Friday December 26 - Beacon Hill Park

Osiyo Alfrescoes.  This Friday (Boxing Day) December 26 2014, we will be painting at Beacon Hill Park (map here).  A full map of the park can be viewed here.  Washrooms can be found along Bridge Way.

We will meet (for our show 'n tell) at noon in the parking lot at the corner of Beacon Hill Loop and Circle Drive (red circle in image below).

Friday December 19 - Coast Collective

Privet Alfrescoes. On Friday December 19 2014, we will be painting at the Coast Collective. Directions to the Coast Collective can be found by clicking on this link.

Friday December 12 - Viaduct Flats and Christmas Potluck

S'mae Alfrescoes.  This Friday December 12 2014, we will be painting at Viaduct Flats.  Parking can be found at the Viaduct Flats parking lot, near the intersection of Viaduct Avenue and Interurban Road (here is a map of the location).

Our Christmas Potluck is hosted by Gwen and Bob Langford (478 Viaduct Ave) just up the street.  The Potluck starts at 12:30.  See you all there.

Friday December 5 - Island View Beach Park

nǐ hǎo Alfrescoes.  This Friday December 5 2014, we are painting at Island View Beach Park.  The forecast calls for rain, so there is a gazebo to huddle under should that occur.  Here are the directions to the location.

ATTENTION: Upcoming Event - Alfrescoes Christmas Potluck

A continued reminder ... Gwen and Bob Langford have graciously offered to host a Christmas Potluck for the Alfrescoes next Friday December 12 2014.  We will be painting at Viaduct Flats that day which is just down the street from their home at 478 Viaduct Ave (250-479-0947).  The Potluck will begin after painting at 12:30.  Musical instruments are welcome. Frank M. is going to play some nice Bach and Rachmaninov or perhaps a Prelude in Red.

Friday November 28 - Belfry Theatre

Merhaba Alfrescoes!. This Friday November 28 2014, we are heading to the Belfry Theater (location here). We'll meet at the gazebo in front of the Belfry at noon for our show 'n tell.

There is Free Parking around the Belfry during the day. Please use the street parking indicated on the map below (marked in red). Do not park in the Victoria High School parking lot (shown in black below), as that parking lot is reserved, and your car will be towed.



ATTENTION: Upcoming Event

A continued reminder ... Gwen and Bob Langford have graciously offered to host a Christmas Potluck for the Alfrescoes on Friday December 12 2014.  We will be painting at Viaduct Flats that day which is just down the street from their home at 478 Viaduct Ave (250-479-0947).  The Potluck will begin after painting at 12:30.  Musical instruments are welcome. Frank M. is going to play some nice Bach and Rachmaninov or perhaps a Prelude in Red.

Friday November 21 - Rithet's Bog

Ahalan Alfrescoes. This Friday November 21 2014, we will be returning to Rithet's Bog. Directions to this location can be found here.

The location shown in the image below is the southwest corner of the park. Bog Trail access off Chatterton Way is identified with the red oval, along with the location of Coffee Bahamas, where we will meet in front of at 12:00 for our Show 'n Tell.




ATTENTION: Upcoming Event

Gwen and Bob Langford have graciously offered to host a Christmas Potluck for the Alfrescoes on Friday December 12 2014.  We will be painting at Viaduct Flats that day which is just down the street from their home at 478 Viaduct Ave (250-479-0947).  The Potluck will begin after painting at 12:30.  Musical instruments are welcome. Frank M. is going to play some nice Bach and Rachmaninov or perhaps a Prelude in Red.

Friday November 14 - Rithet's Bog

Ahov Alfrescoes. This Friday November 14 2014, we will be painting at Rithet's Bog. Directions to this location can be found here.

The location shown in the image below is the southwest corner of the park. Bog Trail access off Chatterton Way is identified with the red oval, along with the location of Coffee Bahamas, where we will meet in front of at 12:00 for our Show 'n Tell.




ATTENTION: Upcoming Event

Gwen and Bob Langford have graciously offered to host a Christmas Potluck for the Alfrescoes on Friday December 12 2014.  We will be painting at Viaduct Flats that day which is just down the street from their home at 478 Viaduct Ave (250-479-0947).  The Potluck will begin after painting at 12:30.  Musical instruments are welcome. Frank M. is going to play some nice Bach and Rachmaninov or perhaps a Prelude in Red.

