So, I can hear you asking, why the hell is he starting the Blog, with a photo of two pair of boots? I am easily pleased fan and the little story behind a gleaming pair of riding boots tickled me. I hope you find it equally amusing. For our short stay in Victoria, Wendy had booked us into a lovely hotel, right on the waterfront - the Fairmont Empress. As our stay coincided with the fathers day weekend, the boat was pushed out a little farther than normal and she had booked a special room package. This included booking in on a separate floor and a separate small lounge for complimentary pre dinner aperitifs and breakfast. Also included was a complimentary shoe cleaning service............... We had arrived at this beautiful hotel in a bit of a state, having ridden most of the day in rain and miserable conditions. As well as our bike suits being a mite grubby, our boots were filthy, so we decided to give the service a try. We simply had to put the boots on the wooded tray provided and leave them outside the room door. We were both a little apprehensive about the service. Wendy that the boots wouldn't be cleaned. Me that we would never see them again...... Well this was no Super 8, so we should be ok! Wendy was first out of bed and opened the door to check. The excited giggle told me we were ok and I just had to have a photo of the result. They didn't make us ride any better, but they sure looked good!
As today was a rest day off the bikes, we planned to do a little walking - after breakfast! The complimentary buffet style breakfast proved to be very satisfying - once you had been up two or three times!!! Suitably 'stuffed', we headed back to the room for jackets etc, and venture out for some fresh air. The Trans Canada Highway #1 ran close by the hotel and finished not too far away. We had been to the end/start of Route #1 in the US - Florida, Key West, and last year to the end/start of the Alaska Highway in Dawson Creek BC, so we expected some sort of marker and off we set. After about 20/30 minutes of walking through residential areas clearly from the Victorian era, we emerged at the end of Route #1 - nothing! It just finished........ We crossed the road and made out way through a small park area to a sea shore path. While Wendy found a 'perch' on some rustic fencing, I took the opportunity to take a few photo's of this rugged but beautiful coast line. After a short rest, we headed along the footpath, vaguely back in the direction of town. Along the way, I spotted a model sail plain being expertly flown in the stiff onshore wind. Rounding a corner in the footpath, we discovered that the 'pilot' was stood just off the footpath, while his aircraft was soaring over quite a wide area. We stood and watched for a while, admiring his flying skills. What really amused us, was when he decide to formate with a couple of Herring Gulls, hovering in the wind. After a little while the birds became nervous of their new companion and flew off, only to be chased by the sail plane. The birds turned left and right, climbed and dove, but the sail plane matched their moves. After a little while, the pilot broke off the fun, we laughed with him at the birds antics, then headed back into town.
We got back to the hotel and had a little while to recover from the walking. Next on the agenda was as couple of hours in the hotel Spa. Both of us like a massage on these trips. After you have spent a few hours in the saddle, your shoulders get very tense. A soothing massage would be perfect. It being fathers day weekend, the Spa was offering special packages to 'Dads'. I had an hour long 'tension relief' massage, followed by a forty-five minute pedicure! Massages I have had plenty of, but never a pedicure. I joked with the girl at the reception desk asking what colour nail polish I could have? This was all to cover the unease of indulging in something which I regarded as so feminine - well, so it felt to me. Before the treatments, we both spent fifteen/twenty minutes in a mineral both which was lovely and relaxing all on it's own. The massage was wonderful and a couple of times I caught myself letting out a little 'snore'............ Massage done, it was off to the pedicure. The girl who provided the treatment was a tiny lady form Chile. During the short walk to the treatment room and the usual preamble, I mentioned that we had ridden from Edmonton. That was it! I soon discovered that she too loved bikes and the next forty minutes shot by as we talked about all things bike! Suitably relaxed and now with nice soft feet, I met up again with Wendy. We exchanged tales about our experiences and headed back to the room once again. Dinner wasn't until 7:30pm, so we had a little time to relax and get ready.
On the way back from the spa, we dropped into the pre dinner appetizers - complimentary you remember - for a 'wee' bite of something before dinner. BIG ERROR!! As these were supposed to be 'horses doovers', it was all little nibbles, but so so good. I told myself I had a couple of hours before dinner, so another little plate with small pieces of salmon and a few jumbo shrimp wouldn't make a difference - would they! Dinner was to be taken in the eloquently called 'Empress Dining Room', which sounds a lot more ostentatious than it actually was. The room was wonderful, period Victorian, very very Grand. Over the last few years the hotel has received a couple of 'face lifts, to the tune of in excess of $45 mil. So although the surroundings were very grand, the service impeccable and the food wonderful, the ambiance allowed you to feel just at home in slacks and shirt as dressed for dinner. We had a splendid meal which I finished of with cheese and biscuits, quite special cheese and biscuits. As we were seated, the hostess asked if this was a special occasion. We said that the whole trip was about my birthday and left it at that! When my cheeses and biscuits arrived, there was a little surprise to go with them. After about two hours, we nearly had to be helped from our chairs! When our waiter Kevan asked if there was anymore he could get us, I jokingly asked for a wheel chair to get me back to the room. With a grin he replied that they could probably manage that if I needed it. I believe they could too, but decided not to put them too the test! Extremely full, we headed back to the sanctuary of the room and burst out of clothing...... What a day, polished boots out side of the door, sea gulls chased by a model aircraft, a wonderful spa session and an amazing meal. How much can you cram into one day?
Well that was it fan, did I say this was a day of rest? Tomorrow we are back on the road, heading north on Vancouver Island and another two day stop over, this time staying on the beach. Thanks for following our adventures, see you again tomorrow, nite nite.
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