The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “tootling” as: to drive or move along in a leisurely manner.  This pretty much describes one of my favourite day-off pastimes and I’d add “with no particular plan or schedule in mind either”. On a recent weekend, my significant other and I headed out from Vancouver for the 90-minute BC Ferries voyage to Victoria on Vancouver Island for several days of tootling around with just the general theme of golf, good eats and relaxation on our to do list. 

     Just a few minutes drive off the ferry on the outskirts of Victoria we saw the turn off for Cordova Bay Golf Course.  As luck would have it the sun was out and the C$30 “Nine and Dine” offer was irresistible.  We pulled our clubs out of the trunk, put on layers of long-sleeved shirts and jackets, it was January after all, and were off the first tee almost immediately.  Now, golfing on Canada’s West Coast in the middle of winter is what gives this area its bragging rights as “lotus land”.  When the rest of the country is in the throws of a deep freeze for still months to come, we found ourselves in sunny golf-able weather and a great start to our tootling weekend.

A fifteen-minute drive onwards to Victoria proper we indulged ourselves with a stay at the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa (left), a Four Diamond property situated splendidly on Victoria’s Inner Harbour and walking distance to the heart of the city in one direction or along the ocean seawall in the other.  After a swim in the conservatory pool and a good night’s sleep we were starving for breakfast the next morning. As with most full-service hotels meals can be pricey here and this did not fit in with our “tootling” itinerary.  We ventured out and a 10-minute stroll across the Johnson St bridge brought us to a local find, The Sour Pickle Café (1623 Store St.).  With just 22 seats it’s small, but is big on friendliness and good breakfast.  Eggs, bacon, hash browns, toast and endless coffee for C$4.99 is hard to beat and needless to say we came back the next morning too.

Sufficiently fed, we hopped in the car and over the course of the next two days found ourselves in the pro shops of most of the local golf courses, Bear Mountain, Olympic View and Arbutus Ridge all of which we’ve mentally documented to come back and play in season.  Green fees vary so best to check rates online, but early season and twilight offer some great deals in postcard settings.

Along the way we took the slow roads where possible in and around Victoria and neighbouring towns uncovering the kind of places you remember most long after your home.  Hilary’s Artisan Cheeses in Cowichan Bay and Spinnaker’s Gastro Brew Pub, a Two Diamond restaurant just up the seawall from our hotel (right), were just two such finds. Heading back to the ferry for our journey home, we just had to get lost on purpose once more and find the Sea Cider ciderhouse near Sidney, BC where they make traditionally fermented ciders from organically-grown apples.  It’s open year-round for tastings, sales and tours.

Whether for an afternoon, a day or a weekend, tootling really has no limits and is only defined by your sense of adventure and a AAA/CAA map. So dust off your curiosity and see where tootling takes you.