Mom-Day Adventure: Ross Bay Cemetery Backwards, Wildlife and a Wee Shop

Welcome back to Mom-Day Adventures! Mom was absolutely sure we had gone to Ross Bay Cemetery before, but...nope, we have not, Mom! 

I double-checked (as one does when one's mom insists on something!) and these are my trips through Ross Bay Cemetery:

• I last went there with Betty (here in June 2022); 
• before that here in July 2021 (lots of deer in these pics too!); 
• a quick cut-through of the cemetery here in June 2021; 
• a wintery visit here in Feb 2021 

- and that's it! 

When Mom called to say she was on her way, she said, "Bring the blue toque."

Yes, ma'am. It totally looks better on you. 

I took a kazillion pictures, plus had a wee shop on Fort Street on the way home so I have treasures to share, but first, let's look at my outfit.

Not really anything new here, just some favourites. 

• Vest - Religion, consignment; last worn here in November 2022 with grey pleats
• Sweater - Beechers Brook, vintage 00s, thrifted; last seen here in November 2022 under bold shoulders
• Skirt - Banana Republic Heritage, thrifted; last worn here in February 2022 for a Mom-Day Adventure (same tights and sweater)
• Shoes - Suzie Truths, Fluevog, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit) in December 2022 with the yeti jacket
• Coat - Sarmite Designs, consignment; last worn here in December 2022 for our trip to Powell River

I've worn the top, tights and skirt together for a previous Mom-Day, but they weren't as visible most of the time today. 

I added my long black Religion vest over the top and metallic leopard mini-skirt. 

A little extra warmth. 

It's suddenly gotten so chilly out! 

Without the vest.

I have a cami on under the cotton sweater. 

Masked up.

Worn at the pub afterwards, and while shopping later. 

I stashed my accoutrements in a tote bag while I shopped with my coat open.

Too warm inside with all this stuff on. 

Outerwear - so over the top! 

Love it. 

Accoutrements.

I'd almost forgotten about this lovely warm hat. 

• Purse - Danier Leather, thrifted
• Hat - M&S, consignment, Powell River
• Fur scarf - thrifted
• Suede gloves - Aldo, consignment
• Mask - by Mom

The stuff: 

Comfy - although not very warm - booties. 

Brutalist bling:

Impractical snaggy things for shopping, but fun to wear it all. 

• Belt - gift from Ruth
• Cuff/bracelet/necklace - Robert Larin, vintage 70s, vintage mall, all gifts from L
• Volcano ring - Mom's, vintage 70s
• Hematite ring - thrifted
• Square ring - thrifted
• Kyanite/silver ring - consignment
• Brutalist earrings - vintage mall

I use the hematite ring to anchor Mom's "volcano" ring, which is a little big on me, especially when my fingers are cold. 

And here we go! We parked near the pub across from Ross Bay Cemetery and walked down this alley towards Dallas Road. 

I rarely enter the cemetery this way - it's almost always been from the opposite side, where the poet-tree is. It felt like I was going backwards.

I was hoping for deer.

I'm pretty sure we saw this same deer multiple times.

I love the searingly bright sunlight at this time of year. 

That's the ocean, and a small silhouette of the US in the distance. 

Most of the trees are bare.

It gave us massively long sightlines - we could almost see the far edge of the cemetery from here.

We meandered down the dirt path on the left, with trees and Dallas Road also on the left, and the beach and ocean beyond that. 

There were quite a few people around, and we could hear cars zooming by. 

A peek through the trees at the water. 

So pretty. 

I see Washington State. 

A man is leaning on the rail, looking out. Note that our recent storms have covered the pebbly beach completely in driftwood and logs. 

In addition to deer, there were squirrels bounding and racing everywhere. 

I see you.

Since Mom and I haven't been here together before, we took our time and looked at the tombstones, grave markers and inscriptions. 

And the deer! 

They were very active. 

This one trotted right out from behind a tree...

And crossed the path to munch on underbrush on the steep hill that slopes down to the road.

He found a few friends there. 

The gang of three sprinted off as we got closer.

They kept an eye on us, but weren't afraid. 

See how close this one is? 

That's not very far! 

I don't think I've ever noticed the back of this marker before - one of the benefits of walking through the graveyard backwards. 

"I must down to the seas again,

to the lonely sea and sky

and all I ask is a tall ship

and a star to steer her by."

A naval pilot's grave.

A calm place.

Not so many showy graves here. 

Another peek through the trees at the water. 

Luminous. 

Someone's left painted rocks here.

For "A Gentle Adventurous Spirit." 

See the dreamcatcher?

I looked for bald eagles but didn't see any. Lots of fat robins, though, hopping everywhere. 

A little twisty tree.

Growing next to a log/stump memorial. 

That's the poet-tree! 

