos of them, and post them. So it might not be by supper tonight. Hmmm, an 'information gathering expedition' Sounds fun. :)
At least it's sunny here today
Linda
I didn't get out to have a look, it was one of those days where my body chose not to cooperate, so I've done some web searches.
http://tourismmall.victoria.bc.ca/cordova.htm is a link to get the B&B's for Cordova Bay, which is about 5 min from our house. they range in price from ~60/night to ~150. There are more, I'll get them here as well. I think some places, if you are staying for 4-5 nights, you may be able to negotiate a cheaper price.
This place is about 5 minutes away, and they have 2 double beds in each room, so some of you guys may want to cost share. Looks good.
http://tourismmall.victoria.bc.ca/hillsideB&B/welcome.htm
Here's a web site with more to choose from. http://www.bedsandbreakfasts.ca/victoria_bed_breakfasts.htm
Cheryl was jusk asking me what I was doing, and when I told her I was telling you guys about B&B's, she said "let them know they are expensive" The high season price for most starts May 1st.
If you contact the places, ask them how far they are from either Mount Doug, or Gordon Head. Those are the 2 places of reference for distance that people will know. We live in Gordon Head, about 4 blocks from Mount Doug. Heatherbelle, (Heather) is also in Gordon Head, about 5 min. away.
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There is a great Iris B&B though don't know if it is near to you
, Linda. Where Margot Kidder stays when in Victoria lol.
Here is a quilt made by a VW club for a raffle. All proceeds go to Childrens Aid groups. This club also raffles aVW, usually a 70s or 80s bus.
this just to get you to go look at the Garden Angel Quilt, can't remember which thred the pix are located.
Thanks for all the information, Linda. I sure appreciate it. I will be happily browsing for the next few hours. Before I forget, my next question was...How far from Gordon Head is the airport and/or the bus terminal? Sorry to be such a "bug" :(
It's about 20-25 min to the airport, about 25-30 to the ferry, and the downtown bus terminal is also about 20 min. If you are coming by bus, and can get the bus driver to stop at Mayfair Mall, that's about 10 min from us. It's no trouble what so ever for us to meet you guys at the ferry, airport, or bus terminal.
I keep trying to find a map on line where I can put a 'star' where our house is, so you can get a feel of where we are. Any good links you can send to me, anyone?
Linda
Jeanne thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=US&countryid=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=address&searchtype=address&address=1594+Buckingham+Close&city=Victoria&state=BC&zipcode=V8N+5J2&search=++Search++
Here's a link to 'Gardens of Victoria' http://www.greatervictoria.com/Gardens_of_Victoria.htm
I imagine once you guys see these, you'll have a better idea of what you want to see when you get here.
Linda
Linda, what do you think of the "Cherry Tree Inn"? Would it be convenient? It was one of the links you listed for us. Rates are good, so I was seriously thinking of booking. What can you tell me? I would really like to be as close as I could to a mall. Thanks again.
Donna
The Waddling Dog Inn isn't too far and room rates are $90 for 2 quuen size beds and they take pets. It's a nice motel with a wine and beer store, restaurant, pub etc. It's on the Pat Bay Hwy around Royal Oak.
http://www.qualityinnvictoria.com/qualityreservations.html
Just wondering about reservations for lodging....Are we going to try to aim for the same place for all of us.Or are we all on our own for this?
Thanks, Ingrid
Think it is more fun if you are all in the same place as much as possible. Doesn't apply to me because I'll stay in camper at my daughters place near red barn. If you let me know how many rooms/people I might be able to get a deal at a Ramada $35 per room - friends & relatives cost. I'll check when we know how many rooms are needed. So pair up guys.
Inanda
OK, let me try to answer some of the questions.
What do I think of the Cherry Tree inn? It's across from Beaver lake, but all you see is the Hwy and trees. It's north of town, no where near malls. If you don't have a car, there is transit service. It's older, but seems OK.
Here's another link for cheap $50-70/night. They have multiple sites, most in the city. I've had a few friends stay, and they have been satisfied with them. http://www.travellersinn.com/rates.htm
The Waddling dog that Jeanne mentioned is 1/2 way between the ferry to Vancouver, and my place. In the whole scheme of things, nothing is too far from here. I like driving, and it doesn't take long to go out and pick you guys up that won't have wheels.
Jeanne, I can't think of any campgrounds that wil be open except maybe for Goldstream. Are you planning on tenting, or RVing? Oh, your VW van, I remember. Our driveway is about a 35-40% slant so that wouldn't work, but the street would. It's a quiet and good neighbourhood.
