Rachael’s birthday today!
We drove over to Port Place and parked so we wouldn’t have to walk so far in the hot sun, which is back after the rain.
Stopped at Serious Coffee for iced chai and cappuccino. Then went to the Nanaimo Art Gallery.
The Nanaimo Ceramic Arts Studio and Gallery moved downtown just a block from the art gallery so went in there too. Bought a couple of mugs as thank you for Erin & Chris, plus Rachael got two little animal sculptures from Sarah Leckie Ceramics.
Wall of mugs at the ceramic gallery
Then we walked to Common Foundry just as it was opening at noon. We both got Penco Prime Timber 2.0 mechanical pencils from Japan, and I also got a Maruman Mnemosyne notebook.
Notebook instructions.
Then off to McLean’s Foods to pick up some lunch supplies.
Tried a couple of drinks from Cawston Press Mclean’s is known for excellent cheese. Here’s what we got along with their tasting notes. Cellar aged for 2 years. Creamy, crumbly, firm. Slightly sweet burnt caramel & roasted nut flavour. Very tasty.
From the Isle Aux Grues (Crane Island) in the St. Lawrence, this fabulous rich & creamy creation named after a French artist who lived on the island. Unpasteurized cow’s milk with a smooth buttery taste, with hints of mushrooms and hazelnuts. And some perfectly fine Emmenthal cheese that Rachael always likes. 
And then walking back to the car and home for a great summery meal.
Cawston Press drinks. The rhubarb one was great, we didn’t really like the ginger one.
We had fresh tomatoes, carrots, and figs to go with everything.
Dinner is Black Rabbit Kitchen
Started with drinks Rachael had a mocktail, The Grey Fox: earl grey syrup, lemon, aquafaba, tonic, thyme I had the cocktail of the day, the Aviation: gin, violette, maraschino cherry, lemon We had one starter, Goat cheese terrine: Rachael got the other mocktail, Basil Orgeat Lemonade: basil, orgeat, soda, lemon. And I got a non-alcoholic beer, Phillips Iota Pale Ale. For mains, we had steak frites and duck cassoulet: The fries were REALLY good! With some sides of beet salad and green beans Almandine No room for dessert! Totally going to have fries and beans for breakfast!
Had a photo of the day remind us that we went to Kitoki Inn on Bowen Island and ate at Barcelona’s. So I added it:
