start december

the first sunset of december days

a sandy beach and walk on the ocean edge

a balmy day clearer as sun set...

to a crystaline crisp winter night sky full of stars...

SNOW !!

summer guests often ask...

does vancouver island get snow ?...

here's proof of the frosted ocean edge...

this little "blizzard"

kept us in the dark for about 16 hours...

the lodge fireplace warmed the spaces...

and candles enlightened the winter night...

this pretty whiteness lasted about two days

before the sun came out washed it away...

SUNSET

even on a cloudy rainey day
there is time for a breath taking SUNSET
in fall and winter
the show of nature should not to be missed
as it positions itself over the olympic mountain range

Surf's UP

SURF has returned in full today
we welcome the powerful sounds of the waves
AND THE OCEAN COMES BACK TO LIFE !!

a lone surfer rode the break

at the mouth of muir creek this evening

front porch of craidelonna

after bobbing around waiting for the right wave

this surfer caught a wonderful ride..

so wonderful to fall asleep to...

sweet dreams...

Salmon in the river

Muir Creek and Sooke River
are filling with the salmon
that are returning after their years at sea
to spawn in the rivers from which they came...
" the circle of life"

Torsten & Fiona

ON A FOGGY AFTERNOON

Torsten and Fiona

and their two sons

Dominic & Sebastian

became ONE

- FAMILY WEDDING -

magically
the sun broke through the foggy day
just as guests began to arrive ..
then as the ceremony ended
with enough time for some photos
the skies opened and poured rain into the evening...

Warm Hearts

around a crackling fireplace

with fabulous food and lots of champagne

as candles were glowed like beacons in the fog

creating an ENCHANTING EVENING...

of family and friends in celebration

Tom & Joscelyn

On the last sunshiny saturday of august 2010
the Klassen's WED the Verigan's today ..

" and two became one"

in a beautiful intimate ocean front ceremony

the happy smiles of the bride & groom newly weds

Campbell / John Wedding

Jess & Kevin
were WED today
married on a monday
on a sunny day before the august full moon

Leif & Miao

8 -18 - 2010

a midweek wedding
ocean front on a sunny august day
many guests travelled long distances to gather for this wedding

the brides family from China were in awe how far out sooke is...

while the groom was a local "sookite"
Leif & Miao 's Jubilee celebration

Bianca & Andrea

Two Brides
Two goddesses
( a celebration of LOVE & progress in time..)

First Peaches

these are the first peaches that have ever grown

on the craidelonna property

the young espalier tree has provided

a small harvest in its second year

tasty and delicious !!

Catherine & Tim

a NEW FLAG

was hoist high upon the pole at Craidelonna

Designed and created for their special wedding occasion

Tim & Catherine have donated this to the property...

( thanx folks so very much... )

" two hearts come together as ONE "

Moriarty / Elder Wedding

Today the morning began with thick fog

but by noon the sun broke through and burnt away the mist

creating a beautiful sunny day wedding for...

CAMERON & MICHELLE

the couple danced ocean front with

70 close friends and family into the early hours of the morning..

CONGRATULATIONS ...

July Gardens

the automatic water system is so helping with the gardens

at four in the morning the gardens are nourished & refreshed...

with the hot days of summer...

the "english style garden"is looking beautiful alive and fresh

thanxs "friend of craidelonna" - neil for these photos

wedding of Mongillo&Neale

in all beauty - the bride

fiona & michael wed today

in the center of the compass

an intimate gathering of 33 guests joined together on a sunshiny blue ocean day..

first wedding 2010

the Bride

Lucie Wanseythe Groom

Mike Duffy

Today was the first wedding of the season 2010

we congratulate the newly weds

as they pronounced their vows ocean front

on the new wave patio.. overlooking the pacific ocean..

a sunny day and an intimate ceremony

with 60 guests and one bagpiper..

Martini Madness

The summer season officially begins with the annual Bushell Bash
"Martini Madness & Scotch Tasting"
the festivies began with a flag raising ceremony
of the flag of Vancouver Island colony
and Martini celebration fun flag

the aged participant line up of bottles was unveiled

and the celebration and merriment began

SUMMER IS OFFICIALLY ON !!!

oh Canada

OH CANADA

we stand on guard for thee...

