Thursday, October 8, 2009

The English Inn


Well, we are back from our vacation, or as the English call it, "Holiday," and we had a wonderful time. Our first nights stay was in the small island town of Anacortes where we were to catch the Ferry bright and early the next morning. The place we stayed was made up of a series of tiny cottages dotted about the hill side. Our little room was very cozy with a beautiful view overlooking a huge lawn that became the forest and eventually rolled down to the waters edge. We could see the ferry moored at the dock and the islands beyond. It was a very peaceful, quiet place filled with deer, squirrels and birds singing in the trees.
(The picture of the lawn with the Adirondack's was just outside our room).

The next morning we got up, boarded the ferry and cruised through the San Juan Islands. The ferry made several stops to take on more passengers and one of those stops was at Orcas Island. I almost booked one night in the Victorian Inn overlooking the ferry...now I'm kicking myself in the derriere for my stupidity...isn't life that way some times?



Once we reached Vancouver Island we had to find the English Inn where we'd be staying for the next three days. It was in an older neighborhood across the harbor from the Empress Hotel and just down the street from a Tim Horton's...so exciting!
As we drove through the neighborhood we came upon a stone gate and turned up the drive to find this beautiful arched driveway.


We then turned under the port cocheire and entered the massive oak doors to find a blazing fire in the old stone fireplace. Sounds romantic, doesn't it? Well, I have to admit, I may have exaggerated a wee bit as there was no fireplace, but it was beautiful all the same...a huge room with oak paneling and a massive staircase in the center of the room that led to the second floor landing...


with these gorgeous stained glass windows.


This is where the fireplace was located, with a cozy seating area and the only place in the entire Inn where you could access the internet...via a wire. The lovely apparatus on the desk was a broken computer with a note on it saying it was out of order. I found this to be a bit strange, but what else would one expect from a lovely old Inn?


(A view  from the gardens)

Our room was filled with antiques and had a lovely glassed in porch with a balcony that overlooked the sunken garden and beyond to the sea, plus a claw foot tub. Hubby and I both agreed that we could stay in that room for the rest of our lives and be perfectly happy. We enjoyed it so much that we decided to go back in three years for my fiftieth birthday...unless of course one of us dies or we get raptured out of here before then...ha ha ha!!!

Anyway, there was so much to see and do and so much that we wanted to see, but didn't have time to do so another trip is definitely on the horizon.
Now I have to unpack and get some things done around my weence little cottage AND HOPEFULLY I'll be able to post about the gardens tomorrow.
Until then, I hope you all have a great day!

xoxo Cori




10 comments:

ellen b. said...

Looks like you made some great choices Cori! Love the looks of the spot you stayed at in Victoria...

One Shabby Old House said...

What a wonderful holiday and you told it is such a way that I want to go to. Maybe on your 50th birthday we will just have to book a room too to help you all celebrate.
I am in California today and will be here until Monday. We are going to go to Yosemite and San Francisco and Napa Valley. I am looking forward to this little getaway. We lived in CA right out of high school.

Deborah said...

OMGoodness, too lovely for words. Very fairy tale like. Looks like a perfect start to Fall. Oh the garden! **kisskiss** Deb

Seawashed said...

Oh Cori it is magnificant!!!! So glad it was the dreamy holiday your heart had been aching for. I have been calling vacations holiday for several years now...don't think I'll ever go back to vacation...holiday sounds so much more delightful. Like the winter movie 'Holiday', it's just so darn cute. I can't wait to see more pics of your holiday. The one on your side bar is heavenly. sigh. xo Fairmaiden

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Hi Cori - your holiday sounds delicious. And, my DH and I have stayed at the English Inn, about 20 years ago it was. We both loved it too....did you get to see Butchardt Gardens??? You were in one of my favorite parts of the would...the Pacific Northwest!

Well, welcome back to Southern California...I know it is not very lovely compared to where you were, but we do have great weather here!

Allidink said...

Oh how nice! That little cottage looks so cute! All your photos look great! A claw foot tub too? Oh be still my heart lol.

All the best,
Allison

pam said...

What a wonderful trip....

Deborah said...

Something very special awaits you on my blog.....

Rebecca Nelson said...

I'm more jealous than I can say........

I love all your pictures my friend...beautiful. I so hope to go someday.

Love to you~Rebecca

Miss Gracie's House said...

Your *holiday* looks just heavenly...pure bliss. And I did so enjoy your foggy cottage photo.
Have a delightful Saturday...
Rene'