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Finding winter inspiration
It’s that time of the year again and I’ve got a hot date with an apron, Handel’s Messiah, my mixing bowl and a vat of sprinkles. Welcome to the holiday season. It’s become a yearly tradition of mine since as long as I can remember. I spend one weekend up to my elbows in cookie dough belting out Christmas carols. This seems to only amuse the birds perched outside my kitchen window. Perhaps I’m a comical source of inspiration for them? I can only hope.
Our theme for this winter issue is Muse. It’s all about artistic inspiration and dreamy abstraction, from the beautiful inspired-by-Mother-Nature mantel arrangements by floral designer, Julie Remy, to the dynamic fashion icons in our fashion spread. Our Tea With features the very museworthy Amy Caine of Twice as Nice and we find out that a creative spirit and endless curiosity are what sparks Oak Bay artist, Pedro M. Almeida-Siqueira’s imagination. And the houses of this issue – a Craftsman-style residential home featured in Hallmark’s Aurora Teagarden Mysteries, plus the
historical Annandale House – have been places of thoughtful inspiration in the neighbourhood for decades. We hope you enjoy these stories and may they ignite your inner muse magic this holiday season.
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Goddess Glow
By Janice Louise | Modhaus Design
Weave winter white and the power of your inner Goddess into your daily routine. Incorporate these elegant items into your magical daydreaming. The festive season is upon us, embrace its wisdom and celebrate this cosy time of year.
Mother Moon Pendant By Emma Glover Design $140
Hermit Body Oil By Thorn and Thistle $32
Harlow Candle By House of Savoy $40
Meadow Princess by Carolyn Houg By The Avenue Gallery $650
Womb Chair in Velvet By Gabriel Ross *prices vary
Art Images - unframed By Trouvé Home Interiors $180
Twinset Turtleneck By Hughes Clothing $520
Mephisto Slipper in Light Taupe By Hughes Shoes $120
GIVETHEGIFTOFALIFETIME
TEA with Amy Caine
CLAIM TO FAME IN OAK BAY
Owner, Twice as Nice Boutique
By Samantha Duerksen
What brought you to Oak Bay?
Well, it’s a bit of a story. I was married for 20 years and my husband and I separated. It was quite devastating. I stayed in the Cowichan Valley in our family home for a year after he left, and went on leave from the school district. My mom and I had been to Oak Bay a few months before the split and had met the owner of Twice As Nice, Debra. I told her that I had wanted to open up a consignment store in the Cowichan Valley and she said to me, ‘Look, if you ever decide to, give me a call and I’ll mentor you.’ So, I thought this was my opportunity; my kids were older, in high school and one was going to university. So I opened up a store with my best friend in Duncan called Goldstone and Debra mentored me through it. But a month after having Goldstone, Debra told me she wanted to retire and asked if I’d like to buy the store. I phoned my friend Roby and we ended up buying it. At first, we commuted most of the time from the Cowichan
Valley, sharing operations of both our stores but then it made more sense that I would take over Twice as Nice and she took over Goldstone.
My whole focus became building Twice as Nice and Oak Bay Tourism. At the time Estevan was pretty sleepy compared to how it is now. I joined both the Oak Bay Tourism Committee and Tourism Victoria Committee to help build Twice As Nice, bring people to Estevan Village and get involved in the community. Madone from the Oak Bay Hotel and the whole committee have been so helpful and welcoming.
I started focusing on community development, such as sip ‘n shops within the village. I wanted to make it a more vibrant place.
What motivated you to want to build a community in Estevan Village?
It was just a blessing because I thought it’s kind of a second chance and another opportunity to start over. And I mean, every day that I go to work – I ride
my bike or walk or drive – I just am so grateful that I landed here.
How long have you lived in Oak Bay?
I’ve lived in Oak Bay for two years and owned the store for three.
Have you seen Estevan Village change in the years you’ve owned the shop?
Yes. I would say that people want to see more community development within our village now. It’s amazing to cater to the tourists that are coming to Oak Bay as well, and I’ve noticed a huge change; a lot, a lot of tourists are coming to Oak Bay.
What’s your favourite thing to do in Oak Bay?
I love to ride my beach cruiser with my Shih Tzu in the back on the basket. I ride through all the beautiful streets and imagine living in one of the beautiful cottages.
Photo by Don Denton
Who are some of your favourite fashion designers?
Stella McCartney for being a pioneer in focusing on sustainability, eco-friendly materials and creating ethical production practises. Coco Chanel for introducing us to everyone’s go-to wardrobe staple, the little black dress. Chanel empowered women with fashion that matched their evolving roles in society.
