Late Monday morning. After visiting the incredible Kinsol Trestle, it was time to board the Mill Bay to Brentwood Bay ferry, and then drive back to cousin Lynn’s place in North Saanich.
On the ferry from Mill Bay to Brentwood Bay with Penny and Dave
Senanus Island and approaching Brentwood Bay.
After lunch at Lynn’s place in North Saanich, it was a fond farewell to Penny and Dave, who headed back to Duncan and Maple Bay (Mount Tzouhalen) …
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Ivor Steven (c) September 2025
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Sunday we drove up the coast, not too far away, for lunch and live music at the Osborne Bay Pub. And I meet a group of Penny and Dave’s friends, Nancy & Joe, Joy, Jane & David, Pauline & Patrick, and Hermann. (Yep, they all received one of Ivor’s poetry cards)
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The Tourist Has a Rest Day
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Where else would I want to be?
On a rainy Sunday afternoon
But at the rustic Osborne Bay Pub
Overlooking the opal blue bay
For my Canadian tour’s rest day
There, listening to live jazz music
From the talented, Lady O and the O’men
Enjoying the Irish Guinness beer on tap
Then sipping on a Cabernet Sauvignon
From Smoky Bay, South Eastern Australia
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Ivor Steven (c) September 2025
From the delightful township of Nanaimo we went by ferry over to the picturesque Gabriola Island, where I had arranged to meet up with my fellow WordPress pen-friend, Louise Gallagher. We had previously met via Ali Grimshaw’s, ‘Writing Circle’ Zoom meetings. Meeting Louise in person was very exciting for both of us. Our shared love of words and nature made Gabriola the perfect backdrop for a memorable meeting, now captured in the images that follow.
Cousin Penny and Louise. Louse’s lovely sunflowers
Louise and Ivor together with Bau, David, and Penny on the sundeck
The view from Louise’s sundeck
On the beach in front of Louise’s house
Louise: https://dareboldly.com/ and, https://sundayswithbeaumont.com/
Ali Grimshaw: https://flashlightbatteries.blog/
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Gabriola Island
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Ivor Steven (c) September 2025
The traditional towering totems of the Cowichan Tribe in Duncan
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Duncan’s Totem Trail
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Follow the footsteps
Around Duncan’s Totem trail
Cowichan stories
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Ivor Steven (c) September 2025
Featured Image Above: A street art mural from the township of ‘Chemainus’ on the way to Nanaimo
Today’s poem below, is the one I gave to ‘Sandra’, my cousin Penny’s, sister-in-law, at our luncheon meet up in Nanaimo
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Above the Mist
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The train of peace and serenity
Has been sliding from futurity to eternity
But now, atop Mount Tzouhalen
Above the misty column of stardom
And above the world’s harbouring problems
I am in another home away from home
Within the Cowichan tribe’s honeycomb
Savouring nature’s harmonious thunderdme
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Ivor Steven (c) September 2025
The Raptors, located in the heart of the Cowichan Valley near the township of Duncan, offers compelling and interactive experiences with a variety of birds of prey species. Get closer than you ever imagined to eagles, hawks, owls, falcons and more during our daily flying demonstrations, hands-on encounters and conservation talks.
At The Raptors, our birds soar the skies unfettered and return – not always when we expect them to! They live enriched, fulfilled lives as educational ambassadors for their species. Guided by our team of biologists and falconers, visitors will gain a profound appreciation and understanding for the vital role these intelligent and majestic predators play in maintaining our delicate ecosystems.
The Great Horned Owl
The Bald Eagle
The Harris Hawk
The Gyr Falcon
Bald Eagle in flight
Ivor the bird man
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Ivor Steven (c) Sept 2025
An awesome day with my Canadian family (cousins) at the incredible Butchart Gardens.
My cousins, Reeny, Lynn, and Penny. The family photo, Maureen, Robin, Lynn, Ivor, Penny, and Dave
Barbara (our travelling companion from Wainwright), Maureen. Me with my tall cousins, Penny, and Lynn
My favourite blooms from the rose garden
The three Sturgeon’s fountain
The spectacular Sunken Garden
Totem poles in the garden
The Italian garden
The jade Japanese Garden
A giant redwood tree
This article is becoming long and “boring”
Leaving the gorgeous Butchart Gardens I walked past a ‘Turbo Snail’
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Ivor Steven (c) Sept 2025
I am entering the last five days of my journey to Canada and appropriately I have chosen “Within Us” as my Throwback Friday poem. This nostalgic piece also appears in my book “Tullawalla”, Chapter 6, page 98.
Remembering our 49th wedding anniversary, Carole
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Within Us
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The oceans wave us goodbye.
Sand and sea, one beach.
Like the surfs white crest.
Love is, within our lonely breasts.
The lands push us apart.
Alps and plains, one realm.
Like a rivers rocky cascade.
Love is, a turbulent escapade,
The sky opens us up.
Dawn and dusk, one sun.
Like the moons daytime eclipse.
Love is, a hidden apocalypse.
The universe covers us complete.
Stars and planets, one creation.
Like the distant Milky Way.
Love is, within us to stay.
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Ivor Steven (c) September 10th 2025
Today we drove to downtown Victoria
There were many inspiring spires
We had lunch at the Flying Otter Restaurant
Victoria’s Inner Harbour area
The shopping mall and my purchase at Russell Books
My photos of some fascinating street art murals
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Aspiring to Spiral Higher
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Higher than the hovering bees,
I am gazing beyond the towering trees.
Wondering:
Does all that sky ever feel at ease
Hanging above our polluted seas?
Wandering,
Through life on blended knees,
I am like yesterday’s mountain breeze-
Aspiring to spiral around the big freeze.
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Ivor Steven (c) Sept 2025
Island View Beach and kites, with my wonderful cousins, Lynn, Mungo, Robin, and Kelly
On the Island View Beach and kites
Deer in my cousins yard
Kites in flight
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A Kite in Flight
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Serendipity is overwhelming my soul
I am tripping the lights fantastic
From cloud nine to cloud nine
My feet have not touched the ground
I am living a surreal dream that has come true
I am an untethered kite in flight
Free as a bird, enjoying all the wondrous sights
I am in a land full of kind hearts
And breathing in all the light that surrounds me
I have reached the stars of my universe
But wait, there will be more from beyond to this verse
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Ivor Steven (c) Sept 2025
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 