Friday November 7 - Mount Tolmie

Salut Alfrescoes! This Friday November 7 2014, we are painting at Mount Tolmie Park. Directions can be found here.

We will meet at 12:00 for our show 'n tell near the picnic tables (area highlighted in image below).

Friday October 31 - Swan Lake

Happy Halloween Alfrescoes. This Friday October 31 2014, we are heading to the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary.

Directions (via Google Maps) to the parking lot can be found here.  We'll meet in the parking lot at 12:00 for our show 'n tell. 

Friday October 24 - Goldstream Park

Wesaþ hāl Alfrescoes. This Friday October 24 2014, we will be returning to Goldstream Park. The map showing the location can be found here. We will meet at 12:00 for our show 'n tell in the main parking lot under the picnic table enclosure.

See you there.

Friday October 17 - Goldstream Park

Konnichiwa Alfrescoes.  This Friday October 17 2014, we will be painting at Goldstream Park. The map showing the location can be found here.  

Update: We will meet at 12:00 in the main parking lot.

See you there.

Friday October 10 - Beacon Hill Park

Goededag Alfrescoes.  This Friday October 10 2014, we will be painting at Beacon Hill Park (map here).  A full map of the park can be viewed here.  Washrooms can be found along Bridge Way.

We will meet at noon in the parking lot at the corner of Beacon Hill Loop and Circle Drive (red circle in image below).

Friday October 3 - Mitchells Farm

We are off to Mitchells Farm Market this week, Friday October 3 2014. It's pumpkin time again.

Please don't use the front parking lot of Mitchel's farm Market Store as this could inconvenience their customers. There is also parking along the road. Please don't park in any of the farm fields as it could cause damage. Here's a map of Mitchel's Farm. See you there.

Friday September 26 - Chinatown

Hi Everyone.  This Friday September 26 2014, we are returning to the area around Capital Iron and Chinatown.  We will do our show and tell at Noon by Opus.

Friday September 19 - Saxe Point Park (or French Creek Marina, Parksville)

This Friday September 19 2014, there are two choices.

1) You can choose to head back to Saxe Point Park in Esquimalt.  Directions to Saxe Point can be found here.

2) or... for the more adventurous, Melanie & Len Barnes have invited anyone who is interested, to come and paint at the French Creek Marina in Parksville.  If the weather cooperates (don't make the drive if it is raining), Melanie will meet any who make the trip near the Marina Pub around 9:30-10:00.  Following painting, Len will have a BBQ Lunch waiting at their Parksville home.

If you plan on making the drive up to Parksville, please email Melanie (melaniejbarnes@shaw.ca) by Thursday Sep 18, so she knows how many to expect.

Here are the directions to the French Creek Marina (Google map here).  And here are some verbal instructions from Melanie...

• Take Highway over the Malahat and reach Nanaimo in about 1.5 hours.  Take bypass around Nanaimo. Parksville is another 25 minutes past Nanaimo. Take second exit to Parksville at Alberni Highway (exit 51, I think. First exit is #47 though there are no other exits between these two). Keep to the right entering Parksville in a kilometer or so. At end of street, in downtown Parksville, turn left on 19A the inland highway.
• Go several Ks to Lee Ave. Lee is the next set of lights after Wright Ave.
• Turn right at Lee Avenue. There will be signs there on the corner for French Creek Marina and Pub. This is a short street to the Marina which stretches out to the right. Find a place to park near the pub. We can meet in the pub parking lot at 9:30, 10-ish. I will wear my pink floppy hat and wave my arms! Then you can also wend your way through the extensive parking area to look for places to paint. It is huge and there are lots of viewpoints. At the far, far right is the seafood store, which has all sorts of delectable things for sale! Bring a cooler to take stuff home.

Here is a Google map showing Melanie and Len's home at 768 Doefawn Lane in Parksville for the BBQ Lunch afterwards (map here).  Some written instructions from Melanie on how to get to her place are included below:

• To go directly to 768 Doefawn Lane from Victoria:
• Take second exit to Parksville (exit 51, I think!). Keep right (a left takes you to Port Alberni). Follow road to the end in downtown Parksville, reaching 19A and turn left. Drive through Parksville proper as if heading towards Qualicum. 
• Reach Wright Ave. which is a long block past Wembley Mall. Turn left in dedicated left turning lane. Go to end of Wright beside Oceanside School.
• Turn left on Wembly. Go about a block.
• Turn right on Roberton (sign says Qualicum Cheeseworks, Mooberry). This is a tiny connector road leading to the right. Turn right. Keep straight ahead on Roberton past Lowry's Road. You will see the subdivision.
• Take first right at Arrowsmith. 
• Take first left at Yellow Brick Road.
• Take first right at Doefawn Lane.
• We are the second house from the corner on the left. Old black Ford truck in driveway.
• I will pray for great weather and hope we have lots of ALFs come to see the place and enjoy lunch on us!