Do you have any favourite songs that you’re listening to these days?
Well, you know what, I’m an old soul and my kids tease me about it all the time. I always have oldies on; I listen to a lot of soul music and The Supremes. I’m also a big fan of hip-hop and old-school gangster rap from the ‘90s.
Who are your role models?
What’s something you’d like to do in the future?
❝We have the highest number of registered resale businesses per capita in all of Canada, so that’s spurred a lot of us to speak about putting on consignment crawls. I’d also like to facilitate more private tours to the Estevan and Oak Bay Villages.
I love the clothes, of course, but it’s more than that. I have a lot of clients that I have become close with and the store has become a place where the kettle’s put on.
I was very lucky to have a mom who started as a hairstylist in the ‘60s in London and came to the Cowichan Valley to start her own hair salon and spa which thrived for over 20 years. During that time I was able to see such strong women in my life who owned businesses and helped build the downtown Duncan business community. I’m also grateful that I have such a great relationship with the ladies who own consignment stores here in Oak Bay.
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What’s your favourite thing about owning a consignment store?
My favourite thing is to make people feel good when they come into the store and when they leave. I love the clothes, of course, but it’s more than that. I have a lot of clients that I have become close with and the store has become a place where the kettle’s put on.
Last week, a client came who is sick with cancer, and I was able to help her find clothes that would keep her warm while she was going through treatment. Another lady comes in with her mom – her mom’s in a home here – and they have the store to themselves and just have really good quality time. Or women who come in with their friends after they’ve gone next door and had Thai, or visited other places on Estevan. The experiences with customers are my favourite.
Craftsman character blended with modern convenience
By
Tess van Straaten | Photos by Don Denton
QUICK FACTS
• APPROX. 3,100 SQUARE FEET
• BEAUTIFUL ESTABLISHED GARDEN
• 4 BEDROOMS
• 4 BATHROOMS
Set back from the road and surrounded by lush, established gardens is a classic Oak Bay home—a beautiful Craftsman-style house more than a century old and oozing with charm.
“When I saw it, I thought, ‘I love this place,” says the homeowner, who shares the Hampshire Road home with his wife, two school-age children, and two cats. “It was the character for sure. I love that it’s old and well-built with real care and attention, and the gardens were also a big pull.”
Coffered, 10-foot ceilings with thick fir beams bring stately elegance to the main floor of the 1911 house that was recently used in Hallmark’s Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: A Lesson in Murder. In the living room, a large stone mantel anchors the room and a towering, gilded mirror reflects all the natural light pouring in through the windows. But the heart of the house is the kitchen—and it’s huge.
“We wanted to buy the home for the curb appeal and then when we walked through the house and saw the big kitchen, that did it for us,” the homeowner explains. “We enjoy cooking and entertaining, and that was a huge draw for us.”
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With two islands, both with sinks, and heaps of not just prep room but also storage, the kitchen’s been completely updated with all the modern conveniences. It was renovated, along with the rest of the main floor, by the previous owners (local jazz singer Heather Ferguson and her husband), and includes some special design details, like the decorative blue backsplash tiles from Mexico.
“They were travelling and they saw the tile and they loved it. I actually hated it when I first came through the house. We had a more modern, white subway tile in our old house, but after we started living here we liked the uniqueness of it.”
Another unique feature added by the previous owners is a custom-made stained glass window created by Edward Schaefer in 2018. It blends perfectly with the home’s character.
“They had it made and I think it’s based upon a vineyard in Germany,” says the homeowner, who bought the house four years ago. “They liked this window so much, they said that if we ever decide to take it out, they want to buy it back from us. It has that much sentimental value to them!”
The kitchen overlooks the deck and the beautiful gardens in the backyard, which face east and take advantage of the morning sun.
“We love seeing the sunrise through the windows and having breakfast and coffee on the deck,” the homeowner tells me. “We actually didn’t realize how nice the backyard was until we’d lived here for a while because we bought it in the winter and then that first summer came and it was beautiful.”
Tucked away to the side of the kitchen and just off the deck is a small powder room. Beyond that is an expansive dining room—perfect for entertaining—with leaded glass windows, built-ins, and wood paneling painted white to keep it light and bright.
“I love the way the old windows look but super inefficient for heating!” the homeowner jokes.
Pocket doors connect the dining room to a cozy den with a fireplace just off the foyer. The staircase and upstairs still have the original fir
floors, creaky and worn over time, but part of the home’s history.
