Salt Spring Tootle

By Maryanna Gabriel

The writing course is done and I made it past such existential questions as "Why write?" This question is a bit like "Why am I here?" Moving on. Recently a friend visited me and dragged me away from my mind pool of pondering and we tootled about town. The result was a wonderful day on Salt Spring Island. You would think living here this wouldn't be new to me but it was.

We stopped at the wonderful Duthie Gallery (Celia Duthie formerly of Duthie Books in Vancouver). The landscape featured many surprises.

Michael Dennis is a Hornby Island artist. I love this. "The Visitors" $3.000

The gallery is conjoined with Francis Bread which has a cafe featuring bakery items.

 Inside in the bakery I had a rhubarb spritzer and we shared a piece of cake. We found dehydrated garlic scapes as a featured condiment on our table. 

  This amazing stump is made entirely of wicker with interwoven strands.

Laura Keil - "Wool Gathering" 

Salt Spring Island artist, Ron Crawford's "Tree Necklace", only $2,000. Every driveway needs one. Might have to wait on this purchase.

Bullock Lake Farm was in the process of garlic preparation. I am happy to say my own crop of garlic is pretty good this year.

Bullock Lake Farm specializes in flowers. We had a delicious outdoor breakfast of Eggs Benedict served on polenta with farm salad. 

Today my friend is back. She is taking me to a farm I have never been to before. I will bring my camera and report back to you.