I wonder if you'd get group discounts at some of the Inn's if you all or most of you stayed at the same place?
Linda
Linda,
I'll either stay in my VW van or maybe at the Waddling Dog Inn. They take dogs and of course, I'll have to bring Oscar with me. They have a good deal for 2 nights with dinner included and tickets to Butchart Gardens included for 2. I'm waiting to hear from Liz. I doubt she'll want to camp.
inanda
Can you check out the Ramanda for us...as well is it close to whatever or should we rent a car?
There maybe 3 of us or just 2 will get back with this.
Thanks, Ingrid
Ok, that answers my question. I was looking for a reasonably priced room, close to you and the mall you mentioned the Mayfair Mall (Right?) I checked out the Blue Ridge Inn, and they are completely booked. Is the Ramada close to you and Heather, Linda? I don't want to shop at the mall, I just wanted to be close enough to somewhere you could eat or buy a few breakfast groceries if needed. It would be great to be close enough to your place to walk to it and maybe mooch a ride to where we are going.
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I'm in for sharing a cheap room, if anyone has a free space! Do we know about the Ramada yet? (Thanks for the offer, Ginny!)
I'm still looking for a campground too - if anyone else finds one first, I'm all ears.
Shannon
spklatt
Christine and I were going to ask you if you wanted in with us...Let us know .
Thanks, Ingrid
Is the date still the 2-5 of April or still in the planning?
Ingrid
Ingrid, you have mail.
Shannon
April 1-5th is what I've thoght it was.
Glad you can make it Ingrid, and Shannon, it's sure a long ways for you to come. Makes it all the more exciting.
MG99
Thanks for the info..This will be great to have faces to the names here, and just getting to know each other on a different level..I'am sure we'll all have an excellent time- maybe, Victoria won't be the same after we go threw there...LOL
Ingrid
As I said earlier, can't go to Ramada till I know how many rooms are needed. so, are you going to share 2 per room or ??? Last time I did something like this we had adjoining rooms each with 2 dblbeds. We ended up with one cot in one room for total 9 people. It was wild. So it all depends on how 'close' you want to be with strangers.
Inanda
The Ramada Huntington Hotel and Suites is in James Bay in Victoria. That's about 20 minute drive to Linda's I would think. It's an older hotel with a great restaurant, Sandiagos. I ate there a couple of weeks ago. The hotel is across the street from the water and walking distance to everything downtown.
It's pet friendly for medium dogs. Oscar is a bit larger than medium so we'd have to see if they'd take him. He's very well behaved.
It would be a great place to stay if you can get a deal on the rooms.
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Jeanne: If I bring Clancy, which I doubt, Oscar would look like a cocker spaniel and they would take him. I am familiar with the Waddling Dog from the Dog Show Circuit, but not the others. Dawn
Thanks, Ginny. We'll sort ourselves out asap...just pricing tickets at the moment. I'm really looking forward to this! :-)
What's Clancy and what part of the 'fancy' do you show in??
Just a reminder, that we should be booking rooms soon. I will be out this coming week to check out places and I'll put them here. I meant to do it this week,but I had to go to Vancouver for Dr.s appt's and tests. Then it's just been one of those weeks.
I understand that some hotels are booked solid already, maybe because of the world curling champs.
I'll keep you posted.
Linda in Victoria.
Geesh Linda, when I see that Candain round up planning, part 2 heading , my little ole' heart just pitter patters!!! :D
Hope everything is OK with you what with having to travel all the way to Vancouver for Medical appointments. What a drag, eh!
I'm sure glad I made reservations already at the Victoria Club Med!! I can breath easy!! :D
Don't think I'll be coming, so take me out of the count. Take care Linda.
brenda
Oh Brenda, that's too bad. But hopefully, you can make the next one. Whenever, and wherever it may be.
Linda in Victoria
Brenda...:(
I'm sorry to be so tardy jagonjune, in my reply. Clancy is an Irish Wolfhound X St. Bernard. A bit large. I don't show anymore but I bred and showed Maltese if you can believe it. So from 4 lb to 120. Oscar is big but not that big!
OK Guys & Gals.
Lets stop playing around here and do a head count. How many people are intending to stay in a hotel? That is what we need to know.
You are under no obligation, you can change your mind etc etc. However, do we need one room for one person, one room for two people with 2 beds, etc etc. We need to know how many people. approx.
Thanks Ginny - because time is marching on for booking rooms in lotusland.
Well I will have to stay in a hotel and would be willing to share. Still am not sure if Pam and DD are flying all the way or coming to Edmonton and driving with me.
Lynn I'm still thinking we will be flying to Edmonton.