The four bedrooms upstairs are spacious for a home of this era. The guest room overlooks the leafy front yard and has a little balcony. The primary bedroom, facing the front of the house, has a big bathroom with a large walkin shower and separate soaker tub.
But one of the most unique features is in the renovated main bathroom: an ornate wood vanity and vintage storage cabinet steeped in history.
“What’s fascinating about these pieces is that they’re from the original Oak Bay Beach Hotel,” the homeowner tells me. “When they tore down the old hotel and built the new one, the previous owners were gifted three pieces. They took one with them and two are in this bathroom. They’re a really interesting design and the vanity is super tall and not very practical for kids but we kept them just because of the history.”
The home is steeped in stories and it even has a name—Havering House, which is another part of its story from the previous owners.
“Havering is the Scottish word for talking nonsense and (the previous owners) were also very big entertainers. They loved having people over, drinking wine and having lots of fun, so Havering House came from that and I think it fits.”
Nature as her muse
Seasonal ingredients create stunning mantel arrangements
By Samantha Duerksen |
Photos by Lia Crowe
Inside stylist and producer Jen Evans’s home in Oak Bay, the walls are coming to life thanks to the work of floral designer Julie Remy. Julie has been tasked with creating floral and natural mantel arrangements that bring the seasonal outdoors inside.
Wisteria, dahlias, chrysanthemum, dried astilbe. lysimachia clethroides (gooseneck loosestrife) foliage. acacia foliage (locally sourced, though not an easy tree to grow here). BALL FOR ALL OF YOUR
“It’s an elevated special kind of experience in the home to have living art. It’s beyond a bouquet,” Jen says, admiring the beautiful display taking shape.
When I meet Julie in Jen’s home, she is thought-
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Grapevine (wreath base), Curly willow branches, Dried hydrangea, Dried astilbe.
fully weaving dahlias, dried astilbe and chrysanthemums into a spiralling wisteria branch she has carefully tacked and tied onto parts of the mantel and wall. First, she creates the form. Then, she adds the substance. It’s very much an act of artist’s intuition, the creation unfurling as she goes. “You want movement. The ingredient itself will tell you what it wants to do,” she says.
Julie, owner and floral designer at Fleuris Orchard & Blooms since 2020, fell in love with the process at just five years old, when she started making wildflower bouquets for her mom. Today, her business has its own orchard and flower farm from which she gathers materials.
Nature continues to be her greatest muse and inspiration: “Its valleys and peaks, the way rivers flow, the dance of leaves in the wind, and the grace with which leaves fall, these things all inspire me,” Julie says.
While she touts the benefits of hiring a floral designer, she also believes that people can create their own pieces and deepen their connection with nature while doing so.
During Julie’s interview with Tweed, she was kind enough to offer some tips and create example arrangements using materials she had on hand or leftovers from other projects to stay as sustainable and local as possible.
Why create mantel decor?
Mantels are often architectural focal points, making the perfect space to draw the eye and anchor the room’s design. Mantel pieces can also make the room feel taller and more spacious by adding visual height. Not only does the use of different textures and layers add depth and interest to the room, but it also “adds a personal touch that reflects your personality and story,” Julie says.
Gathering materials
“I recommend starting in your backyard or a neighbour’s yard, taking a walk, or visiting garden centres, nurseries, florists, and farmers markets. Often, neighbourhood streets and parks have vibrant branches and trees that stand out. Just remember to ask permission before taking anything,” Julie says.
A base piece, such as a fallen branch or large bough, will create the shape, movement and anchoring. For filler, look for what’s “easy to grow, abundant and accessible in the area.”
And don’t forget to look for seasonal elements. “Evergreens like fir, cedar, and pine are beautiful and bring a wonderful aroma. Dried seed heads, pine cones, winter berries, bare branches, logs, and moss all contribute to a wintery feel.”
“The collection process is like going back to childhood,
hunting for the perfect autumn leaf or rock on the beach – an exercise in observing and connecting with nature,” Julie says.
Creating harmony with your home’s existing style
When putting it all together, the principles of design are one’s bible, so to speak, and include balance (symmetry or asymmetry), scale, rhythm, contrast, unity, focal point, movement, and white space.
“To incorporate these, I like to imagine the room well in advance and sometimes sketch ideas. I think through the logistics, the ingredients I’ll need, and how they’ll work together,” Julie says. She starts with a base shape, then adds layers, various heights and textures, regularly stepping back to ensure the arrangement is to scale.
