tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post7660836071973984882..comments2024-03-29T15:04:20.549+11:00Comments on ART and ARCHITECTURE, mainly: Canada's most spectacular gardens? Vancouver IslandHelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02849907428208235392noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-38768702003788462002022-12-24T22:51:34.809+11:002022-12-24T22:51:34.809+11:00BSF
I haven't been to Vancouver Island for ...BSF <br /><br />I haven't been to Vancouver Island for years.... in fact I haven't been anywhere since before Covid started. But thankfully, my photos are still beautifulHelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849907428208235392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-72892906069313953352022-12-24T20:08:09.531+11:002022-12-24T20:08:09.531+11:00Thanks for this info. FamThanks for this info. <a href="https://thefanmail.com" rel="nofollow">Fam</a>BSFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05745662594340198146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-89332639094724079632017-10-09T17:53:34.492+11:002017-10-09T17:53:34.492+11:00A student of mine was in the Vancouver Island gard...A student of mine was in the Vancouver Island gardens a few months ago and was told an amazing story by their tour guide. <br /><br />While travelling in Europe, Jennie and Robert Butchart heard the news that both of their Woodland Ducks had been killed by an eagle back in Canada. Robert insisted on going to Germany to purchase new ducks, to carry back to Britain in time for their ship home. After buying new birds in Germany and arranging for them to be sent back to British Columbia, they returned to Britain asap, but they had already missed their ship and had to make alternate travel plans.<br /><br />Their ship was The Titanic!<br />Helsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-35045356902258478372015-06-01T14:42:23.544+10:002015-06-01T14:42:23.544+10:00Heather
I have only been there in summer but on t...Heather<br /><br />I have only been there in summer but on the two days (not nights) spouse and I visited, the outdoor music and drinks were a total delight. <br /><br />My family has a reunion every three years in Canada, Australia or Israel. The Vancouver cousins did the best organised tours of all :)Helshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849907428208235392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-46588282563272876072015-05-31T18:56:52.699+10:002015-05-31T18:56:52.699+10:00What a beautiful garden - I like the idea of light...What a beautiful garden - I like the idea of lights i the garden after nightfall and music too Heather Cowperhttp://www.heatheronhertravels.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-4092647281693265422011-01-19T03:15:54.568+11:002011-01-19T03:15:54.568+11:00andrew,
there is nothing quite as immoral as mega...andrew,<br /><br />there is nothing quite as immoral as mega-wealthy families who don't pay their fair share of tax, who exploit their workers and who do untold damage the land. <br /><br />I don't know what sort of citizens the Butcharts were, but I wish other corporate giants would have contributed as much to the community as Mrs Butchart did.Helshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849907428208235392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-39811738265099105422011-01-19T02:11:19.652+11:002011-01-19T02:11:19.652+11:00Hi Helen beautiful post I wish that all big compan...Hi Helen beautiful post I wish that all big company's that rape the land can replenish it the why Mrs Jennie Butchart did as a way of giving back.andrew1860https://www.blogger.com/profile/09302166776668727094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-32217584199619814582011-01-16T16:53:09.572+11:002011-01-16T16:53:09.572+11:00Mr Idle Historian
I have been to Canada many time...Mr Idle Historian<br /><br />I have been to Canada many times. <br />In the last few years, spouse and I were in Winnipeg twice and Vancouver twice, and we idly thought wouldn't it be nice to have a small studio-flat in Canada. Just to spend 6 weeks in late June-end of July, you understand. <br /><br />The relatives in Winnipeg could not have been more hospitable and warm. But once we saw Vancouver and Vancouver Island, we thought that your west coast was the only place for Australians. You live in a gorgeous part of the world!Helshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849907428208235392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-76291973460682897602011-01-16T14:46:01.455+11:002011-01-16T14:46:01.455+11:00Great post. I live not too far away, in Vancouver,...Great post. I live not too far away, in Vancouver, and have many happy memories of exploring the wonders of Butchart Gardens during the summer!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-4119405511027735112011-01-16T02:19:11.717+11:002011-01-16T02:19:11.717+11:00pup and M,
thanks for the Francis Rattenbury refer...pup and M,<br />thanks for the Francis Rattenbury reference. <br /><br />Even after a blogger has visited Victoria several times and written about the Butcharts' garden design, there is still more to learn. My bedside table is loaded up with books and journals, piled up in order of priorty :)Helshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849907428208235392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-59512260646009538962011-01-15T09:25:43.710+11:002011-01-15T09:25:43.710+11:00You know everything.
I've been to Butchart m...You know everything. <br /><br />I've been to Butchart many times as my brother lived in Victoria for over 30 years. And yes, read up on Rattenbury. A cause celebreThe Clever Puphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07198739825136188378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-24612280311033226562011-01-14T11:04:28.254+11:002011-01-14T11:04:28.254+11:00Chris and birthday gifts,
it is so difficult, amu...Chris and birthday gifts,<br /><br />it is so difficult, amusing and educating the minds of pre-teens. It was back then and it is probably worse now. It is amazing (and fortunate) that the Butchart staff managed to make garden design interesting.<br /><br />p.s thanks for reminding me of these gardens, about a year ago :)Helshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849907428208235392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-12386189410724489222011-01-14T07:44:46.061+11:002011-01-14T07:44:46.061+11:00Absolutely lovely!Absolutely lovely!birthday giftshttp://www.paintedsouvenirs.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-69509297718919418182011-01-14T05:32:50.710+11:002011-01-14T05:32:50.710+11:00As a child of eleven, I had to visit the Butchart ...As a child of eleven, I had to visit the Butchart Gardens with my parents and was not so happy with the prospect of spending the afternoon looking at a "bunch of flowers." The place was a revelation; I had no idea that gardens could be like that.ChrisJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13139508470517226199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-16459360559588143562011-01-13T14:58:42.578+11:002011-01-13T14:58:42.578+11:00Mr Bar,
I love our Australian climate and wouldn&...Mr Bar,<br /><br />I love our Australian climate and wouldn't give up the beach for the snow ever. <br /><br />But our gardens, even the most beautiful ones, look dull olive in colour and dry in nature, whatever we do. Butchart Gardens are to die for.Helshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849907428208235392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-87981379435840235332011-01-13T11:44:11.091+11:002011-01-13T11:44:11.091+11:00They really are spectacular.
Sydney - City and Sub...They really are spectacular.<br /><a href="http://sydney-city.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Sydney - City and Suburbs </a>Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16361781616939928650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-72333149332995240492011-01-13T10:14:18.126+11:002011-01-13T10:14:18.126+11:00Mott,
*nod*. 1904 was a gilded age for a few very...Mott, <br />*nod*. 1904 was a gilded age for a few very wealthy families who made their obscene incomes from railways, oil, steel etc. <br /><br />But there is a difference. Henry Clay Frick and JP Morgan gave their fabulous collections to the community _after_ they died. Jennie Butchart dedicated the second half of her life to returning the land from exploitation and ugliness to unbelievable beauty. And opening it up to ordinary families to enjoy.Helshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849907428208235392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-57258035837663040952011-01-13T01:11:25.958+11:002011-01-13T01:11:25.958+11:00I like it when extremely wealthy families put some...I like it when extremely wealthy families put something back into their community, as the Butcharts did. It seems fair.Motthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04089751496024513220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-39789591606930099702011-01-12T09:29:26.878+11:002011-01-12T09:29:26.878+11:00Mr Doolan,
there is something special about Victor...Mr Doolan,<br />there is something special about Victoria, isn't there? No very high rise buildings, beautifully maintained shops, a great hotel and super pubs, a busy water front and those flowers *sigh*. Thousands of hanging baskets around town, full of stunning flowers.<br /><br />If you are going to visit the gardens, you need to allow 20 mins to drive to and from Victoria, an hour walking around the gardens, an hour listening to the concert and 30 minutes for afternoon tea - 3.25 hours.Helshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849907428208235392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-13648488667915057962011-01-12T09:18:23.927+11:002011-01-12T09:18:23.927+11:00M
When my parents' generation left Russia, the...M<br />When my parents' generation left Russia, the siblings and cousins moved to Canada, Australia or Israel. Every three years we have a big family reunion, last time in Vancouver. The Vancouver cousins organised the most wonderful ferry and bus tour of Victoria and the Butchart Gardens. It was not my first time in Victoria, but it the first time I had a knowledgeable tour guide in tow.<br /><br />Francis Rattenbury was indeed an interesting character. I agree with your reference that in designing the Empress Hotel, the Legislature and the CPR Steamship Terminal, Rattenbury was putting Victoria on the map. His "entrance to Victoria" is still very impressive, 102 years later.Helshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849907428208235392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-41002960753454689912011-01-12T07:04:19.629+11:002011-01-12T07:04:19.629+11:00I spent a few weeks one summer in Victoria - I hav...I spent a few weeks one summer in Victoria - I have very happy memories of the place. I must admit I never visited Butchart Gardens, thanks for englightening me. I do remember the many British style pubs though.P. M. Doolanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16673509230835222713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067098918914268503.post-14480829624400804952011-01-12T05:36:32.063+11:002011-01-12T05:36:32.063+11:00What a great post! I spent New Year's Eve at t...What a great post! I spent New Year's Eve at the Empress Hotel in Victoria - it still is one of the most gorgeous attractions in the city. Do you know much about the history of Francis Rattenbury, the architect for the Empress and Parliament building in Victoria? His life is full of interesting stories (architectural contests! The Crystal Palace! murder!). You can read a little of his life <a href="http://gvpl.ca/readers-cafe/tales-from-the-vault/francis-rattenbury-part-one/" rel="nofollow">here</a> and <a href="http://gvpl.ca/readers-cafe/tales-from-the-vault/francis-rattenbury-part-two/" rel="nofollow">here</a>.<br /><br />I loved reading about the history of Butchart Gardens in this post. I visited there last spring, and was especially impressed with the Sunken Garden (both its history and its beauty). Although I didn't visit the gardens during my recent trip last month, I heard that Butchart Gardens offers a fantastic display of holiday lights.Alberti's Windowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17060586087447314960noreply@blogger.com