Catherine and Jim's guidebook

Catherine
Catherine and Jim's guidebook

Food scene

Gluten Free bakery with Take Out Options. It is on the corner of High Street and 1st Avenue. The Old Town Bakery is on the opposite side of the street closer to The Garden Cottage. Both are only 3 blocks away. Connected to the Wild Poppy is a Gluten Free ice cream parlour. They serve ice cream with gluten Farr waffle cones.
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Wild Poppy Bistro
541 1st Ave
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Gluten Free bakery with Take Out Options. It is on the corner of High Street and 1st Avenue. The Old Town Bakery is on the opposite side of the street closer to The Garden Cottage. Both are only 3 blocks away. Connected to the Wild Poppy is a Gluten Free ice cream parlour. They serve ice cream with gluten Farr waffle cones.
Family style English pub serving British Pub food with 15 local, European beer, cider and soft drinks. Children are allowed. It is located about 4 blocks from the cottage. It's on High Street, turn right off of 1st Avenue.
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Fox and Hounds
11 High St
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Family style English pub serving British Pub food with 15 local, European beer, cider and soft drinks. Children are allowed. It is located about 4 blocks from the cottage. It's on High Street, turn right off of 1st Avenue.
Incredibly cute, small bar with original ornately carved wooden bar. Small eating area but loads of atmosphere. Within walking distance on 1st Avenue. There is a patio outside which is shared with Appetite next door.
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Zack's Lounge
530 1st Ave
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Incredibly cute, small bar with original ornately carved wooden bar. Small eating area but loads of atmosphere. Within walking distance on 1st Avenue. There is a patio outside which is shared with Appetite next door.
Spanish/Mexican restaurant a favourite for many! It is in an original building on Roberts street, also within walking distance. Turn right on 1st if walking from the cottage. They have a large patio in the back.
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Maya Norte
18 Roberts St
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Spanish/Mexican restaurant a favourite for many! It is in an original building on Roberts street, also within walking distance. Turn right on 1st if walking from the cottage. They have a large patio in the back.
Very close to the cottage, about 3 blockage away. Many locals enjoy the pizza from here. When walking from the cottage, turn right on Roberts and you'll find it in an original building.
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Roberts Street Pizza
20 Roberts St
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Very close to the cottage, about 3 blockage away. Many locals enjoy the pizza from here. When walking from the cottage, turn right on Roberts and you'll find it in an original building.
This is in a cozy bay in the Cowichan Valley area. You'll see houseboats and sailboats pulled up to the dock. Saturdays and Sundays you'll need reservations and ask for a patio seat. Ask Catherine for directions. You'll have to drive and there is a little trick to get there, so verbal instructions are best.
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Genoa Bay Cafe
5000 Genoa Bay Rd
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This is in a cozy bay in the Cowichan Valley area. You'll see houseboats and sailboats pulled up to the dock. Saturdays and Sundays you'll need reservations and ask for a patio seat. Ask Catherine for directions. You'll have to drive and there is a little trick to get there, so verbal instructions are best.
Take a small ferry from Nanaimo’s harbour to a floating dock.
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Dinghy Dock Pub
8 Pirates Ln
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Take a small ferry from Nanaimo’s harbour to a floating dock.
A small locally owned creperie and coffee shop in a tiny building on Esplanade Avenue (Island Highway), to the left off of Roberts. It's just a couple of blocks from the cottage.
Ironworks Cafe & Creperie
422 Esplanade Ave
A small locally owned creperie and coffee shop in a tiny building on Esplanade Avenue (Island Highway), to the left off of Roberts. It's just a couple of blocks from the cottage.
Plantitude is Ladysmith's Vegan restaurant which includes many gluten-free options. Many people rave about the delicious food but it also has a beautiful patio and it's right on 1st Avenue.
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Plantitude
431 1st Ave
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Plantitude is Ladysmith's Vegan restaurant which includes many gluten-free options. Many people rave about the delicious food but it also has a beautiful patio and it's right on 1st Avenue.
Ma Maison is open Monday to Friday. It's owned and operated by a Chef with International Experience. Guests have told me that they chatted with her. She worked for Gordon Ramsey in London, and in Los Angeles. On summer days sit outside in the beautiful garden and have your lunch. Carry on down the road to Chemainus and see all the murals in this cute historic town off the beaten track.
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Ma Maison
10445 Chemainus Rd
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Ma Maison is open Monday to Friday. It's owned and operated by a Chef with International Experience. Guests have told me that they chatted with her. She worked for Gordon Ramsey in London, and in Los Angeles. On summer days sit outside in the beautiful garden and have your lunch. Carry on down the road to Chemainus and see all the murals in this cute historic town off the beaten track.
If you have time for a bite on your way back to the ferry to Vancouver, you'd love the views from the patio of this lovely bistro. It's in the same building that Harbour Air's waiting room is. You can watch the float planes take off, see the dock where pleasure crafts dock, dragon boats launch from and look out to Protection Island. If you have time, stroll along the cities promenade. Park in the parkade for less than anywhere we've ever been. If you are looking for Gluten-free options, they offer them and are accommodating to Celiacs and gluten intolerant.
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Lighthouse Bistro and Pub
50 Anchor Way
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If you have time for a bite on your way back to the ferry to Vancouver, you'd love the views from the patio of this lovely bistro. It's in the same building that Harbour Air's waiting room is. You can watch the float planes take off, see the dock where pleasure crafts dock, dragon boats launch from and look out to Protection Island. If you have time, stroll along the cities promenade. Park in the parkade for less than anywhere we've ever been. If you are looking for Gluten-free options, they offer them and are accommodating to Celiacs and gluten intolerant.

