Three children ago, the mister and I were driving north from Mill Bay through the Cowichan Valley on our way to the Crofton ferry. We got lost. One right-turn too early and we found ourselves in Maple Bay. I remember driving along Arbutus Avenue thinking how peaceful and romantic the whole place seemed. From our car we could look through the houses on the cliff to the ocean. What a dream. I assumed we would never be able to afford to live in Maple Bay, and forgot about it until October 2007.
Two kids later, we were looking for a place to settle and raise a family. We didn’t want a big city and we didn’t want traffic. We wanted neighbours who said hello, fresh air, and a place to walk.
The mister found a small cottage in Maple Bay for sale. Remembering that drive years earlier, I was sold on the idea, even after we found out the house needed a new septic system, had asbestos in the ceiling, and had sashless single-pane windows that needed replacing — for starters.
Maple Bay is living up to its idyllic image. We have neighbours who are like family, a community of friends whose children are the same age as ours, a rowing club, a restaurant, a pub, a beach we walk most nights and an ocean we swim in most summer days.
What I didn’t know about when we moved here was the Cowichan Valley and all its delights. This valley is something special, and as a writer, I just can’t help but want to share.
And so, this blog is dedicated to all of our discoveries while living in the Cowichan Valley.
So nice that someone can actually put into words what we feel/experience in our hearts every day! Well done.
Hi Ricki,
Thanks for your comment. I just can’t help but write about this place; it’s just that good. Love your newsletter by the way. Can’t wait for the next one!
Maeve
Thanks for this LITCoVa blog ( the first blog I’ve responded to!) I love to hear the wonderful details of our very special place on earth…the honey, hikes, bakery and a new cafe! Yah!
I’ll be buying the eggs for Easter and Honey for the hotcross buns……
Glad you’re enjoying it! Can’t wait to taste those hot-cross buns!
This sounds great
We are exploring and considering places on the Island for possible retirement.
We love most places we have seen–thanks for
your imput– t
Thanks Teresa! We explored quite a few communities before we settled in Maple Bay. Cowichan Bay, Chemainus, Ladysmith, Cowichan Lake, Shawnigan, Cobble Hill, Mill Bay — it’s so hard to choose! Good luck with your search.
Maeve
Hi Maeve,
Not sure that this is the best way to contact you but..
I live on Arbutus (the one who cycles lots & has three big blond dogs and we have met), am a friend of Wendy G. & Ruth R. & work for the Duncan Business Improvement Area. I admire your wonderful writing and wonder if you are interested in other assignments. We do regular advertorials in the Times Colonist & the News Leader and are looking for people who might be interested in writing some of these articles for us. Would you be interested and available?
Thanks Maeve,
MaryAnn Hartley