Abkhazi Gardens, Victoria June 2

After lunch at Jake's on Thursday, we began unpacking the motorhome in preparation for it's trip to Victoria tomorrow. What a job. I set up tables in the garage to stack the stuff on as it will be there for a couple of months. Took us about 3 hours and we were done. Now to put everything away in the house. lol

Friday morning we were out the door at 8 am to Victoria in the MH towing the car. It was a great drive with minimal traffic into Sidney. Once we went over the coach and the scope of work, we headed to the Abkhazi Gardens and Teahouse. 

We planned several times in the past to visit this place, but for one reason or another did not so today's the day. After parking the car, we entered the gardens just as they opened for the day at 11:00.

Abkhazi Garden

" The Garden that Love Built "

The world famous Abkhazi Garden is an exquisite heritage home and garden located in Victoria, British Columbia, a city known for its wonderful gardens.  The Prince and Princess Abkhazi began creating their garden in 1946, the year they married and settled in Victoria, after living separate lives touched by privilege and tragedy.  They immediately began to develop their one-acre property, and continued to maintain and improve the garden throughout their lives together.

 

The garden is discreet from the street, with only hints of what exists beyond the hornbeam hedge.  It is blessed with dramatic glaciated rocky slopes, magnificent native Garry oaks and gorgeous vistas.  The garden flows around the rock, with Japanese maples and rhododendrons which over the last 70 years have grown to an impressive maturity with carpets of heather, irises and daylilies.

We walked through the entrance and gave a donation.

First up, we went straight to the teahouse as we didn't have a reservation and wanted to eat lunch first. It's the old residence up on the hill. They booked a group of painters in the gardens for a couple of hours, so it was a good plan to eat first so they would mostly clear out for Ray's pictures.

First ones here.

After ordering, Ray got a shot of all the painters scattered through the gardens.

Pinky out ... proper etiquette. lol

Once done with their light but filling lunch, it's time to wander the gardens and burn off some calories. 

Another great adventure and off Ray's bucket list. lol