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homes and mansions with a delightful array of archizec- tural styles and landscapi

Oak Bay’s neighbourly folk are proud of what sets it apart — not least a tradition of well-ordered low-density town planning thar has kept its population ro around 18,000. ‘Their homes and gardens, frorn modest to lavish, are well-

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tended and a stroll down many of the shady streets and lanes is often a chance for a chat over iden fence. Or perhaps you might want te join the locals to cheer n (bur not raucously, please) the cricketers at Windsor k, which also plays host co soccer and rugby games. The natural parks of Anderson Hill and Gonzales Hill ctacular views of Washington state's always-snow- capped Mount Baker to the east, and south across the Juan de Fuca Strait with the Olympic Mounrains beyond — while 30-hectaze (75- acre) Uplands Park is great for birdwarchers, dog-walkers and wild- flower enthusiasts. A walk at dawn over the rocky Catele Pointe (where early settlers waded ashore with their cattle) is rewarding for birders. Often otters and seals can be seen playing close to shore as well. You can walk barefoot on many sandy beaches, though the Pacific Ocean generally is cold in this area. Hardy- youngsters love to swim and paddle at Willows Beach, a popular gather- ing place for families in the summer; and, if that's too busy for your liking, a more secluded and sheltered spat is lovely Gonzales Bay that Oak Bay shares with the adjacent city of Victoria. “Or linger awhile at Turkey Head Walkway at the Oak Bay Marina. Look wistfully at the hundreds of boats as you walk up and down the many wharves, serenaded by the wailful cry of the gulls and the occasional barking of the seals. Benches around Turkey Head afford a delightful

opportunity to rest awhile and contemplate the changing

scene on the waters of Oak Bay.

‘A favourite walk with the locals is the Bowker Creek Walkway. if you take the path across. from'the firehall on Monterey Avenue and stroll over che:pretty litele bridge,

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down the willow-lined path, you'll often find yourse company of the mothers with toddlers feeding the ducks thaz abound in the rock-walled pools.

Hf you continue on and take a few steps up, you'll pass

ak Bay Secondary School, the Jack Wallace Memorial Track and the tennis bubble before reaching Oak Bay Recre- ation Centre. The fatter sports a swimming pool — you inay find a swim is just the ticket after a warming walk — and afrerwar -deserved coffce or lunch in the lounge upstairs from which you can watch the swimmers below. .

Afternoon teas and “cream teas” are still very much in vogue in Oak Bay village and the excellent variety of eating places gives choices frora take-out to fine dining.

Oak Bay is simply too special to miss!