The other consideration is to create something that harmonizes with the home’s interior. “What is the colour palette? Are there dominant textures? Consider the style. For modern spaces, clean lines and strategic placements work well; traditional styles benefit from full, symmetrical shapes; rustic or farmhouse styles are often looser and raw, with mixed foliage types. And for coastal interiors, lighter and airier ingredients are ideal.”
Securing the piece
Julie uses chicken wire – a more eco-friendly alternative to floral foam – in a reusable vase to serve as the base of the piece through which stems are woven. Because vases with cascading items are front-loaded, it’s important to ensure they’re secured properly, which can be done with heavy rocks either in or against the vase.
Fleeting beauty
“The truth is that natural arrangements change and won’t last indefinitely, which is part of their beauty. It can be helpful to plan them around events,” Julie says. “Durable ingredients can help and include bare branches, dried elements, cones, evergreens and camellia foliage, which can last for weeks. For delicate additions, swap in fresh elements as they age. Evergreens can be prolonged by daily misting, but moisture should be avoided on dried items. And the colder the room and less exposed to light, the better.”
Expert guidance
Of course, not everyone has the time, patience, or desire to create their own decor. “A floral designer expertly brings your vision to life, handling everything from sourcing the best materials to managing logistics and installation. They know flowers, foliage, and seasonal availability, and have a trained eye for creating cohesive, visually striking arrangements that complement both your space and style. They also help you avoid the hassle and uncertainty,” Julie says.
“It’s something that Julie is creating thoughtfully with the form, texture, architecture and colours of your home, which is really incredible,” Jen adds.
Julie offers a range of services, including intimate-sized wreath and floral arrangement workshops in her orchard garden studio, and subscriptions for bouquets, arrangements, and installations – either for pickup or created directly in the space. Visit fleuris.ca for more.
Julie Remy, floral desiger
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OAK BAY FASHION
Donna is wearing Onyx Nite velvet dress ($98) from A La Mode, Eileen Fisher velvet poncho ($335) from Hughes, Stuart Weitzman boots ($595) and rhinestone brooches ($25 to $68) all from House of Savoy.
Linda is wearing Jonathan Simkhai tunic ($390) from Turnabout, June velvet pants ($85), Stuart Weitzman flats ($98) and lucite rhinestone cuff ($68) all from House of Savoy.
Icons
and
www.houseofsavoy.ca
Photographed on location at Craigdarroch Castle, a huge thank you to their staff for graciously hosting us for the day.
Two Victoria fashion icons, Donna Anderson and Linda Hartwig wear holiday looks that are sure to turn heads. Leaders in the field of fashion retail, these two women have led by example with their fashion stores (Donna owned Hughes Clothing and Linda owned Addiction Clothing once upon a time), and by the esthetic that touches everything they do and how they live. We bow down to these mavens who have shaped the style in this city for the better.
Words
photos by Lia Crowe Makeup and Hair by Jen Clark
Models: Donna Anderson & Linda Hartwig
Styling: Émilie Hamel & Ženija Esmits
Mos Mosh sequin blazer ($440) from Hughes, Hanifa Runway sequin skirt ($70) from Turnabout, Stuart Weitzman boots ($595), Weiss rhinestone cuff ($375) and Kramer rhinestone cuff ($350) all from House of Savoy.
Simone Rocha dress ($585) from Turnabout, Oui sweater ($398) from Hughes, John Fluevog boots ($325) from House of Savoy.
Creative Spirit
Curiosity sparks Oak Bay artist’s imagination
By Sean McIntyre | Photos by Lia Crowe
For me, a working artist has the ability and curiosity to wear different hats and work in different areas that keep your artistry flowing. ❞ ❝
Seven successful years of engineering school in his native Brazil still weren’t enough to shake off Pedro M. Almeida-Siqueira’s calling for creativity.
“My thesis at university was ‘Applying Engineering Skills in the Production of Artistic Events’,” he says in an interview from his home in Oak Bay. “Quite ironic.”
Ironic because “artistic events” are the reason Pedro moved to Victoria nearly a decade ago to study at the Canadian College of Performing Arts, where he received conservatory-style training in dance, classical theatre, physical theatre and singing. An energetic performance schedule and constant yearning to expand his creative horizons are now helping the 33-year-old multi-disciplinary artist thrive in his new home.
“There’s lots happening here. There are theatre companies that are pretty active in the community, and throughout the year you can find shows in many different styles: opera, dance, music, jazz, theatre, cabarets, stand-up comedy, film, and even lantern puppet festivals. This, for me, represents quite a range that Greater Victoria has to offer in terms of genre for the artists,” he says. “I’d say the community and the people are what holds us together. It’s a small community so we certainly bump into each other on different projects. If you love what you do and love to work with people, the indie community here is pretty great.”
