Call it whatever you want — dining al fresco, a picnic or just grabbing some takeout and sitting outside — summer is the perfect time to eat outdoors.
Who doesn’t love a picnic? Sunshine and appetite-stimulating exercise, with the bonus of local seasonal produce — or perhaps some live music.
In the capital region, there’s always something going on, especially on weekends, with farmers’ markets and food trucks not hard to find.
Linda Teague of Shawnigan Lake brought her granddaughter, Amelia, 5, and Amelia’s six-year-old friend to Clover Point to relive a favourite activity from her own youth growing up in Victoria.
Every week or two, her nine-member family would go to Clover Point for an outing that included a picnic and countless hours peering in tide pools and peeking under rocks to see tiny crabs. “I’m trying to give them the same experience I had.”
Teague spread out a large towel on the grass, where her charges had a choice of cucumbers, carrots and apples as well as snack bars, yogurt drinks and pizza.
Over in Beacon Hill Park, a brightly coloured tablecloth was spread over another group’s favourite picnic table under the shade of a large willow tree next to a pond. Containers of cherries, grapes, salads, sandwiches and pickles were stacked on the table.
Arlene Birge, 90, said she enjoys sitting in that particular spot “because of its beauty and the ducks.” Daughter Sue Birge agreed. “It is peaceful.”
The Birges were with friends Rebecca Prilusky and David Fawkes, who were visiting from the Bahamas and liked to walk through the park daily. “You have a beautiful country,” David Fawkes said. “You can stay in your house all day or you can take advantage of what this city has to offer.”
Fawkes pointed out that Conde Nast travel magazine ranked Victoria in second place in its readers’ choice poll of the best small cities in the world. San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, northwest of Mexico City, placed first.
Sue Birge said she keeps picnic meals simple with snacks and fruit. Last time, they picked up Greek takeout, which is available from a food truck in nearby Cook Street Village. “Those food trucks are amazing,” Prilusky said.
The park was relatively quiet on a recent weekday. A Garry oak grove was empty of people, proving there are many quiet and private places in the park despite its popularity.
The playground was filled with youngsters splashing through water and climbing on the apparatus. That’s where Erica Mateo of Victoria and sister Angelina Mateo of Vancouver, each with two children, found a spot on the grass.
They put out food for snacks and set out a red and black plaid blanket. “It’s not a picnic without a blanket,” Erica said with a laugh.
Peanut butter and jam sandwiches, water, and some gummy dinosaurs were among the offerings.
Erica, who lives in the neighbourhood, said she tries to make a trip to the park every day. Everything they need is packed into a wagon they pull with them.
Daughter “Super” Evie Gardener, 4, was happy to sit with her mother and aunt and chat. Erica said she believes children are happier when they are outdoors and she loves to see them enjoying themselves.
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