Site 2 of the Sign of the Lekwungen is located near the entrance to the parking lot of Harbour Air.
This was the site of (as the name suggests) the South West bastion of a wooden fort named Fort Camosun and later known as Fort Victoria.
A large forested area was destroyed to bouillon the fort.
According to the plaque and pamphlet, the fort was built by the Lekwungen men and women in exchange for trade goods, which changed the the traditional ways and sustainable ways of the Lekwungen people.
The theme on this Spindle Whorl is “Walk in Two Worlds”. It recognizes colonization.
A while back I had mentioned that I would write about the giant spindle whorls that are dotted around the city of Victoria, marking the different culturally significant places for the Lekwungen (now known as the Esquimalt and Songhees) people.
The spindle whorl and small disc were traditionally used for spinning wool and is an icon of the Coast Salish people.
Each of the 7 discs, designed by Butch Dick, has a different image on them.
This week I will be looking at the Songhees Point location.
The first location of the Spindle whorl is just over the blue bridge (the blue bridge has been replaced with a newer grey coloured bridge, but the bridge joining Victoria to Esquimalt is still known as “the Blue Bridge”).
This whorl sits just on the point to the side of the Delta Hotel.
This point is called PAH-lu-tsuss meaning “Cradle-board”. According to the sign and the information brochure, this sacred headland was where traditionally cradles were places once the child learnt to walk. It was later the site of a settlement and then an Indian reserve which traded with the Hudson Bay Company Fort that was located at Bastion Square.
The carved theme on the whorl is “Four Seasons of the Salmon Family” – The 4 salmon are the Sockeye, Coho, Chum, and Spring.
Under the whorl is a map of the different locations and the name of the location this whorl is located.
This past week was the 40th anniversary of one of Victoria’s mainstay brunch spots: John’s Place.
In celebration of the 40 years it has been in business they revived their menu prices from 1989: $5 waffles, and $7 eggs Benedict. (Only for one week)
R., who recently came back from doing the Portuguese route of the Camino, and I went for brunch on Friday. We got to the back of the line (which was just past the side entrance to the Centre City Plaza) at 11:30am and were finally seated at 1:00pm.
R. Said that it has been busy all week. But Friday was especially busy (most likely because most Government workers who work a flex schedule take Fridays off).
The interior is decorated with wall to wall photos and posters of North American and British pop culture. (I say British as I did notice a poster for Arsenals FC)
John’s place is known for its waffles and eggs Benedict and even with the influx of customers they did not disappoint.
I ordered the eggs Florentine (the way they made it in 1989) with a side of bacon on an English muffin. R. Ordered the same.
I would have taken a better picture if I wasn’t famished and started eating it before remembering to take a photo
By the time we left the lineup outside went all the way to Douglas Street
This week I went to Uni on Wharf and Yates with M.
The menu was a bit eclectic, with wonton soup as an option. I ordered the Hokkaido Ceviche, and M ordered the Scallop Explosion. We also ordered a Yuzu gin and tonic and uni.
Hokkaido Ceviche Scallop Explosion Yuzu gin and tonicUni (the little white dots on the uni is puffed rice)
I have to be honest and say I didn’t read the fine print. I thought “ceviche”, therefore, raw seafood with a citrus dressing… but no, all the seafood was cooked and in a citrus sauce. It was okay, but a bit too much sauce.
The scallop explosion was a bit of a surprise as it was deep fried. But the taste wasn’t bad. It tasted like an all dressed potato chip but without the crunchy texture.
We tried the uni with trepidation as we were still scarred from our experience at Yua Bistro. However, we needn’t have worried: the uni was fresh.
The decor was nice, the presentation of the food was beautiful, the restaurant was clean and the service was good.
At 20,000 square feet Bolen Books boasts that it is the largest single-location independent bookstore in Western Canada. It is located in Hillside Mall, which is north of the main part of Victoria.
Bolen Books is a general interest bookstore, and they won Bookseller of the Year twice by the Canadian Booksellers Association.
They often have readings and signing by authors in their beautiful art deco style store.
They also have more than 40 staff members working for them (not all at the same time I would assume)
They do not have any used books, nor do they have a points reward system, however, they will honour their gift certificates that are really old.
