MY FAVOURITE PLACES - SALT SPRING ISLAND

One of the places I love to visit for a few days of down time is Salt Spring Island.    The island is located in the Strait of Georgia between Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia in Canada.  It is one of the Southern Gulf Islands and is the largest, most populous, and most visited of the Gulf Islands.  For that reason I usually visit during Spring or at the end of Summer in order to avoid the crowds and ferry queues. The market days should be noted - the craft market operates from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturdays from June to September and the Farmers' Market runs from 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm every Tuesday from the beginning of June to the end of October.  The markets are a fun stroll and the quality of the produce at the Farmers' Market is excellent.  However, my favourite places on Salt Spring do not actually include the markets, although if I am visiting on a Tuesday I will pick up some fresh fare from the Farmers' Market to take home.

First and foremost, although the island is not far away as the crow flies, you need to take two ferries from the mainland of Vancouver.  The first ferry gets you as far as Vancouver Island (either Tsawassen to Victoria or Horsehoe Bay to Nanaimo), then there is a short drive to Crofton where you take a 20 minute ferry to Salt Spring.  The trek to get there is not too bad and it gives you a chance to shake off the city feel.

You can of course just go for a day trip, but I would recommend spending at least one night on the Island.

WETHERLY INN 

169 Armand Way, Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 2B6 Phone: (250) 653-4260

I always stay at the Wetherly Inn when I visit Salt Spring. This beautiful inn has very few rooms (4 well appointed rooms and a cottage) and books up early – so once you decide to take the trip – reserve your room! 

The place is an absolutely delightful retreat. It is set on 30 acres of nature on a hill in the heart of the island, away from the town centre and has a full gym, an outdoor pool, stunning gardens, grounds and  trails.  There is also a spa where you can book massages and beauty treatments.  The home-made breakfast is always a delight, made with local ingredients, many grown in the garden and fresh bread baked daily.  If I ever disappear for a few days you will find me there “far from the madding crowd” ……….. the owners are British and are very welcoming.  Tell Stephanie I sent you!

If you are just going to Salt Spring for the day and book a treatment at the Wetherly Inn Spa you can use the beautiful pool and other facilities for a small surcharge.

The next place I love on Salt Spring is of course to do with food! 

BUZZY'S LUNCHEONETTE

122-149 Fulford-Ganges Road, Salt Spring, BC V8K 2T9 Phone: (250) 222-8650

You should not miss Buzzy's for lunch, a picnic or just a huge snack!  It has a New York Deli style menu – the main feature of which is its Montreal Smoked Meat. it comes on rye bread but you can have a salad with it instead if the bread is all too much but I recommend not missing out on their latkes too!  I cannot think of anywhere on the West Coast of Canada where I have enjoyed a smoked meat sandwich of this quality!  You cannot visit Salt Spring without tasting Buzzy’s fare. Buzzy used to be a comedian and he has infused humour and fun into the atmosphere, including the "table reserved for Barbara Streisand"!

OK so that covers your accommodation and some food.  There are of course many restaurants on the Island and I will give you some more details of them when I do a special on eating out. All I can say is make sure you reserve a table – they all get busy!

Now I want to take you shopping.  There are many interesting gift shops and boutiques on the Island but there are two places that I recommend you do not miss. One is a Pottery/Art Gallery and the other is essentially a ladies' clothing boutique, which I would not normally write about except that it is really a Studio and Gallery selling hand-made wearable art.

ZAK STUDIO + GALLERY

117 Quail Crescent, Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 1H1 Phone: (250) 538-8869

A visit is best made by appointment – so do call ahead,

Zak Studio is on the grounds of this artist couple's beautiful architectural home. The entryway has both an ethereal/rustic as well as a Japanese feel - so your immediate arrival sets you up for what is in store.

Margo Zak is a seasoned ceramicist - her works are hand built sculptures with a very calming and sophisticated aesthetic using only natural pale colours which highlight her creative shapes. Dan Zak  (previously an architect) is an artist in watercolour and has a wonderful eye for the landscape of his home and his paintings also have a very calming aesthetic.

Margo makes vessels - everything from tea light holders, mugs, vases ceramic boxes to decorative bowls - as well as jewellery.  Every piece is unique and unconventional and I really think you will find something to take home!  I am particularly taken by Margo’s miniature dishes and spoons, which I find work well for salt dips at the table.  The mini ceramic spoons are a delight and if ever there ever was  a “runcible spoon”, as coined by the nonsense author Edward Lear, then they certainly would look like these!  I really do recommend you take a short drive out to the studio.

 ULRIEKE BENNER

127 Rainbow Rd, Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 2V5 Phone: (250) 537-1723

Best to call ahead to check her hours as she can sometimes be found at the market!

Finally, although clothing is not usually part of my journal's purview, I cannot ignore someone who I believe is at the top of her game in their chosen art.  Ulrieke’s  studio is a delight. She makes and sells the most beautiful hats, scarves, shawls and jackets made of silk interweaved with wool.  The rich colours she hand dyes and uses produce striking creations that are distinctive and each piece is absolutely unique.  Basically, she makes wearable art (you could also hang the pieces as wall art in your home!). Ulreike has a BFA in Textile Design and Fibre Art.  Her gallery has been open on Salt Spring since 2001.

Ulrieke also runs occasional workshops where she will teach you this amazing technique.  So you can have a goal for your visit to the island right there!

Ulrieke is also an Certified energy facilitator and colour consultant

Photo acknowledgements: Beng Lai and individual websites.