victoria, british columbia 2011:beacon hill children's farm + the royal bc museum

The Inner Harbour in Victoria was all pretty with colorful flags on Friday, June 17, because the Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race was in town.

This happens every two years, and is a 580 nautical mile point-to-point race which circumnavigates Vancouver Island. 

Pretty interesting, eh? :)  

But we didn't see it. We were off to explore nearby Beacon Hill Park.

I'm telling you, these Canada Geese were unflappable. I walked right up to them, and they glanced at me very nonchalantly, as if to say, "Lady, we have waited a long time for a sunny day up here, and we ain't movin'."

(Although these geese look somewhat too elegant to say "ain't." They probably said, "We are not inclined to go elsewhere, madame.")

I wonder if these are the same Canada Geese who spend a big chunk of the winter down here in Lacy Park. I love these geese. 

I was sorry to disappoint these ducks, who started swimming straight toward me in hopes of delicious snack items. Look at the anxious wakes behind them. I'm sorry, guys. Next time I'll bring bread.

There was a long dispute relating to Beacon Hill Park that you can read about here if you like long disputes.

Basically, the Hudson's Bay Company claimed it (and other land) for awhile in the mid-1800s, and then the Company had to give it to Her Majesty. When Vancouver Island was becoming a colony, there was a Legislative Assembly that ran things on behalf of Her Majesty, but then the colony disbanded and Vancouver Island became part of British Columbia, and a Legislative Council ran some things, while the Municipal Corporation of Victoria ran others. And they fought with each other a lot.

Meanwhile, British Columbia was on its way to becoming part of Canada. While things were in the midst of becoming this and that, everybody claimed the park. But finally, it was turned over to the City of Victoria in 1882.

(Note: If you are a student reading this for a report or something, don't quote me or you'll probably get an F. I was a bit fuzzy on some of the who's-in-charge-now details.)

It's so beautiful ... two hundred acres in downtown Victoria. And there is this delightful petting zoo in it, called Beacon Hill Children's Farm.

I don't actually know who Mrs. D. is, but I like her.

There were a LOT of exciting things going on. Just look. 

I'm sorry to say, we missed the goat stampede.

Right off the bat, they try to just kill you with the cuteness of baby pigs. These two piglets are named Fleur and Noir. They were born in January. They will never, ever become bacon, because a spider named Charlotte is going to save them. I just know it.

These alpacas are named Donny and Osmond. The brown one is Donny.

The peacock is a nameless hanger-on.

There was a miniature horse named Peanut Butter who is twenty years old.

(Li'l Sebastian. Hee.)

There was also this sweet baby donkey named Jeneece who really liked having her ears scratched.

And guinea pigs. And bunnies.

And several batches of baby goats.

And a little aviary. It was the greatest little kids' farm, and we all liked it. We were probably there about an hour.

Then we walked on back into town, and the Royal BC Museum.

We looked around for a couple hours, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's full of nature and wonder and mystery.

John Lennon’s 1965 Yellow Submarine Rolls-Royce is sitting in its lobby when you walk in.

It is the same age I am. But I think it's in better condition. :)