Victoria, British Columbia

	Our first vacation as a family meant a hop across the ocean to charming Victoria with old friends. Having been sufficiently warned about the sleepy laid-back town, we came prepared - to relax. The kids hit it off despite having barely met a couple times, even the older ones. Some bonds are plain amazing. Many thanks to the ferry, the RV, the boat! Not to forget the weather gods for 4 days of no rain and lot of sun. Discovered Paneer-pasanda at Mahek - my new favorite dish made from Paneer.
Rented this charming house on Glen Lake to give the kids some space besides the traditional hotel-room/suite. Turns out we are the first renters and the place is spotless and did i say charming? complete with a mustardy yellow wicker chair. Lucky we got beyond the comfy chairs on the fragrant wisteria porch that had a electric heater and wood burning fireplace. Day-2 took us to the historical Butchart Gardens. On a whim, a call to the gardens just before heading there snagged us a spot right around lunch-time for the famous "Tea" at the Butchart house nonetheless. Could not have orchestrated that better.
	A berry trifle started us out - layers of sponge cake and berries topped with chantilly cream (yum - even swapped out the kid's cookie for this). Following this was an elaborate selection of savories and sweets. English cuisine might not be much but they definitely know HOW to have their tea!!
	•House-made sausage roll with mustard •Roasted vegetable and cheese quiche •Smoked wild salmon with maple and hole grain mustard cream cheese •Egg salad and watercress •Maple glazed smoked ham and fennel seed salad on a multi-grain crostini •Mango-curry chicken salad with toasted cashews •Cucumber with fresh ginger cream cheese •Lemon cheesecake tart with raspberry glaze •Chocolate and brandy Napoleon •Poppy seed and orange loaf •Marzipan-wrapped Battenberg cake •Baileys Irish Cream truffle •Candied ginger scone with strawberry jam and whipped vanilla Devon-style cream