Interior mall entrance Interior of bookstore Artwork that can be found on pillars around the store (Artist: Ernest Marza)
As the name suggests, the music festival takes place in the “backyard” of Phillips Brewing. (Phillips is a local microbrewery).
We got free passes as S.’s husband is part of Astrocolor, who were preforming that day.
It was amazing to watch Astrocolor play, they looked like they were having a lot of fun playing music together and for the audience.
After their set we got to go backstage and enjoyed the rest of the concert from the side of the stage.
Cautious Clay performing on stage
I was really impressed by a group called Cautious Clay. The lead singer not only sang, but played the sax, the flute, and the guitar. The drummer of the band was also amazing to watch.
Every year the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV) hosts the Moss Street Paint-In. The whole of Moss Street (from Dallas Road to Fort Street) is closed off to traffic and local artists set up stalls to sell their art. People who live on or just off of Moss St also use this day to have garage sales.
This year, there weren’t as many stalls up as there usually are, but there were a lot of people who showed up.
Moss Street from Dallas Rd looking NorthMoss St near the AGGV looking South
It was a beautiful day for the event and I’m glad I wore a hat and brought my water bottle.
The event usually takes place on a Saturday which also corresponds with the Saturday Fairfield Market. There were the usual food vendors at this event and this year the drinks tent and stage area was on the street instead of the parking lot of the AGGV.
Admission to the art gallery was also free, but it was crowded so I opted not to visit this time.
Dragon-kun came with me, but he felt shy because there were so many people. He stayed in my purse and peeked out at them.
This week’s blog is about another of Victoria’s independent bookstores: Russell Books.
According to its website, it is Canada’s largest independent bookstore. The family run business opened its first bookstore in Montreal in 1961 and opened a branch in Victoria in 1991.
The bookstore sells new and used books and also sells rare and antiquarian titles.
They do buy books from customers, however, the times of when the area for buying books is open is usually when I’m at work. There is also a link on their webpage to book an appointment for selling books to them.
Due to the hoops one has to go through to sell them books I haven’t brought any of my used books to them.
That being said, they do have a large collection and selection of new and used books.
When I first moved to Victoria, the bookstore was located on the other side of the street from where it is now. When they moved to the current location in 2019, they set a world record for the tallest tower of Guinness World Record books. The tower went from the lower level to the main floor level.
Going down the escalator from main level to lower level.
Although I sometimes miss the cramped aisles, creaking wooden floors, and narrow staircase of the old location, the current location is a lot brighter (with natural light filtering in from the skylights) and a lot easier to get around.
If the do not have the book one is looking for, like all independent bookstores in Victoria, the can order it in.
There are a number of independent bookstores in Victoria and today I’d like to introduce you to my favourite one.
Books and Shenanigans is in Cook Street village. Kerri opened this family run bookstore 3 years ago and I cannot imagine Cook Street without it.
The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Like all the indie bookstores they will order in books for you if they do not have it.
Books and Shenanigans sells new and used books, as well as puzzles and cheeky cards. They try to promote local authors whenever possible, and also carry local products, like candles and crochet hats.
They also run a number of different book clubs, and reading retreats.
One of the things I like about this bookstore is that they have a points system. One gets points for buying books from them and credit for bringing used books to them.
Tom and Kerri from Books and Shenanigans
I also like going in and discussing the latest book I read with the staff who are nice enough to listen and tell me what they thought of the book and a recommendation for the next good read.
This year’s Cook Street Block Party was on Sunday from 10AM to 4 PM.
There were so many vendors, and there were two stages playing music. There was also a magic circle area (someone doing magic shows).
Top of Cook Street VillageThe start of the vendors More vendors and food trucksThe bottom of Cook Street Village
This year, instead of having one area where people could drink, the whole street was licensed. I was told that you had to have a wristband to show you were of age.
As always there were many dogs and children.
My favourite bookshop had a stall as well, where they had local children’s authors read their books.
Favourite bookstore’s reading tent.
I ended the day with getting a henna tattoo of my favourite insect… but the artist made the antenna more like a butterfly’s…oh well.
KotsuKotsuLife 