The Filberg Festival in Comox is back and better than ever

 By Keith and Heather Nicol

      Like many festivals, the Filberg Festival has been affected by the global pandemic for the past 2 years but in 2022 it is back and from our observations on the first day it is better than ever. The Filberg Festival is a huge fundraiser for the Filberg Lodge and Park which has a spectacular location in Comox. This year they have over 100 artisans showing their wares plus over 45 musicians performing at 2 stages. What a great combination! The idea is you check out some of the remarkable work by potters, photographers, painters, jewelry, glass, textile and wood workers and then take in some music. When you get hungry you can buy some speciality food from some artisans or head for the food trucks. So the routine is shop, listen, eat and enjoy !

        There are lots of vendors showing their wares on the shady grounds of Filberg Park

The biggest challenge this year is staying cool with record setting temperatures roasting Vancouver Island for the past several days. So we will pass along some tips based on our first day attending. Get there early. Not only will parking be easier to find but it will be cooler. Secondly, bring plenty of water so you don’t get dehydrated. Thirdly, dress with light shorts and shirts and bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.  We also brought small foam pads so we could sit on the grass or a low rock wall in the shade if the seats were all taken.  

               Robin (right) showing some of his unique seaweed art - he is based in Victoria

 On Friday, July 29 we opted to listen to music at the shady waterfront Garden Stage which some musicians said must be the best stage to sing at in B.C. ! There was a little breeze off the water and with the shade - it made the 29 C (feels like 35 C) weather quite manageable. We caught Ella Korth from Vancouver and we loved her varied music.  We particularly liked her Irish ballad played on the banjo. Since we were so comfortable we stayed to listen to Brodie Dawson who ended up having to borrow Ella’s guitar at the last minute. Brodie lives in the Comox Valley and her group put on a varied set that could highlight each performer. Christy Vanden was next up at the Garden Stage and rounded out our very enjoyable time on Friday at the Festival.

                  Ella Korth opened the Garden Stage on Friday to a standing room only crowd

But there is lots more music to be played at the Filberg Festival . You still have Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31 to come and check it out. Gates open at 11 am and runs until 8:00 pm on Saturday and 6:00 pm on Sunday. Also it is a great place to get that unique or special gift. With so many varied exhibitors there is something for just about everyone. And Remember the Filberg Festival is a valuable fundraiser for the Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park in Comox, B.C. For more information on the complete festival schedule see: filbergfestival.com  See you there tomorrow. 

                                   Brodie Dawson and her band were a hit at the Garden Stage

  

 

Mulligans Golf Course makes golf affordable in the Comox Valley

 by Keith and Heather Nicol 

 Golf is popular in the Comox Valley with many courses to test your skills but if you want to try a fine little course that allows you to still play 9 holes for just $18 or less then check out Mulligans Golf Course. With inflation running at the highest rates in a generation everyone wants to get real value for the money so if you golf in the Comox Valley you need to know about Mulligans. With 9 holes ranging in price from just $14 for 9 holes from 5:00 pm  to sunset, and $16 from 2:30 pm -4:50 pm and $18 from 7 am to 2:20 pm you can get in lots of golf for your hard earned money.   

                       Keith teeing off on the second hole- the Beaufort Range in the background

When we spoke to Laurie, the Mulligan’s manager she told us that they welcome every one and she mentioned that they are popular with families and others who are just starting out since we have a fairly forgiving course. They offer an executive course which means there are mostly par 3’s with some par 4’s and the longest hole is 337 yards. Total length from the blue tees is 1763 yards which is about a mile so it is also easy to walk for many people from younger children to older adults. But just because it is short doesn’t mean it is easy. There is water on 7 of the 9 holes and there are many strategically placed sand traps, so depending on where the pin is placed, making par can be a real challenge. The course also gives scenic views of the Beaufort Range of Mountains and has been landscaped to create undulations and mounds which add to the layout of the course. Given the wetter and cooler than normal conditions this summer the course is nice is green for the most part and the greens are in fine shape. 

The greens were in great shape

 In addition to a small clubhouse with an outdoor patio , there is a driving range, a putting green and a sand trap practice area where I need to spend more time. The driving range is another bargain since a bucket of balls is just $3.75 ! We played most recently on Sunday morning July 24 and it took us just over 2 hours to play 9 holes. It was definitely more crowded than normal and a marshall told us that Sundays this season are the busiest. Mulligans is located right outside of Courtenay and for more information see: http://mulligansgolfcourse.com/  or phone 250-338-2440. This course is ideal for families or friends wanting to meet for a couple of hours of enjoyable golf. See you on the course.

