West Coast Summer

It’s been a beautiful and busy summer here on the west coast, as evidenced by my complete and utter lack of posting here.

What’ve been your summer highlights so far?

For me, a lovely week spent on my favourite island in the sunshine at the beginning of July is one. We explored beaches, visited the tiny local museum housed in a heritage property with lots of history of its own, and spent our mornings sitting on the deck chatting and enjoying the view. Bliss!

Less than two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts, held in Sechelt, BC. It was my first time at this festival, and I was impressed. The venue is gorgeous, with a well-kept garden and gravel paths leading up a slope to the festival pavilion, built among the trees with sides open to the fresh air, with seating for about 500. Each of the 21 presenters over three days had an hour onstage, reading from their books, talking, and answering audience questions.

The festival was very well run in that way that makes the running of it pretty much invisible. Everything seemed to go as planned, though I know that’s probably an illusion created by a good team of people. The local vendors had great food on offer, and everyone I encountered had a smile and a friendly word.

In addition to the festival itself, the time in Sechelt gave me a chance to catch up with old friends and meet some new people, as well as enjoy some time alone, something I think mothers forget to do for ourselves most of the time.

The highlights of my weekend away included some wonderful speakers at the festival – Lawrence Hill, Denise Chong, Jack Hodgins, and SiWC regular Jack Whyte among them – and also some lovely moments outside the festival, including breakfast on the beach in front of my hotel, enjoying the view and a good book with my tea and scone, and then the splash of cool water over my feet when I waded into the Strait; wonderful company, good food, and a breathtaking sunset vista over dinner one night on the Inlet; the friendliness of the people involved, including coordinator Jane and Bev from the local bookstore; and a glorious few hours one afternoon with nowhere I had to be and nothing I had to do other than just be and enjoy the view. It’s something I should definitely do more often.

2 Comments

  1. Linda G.
    Aug 30, 2010

    The festival sounds fantastic! And thanks for sharing that spectacular view–just gorgeous.

    • Kathy
      Aug 31, 2010

      Thanks, Linda. The festival was great, and the view… unbeatable!