Hello <waving frantically>

Just wanted to say hi to any BE-ers living in Vic or wider VI. I think I have seen a couple of Nanaimo people wandering about the forum...

Me and husband have been in Victoria for a week (RV'd round BC/AB for a month when we first got here so haven't been able to post here either) so we don't know anyone except the real estate letting agent Living in James Bay at the moment which is pretty nice, though we haven't seen much of the rest of the island yet.

Hi SB, I am a bit further north on the island. Hope you find a lovely home and settle well

Hi SkiBunny

I'm a 'wanderer' ............. maybe you can come to the next meet-up?

maybe you can come to the next meet-up?

Any plans for a meet-up date yet ??

Adbru

As the old Martini advert said (gawd I'm showing my age!!) .................... anytime, anyplace, anywhere ........

H there, we live in Cobble Hill in the Cowichan Valley. It's about 40 minutes North of Victoria, over the Malahat. We love it, beautiful place, but then again the whole Island is a beautiful place. Are you on staying on the Island permanently now?

Welcome neighbour. We dont live that far away from James Bay.

Now get outside and enjoy the beautiful sunshine down by the ocean.....!

Hiya all

Thanks for the welcomes. If there is a meetup then count me in!

Maddhobs - depends if we can find suitable jobs - more available in Vancouver but we prefer it over here so are on a mission & fingers crossed...

Willmore you are so right - we are making the most of this no job slacker business on a sunny day. Not sure where the nearest place to Victoria is with a nice beach, so any suggestions welcome.

Gonzales beach is absolutely beautiful and with the low tide, the tidalpools are fantastic. If you have young kids they will have a ball. Lots of families and young kids hang out there, and its dog free over the summer. Its really a "gem"...

As well, the beach below the cliffs at dallas road, it does tend to get crowded over the summer, but there are beach areas that are sort of private. However this is an "offlease" area all year, so if you dont like friendly dogs, you might not want to go there.

Check out a map about other beaches in the area, most are walkable from where you are and most important HAVE FUN!!!!

I'm from Victoria and lived in James Bay for about 10 years... great area... though a little loud.

As for beaches, I use to just go right down to Dallas Road. There are some nice big rocks to lay out on - they're curved like big lounge chairs and if you prefer sand there are a few sandy pockets here and there... especially just eastwards of the breakwater. Beware of pervs.

Close by, for more sandy, sandy beaches there is Willows Beach in Oak Bay:
http://www.bigwavedave.ca/webcams.php?cam=7 It's very 'beachy' - lots of sand and people. As is Island View beach - up the Pat Bay Highway. Personally they're not my preference but a lot of people seem to like them.

IMO, Esquimalt Lagoon is nice as is the beach at East Sooke Park near the 'farm'.

So long as you have a good comfy lounge chair, most anywhere along the ocean is fine. Again, beware of pervs.

Thanks Willmore & HWP - not sure about the pervs though

Met the harbour seals by Fishermans Wharf today - aw!

Hi SkiBunny, good luck "with your mission". What kind of work are you looking for? Here are some links http://www.bcjobs.ca/ http://www.bcjobs.com/ http://workinfonet.bc.ca/ http://www.workfutures.bc.ca/ and of course good old Job Bank http://jb-ge.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/search_...,%20Government Hope these are useful and hope you are able to stay on the Island!

Hi Guys,

Re a date for a meetup....

Anyone fancy Sunday 29th July ??
(as no-one else has put a date forward )

Far enough ahead for making plans.....(and being selfish as that day suits us )

If thats ok how about suggestions for a location ??

As the last one (feb) was in Nanimo how about Victoria or somewhere in the south of the Island ??

If I'm out of line trying to make it fit our hols please feel free to give me a virtual slap

Adbru

(p.s. been listening to 100.3 TheQ over the net - am I sad or what !! weird hearing local news from halfway round the world )

Thanks v much Maddhobs I've got the 1st one but not the others so will check them after this.
I am (or was in the UK) a software test manager, though realise I may have to slide a rung down the ladder towards the shop floor to get started here. I'm looking for anything in software quality/project management/ implementation. Mr SB is business/communications manager in charity/health/govt. We'll do seasonal work if needs be but we are doing our best to find something professional first. I have the link for the technology park, but if you can think of any major employers in the south island its worth stalking then any advice/shoves in the right direction gratefully received...

Adbru, unsurprisingly we are not busy then so will happily sign up

The Escapea's live in Victoria & came to the last meet-up ........... maybe they can suggest somewhere?

The date sounds good to me