Two worlds, ten minutes apart.

Spring is here.  Snow is gone.  Neighbour's yard provides a nice photo op:

Mitzi enjoys a stroll on the sea walk.  The honeysuckle along my back fence has lots of new growth.  The hyacinths in my yard are peeking out of the ground with their pretty blue heads, and the primulas are in full bloom.

And then we go to Swallowfield.  Ten minutes north.  Wearing runners and a light jacket.  That was a mistake.  Different world:

Maybe tomorrow we'll see how much snow is left up at Crofton Lake.  Perhaps I'll wear my boots.

Two Days, Two Friends, Two Parks

Thursday January 2nd.  The day was dark, cloudy and threatening to rain.  But no matter,  Thursday is the day Eddie and I head out to a park with Gail and Sadie B.  We chose Grace Road Park again.  The waterfall was a little fuller than last visit, I think.....

Banon Falls

.....and the river a wee bit deeper.  But it is still a safe and shallow river, and perfect for stick-fetching-water-crazy border collie Sadie B:

Eddie was far more interested in whatever treats Gail had in her pocket.

Eddie:  I sit for treats!

Shortly after we returned home, the rains began and poured steadily all afternoon.

But this morning, Friday, dawned bright and sunny and crisp.  Bonnie, Keeghan, Eddie and I headed out to Swallowfield.  The beauty there never fails to astound me.

Chemainus River, Swallowfield
(c) Jean Ballard 2014

The dogs had a great time checking out all the smells, posing for photos, running back to us for treats.

Wolfhound in sunlight
(c) Jean Ballard 2014

Keaghan poses on a beautiful winter's day
at Swallowfield
(c) Jean Ballard 2014

At the end of the walk, as I was driving slowly down the dirt road that takes us back to Chemainus Rd, a very large mature bald eagle misjudged its flight path as it rose from the field beside me and flew right over the hood of my vehicle, so close I could count every feather had I not been so startled.  I stopped the car and tried to grab the camera, but he regained his composure faster than I regained mine and took off across the field to the trees high above the river.  But what a sight, what a memory!  A magical afternoon once again.

Parting Shots

Princess Chelsea Dawn

Princess Chelsea Dawn went home today.  Before she left, I spent a little time this morning trying to get some photos of my dogs in Christmas attire for my cards.  They didn't cooperate, so I asked Chelsea to show them how it is done.

Please, please, please let this be over soon!

Sigh
All right, this is how it's done.
Now can I go home?

Her folks had a very long day, getting up in the wee hours of the morning for their flight  from New York, so before I took Chelsea back home to Chemainus, I stopped to give her lots of exercise at Swallowfield.  I figured they'd appreciate having a tired dog who would be only too happy to go to bed early tonight.

At first, Chelsea wasn't too appreciative of the stop - she knew all her gear was in the van and had already figured out that meant she was going home.

Do I hafta?  Can't I just go home?

But soon she got into the swing of things and enjoyed the afternoon walk on a beautiful crisp and sunny day:

Bare trees on blue sky

Reflections in the ponds

Chelsea on leaf-strewn trail

Late afternoon sun lights up the mill

Pastoral tranquility

Soon the sun was low in the sky and it was time to go.

Walking into the setting sun

I hope you enjoyed your visit, Chelsea.  See you again soon!

Two dogs, two walks, two friends

Whenever time and weather permit, I like to walk whatever dogs are in my care one at a time.  It is not only easier, since no two dogs ever seem to want to go the same pace or the same direction or pause at the same time, but it also gives me one-on-one time with them.  I consider that just as important as giving one-on-one time to human siblings, and a great bonding experience.

Today was such a day.  After taking Riley for a very short morning walk, I bundled Eddie into the van and headed to Chemainus Lake, where we had arranged to walk with Gail and Sadie B.  The morning was overcast but dry, and the 2.5 km path around the lake, all offleash, turned into about 4 km for the dogs as they raced back and forth.  On the far side of the lake, the shade and the higher elevation brought us to a small section of snowy trail.  It didn't slow Eddie and Sadie B down in the least:

This is fun!

After our walk, I came home, ate lunch, took care of a few chores, and looked outside to see a beautiful sunny afternoon.  I grabbed Riley's leash, and together we headed to the beach. The new seawalk extension is now unofficially open, and this was my chance to walk the full length. (Eddie, he-who-is-scared-of-new-things, is still at the stage of being encouraged to set all four paws on the new extension.  So far, he has made it about four feet of the way across before trying to bolt back in the direction from which he came.  We make a wee bit of progress each day).

First we walked the familiar part of the sea walk.  I've shown photos of it many times,  but I  couldn't resist photographing this photographer on it today:

A popular spot for photographers!

Then we paused along the gravel berm and path that fronts the RV park.  Riley posed prettily for a photoshoot here. I love this photo of her!

Riley on the beach

We followed the path to the other side of the RV park, where the new sea walk extension begins.  Riley had no hesitation about crossing it, and we paused half way to watch some ducks.

Wigeons, I think. 

The far end of the new extension takes us to "Crofton Beach Park", with its whiter sand, where Charley and I used to go to sit quietly on the beach. Riley liked the beach as well, so we hung around for a bit enjoying the view - the ducks and geese and otters, the boats moving in and out of the harbour, the barges being towed from the mill.

North (RV park, or Glenhurst Rd) end of new Seawalk Extension

South (Crofton Beach Park, or Berridge Road) end
of new Seawalk Extension

Looking across at the marina

Riley and I returned home, and within minutes both dogs had settled for an afternoon nap.  Together.  For the first time. How sweet is that?

Two tired dogs
(Riley isn't hogging the bed - Eddie prefers the floor)