Notes from a B&B in Vesuvius, Salt Spring Island

Hello travellers,

Sitting on my deck again.....and pondering the inevitable summer's end. The sun has just set and the colours were phenomenal. What a fabulous nightly spectacle. The days are slowly getting shorter and the inevitable chill in the air is coming. Leaves are starting to fall, slowly but surely. But....it's not the end of summer yet so I'll share my musings with you.

Today, I was with my grandchildren at our local lake. St Mary Lake… just a few minutes away from Bayview Cottage and a different experience from our sweet Vesuvius beach.

Here, little children puddle around in the soft sand, on the waters edge and I am taken back to when I first moved here 26 years ago. A young mum, with three children and a glorious afternoon sitting by the lake, watching them play. Snacks, a picnic lunch at hand and lots of water to drink and of course the lake which gave them hours and hours of playtime and giggles.

I missed those days of perfect, guilt free pleasure. The children needed the fresh summer air and I got to relax and enjoy watching them play. Now...I have my grandchildren and it gets better and better. I can drop them home to their parents and go home to my nice home that is exactly as I left it and relax beautifully in my garden. Life has surprises and treasures, being a Grandmother is by far the one that I least expected this soon. It's the best treasure ever. I am re living the best part of my children's childhood all over again.

Salt Spring has many lovely lakes to swim in and the buses run close by to most of them. Guests often come with cars, but if you are happy to jump on a bus, it's a great way to get about. Alternatively bicycle rental is a breeze at Outspoken Bike rental.

A favourite post lake or post beach ritual is to go to Salt Spring Chocolate and Gelato and enjoy a yummy locally made Gelato. Our favourite was Rose, and Belgian Chocolate....followed by a single chocolate to take home for the car....our favourite is the Sacred Lavender, just the right amount of chewy and salty too, with a hint of local lavender!

These days, I keep some in the freezer at Bayview Cottage and often bring it out to enjoy with solo travellers while we enjoy a chat in the garden. I love that part of being an Inn Keeper. Meeting travellers that have so much to share, topics around love and life, menopause, life transitions and all the topics that often end in genuine connection and resonance. Especially with the solo ladies who are around my age....there is so much to talk about at this stage of life.

Another favourite dinner option is the Seaside Restaurant which is a short five minute stroll away from the cottage, for a gorgeous ocean front patio and amazing fish and chips. Here you can meet locals and fellow travellers and watch the ferry coming and going from Vancouver Island. It's a short 17 minute ferry so they come and go every hour. Guests often walk on and walk to Bayview Cottage. An easy way to arrive and a beautiful way to travel. You can also get a takeaway and walk down to Vesuvius Beach and take in the sunset there.

We have three ferry terminals that can take people and cars to Vancouver and Vancouver Island, to Victoria or Crofton (Mid Vancouver Island). Or the Sea Plane which comes from Vancouver Airport, or Downtown Vancouver and/or Victoria straight into Ganges town which is a 7 minute drive into town! It's a super way to arrive. So scenic and beautiful!

Summer is always busy, but September is gorgeous and has a slightly less busy vibe. Families are back at school and the more mature travellers enjoy the island. Loads of swimming still and hiking amongst all the other outdoor adventures. The famous Saturday Market is still bustling, and vendors are always fun to chat to, as they have arrived here from all over the world and make Salt Spring their home.

I am so grateful to live here, and I am so grateful to share this beautiful island with visitors. Seekers of peace, healing and pleasure are welcome in my Cottage. I have travelled the world and running this little INN means that the world now comes to me!

I warmly welcome the discerning, adventurous traveller to my Cottage to rest their tired head s and enjoy a little home away from home! Should you need a little pampering or healing, Figs & Honey is an in-house Healing Arts centre that I operate passionately to support locals and travellers alike. Offering treatments and retreats for all.

Kettle is on if you want a cup of tea or some gelato and if not, enjoy your peace and solitude. You are warmly welcomed!

Lisa