The obelisk on the right is for the Spencer family - they owned a huge department store in downtown Victoria. My gram (Mom's mum) worked there before she got married - Mr. Spencer was her boss. 

I was kind of hoping someone had put a new poem in here. 

I feel like it retains the poem anyway, like the tree remembers. 

This head is one of my favourites. 

My giant head is the last thing I would use as a grave marker. 

An inviting, and slightly spooky! path ahead. 

I'm so glad it was sunny, but I was FREEZING. Mom was roasting in her puffer! 

This path is less impressive when the trees are in full leaf, although it's gorgeous any time.

The scale of them feels more massive when they're bare. 

Squirrels! 

Yeah, I'm looking at you! 

Deer! 

I see three there, possibly the same teenage gang we saw earlier. 

Uh-oh, looks like a rumble! 

At least two sets of deer are literally going head-to-head, while the ladies chill and eat on the right, pretending not to notice. 

Shadow portrait with squirrel. 

Do you see him above my head?

He posed nicely for me. 

Thank you! 

This deer was hiding from all the ruckus. 

I can't blame her. 

They're still going at it over there. 

We kept a close eye on them. "I've got weapons," said Mom, waggling her walking poles. 

This must be an introvert's grave. 

Don't get too close. 

What a magnificent monkey-tree. 

Majestic. 

Deer, on the run! 

The young buck on the right has lost one of his antlers. 

Get ready, Mom, she's coming right at us! 

Victoria wildlife on the run! 

She decided to dash behind us. 

Go hide from those rowdy teens! 

The Helmcken mausoleum.

And the saddest grave beside it.

This is David Campbell's grave, who died aged 17 months in 1913.

We saw so many graves of people who died very young. 

Right next to that is the Pooley Angel.

It's rumoured she cries during full moons. 

We thoroughly enjoyed our walk and settled in at the pub for some hot coffee (decaf) and quesadillas. 

You look lovely, Mom! Thank you! I love you! 

Mom dropped me off in the Fort Street area, and I had a browse through MONA and the Velvet Crease, and also popped in to check on the sale at Heart & Sole shoes. Here are my treasures.

I hemmed and hawed over these printed jeans at MONA, but they fit great and I love the high-waist and wide legs. 

I think they'll probably end up in my spring/summer wardrobe, but I will try styling them with my winter stuff first. 

I love the pattern. 

The colours are very light pink, lavender, grey and tan, outlined in brown. 

All the inner tags have been removed but they're by Wilfred, as it clearly shows on the front button. That's one of Aritzia's lines, so these weren't cheap. A little digging reveals they're the Wilfred Free Vera Pant and they retailed for $138.00. 

Deanna from MONA gave me an extra 10% off due to a small stain, so they were $49.00. 

I was just complaining about a pencil skirt and what did I buy? 

A pink pencil skirt! 

This one has raggedy seams (a thing I like), pockets!!!, and a good walking slit in back. 

It's a nice rich pink - this will go with a lot that I own. It's also high-waisted. 

It's lined in a ditsy floral print - so pretty. I had a chuckle over the tag. 

"This garment is woven from delicate blend of years that will give rise to fluffing." If you say so! 

I have never heard of Ronit Zilkha of London - and she is an actual person, who dressed Princess Diana and many other celebrities up until her empire collapsed in the early 00s. 

An interesting interview/article here (links always 'cause I love). I paid $35.00 for this, which felt like a deal. 

From MONA, I had a good look around in the Velvet Crease, but not too much caught my eye. 

A white shirt - SNORE. But my previous one is getting dingy.

It's by Eddie Bauer (a sporty mall store).

It was $28.00 - the original retail was $88.00. 

I really liked the colours in this knit scarf. I've been weeding out some of my scarves that I don't grab at regularly.

This is folded in half, so it's twice as long as this.

The base colour is burgundy, with zigzags of black, olive, lime and pink. 

It's going to go with a bunch of my coats. 

Ooh, Missoni...for Target.

This is the "Extra Long Scarf" and it retailed for $24.95 back in 2011 when this line launched. 

I paid $18.40 for it - still a pretty good price. 

Heart & Sole had a big sale on - I had a good browse, and found these really funky flats by Yuko Imanishi.

I realized the other day - I do not have any brown shoes! How can this be? 

I wasn't specifically looking for brown shoes when I went in, but these were in the 50% off "last pairs" section. I like the asymmetrical top and the funky heel.

There's a little hook on the side that you slide the strap onto, so that you don't have to undo the buckle constantly. 

They were originally $220.00.

And when they scanned them in they came up at 60% off, not 50%, so $88.00. I have a feeling I will wear these a lot! 

And now, my friends, I'm off for the weekend! I'll be back on Sunday with tales of adventure (Winesday is this weekend, woo!). I wish you all peace and calm - thanks so much for stopping by!