 

 

 

The Rose Garden in Stanley Park in Vancouver is in full bloom

 By Keith and Heather Nicol

On our visits to Vancouver if we head to Stanley Park it is usually to cycle around the seawall which goes around the perimeter of the park. We rarely head to the interior of the park but on our last visit to Vancouver in mid July 2022 we decided to see the Rose Garden and the surrounding trails in the interior of the park since we suspected the roses might be in their prime. We were joined by our daughter Kristie and who suggested this visit to the garden which was established in 1920 by the Kiwanis Club. The garden boasts over 3500 rose bushes and is set it an open area surrounded by natural west coast forest.  Our timing was good since the roses were in full bloom but note that this year they are quite late due to the cool spring. For more info see: https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/gardens-in-stanley-park.aspx

 

 

July moon rise from Air Force Beach , Comox

 

By Keith and Heather Nicol

    One of the disadvantages of living in the Comox- Courtenay area is that you don’t get a chance to see the sun dropping off into the horizon in the evening. Sunsets in this area can be nice as the setting sun undercuts any clouds that are in the area but a classic sunset can’t be seen due to the Beaufort Mountains. But we do have moon rises which come up over the Salish Sea and so we have taken to seeing the full moon rise whenever the weather cooperates. Weather hasn’t cooperated much in 2022 since it has been cloudy and cool for much of the year but on July 12 it looked like we might have a clear night. Our favourite place to see the full moon rise is the Air Force Beach Parking area and this gives us a good view of the various Gulf Islands, the Sunshine Coast and the mountains of the BC mainland that lie behind. We often try for the night just before the official full moon since it the moon rises just abit earlier and you can capture  some of the back ground scenery which often won’t occur on the actual night of the full moon. On July 12 the moon rose just over Cape Lazo and unfortunately right in front of some communications towers on the sky line (see photo below).

 

Of course like the sun, the full moon doesn’t always rise in the same place each month so the back drop to your views and pictures will always be different. As well the clouds are often different so this adds another variation to each month’s offering.  To find out the date of the full moon and where it will be in the sky check out this web site: https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/canada/comox. For newcomers to this area , to get to Air Force Beach take Kilmorley Road and be sure to drive past the turn off to Kin Beach.  Turn right on Air Force Beach Road and continue to the end.  See you for the next full moon and bring a tripod and telephoto lens for the best pictures. Another bonus of the Air Force Beach location are the views north which often have nice clouds and colours spreading across the water (see photo below).

 

 

Vancouver Island MusicFest sold out on Sunday, July 10, 2022

By Keith and Heather Nicol

Well despite dealing with changing Covid 19 regulations Vancouver Island residents came out to support their favourite festival again by selling out tickets on the weekend. And on Sunday we have learned that the music usually starts with a “don’t miss it session” in the main concert bowl. This is usually has a gospel flavour and the event this year called “Faith” didn’t disappoint. They stage was packed with great blues and jazz musicians featured John Boutte (New Orleans) and Canadian legend Shakura S’Aide as well as many other very talented performers. Two members even mingled with the enthusiastic hand waving crowd. What a great show and we could have listened to them all day!! 

 

                               Faith had performers out with the audience

We stayed in the main concert bowl for the next group that was a real change of pace. Grace Notes is an all women’s choir from Vancouver Island and they sang a variety of Canadian songs.  They were followed by The Mavens which features Shari Ulrich and 2 other performers but they couldn’t make the show so Shari recruited 2 other musician friends who filled in admirably. Colleen Brown was the next performer in the main concert bowl and she is a real Joni Mitchell fan and performed many of her classic songs. Colleen has a great voice (you have to duplicate Joni Mitchell) and is backed up with a talented band. We then took a break to get ready for the final nights evening concert. 

 

           Colleen Brown performed a Joni Mitchell tribute on the main stage

We arrived back the main concert stage for 6:15 pm to listen to The Old Time Radio Show which featured mostly country music from a variety of artists. The next act up was Matt Anderson who we first heard in Corner Brook, NL at the East Coast Music Awards in 2009. He has gone on to be a power house blues performer with many awards to his name including being the first Canadian to win the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2010!! If you get a chance you need see him if you don’t know his music (see photo below).  Our final session was called American South which featured a collaboration of artists which the Vancouver Island MusicFest is known for. We can’t wait to see what Doug Cox has in store for next year’s festival and to stay up to date check out - https://www.islandmusicfest.com/.