Pedro’s eclectic range of pursuits and interests is well summarized by his schedule of the past couple of months. He made his debut at the Chemainus Theatre Festival with a role in 9 to 5: The Musical, spent
a month in Spain to undertake an intensive workshop in physical theatre, mask and clown, and returned to Victoria where he continues to work on a documentary film about the importance of bringing art into the lives of inmates at the William Head Institution in Metchosin.
“I am an active person, so I find that even when I’m not on ‘specific projects’, I’m constantly working on my craft and myself. My schedule depends on what’s going on,” he says. “For me, a working artist has the ability and curiosity to wear different hats and work in different areas that keep your artistry flowing.”
This is nothing new for Pedro, who recalls tapping out rhythms on his dining room table at five years of age. He started playing guitar at nine, and by his pre-teens, Pedro performed in a samba band that got people moving at street festivals in his hometown. An introduction to the Afro-Brazilian martial art of Capoeira soon led to street dancing after he became inspired by the classic 2004 dance drama You Got Served.
“Some of my closest friends and I would get together to create choreographies and dance in school talent shows,” he says. “We would mix in what we knew of the acrobatics of Capoeira with what we thought that style of dance was and that was a lot of fun.”
Thanks to a talent agent he met in 2005, Pedro and his friends were offered a dedicated training space and regular appearances in dance festivals outside of his hometown. He calls this agent an angel appearing in his life.
My curiosity is my muse. For me, my curiosity is the ground from which I leap into the unknown to spark imagination and pave the path to artistic realization.
“These trips opened our hearts and minds to what the street-dance style actually is, with all its range of other styles,” he says. “I still remember the first time I saw popping, locking, house, breaking. There was so much to learn. So I’ve started engaging in workshops and short courses outside of my city because there wasn’t really anyone we could learn from in our town.”
Though his artistic dreams kept soaring ever higher, Pedro says he felt increasing pressure from peers and teachers throughout high school to choose a career and prepare for university.
“I didn’t fully believe that I could go for an artistic career,” he says. “Among insecurities and uncertainties, I went to the engineering school.”
It was ultimately that thesis project near the end of his university career that vaulted Pedro back onto the stage for good. His studies and a side interest in choreography led to production work with Rio de Janeiro’s 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics along with the Rio De Janeiro International Film Festival.
“I still had the urge to perform, and I was always curious about different techniques and ways to create. I wanted to study it, and I wanted to be a professional artist,” he says. “With more maturity, I had the courage and the guts to go for it. So I found CCPA in Oak Bay, a two-to-three-year program in which the only focus is the exercise of the stage performance muscle.”
And so here we are, with a busy slate of events and many plans to further expand his artistic breadth. Currently, he’s rehearsing for A Wonderheads Christmas Carol, which will be touring in Calgary, Vancouver and Vancouver Island. He will also be part of the cast of “If You Could Read My Mind - Songs of Gordon Lightfoot”, presented by the Belfry Theatre in 2025.
In keeping with his nature to always keep learning and growing as an artist, Pedro also has plans to launch a new theatre company with his friend and colleague Loreto Espinoza that will offer a greater opportunity to explore the realm of physical theatre.
Pedro describes physical theatre as the use of physicality and movement to tell a story. “It is the theatre of actions. Whereas a play may rely on text and an opera is rooted in music and lyrics, physical theatre plays focus on the actions and the storytelling of movement, which could be dance, masks, puppetry, mime, and clown.”
“What fuels my creativity is curiosity. My curiosity is my muse. For me, my curiosity is the ground from which I leap into the unknown to spark imagination and pave the path to artistic realization,” Pedro says. “I am inspired when I don’t have answers, or when I don’t know how to do something. I am curious to learn how to do it, and I then get creative to open even more questions. That is why I am an artist.
“My mentor in Spain said something one day that resonated a lot with me, ‘As artists, we must fall in love for the questions.’ That is where I draw my inspirations from.”
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Hilltop Heritage
Oak Bay’s Annandale House boasts a fascinating family link to Confederation
By Ivan Watson
Photos City of Victoria Archives
It has been called the most historically significant home in Oak Bay, a unique residence with a spacious veranda perched high on a hilltop near Oak Bay Avenue that quietly anchors the municipality’s first heritage conservation area. It connects deeply to the family legacy of a Canadian Father of Confederation and to generations of local citizens who have cherished and preserved our community’s charming seaside village character.