Friday September 12 - Saxe Point Park

Hola Alfrescoes!  This Friday September 12 2014, we are painting at Saxe Point Park in Esquimalt.  Directions to Saxe Point can be found here.

Friday September 5 - Cadboro Bay Beach

Ciao Alfrescoes!  On Friday September 5 2014, we will be painting at Cadboro Bay Beach.  Parking is at the end of Sinclair Road (Gyro Park).

Friday August 29 - Beaver Lake Ponds

Bonjour Alfrescoes.  This Friday August 29 2014, we will be painting at the Beaver Lake Ponds.  We will meet at the old barn off of Glencoe Drive.  See the map for the location.

The image below provides another view of the location.

Friday August 22 - Macaulay Point Park

Guten Tag Alfrescoes. On Friday August 22 2014, we will be painting at Macaulay Point Park in Esquimalt. We will meet at the picnic tables at 12:00 noon.

Friday August 15 - Holland Point Park

Greetings Alfrescoes. On Friday August 15 2014, we are heading to Holland Point Park, off Dallas Road.  We'll meet at the Pond at 12:00.

Here is the location of Holland Point Park and the meeting place: click here

Friday August 8 - Spirit Bay

For the Adventurous ... this Friday August 8 2014, we are heading out to Spirit Bay development in Metchosin. Here is a map providing directions to this location.

Assuming you are starting at the intersection of Sooke Road and Veterans Memorial Parkway, here are some more detailed travel instructions:

1. Head west on Sooke Rd for 1.8 km
2. Turn left onto Happy Valley Rd and travel 6.9 km
3. Turn right onto Rocky Point Rd and travel 6.0 km
4. Continue onto East Sooke Road for another 1.8 km
5. Spirit Bay development access will be on your left

When you get to the water, turn right and park down the road on your right (the area is marked with a red line in the picture below).

Friday August 1 - St. Stephen's Church

Hi Alfrescoes.  This Friday August 1 2014, we will be painting at the heritage St. Stephen's Anglican Church in Saanichton (map here). The old Church and Cemetery are on St. Stephen's Road.  Please drive past the new church, continuing down to the Cemetery (identified by the red circle in the image below).

Friday July 25 - Cattle Point

Hi Alfrescoes.  This Friday July 25 2014, we are painting at Cattle Point off Beach Drive. We will meet at noon in the main parking lot.

Friday July 18 - Oak Bay Marina

Hello Alfrescoes.  This Friday July 18, 2014, we will be heading to the Oak Bay Marina.

Friday July 11 - Happy Valley Lavender Farm

This Friday, July 11 2014, we will be at the Happy Valley Lavender Farm.  The Lavender fields are in bloom.  You can arrive any time after 9:00am.  Here is a map of the location.  Parking is along Happy Valley Road.

Friday July 4 - Finnerty Gardens

Finnerty Gardens (University of Victoria) has specifically been chosen for Friday July 4 2014. Diane Makin would like to host a Pot Luck lunch afterwards for Melanie Barnes. As you may know, Melanie is moving to Parksville.

For the pot luck lunch, Diane's address is 3563 Redwood Avenue. Diane will be serving cold turkey. Please bring a small salad or dessert.

Note: Be careful with your parking. It has been noted that the parking signs can be confusing and people can get expensive tickets. There is free 3 hour street parking on Cedar Hill X-Road (near Emanuel Baptist Church and Henderson Recreation Centre), but if you go over the time limit, you'll get a ticket. Might be best to pay for sufficient parking and not take any chances.  UofVic parking Lot 6 is the closest to the gardens and is $1.25/hour.  This website provides more information about Lot 6 and Finnerty Gardens.

Friday June 27 - Heritage Acres (Saanich Historical Artifacts Society)

Hello Alfrescoes. This Friday June 27 2014, we'll be painting at Heritage Acres in Saanich. There are old buildings, farm equipment, a lily pond and a train track. Parking is free, however they rely on donations to keep the place up, so please put something in the box. Here's a map. The gates open at 9:00.