Hiking

Trail leads to Alpine Lake called Heart Lake.
Our house is 3 blocks from a trail entrance. Walk to the end of our alley to 4th Avenue, turn right, walk half a block, turn left and walk several blocks to the trail entrance off of 6th Avenue.
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Holland Creek Trail Head
374 Dogwood Dr
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Our house is 3 blocks from a trail entrance. Walk to the end of our alley to 4th Avenue, turn right, walk half a block, turn left and walk several blocks to the trail entrance off of 6th Avenue.
Beautiful Island which is accessible by ferry from Nanaimo.’s Matheo Park. Take a picnic lunch and enjoy an easy hike around the Island-about 14 kilometres. https://offtracktravel.ca/newcastle-island-british-columbia/?fbclid=IwAR1SbDwk5Zi0uq5V4lu-KdshlMj0XhoLLoRkaGDdN2C9fYZdRk359W3SYQE
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Newcastle Island
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Beautiful Island which is accessible by ferry from Nanaimo.’s Matheo Park. Take a picnic lunch and enjoy an easy hike around the Island-about 14 kilometres. https://offtracktravel.ca/newcastle-island-british-columbia/?fbclid=IwAR1SbDwk5Zi0uq5V4lu-KdshlMj0XhoLLoRkaGDdN2C9fYZdRk359W3SYQE
Hiking area in Ladysmith which is accessed from Christie road in Ladysmith. It's best to google the directions yourself rather than me explain to you. There you'll see photos as well.
Christie Falls Access Point
Oyster Sto'Lo Road
Hiking area in Ladysmith which is accessed from Christie road in Ladysmith. It's best to google the directions yourself rather than me explain to you. There you'll see photos as well.

Kayak Rentals

15 minute walk from the cottage. You'll be able to rent kayaks, paddle boards here. There are picnic tables, a water park for children, a dog play area and a beach.
Transfer Beach Boulevard
Transfer Beach Boulevard
15 minute walk from the cottage. You'll be able to rent kayaks, paddle boards here. There are picnic tables, a water park for children, a dog play area and a beach.

Duncan Farmer’s Market

The Duncan Farmer's Market is in downtown Duncan-on Craig Street and several other adjoining streets. It is fairly extensive, often with Music, farm fresh food and local crafts of all kinds. It is open on Saturdays.
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Cedar Farmer's Market
1984 Woobank Rd
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Sundays from Mother's Day till Labour Day you'll be able to buy farm fresh produce, local baking, frozen fish and sample food truck goodies.
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Cedar Farmer's Market
1984 Woobank Rd
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Sundays from Mother's Day till Labour Day you'll be able to buy farm fresh produce, local baking, frozen fish and sample food truck goodies.