Behind a granite stone wall, “Annandale” – as the historic bungalow-style house at 1587 York Place is known – has panoramic views of local beaches, the deep blue waters of Haro Strait, and the snowcapped peaks of Mount Baker beyond the waves.
The home was constructed during an era when Oak Bay was a semi-rural seaside retreat for prominent Victorians. The capital city and surrounding countryside was described by one of the greatest writers in the English-speaking world, Rudyard Kipling, as a “quiet English town of beautiful streets” with “quite a colony of old men doing nothing but talking, fishing, and loafing at the club” and a place where the “retired go.”
It was also an era of rapid—and inspired—growth, with the decade of the 1890s alone bringing exciting new de-
velopments to Oak Bay. These included the Mount Baker Hotel (overlooking the sandy beaches downhill from Annandale), the magnificent “Crystal Palace” Exhibition Hall and race track at the Willows Fairgrounds, a streetcar line from downtown, as well as many of the stately residences that still define the community’s historic character. Famous architects of the time including Francis Rattenbury, Samuel Maclure, Percy Leonard James and John Teague designed an architectural landscape for the provincial capital later described by writer Bruce Hutchison in The Unknown Country. “Like an arrangement of toy houses, an architect's dream of the perfect human habitation, rising tier-on-tier from the sea upon a green hillside. It looks like the south coast towns of England. It looks like an artist's picture from which every disagreeable feature has been carefully removed."
And high on a prominent Oak Bay hilltop, Annandale remains one such community-character-defining house, doing so since its initial conception during Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Year in 1897.
Both Annandale and a twin residence that originally stood next door were designed by Rattenbury’s partner John Gerhard Tiarks. After emigrating to Victoria in 1888, he quickly established himself as a leading designer of quality residenc-
The Right Hon. Sir Charles Tupper (1821-1915). A frequent visitor to Annandale over the years, he enjoyed dining there with his family and holding court from its scenic verandah.
es. In 1892, he was cited in the Williams British Columbia Directory for his “great experience in designs for villas of the better class and residences of country gentlemen.”
On December 28, 1897 the headline in the Victoria Daily Colonist announced Tiarks’ vision for the two houses: “Handsome Residences—Beautiful Bungalows to be erected at Oak Bay for Sir C. H. Tupper and Hon. Fred Peters.”
Sir Charles Hibbert Tupper (1855-1927) was a prominent politician and lawyer. Under Prime Minister John. A. MacDonald, he was at the time the youngest federal cabinet minister, leading Canada’s department of Marine and Fisheries. He was knighted for his work on the Bering Sea sealing treaty and was also a federal Minister of Justice, and Solicitor General under his father’s administration.
His father, Sir Charles Tupper (1821- 1915) was Canada’s sixth Prime Minister and the former Premier of Nova Scotia, who led his province into Confederation. He was the only medical doctor to serve as Prime Minister, and his time in the role was the shortest on record, a mere 68 days. He was also a distinguished Father of Confederation, and only one of 11 men to have attended all three of the Charlottetown, Quebec, and London Conferences that led to the creation of modern Canada. He was a frequent visitor at Annandale over the years, dined there many times, and enjoyed the spectacular ocean views while holding court from its scenic veranda.
Annandale’s “twin,” known as “Garrison House” was designed for the younger Tupper’s friend and law practice partner, the Hon. Frederick Peters, who previously served as Canadian Attorney General and Premier of Prince Edward Island. Both houses, constructed side by side on the hill, were designed to the same specifications and became known as “The Bungalows.”
By design, Annandale was to be a house fit for entertaining and hosting memorable social occasions with leafy, expansive gardens and a circular driveway for horsedrawn carriages leading to a stone walled entry point on York Place.
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The Daily Colonist described the plans: “Ascending a flight of steps on to the spacious verandah, the front door, which has a large plate glass panel, opens on to a panelled hall with a large open fireplace. The drawing room and dining room, each with large bay windows, are on the right and left of the hall, and can be thrown into it by the opening of folding doors 13 feet wide, thus, if required, making one room of 50 feet by 20 feet.”
Furthermore, the interior boasted fine woodworking fit for its socially prominent owners. “The library, with its alcoves… entirely in cedar, with cedar bookcases all round a richly panelled ceiling. Behind the dining room, a sitting room, larders, sculleries, storerooms, etc. Four Tudor arches make a pleasing feature. Down the main hall are corridors and the kitchen passages. There are five bedrooms, besides dressing rooms, bathrooms, a children’s playroom and cedar linen rooms.”
