We've just returned from visiting our friends Melanie and Fred in Sechelt, on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. They bought a house several years ago, then remodeled and renewed it and, in the process, created one of the finest homes in one of the most pleasant locations in North America. As I sit typing this at their dining room table I'm looking at the Strait of Georgia: lots of water and sky, enough space to satisfy even prairie folk like Mel and me.
The Sunshine Coast is accessible only by ferry or plane. We opted to travel with BC Ferries on this trip. The scenic route to Langdale (the first stop on the Sunshine Coast) takes only 40 minutes from Horsehoe Bay.
West Coast Air flies passengers from the Vancouver airport directly to Sechelt using the famous de Havilland Canada Beaver aircraft, which are probably the best bush planes ever built. They are a legend in this country, and I'm looking forward to flying in one on a future trip to Sechelt.
We began our visit with lunch at Molly's Reach, the restaurant in Gibsons made famous by The Beachcombers, the longest running series drama in Canadian television history. The Friends of the Beachcombers group on Facebook has an informative site which has (like all Facebook groups) opportunities to participate in discussions and other activities.
We enjoyed the chowder at Molly's and the visit to The Persephone (the boat used in the series) parked nearby.
We enjoyed a jazz brunch on Sunday morning at Spence on the Coast, a relatively new restaurant to which I will certainly return on my next visit. The musicians were jazz violinist Blaine Dunaway and Vancouver pianist Glenna Powrie, musicians who have well-deserved national and international reputations. Blaine Dunaway plays periodically with Harry Manx, another well-known musician who lives on the west coast of Canada. The arts thrive in this area.
Fine friends: fine food (especially that cooked by those friends): fine wine: a pleasant environment: and abundant music and conversation. What else is there?
Melanie Eastley, my wife Merle and Fred Macintosh.
Salmon on cedar.
Melanie and Merle
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