Jan and Annie were our leaders for a day at Galiano. They recommended making ferry reservations, even as walk-ons. One of our number didn’t make a reservation but, after a nailbiting wait, he was allowed on. We are providing a photograph but taking suitable steps to protect his identity.

Ten of us took the 9:55 sailing from Tsawwassen. We enjoyed the ferry ride in our different ways — relaxing and chatting; standing on the deck, enjoying the view and getting windblown; perusing the retail opportunities in the ferry shop (ask Janet K about her highly satisfactory purchase) — and arrived at Sturdies Bay an hour later.

We assembled at the welcome sign just up from the ferry terminal for the starting selfie. Since our regular photographers were away, we relied on a friendly passerby to take the group shot.

Then a short walk along the road took us to the start of the Sturdies Bay Trail. It was a perfect trail (springy pine needles underfoot, tall trees, fresh spring greenery all around) for a perfect day (warm and sunny enough, but not too hot).

The trail led gradually upwards, narrow in parts, but with few chances to get lost. Thanks to warnings from those up ahead, delivered through the medium of interpretive dance (I’m looking at you, Julie), we safely bypassed a perilous patch of stinging nettles.

The reward for some of those uphill stretches came at the halfway point, when we emerged onto the sunny bluffs. The view over Active Pass was spectacular: Mayne and Prevost Islands closest; Vancouver Island in the distance; a ferry passing below. Most exciting of all, we spotted an orca! Although nobody got a photo, notarized affidavits of the sighting are available upon request.

We had an unhurried lunch break. Some stretched out on the grass or perched on rocks or tree roots; some went exploring further along the bluffs.

After the break, a short descent took us to an historic site: the Japanese Charcoal Pit Kilns. These pit kilns were created and used by Japanese settlers around the late 1800s/early 1900s. Charcoal was used by blacksmiths and soap makers and by the salmon cannery industry, as well as for cooking and heating.

After World War II and the forced relocation of Japanese Canadians, the pit kilns fell into disuse and were buried over the decades. Steve Nemtin, a local, discovered one of them in 1982 and it was restored with help from the Galiano Club. Government funding helped to provide signage.

Some of us descended a short, steep slope to investigate the area more closely, while others started on the return journey.

Arriving back at the ferry terminal, we found that we had time to stop at the Pizza Patio at the Galiano Inn, where we shared, of course, excellent pizzas. (Thank you to the pizza hosts.)

And everyone caught the 3:40 ferry.

Photos by Angela, Annie, Bruce, Dave, Jan.

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Meanwhile, 7,000 kms away in Aberdeen, Scotland, some Loopers were experiencing different weather and terrain.