Additional features included servant quarters upstairs “on the roof”, and a carriage house at the York Place entrance.
The Tupper family often used Annandale as their summer retreat, with their main residence in Vancouver. In the decades that followed, the Garrison House changed hands and eventually ended up as a girl’s school before being completely destroyed by fire in 1932. Tupper sold his property to Robert Scott in 1911 and later the moniker Annandale was carved on the top of gateposts on York Place, in honour of Scott’s ancestral roots to the town of Annan near Dumfries, Scotland.
Today’s visitors to the property and surrounding heritage area will see many changes over the years, but through it all, Annandale remains a fascinating link to multiple layers of local and national history and a beloved symbol of historic Oak Bay.
Christopher Causton was mayor of Oak Bay for 15 years. He is now the Goodwill Ambassador and a captain with Victoria Harbour Ferries. He is the former owner of Jason’s (Wind Cries Mary) and Rattenbury’s (Old Spaghetti Factory) and is a classically trained hotelier. A member of Harbourside Rotary for 40 years, he flies different flags at his house every day albeit the Ukrainian flag which has been proudly flying since February 24, 2022. ec595@hotmail.com
Christmas wishes for Oak Bay
For 23 years Bill MurphyDyson has been the Master of Ceremonies at the Oak Bay Christmas light-up, and for 23 years he has gustily sung the 12 days of Christmas. This year was the last before the quarter century and in that spirit, I will add my 12 Christmas wishes that he might have sung for Oak Bay this year.
First and foremost, we don’t need a partridge; we need a replacement for the Oak Bay Lodge. Half a mile away from the lodge is an increasingly dilapidated building serving as Victoria Hospice. We need a new home for Victoria Hospice on the lodge site.
Secondly, no turtle doves, but a restored Marina. Oak Bay should run the docks at the Marina, reduce the parking, and allow townhouses and a brewery/restaurant on the site run by a private company like Marilena or Glowbal restaurant.
Thirdly, no French hens, and no more realtor offices on the Avenue. A previous Council was late in stopping the major banks from moving in. The same is happening with realtors. Rents go up, small businesses are squeezed out and life’s enjoyment of the Village declines.
Fourthly (calling birds), let’s work on Estevan and attract a pub for that underserved neighbourhood.
For my golden rings, let’s pursue the new calling card that Tourism Oak Bay has introduced with the creative slogan
“Victoria’s Seaside Destination.” That means making our two very public seaside areas, Willows and McNeill, a lot more attractive and inviting.
And instead of geese-a-laying, maybe a wish for less deer laying around!
For Swans-a-swimming let’s encourage Arts Alive to expand to every corner of the Municipality. We have recently unfortunately lost two art galleries on the Avenue.
The eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh gifts include maids a-milking, ladies dancing, lords a-leaping and pipers playing. In that spirit let’s keep taxes reasonable and in line with inflation. Let’s rebuild Willows Tea Room to have the tea room below and a privately run seafood restaurant above. Instead of Lords a-leaping across the Avenue, I wish to see proper curbs, to get rid of the white COVID posts, and put in proper flashing yellow lights at all crosswalks.
And let’s have another hotel. The Old English Inn in Esquimalt has just been restored; how about a waterfront home, like the Butcharts’ on Beach Drive or Salty Towers, becoming a hotel along with townhouses on the site?
Finally, we have the drummers and their drum roll. It is up to all of us to never forget and to always support those less lucky and less fortunate. Thanks Bill. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
Magnificent Malta
Words and photos by Tess van Straaten
I’m floating in the warm waters of the southern Mediterranean, taking in the bright limestone cliffs of Malta’s shoreline and marvelling at its rugged beauty. The small island nation between Sicily and NorthAfrica hadn’t been on my travel bucket list, but I’m so glad I’m here.
Malta has it all—sun-drenched days, an incredibly rich history dating back more than 7,000 years, and a delicious fusion of Mediterranean and NorthAfrican food. There’s even a church for almost every day of the year in the Maltese archipelago, which is made up of three islands: the main island of Malta, smaller and quieter Gozo, and tiny Comino, which has no main streets and a permanent population of just three people.
Comino is where I’m floating, in the tranquil turquoise water of its Blue Lagoon. It was a short water taxi ride from Cirkewwa, on Malta’s northern tip, and it’s a popular day trip spot—especially in the summer. People are packed along the rocky coast with beach chairs, umbrellas and towels staking out any available spot in the unforgiving limestone. Food trucks line the small hill overlooking the water, which isn’t really a lagoon but a shallow and sandy inlet with views to Gozo in the distance. Listening to locals and tourists happily chatter, I’m entertained by the constant flow of small boats, tour boats, and yachts either anchoring in this little piece of paradise or dropping off and picking up passengers.