Adult only Pub

Beautiful English Style pub with outdoor seating and gardens.
The Crow and Gate was the first British Style Pub to operate in B.C. It is family owned, now in the hands of the third generation. The pub itself takes you back in time with snugs and low beams. The garden area in the summer has picnic style tables, often shared with others. The gardens are so spectacular that often they are rented out for weddings. It's adult only but worth going for at least one drink. It is located in Cedar.
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The Crow and Gate
2313 Yellow Point Rd
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The Crow and Gate was the first British Style Pub to operate in B.C. It is family owned, now in the hands of the third generation. The pub itself takes you back in time with snugs and low beams. The garden area in the summer has picnic style tables, often shared with others. The gardens are so spectacular that often they are rented out for weddings. It's adult only but worth going for at least one drink. It is located in Cedar.
A much smaller antique store with unique, beautiful antique furniture and curios. The living room chair in the cottage was bought in this store. Check when they are open, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Antique Addict
12 Roberts St
A much smaller antique store with unique, beautiful antique furniture and curios. The living room chair in the cottage was bought in this store. Check when they are open, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Sightseeing

Chemainus is a nearby town which takes approximately 15 minutes to get to. Make your way to Coronation Mall. Follow Dogwood Drive south to Davis Road and turn left, continue and cross the Island Highway and you'll be on Chemainus Road. It is a very picturesque winding road. Chemainus is a town which dates back about 100 years and thrived mostly due to the logging industry. It has many quaint homes and a main street lined with interesting shops, including an antique mall. The town's walls have multiple murals depicting the days gone by. It is worth it to go and wander the streets. Eat an ice cream and pop into shops. There is a beach in Chemainus and a Thai restaurant.
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Chemainus
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Chemainus is a nearby town which takes approximately 15 minutes to get to. Make your way to Coronation Mall. Follow Dogwood Drive south to Davis Road and turn left, continue and cross the Island Highway and you'll be on Chemainus Road. It is a very picturesque winding road. Chemainus is a town which dates back about 100 years and thrived mostly due to the logging industry. It has many quaint homes and a main street lined with interesting shops, including an antique mall. The town's walls have multiple murals depicting the days gone by. It is worth it to go and wander the streets. Eat an ice cream and pop into shops. There is a beach in Chemainus and a Thai restaurant.
At the foot of Roberts, on Esplanade (Island Highway), you'll see the original post office for Ladysmith which is now an antique store. Take a walk in the past and you might find some long forgotten treasures to take home. The desk/table upstairs was bought at this Antique Mall.
Post Office Antique Mall
340 Island Hwy
At the foot of Roberts, on Esplanade (Island Highway), you'll see the original post office for Ladysmith which is now an antique store. Take a walk in the past and you might find some long forgotten treasures to take home. The desk/table upstairs was bought at this Antique Mall.
Cowichan Bay is a small town with eateries, docks, unique shops, galleries, Whale Watching cruises business and many interesting house boats. To get there drive south of Duncan and turn left at Koksilah road. Enjoy the scenery while you drive and turn left at the crossroads. Places we recommend for eating are the Rock Cod Cafe, or the Vine (more upscale).
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Cowichan Bay
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Cowichan Bay is a small town with eateries, docks, unique shops, galleries, Whale Watching cruises business and many interesting house boats. To get there drive south of Duncan and turn left at Koksilah road. Enjoy the scenery while you drive and turn left at the crossroads. Places we recommend for eating are the Rock Cod Cafe, or the Vine (more upscale).
Driving from Ladysmith to Victoria is about an hour and a half. Give yourself lots of time to enjoy your time in this city. Visiting Fisherman's Wharf is popular, so is Chinatown and a walk around the harbour which is very picturesque. Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia.
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Victoria
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Driving from Ladysmith to Victoria is about an hour and a half. Give yourself lots of time to enjoy your time in this city. Visiting Fisherman's Wharf is popular, so is Chinatown and a walk around the harbour which is very picturesque. Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia.