Month: August 2026

One Gabriola Day

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The last time I visited Gabriola Island by car and ferry was around 1948. Since then I’ve made many visits back in my boating days but not by car.  So it seemed that is was time for a day trip to Gabriola.  

It’s a 20 minute ferry ride from downtown Nanaimo to the island. $28 return for car and 4 seniors. No reservations needed. Just line up. The ferries run every half hour so the waits are not long. The ferry docks at Descanso Bay and paved roads will take you all over the island. Gabriola is only 14.5 kilometres long and about 4 k wide but it is home to about 4000 people. 

We wanted to see the Malaspina Galleries where the  Sandstone has been eroded over time and cave like structures remain. A nice walk to a beautiful point where sandstone rules. Worth visiting for sure.

 

Then it was off the the SURF LODGE which has a dining room and a pub overlooking the Strait of Georgia. Pub lunch was served on the spacious deck with Tugs, Ferries, yachts and sport fishing boats passing by. Excellent Cod and chips and very good service from a delightful young lady.  The lodge has some rooms and some cottages and would be a great place for a weekend retreat. This photo is the lovely stone fireplace in the dining room.

For more info http://www.surflodgegabriola.com

 

Then it was off to Silva Bay, a spot that’s been a welcome calm harbour many times. Lots a boats in the bay and some large yachts on the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club outstation on Tugboat island.

Alas the Silva Bay pub is no longer. Burned to the ground in 2017. Enjoyed Thanksgiving there many years ago. Sad to see it gone. The Silva Bay Shipyard that operated for decades also appears to be closed. Pages Resort is also in Silva Bay and looks to have some nice accommodations.   

https://www.pagesresort.com/home

A little further along is DRUMBEG Provincial Park, right on the water at the entrance to Gabriola Pass a narrow channel separating Gabriola from Valdez Island. The park has a nice beach and two people were swimming while several others were boarding kayaks. Drumbeg is a nice spot. Maybe for a picnic.

Then we followed the road around Degnan Bay at the inside of Gabriola Pass. The road took us past farmland, the waters of False Narrows on the way to the Ferry terminal. About an hours wait and we boarded for the quick cruise back to Nanaimo. 

A really sweet one day island visit. 

Just saying…

FIRST NOVEL!

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Usually I write about food, restaurants, wine and travel but this post is different. I’m blatantly  promoting my brothers FIRST NOVEL. Younger brother Richard D’Arcy Murphy was trying a number of hobbies to keep his mind active in retirement.  An old colleague in Texas has published several books and inspired D’Arcy to do some writing. He didn’t think he had a novel in him but thought he could do a screenplay. With that in mind he played around with some ideas that over time became more than a screenplay it morphed into a full fledged Novel. 

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This weekend it was published on Amazon KINDLEand a paperback version will be available soon. The book is about 5 college dropouts who use their skills to start an exciting new company and make a fortune. 

It’s a darn good read. If you are looking for a novel it can be downloaded on KINDLE.

Congratulations to my brother. He spend hours, days & weeks writing, editing and rewriting this Book. His first attempt. Now he is a published author. Not bad for a guy who recently turned 80. 

Check it out on Amazon or Kindle.  

Just saying… 

MATTONES ITALIAN KITCHEN

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It was a beautiful morning for a drive, so we headed north to the Black Creek area, just beyond Courtenay. Our first destination was Beaufort Vineyard & Estate Winery, once owned by Canadian filmmaker James Cameron of Titanic fame. Located just off Highway 19A, we followed a quiet country road through the gates to the tasting room, which overlooks the expansive vineyard with a spectacular backdrop of the Beaufort Mountains.Alas, the tasting room was closed—no tasting and no buying. Another visit, perhaps.

There are two other wineries nearby: Coastal Black Estate Winery, which specializes in berry wines, and 40 Knots Vineyard & Estate Winery, which we’ve visited before. We decided to skip both and instead stopped at Shorewolf Farm Bakery for another supply of their outstanding sourdough bread. Owner and baker Jill Lamberts greeted us like old friends. We left with three loaves of bread and a couple of Lemon Lavender cookies—unique and absolutely delicious.

From there we continued on, taking a quick drive through Campbell River before heading to Salmon Point for lunch at Mattone Italian Kitchen. This restaurant had been enthusiastically recommended by a friend, so expectations were high.

Mattone sits beside a small marina and a large RV resort. We were surprised by the size of the restaurant. It’s spacious inside, with a large patio overlooking the water. We were shown to a patio table where the views were every bit as impressive as the food would prove to be. Before us stretched Discovery Passage, Cape Mudge, Texada Island, and the distant silhouettes of Cortes, Hernando, and Savary Islands. Nearby sits Mitlenatch Island, a protected seabird sanctuary, while the ever-changing currents create a fascinating spectacle as waters from Johnstone Strait meet those flowing through the Strait of Georgia. Yachts and sport-fishing boats provided plenty of entertainment as they cruised by.

Mattone has embraced technology with a unique ordering system. Diners can simply scan the QR code at their table, order and pay using their phone, and the food is delivered to them. Call me old-fashioned, but I still prefer talking to a real person, so I ordered at the counter. I suppose it’s an efficient way to reduce staffing requirements.

“A Margherita pizza and a Caesar salad to share, please.”

A glass of Prosecco and a Pinot Grigio arrived almost immediately, followed shortly by our lunch. The thin-crust Margherita pizza was loaded with cheese and topped with grape tomatoes, fresh Arugula, bocconcini, and a generous slice of prosciutto on every piece. It was, without question, the best Margherita pizza we’ve ever had—and we’ve sampled more than a few over the years. The Caesar salad was equally impressive, topped with crisp shards of prosciutto that added the perfect finishing touch.

The setting is spectacular. The food is outstanding. The staff are friendly and welcoming. Yes, it’s a little pricey, but well worth it. If you find yourself in the Campbell River area, Mattone Italian Kitchen deserves a spot on your itinerary.

You can browse the menu and read about owner-chef Ryan Gark, a local talent with extensive culinary experience, on their website: https://www.mattoneitaliankitchen.com.

Mattone is open daily for lunch and dinner.

Just saying..

THE SHACK

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We keep hearing about EXTREME EATZ,  the outfit that began as a food truck in 2016 and now runs the restaurant at Arrowsmith Golf Club, the former LEFTY’s  location and the original Extreme EATZ in  Parksville and the Village Eatery(Formerly Baileys )in Qualicum Beach.  We not been to any of them but yesterday hit their newest endeavour, THE SHACK TAPHOUSE at Eagle Crest Golf Course. 

The Shack has taken over the old golf course location and includes a spacious pub atmosphere inside complete with a big stone fireplace and a long bar. Outside is a huge patio overlooking the course. 

The Shack was busy on a sunny Friday but service was good. Sheila chose the Seafood Chowder. Loaded with a variety of seafood including large shrimp. I got a taste. Delicious. Really rich. Cod Tacos were my choice. 3 tacos, deep fried cod.  Delicious. I especially liked the pickled red onion on top. These folks definitely know how to make and serve food. 

Several orders of Fish & Chips passed by and the fish portions were huge. Probably a good choice if you love Fish & Chips. 

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We really like The Shack, even though it was a bit noisy. But then most pubs are. 

Looking for an inviting patio on which to enjoy some  good food? The Shack Taphouse might be the spot for you.  It’s at 444 Country Club Dr, Qualicum Beach. 

Check out their menu here. 

The Shack Taphouse – Menu

Just saying…

GENOA BAY CAFE, AGAIN

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If you’ve never dined at the Genoa Bay Café, you really should. We first discovered it a couple of years ago when we brought friends from Texas, and they absolutely loved the experience. It was definitely time for another visit, so we included it as the lunch stop on our Cowichan Valley winery tour last week. We’re certainly glad we did.

Genoa Bay is a picturesque little marina tucked around the corner from Cowichan Bay by water. By road, it’s just a 12-minute drive from Maple Bay along a charming, winding country road. At the end of the drive you’ll find a small collection of homes, the marina, and the café.

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Knowing it would be a beautiful sunny day, we reserved a table on the waterfront deck. The cafe  provides warm, welcoming service, and their staff are friendly, attentive, and a lot of fun.

Sheila and I came with one thing in mind—the Salt Spring Island mussels. Served in a fragrant Thai green curry broth, they’re simply outstanding, and they certainly didn’t disappoint. Our friends chose the Fish & Chips and the Seafood Chowder, and both were equally impressed with their meals.

You can view the full menu here:
https://www.genoabaycafe.com/menu

The outdoor deck extends over the water, making it the perfect place to relax while watching pleasure boats glide into the marina. After lunch, we always enjoy a leisurely stroll along the docks, admiring the visiting yachts. There’s also a small marina shop offering snacks, nautical gifts, and souvenirs.

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Genoa Bay Café may be a little off the beaten path, but it’s well worth the drive. Great food, beautiful surroundings, and genuinely friendly service make it a destination we’ll happily return to. If it were a little closer to home, we’d be regulars.

Just saying…

Wine in Cowichan

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It had been a couple of years since we last toured the wineries of the Cowichan Valley, so last week with our friends Richard and Carolyn we climbed aboard the Acura and we headed south.

Our first stop was Averill Creek Vineyard, just outside Duncan. The winery has a lovely tasting room and an even more inviting garden patio. We’d sampled their wines on previous visits, so this time we headed straight for the patio, where the ladies enjoyed a glass of Pinot Gris. None for me, of course—someone had to be the designated driver!

Averill Creek is always worth a visit. Their expansive vineyard climbs the hillside behind the winery, and the vines were absolutely loaded with grapes. The tasting room is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and if you’re feeling peckish, they offer a selection of snacks to enjoy on the patio with a chilled glass of wine.

https://www.averillcreek.ca

With lunchtime approaching, we took a delightful country road that wound its way across the valley before ending about 25 minutes later at Genoa Bay. More about lunch there in a moment.

Our next stop was Merridale Cidery & Distillery in Cobble Hill. This is a wonderful destination, with beautiful grounds, an excellent restaurant, and a well-stocked gift shop. Merridale is best known for its ciders, but it also produces Cowichan Gin,  Vodka, and Brandy, all available for purchase in the shop.

The restaurant menu looked excellent and would make Merridale a fine choice for lunch.

Merridale Farmhouse Eatery Menu

Looking for something a little different? Merridale’s Orchard Picnic is a delightful experience. Begin with a cider tasting to select your favourite bottle, then settle into the orchard with a blanket and a fully prepared picnic featuring a shared charcuterie spread. It sounds like a wonderful way to spend a summer afternoon.

Picnic Experience in Cowichan Valley

And there’s more—you can even spend the night in one of their yurts!

If you’re touring the Cowichan Valley, Merridale is definitely worth adding to your itinerary.

Just four minutes down the road is Unsworth Vineyards, an absolute must-visit. The winery was founded by local residents Tim and Colleen Turyk, who built it into one of Vancouver Island’s premier wineries, producing a long list of award-winning wines. As retirement approached, they sold the business in 2020 to the Jackson family of Kendall-Jackson Wines, the renowned Sonoma, California winery.

Since then, significant investments have been made in both the winemaking facilities and the spectacular new tasting room. It is truly impressive.

Unfortunately, the restaurant—which we’ve thoroughly enjoyed on previous visits—is currently closed for renovations. Although we didn’t do a tasting this time, we couldn’t resist taking home a bottle of their excellent Pinot Gris.

Their website is well worth a visit:

https://www.unsworthvineyards.com

Our final stop before heading home was Blue Grouse Estate Winery, located just north of Duncan. It’s another impressive property with a beautiful winery and tasting room. We skipped the tasting on this visit but have enjoyed it in the past.

Interestingly, Blue Grouse was also acquired by the Jackson family in 2022. Clearly, one of California’s most respected wine families sees tremendous potential in the wines of the Cowichan Valley. That level of investment bodes very well for the future of Vancouver Island’s wine industry.

If you haven’t toured the wineries of the Cowichan Valley, you’re missing one of Vancouver Island’s real gems. We only visited four this time, and there are several more waiting to be explored.

If you enjoy good wine, beautiful scenery, and relaxing country drives, put the Cowichan Valley on your list.

Soon.

Just saying…