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Tess van Straaten at the Citadel in Gozo.
My water taxi ticket gave me the option of going to Gozo next, which is also just a short jaunt away. Bumping along over waves, I watch a skyline dominated by a towering church get closer. We dock at the ferry terminal and I catch a bus (Malta has a great bus system) to Victoria, Gozo’s capital, in the centre of the small island.All roads lead here and the city’s crown jewel is its walled Citadel or Cittadella. Built atop a hill and towering over the city, the famous Cittadella can be seen from almost everywhere on the island.After climbing to the top, I take in sweeping views as far as the eye can see.
It’s a short ferry ride back to Cirkewwa on the Gozo Channel Line ferry, where I use my transfer to catch a bus back to our hotel in the St. Paul’s Bay area of Malta’s
northeastern coast, which is the main holiday and resort area. It’s a popular travel destination for Brits and Europeans and I felt totally safe walking by myself at night. While there are some historic spots here, it felt a little bit like a Mexican tourist strip, but without the sandy beaches.
We’re staying in Bugibba because my 17-year-old son, Tate, is on Team Canada for the World Sub-Junior & Junior Powerlifting Championships. It’s the reason for our unexpected trip to this European gem, which is the 10th smallest country in the world by area and the ninth most densely populated. Valletta, the country’s capital, is also the smallest capital in the European Union by both area and population but boy, does it pack a punch!
From the moment we get off the bus (I really can’t say enough about Malta’s efficient bus system), and walk through the famous City Gate and down Triq ir-Repubblika, Valletta’s main street, we’re awed by this golden city of stone that’s perched on a peninsula between two beautiful harbours. The walled city is a UNESCO World Heritage site that’s full of history and oozing character and, like in much of Malta, colourful doors and balconies brightening the limestone buildings. Walking around Valletta, I lost count of how many photos my son and I took and my only regret was not having more time to explore this special spot.
Malta is also home to some of the world’s oldest free-standing structures, the Megalithic Temples of Malta, which date back to between 3600 and 2500 BC and we didn’t have to go far to find one. The Bugibba Temple just happened to be on
the grounds of our hotel and we had a perfect view of it from our balcony.
One of my favourite day trips was to the walled city of Mdina, a tiny time capsule of a town that was the country’s capital from antiquity to medieval times. Imposing walls first built by the Arabs, beautiful Baroque palaces— many of which are still occupied by noble families—and the grand St. Paul’s Cathedral with its elegant dome were all highlights.
Since Malta’s history dates back to the BronzeAge, it’s only fitting that my son brought home a bronze medal in bench press and set two new Canadian records. To celebrate, we took a sunset cruise on our last night from St. Paul’s Bay to Comino’s Crystal Lagoon, where steep cliffs meet incredibly clear waters. Jumping off the boat, we swam to the caves etched in the limestone cliffs before continuing on to the nearby Blue Lagoon for one last magical swim in the Mediterranean.
LOVE MY DOG!
Dogs [dawgs, dogs] 1. Best friend to all, bred in many sizes and shapes. The Avenue [thuh av-uh-nyoo, -noo] 1. A popular destination for those seeking funky eateries, awesome art galleries and trendy stores in Oak Bay.
Photos by Samantha Duerksen and Gui Santos
1 Kelsey, 8, Golden Retriever. 2 Abbey, 2, Black Lab.
Flynn, 14, Schnauzer.
4 Lafayette, 3, Mountain Cur rescue from Hilton Head.
5 Maverick, 4, Blue Heeler Border Collie cross.
6 Smokey, 8, at Oak Bay Bosley’s pet supply store.
Astheyearcomestoaclose,wereflectonthemomentsthatbringustogether—family,friends,andtheplaces wecallhome.Thisholidayseason,wearegratefulforthetrustandrelationshipswe’vebuiltwithourclients, partners,andcommunity.It’sbeenanhonortohelpsomanyofyoufindnotjusthousesbuthomeswhere memoriesaremade.
Fromourfamilytoyours,wewishyouaseasonfilledwithjoy,love,andcherishedmemories.Mayyourholidays bewarmandbright,andmaytheNewYearbringnewbeginnings,success,andhappiness. Visitwww.victoria.evrealestate.comtodayandletushelpmakeyourrealestatedreamsareality. Together,we’llfindaplaceyou’reproudtocallhome.