Advanced Notice: Friday July 4 - Finnerty Gardens 

Finnerty Gardens (University of Victoria) has specifically been chosen for Friday July 4 2014. Diane Makin would like to host a Pot Luck lunch afterwards for Melanie Barnes. As you may know, Melanie is moving to Parksville. So keep next Friday afternoon open.

Friday June 20 - Willows Beach

Greetings Alfrescoes.  Our next location for Friday June 20 2014, will be Willows Beach in Oak Bay.  See you there!

Friday June 13 - Tower Point Metchosin

Hello Alfrescoes.  This Friday June 13 2014, we'll be painting at Tower Point in Metchosin.  (location map here)
We will meet at the parking area at noon.

Friday June 6 - Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park - Eagle Beach

Hi Alfrescoes.  This Friday June 6 2014, we will be painting at Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park - Eagle Beach (location here).  Eagle Beach is where the rowers have their facility (just off the Pat Bay Highway).

Friday May 30 - Esquimalt Gorge Park

Hello Alfrescoes.  Since the weather did not cooperate last week, we will be returning to Esquimalt Gorge Park this Friday May 30 2014 (map here).  We will meet near the parking lot at noon.  See you there.

Friday May 23 - Esquimalt Gorge Park

Greetings Alfrescoes.  This Friday May 23 2014, we will be painting at Esquimalt Gorge Park, off Tillicum Road (map here).  If it raining (which it might), we will meet at whatever cover we can find near the parking lot at noon.  See you there.

Friday May 16 - Mount Douglas Park

This Friday May 16 2014, we will be painting at Mount Douglas Park.  Directions can be found here.  We'll meet at the picnic tables at noon.

Friday May 9 - Beacon Hill Park

Hello Alfrescoes.  This Friday May 9, we will be painting at Beacon Hill Park (map here).  A full map of the park can be viewed here.  Washrooms can be found along Bridge Way.

We will meet at noon in the parking lot at the corner of Beacon Hill Loop and Circle Drive (red circle in image below).

Friday May 2 - Clover Point Park

Hello Alfrescoes.  This Friday May 2, we will be painting at Clover Point Park (map here).  We will meet at noon, on the Clover Point parking loop.  See you there.

Friday April 25 - Coast Collective

On Friday April 25, it is BC Arts and Culture Week, and the Alfrescoes will be painting at the Coast Collective.

Start time is whenever you'd like to start, but the end of the session has been set to at 1:00pm. Finished painting are to be taken in to the Coast Collective.

The end time is set at 1:00pm because:

1. This painting session is during the time that we will be showing at the Coast Collective, and
2. The Coast Collective is advertising the Alfrescoses as a Focal Point for West Shore BC Arts and Culture. Among other things, they plan to invite arts students to come and see us.

The Coast Collective is encouraging us to hang around a little while and talk to the public, but that is up to you.

Friday April 18 - Westbay Marine Village

Hi Alfrescoes.  This Friday April 18, we will be painting at the Westbay Marine Village (see location map here).  We have been given permission to use the parking lot across the street from the marina (red circle in the image below), or if necessary, the main marina parking (blue circle).  We will meet in front of Gabby's Restaurant (green circle) at 12:00.

If anyone is interested in having lunch at Gabby's Restaurant, please email me (desbond@shaw.ca) by Thursday, so I can let them know how many to expect.

Here is a heads up for next Friday April 25:

On Friday April 25, it is BC Arts and Culture Week, and the Alfrescoes will be painting at the Coast Collective.

Start time is whenever you'd like to start, but the end of the session has been set to at 1:00. Finished painting are to be taken in to the Coast Collective.

The end time is set at 1:00pm because:

1. This painting session is during the time that we will be showing at the Coast Collective, and
2. The Coast Collective is advertising the Alfrescoses as a Focal Point for West Shore BC Arts and Culture.  Among other things, they plan to invite arts students to come and see us.

The Coast Collective is encouraging us to hang around a little while and talk to the public, but that is up to you.

Friday April 11 - Government House

Hi Alfrescoes.  Back by popular demand...

We will be returning to Government House (1401 Rockland Street). There is limited parking at the House but if you drive up and go past the house, take the left driveway. There is plenty of parking at the bottom. Here is a map.

