Day Six - Cash Available Today 30.00 + 66.71 = $96.71

Tuesday-Day in the City-total spent - $69.29

To see this from the beginning of the project click here. 

Coffee at the Stix - I had my own coffee left from the morning but was treated to yet another scrumptious snack from the Stix, the
Egg-a-majig. Meanwhile, Mary was conversing with on an attractive sailor/gnomish fellow with a barrel house bod and an interesting line of questioning. Ah well. 

The girls were going to run a muck in Victoria while Mary volunteered and I had a list a nautical mile long for my day in the city. We would all meet up with Mary's other relatives in from Manitoba for dinner on the Dock.

Car 
 

At the last minute Mary offered me her car for the day, this was a mistake as it turned out. I just had to drive 6 blocks drop the teens off for downtown shopping. An hour and a half later I completed this task. Had I not been the driver I would have said it took great effort to not find my way.  I had maps I had directions, I had driven this many times...eventually a new Canadian provided me an escort down to the Bay. They girls were great supporters, had it been me as a teen I would have cussed out the drivers' skills, exited the vehicle at a light and thumbed a ride. Luckily these kids had two parent upbringing and stayed in the car asking only to stop for a pee. 


In Victoria parking is stupid or maybe it was me; the longer one parks the more per hour one would have to pay; also I could not park for  more than 90 minutes. In the end I moved the car three times and paid a total of 12.00 for my 4 hours of parking. In between feeding the meter I shopped and ate. There were other options for parking but I was too dis-orientated, distracted and busy making up for lost time to take advantage. Slowly my day was slipping away, my optimistic list growing ever short to only one item. 

The Bengal Lounge  Fairmont Empress Hotel

I love coming here having a beer sitting in the big leather club chair by the window and enjoying the Curry Buffet.


My chair was booked...aghast I was then offered a couch niiiice.

Neither the time limit on the parking meter or cash budget could handle the $28 Curry Buffet and so I went for the $14 Vegetable Samosas and Onion Fritters with mango chutney, cumin & ginger yogurt appetizer. Added to this a pint of Race Rocks.


Total was 24.64 + tip = 30.00!


Visited yet another thrift store - shirt for $3.99
Saw China town and visited Fantan Alley
Sampled tea at Silk Road Tea 


Soon it was time to pick up Mary. Wanting to be punctual I left 30 minutes for my 9 block drive.  I found another thrift shop along the way and picked up a wool vest for $2.00.

We checked out Value Village which now seemed expensive with shirts starting at $5.99 and pants at a whopping $12. The store was so big and overwhelming I left with nothing even tried on. As I skulked out I noticed my great pedicure and immediate felt better.


It was getting close to the time to meet up with the 'tobins at Red Fish Blue Fish.

We arrived 40 minutes early and slyly gathered and hoarded 10 wood stools waiting for our party and the teens to arrive. The 'tobins were on time the teens 25 minutes late.


I ordered two Tempura Cod Tacones with a sweet smoked chili adobo and lemon pickled onions without the pea shoots for $9, a Limonata for $2.50 and 1/2 order of Curry Chips to share for $3.50 with tax coming to $16.80. I didn't tip, no reason just missed the opportunity. 

  
The fast-food style building set up is on the wharf  where you order and then are called to pick up your food. They could have a tip jar at the pick up window for people like me. 

                                     

Too bad for me the curry chips where 
so hot I couldn't eat them.

We walked around the Harbor. I gave $2 to a busker and another $2.50 to this guy who had a enticing tale.

His sign said " busking to take my wife out for a romantic dinner"

We took the girls to the Ferry, I drove. This takes about 45 minutes. Then we drive to Sooke another 45 minutes. I use a car-share program at home. I drive about twice a month. I don't miss it. 

Todays Big Deal

Wine and cookies and that's all I'm going to say about that.  


Total cash consumed today  $69.29
Cash forwarded $27.42