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Threatening
clouds loomed in the distant Sooke hills as we prepared to head off to
the Forestry Centre. It was quickly decided that this would
not
be a rag top day. Off we went to meet the others.
Those
arriving from the Sooke and Langford areas told us of the heavy rain
they drove through while those arriving from the Saanich Peninsula did
not see the dark skies and a couple of them arrived in their top down
convertibles. All of a sudden, the skies cleared and
beautiful
sunny summer weather greeted us. We all should have know
better.
Mother Nature nearly always is kind to our old cars.
There
was a fairly
good turn-out, 21 members and their spouses/families, and
18 vintage cars. |
Hugh
& Suzanne Johnson arrived in their red 1951 Packard roadster -
a beautiful car that many members had never seen.
Off
we headed to Ragley Farm taking the tour route laid out by Gordie and
Jane Thomas (the Old Island Highway, Metchosin, Happy Valley, Rocky
Point and then on to East Sooke).
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This
is a description of tranquil Ragley Farm from the internet:
“Two
large Douglas fir trees stand at the entrance to Ragley Farm on East
Sooke Road. At the end of a winding driveway, the forest opens to green
sheep pastures, gardens and a heritage farmhouse, originally built by
Rev. and Lady Walker. They arrived from Britain in 1912 and named their
new home after their Estate in England. Today, Josephine and Rob Hill
own this 31-acre farm. They have continued to maintain more than half
of the farm in natural forest. Barnes Creek flows through the lush
forest, bordering two sides of their farm. Abundant ferns, mosses,
native shrubs and wildflowers carpet the predominantly fir and cedar
forest. Maple trees flourish here, where possibly the largest maple
tree in the region grows. Visitors are welcome at Josephine Hill’s farm
market - a sun-filled area of the barn converted to an inviting sales
display of fresh produce, preserves, dried fruits and eggs. On
Saturdays, between 11 am - 3 pm, customers can buy bread, pies, and
muffins freshly baked on the same day in a beautifully crafted outdoor
masonry oven, lovingly referred to as the Bread Chapel. From April to
December, organic produce such as salad mix, vegetables, apples,
berries, baked goods (bread, muffins, cookies and pies), preserves,
free-range eggs, meat birds and lamb can be purchased. Josephine and
Rob Hill practice conservation and organic farming on this historic
farm on Vancouver Island.”
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| When we arrived,
the Studebaker Club as well as Charter Member, Ken Showers with wife,
Heather, and family greeted us. Rob
gave some of us a tour and some background information on their
historic farm home while Josie made another batch of scones in her
“barn kitchen”. What a wonderful treat! Freshly made baked goods, home
made jam, whipped cream, etc. A beautiful setting, good
company,
interesting cars ... what more could one ask for! Also, one could
purchase plants and baked goods. |
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Thank
you, Rob and Josie for opening up your farm for us to enjoy.
Thank
you, Gordie and Jane, for the scenic country drive.
.....
write-up courtesy of Freida Eriksen
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