Craidelonna now has its own flag pole

today the Canadian flag was the first to go up the new pole

we invite our guests to wave their colors

and hoist their own flags during their stay on property

Waves-Compass Patio

all but the final sweep and interloc

the slate waves and compass patio
over looking the ocean is completed !!

(what celebrations will now happen on this space? )

67th Swiftsure Weekend

Today the race sailed past by the front of the property.
Swiftsure is proud to dedicate this year’s race to our Canadian Navy,
in celebration of its 100th Anniversary.
The Swiftsure organizers are pleased to announce
that 180 yachts have registered for the 67th running of the race

NEW gatehouse

the red cedar post & beam work with pergola & zen style cedar roof
now completes the creation of
the upper entrance gatehouse
a slate floor will be the final portion of this project
we await the laser etched slate crest to be completed
for the center "welcoming area" - all about the details -

... to ensure the privacy of our guests on property
we request new arrivals to phone
from the upper phone booth...

on FACEBOOK

we welcome our guests to become a fan of

Craidelonna Oceanedge

on facebook

the SPHYNX

Welcome a new member to the family

giZa

(like the pyramids of egypt)

she is a pure breed hypoallergenic blue tabby

sphynX

then on may 31st -2010 a second feline also joined the household

a pure red sphynX named

kYra

(they live in the caretaker's studio)

XYZ

work in progress

an artwork masterpiece on the ground

emerges with the continual efforts of Alex Gagnon and his crew

with compass pointing to "the true north strong and free"

the wave patio is a continuation of the amphitheater wave

a tribute to the numerous surfs that help here on property

( no more gravel on ones journey to the large hot tub & sauna..)

ART - Marian White

Introductions to the textured acrylic artworks of Marian White
this young victoria born artist was raised on queen charlotte islands
her vibrant art is influenced by a deep love of nature
and inspired by her west coast surroundings
she calls it "silent poetry"

most of the artwork in the hallways of Craidelonna is for sale

- shipping can be arranged when need -

thank you to those who support local artists and original art pieces

It all about OUR GUESTS

some days it is so easy to get wrapped up

into the construction & new developments creation and design...

then along come a group of wonderful young future entrepreneurs

to remind us to stop and remember

it's all about OUR GUESTs

and how much they appreciate CRAIDELONNA

this weekend welcomed the students of

ROYAL ROADS UNIVERSITY

and the mentorship program - personal development retreat

progress

"pave paradise"

has a whole new concept
- the charcoal brick deck emerges -
as sun sets at the end of a long day...

laying the groundwork

a compass is now forming on the ground
with the waves finding their places and positions
it all just looks like dirt right now..
as alex and his crew begin to lay the foundations and groundwork
for the new slate wave deck and compass
it becomes....

the DEstruction for CONstruction

the old entrance archway and gate house is coming down today
in anticipation of a new phone booth with information center
a fully gated entrance this season
is intended to keep as many wild critters out of the fruit trees as possible

a second project on the go always keeps things interesting
so today we begin the excavation of the side patio
with the plans for the continuation of the slate wave
and charcoal interlock brick
( thoughts of a compass emerge)

windstorms & tulips

Easter Weekend

(95+ km/hr) WINDSTORM

had little effect to these sturdy tulips that grow below the bull kelp railing on the crest of the ocean front cottage porch, these delicate flowers turned into the powerful winds seemingly engineered for no damage to their structure

(nature in harmony & balance )

numerous trees along the sooke road sides didn't fair as well, this weekends' storm filled the house with guests..regardless of being without power for 31 hours.. with a bit of survival training and a touch of community, a bunch of candles and loads of boardgames.. the wood burning sauna was stoked up, all our guests were kept happy and warm.. everyone had a memorable weekend..

since the each one of us got to experience first hand

THE EYE OF THE STORM
CRAIDELONNA STYLE

handmade furniture for the cottage

we have renovated the cottage bedroom

with handmade cedar furniture

new colors of paints on the walls

and a comfy duvet wave of covers

A COSY BEDROOM HIDE-A-WAY

( overlooking the ocean )

original art work is for sale

on the gallery walls of craidelonna

representing the works of numerous local artists

BLOSSOMS of March

the yellow plum

has burst into full blossom with the beginning of march

balmy 15+ c weather

SPRING IS HERE !

New Outside Staircase

repairs lead to a total resortation/rebuild
the rotted fir steps have now been replaced
with a fresh cedar staircase with cool no-slip treads..