Our last full day of vacation, we spent most of the morning reading and lounging around in bed listening to the sounds of the cycle race being held on the streets surrounding our hotel. It felt really right to just take it easy this morning. I think the best thing about being away just the two of us is the time we have to just exist.

There is almost always something going on at home; between the girls, work, and school there is always something that should probably be getting done. When you head off on vacation you give yourself permision to stop worring about all those things. I think you know your vacation is coming to an end when you start to think about the things you'll need to take care of when you get back.

This morning was the end of pure vacation. By the time we came back for our mid-afternoon refresh, the normal work-a-day world was starting to re-enter my consciousness. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

We stepped out into the day and were met with fresh, cool air. What a relief! The moment called for a celebration. A Starbucks was just across the corner. We marched.

Fortified, we walked off in search of Craigdarroch Castle, which we knew vaguely was located 25 minutes away, off in that direction (imagine a waving arm). The castle was a good excuse, but really I just wanted to get out and see what the day would bring, on foot.

After some regular urban blocks, Aaron spotted Craigdarroch-looking turrets in the distance just as I noticed a block of greenery down a side street. He amiably agreed that we could go have a look, and so we found Pioneer Square. It's a park/graveyard beside a church, nice and green. We wandered through and continued toward the castle.

Found signs to the castle that guided us up a tree-lined street that looked suspiciously like Mariposa in Berkeley. Walked around the building, variously admiring and wondering at the stone embellishments.

Emerged onto the sidewalk and debated whether to go back the way we came or walk on a bit to make more of a loop, and agreed to walk on. The houses on the street were uniformly alternated between handsome old Tudor/craftsman homes, and cheap-looking 1960s bungalows. We guessed that the older houses' grounds had been subdivided and for some reason all the builders had decided to go cost-effective rather than maintain the existing tone. But they all had lovely, well-tended gardens.

At the end of one block Aaron noticed a large gateway down the street, with red Do Not Enter signs flanking it. Irresistably drawn, we approached. Ha! The Do Not Enters referred to cars, not pedestrians. And that's where one of the highlights of the trip began.

The gardens of the Governor's House are open to the public, although the house itself is closed. We saw occasional people, out walking their dogs, or pushing strollers, but otherwise we walked through rhododendron groves and redwoods, rose gardens and grassy paths between herbaceous borders, and it was as if it all existed to be enjoyed by us. Each area led to another type of garden, on and on, and we meandered through it all, enchanted by the variety. It was a brilliant example of how circumstances can affect experience. No question, I enjoyed seeing the Butchart Gardens. They were a fantastic exhibit of gardening skill. But today at the Governor's House gardens it was ten degrees cooler, we had stumbled across them by accident, and other people were sparse. We owned the moment.

Refreshed by the gardens, and growing hungry, we turned toward downtown. On the way back to the hotel, we passed the Starfish glass-blowing gallery, and stopped in to watch the glass-blowers work for a while. Stopped at a bakery for a baguette, and slowly climbed the stairs to our room.

For dinner we returned to Café Brio, and their early-bird set menu. Again it was very, very good food. My version of the menu was onion soup, lamb with lentils, and a chocolate terrine. Aaron's was hearts of romaine salad, shrimp over polenta, and vanilla creme brulée. When we left the restaurant the sun was getting ready to set, and it was too beautiful to stay inside. Stopped at the hotel to change shoes and grab a sweater, and we ambled to the waterfront.

A big crowd was laughing at a flaming-torch/unicycle act happening along the wharf. There's a big stone wall at the end of the harbor, and it forms a backdrop for a wide promenade by the boats. And for the local talent shows. It was funny, and we joined the crowd pressing forward to put coins in the hat at the end. As the light began to fade we walked up to the parliament building, and went through it to find a small rose garden in bloom on the other side. Everywhere in Victoria the roses are holding their breath, I guess waiting for June to burst out, because each bud looks ready to explode, but these guys had all decided to jump the gun, and they made a brave display of color that was breathtaking.

That pretty much set the crown on the day, and we made our way back to the hotel to pack. Yup, sometimes you own the moment.

Outside the castle.

A little seridipitus find at Govenrment House.

Hanging out in the gardens .