Living on the Island in May
Around Nanaimo

Calla lilies in a neighbour's garden

For a couple of weeks the laburnum trees shine.


In May the cruise ships begin to go by on their way to Alaska every evening. This is the Volendam.

A calm day for a tow
One of my favourite things - a garden shop in May.

A walk in Neck Point Park - looking north up the Island

A heron that day

A cloudy day at Piper's Lagoon - with the tide out you can walk to the Shack Islands.

The shacks were built by fishermen in the 1930's, and the same families still use them for summer camping.

The lagoon with the tide out. Broom is a dreadful weed, but when it blooms in May it is beautiful.

A May sunset from my deck
North of Nanaimo - "Up Island"


A walk to Englishman River Falls

This is the top of the falls...

and the water drops into a narrow chasm.

The path crosses the river at the upper falls, goes down the hill (above) to the lower falls, crosses the river again and climbs back up to the top.


Through the canyon
The lower falls

May is the best month to visit the Milner Gardens, as the rhododendrons are blooming.

The view from the house out to the strait

The lawns, and a wide variety of lovely old trees

The garden blends into the forest, with old rhodo bushes.

The forest is carpeted with the wild 'Canadian Mayflower' blossoms.
Victoria - Butchart Gardens in May


Butchart Gardens entrance


May is a lovely time to see the gardens..... This is the Sunken Garden, once a rock quarry.