We can meet at noon in the glass gazebo, located in the front gardens (circled in red in the image below).

Friday April 4 - Government House

Hi Alfrescoes.  Our next paint-out will be at Government House (1401 Rockland Street). There is limited parking at the House but if you drive up and go past the house, take the left driveway. There is plenty of parking at the bottom. Here is a map.

We can meet at noon in the glass gazebo, located in the front gardens (circled in red in the image below).

Friday March 28 - Blue's Bayou Cafe & Anglers Anchorage Marina

Hi Alfrescoes.  This Friday, March 28, we will be painting near the Anglers Anchorage Marina and the Blue's Bayou Cafe in the Brentwood Bay area.  Directions to the location can be found in this map.

Arrangements have been made, allowing us to park in the Anglers Anchorage Marina parking lot (indicated by the blue marker in the map).

We will meet near the entrance of the Blue's Bayou Cafe at 12:00pm (indicated by the green marker in the map).

If you interested in having lunch at the cafe, please email me (desbond@shaw.ca) by Thursday so I can let them know if we are going to be a large group.  Blue's Bayou Cafe Menu is available from their home page.

Friday March 21 - Sooke Harbour House

Hi Alfrescoes.  This Friday March 21, we are heading out to the Sooke Harbour House. (directions here).  Plenty to see and paint.  You can also venture out on Whiffen Spit.  We are welcome to use the washrooms in the lobby at the Sooke Harbour House.  We'll meet in the parking lot at 12:00.

Friday March 14 - Red Barn at High Oaks Farm

We will be painting near the Red Barn at High Oaks Farm this Friday March 14.  This location is near the intersection of Granville and Hastings (map here).  The farm is visible from this intersection.  We will park and setup along the roadside, so there is no need to disturb the farm itself.

FYI - a heads up for our next location on Friday March 21.  We will be heading out to the Sooke Harbour House.

Friday March 7 - Saanichton Bay Park

Hi Alfrescoes.  This Friday, March 7, we will be painting at Saanichton Bay Park.  Parking is available on a side street, just off Mt. Newton Cross Road (see below, labelled "park access road").  We will meet at the parking area at 12:00.

Friday February 28 - Canoe Brew Pub

Hello Alfrescoes.  This Friday, Feb 28, we will be painting at the end of Swift Street, behind the Canoe Brew Pub.  We will meet along the walkway (see blue marker on map) at noon.

Friday February 21 - Oak Bay Marina

Hello Alfrescoes.  This Friday February 21, we will be heading back to the Oak Bay Marina.

Friday February 14 - Cedar Hill Rec Centre

Hi Alfrescoes.  It was so cold last Friday, only one lone Alf accepted the challenge.

So, this Friday February 14, we will try the Cedar Hill Recreation Center once again (a map of the location can be found here).

On the south side of the parking lot, there is a treed area surrounding a small creek.  And behind the centre, is the golf course.  We will meet back in the parking lot at noon.

Friday February 7 - Cedar Hill Rec Centre

Hi Alfrescoes.  This Friday February 7, we will be meeting at the Cedar Hill Recreation Center (a map of the location can be found here).  From there, on the south side of the parking lot, there is a treed area surrounding a small creek.  And behind the centre, is the golf course.  We will meet back in the parking lot at noon.

Friday January 31 - Panama Flats

Hello Alfrescoes.  On Friday January 31, we will be painting in and around Panama Flats.  A map of the area can be found here.

Group parking is difficult for this location.  On the south end of the flats, side street parking is available on the end of Gladiola Ave.  On the east side, you can park along Carey Road.  On the north end of Panama Flats, parking can be found along Roy Road.

We will meet at Noon, at the tennis court (Hyacinth Park) parking lot on Marygold Road.

Friday January 24 - Banfield Park

Hello Alfrescoes. On Friday January 24, we will be painting in Banfield Park, located in Vic West.  A map to the location can be found here.

Friday January 17 - Viaduct Flats

Hi All.  This Friday January 17, we will be painting at Viaduct Flats.  Parking can be found at the Viaduct Flats parking lot, near the intersection of Viaduct Avenue and Interurban Road (here is a map of the location).

Friday January 10 - Esquimalt Lagoon, Coburg Peninsula

Hi All.  On Friday January 10, we will be painting down at the Equimalt Lagoon, along the Coburg Peninsula (map here).  We will meet at the bridge, near the north end of the peninsula, at noon.