"Established in 1990"

In 1986 we found this beautiful piece of land overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the spectacular snow-topped Olympic Mountains of Washington State. We built our house and named it Swallow Hill for the many swallows that return every spring. Overlooking fields of waving grass, grazing sheep and the ever-changing sea, this place radiates tranquility. Many who have stayed here say it reminds them of their home or perhaps of a place that they fondly remember.

In fact one of the original owners of this land, a Norwegian called Hans Helgesen, apparently chose it because it reminded him of his family farm near Oslo. Hans and his wife Lillian, who came from Ireland, settled and built their home here in 1863. Although little now remains of their farmstead, there are two heritage apple trees behind the garage that may have been part of an orchard from that time. These trees are Alexanders, a variety that was developed in the Ukraine in the mid 1800s.

This place must have been meant for us because a year later we planted an apple orchard. I’ll never forget that day, helping my husband plant these tiny, twiggy 2-year whips on a muddy slope in the pouring March rain. I could never have imagined how those little twigs would eventually turn into a beautiful grove of trees where a multitude of birds come to feed and nest.

And so began our farm. Over the years we’ve shared this farm with chickens, and pigs, and geese and ducks and sheep and our two miniature horses. We’ve had many funny and not so funny adventures with these animals.

Now only our ducks and our mini horses remain. Our mischievous minis, Smokey and Zazzy love Peter because he gives them treats. Zazzy, the pinto, is our little princess and a real cutie. Smokey is the prankster with a wicked sense of humour. He can be a spoiled brat but Zazzy knows how to put him in his place.

The gang of ducks, although fewer in number, still like to block the driveway making it difficult for people to come and go. Some years ago a guest told me that they will move out of your way if you tell them to go in Czech. All these years I've been yelling at them in English. No wonder I couldn't get them to co-operate!

Of course the real star of the farm is Jess, our Border Collie who loves to bark at the ducks, play ball with the guests, and take us for walks. Be warned, she can be very manipulative but she is a sweetie and a charming hostess. You'll be sure to fall under her spell, especially if you like dogs. She came here as a puppy and, on that very first day, I could see that she thought this was home. After a look around she lay down on the floor and stretched her front paws out in a gesture that seemed to say, “Yes, this is the place for me.” She’s been running our lives ever since.

A B&B AT SWALLOW HILL FARM
Your Hosts: Gini & Peter Walsh
4910 William Head Road ,
Victoria, British Columbia,
Canada. V9C 3Y8
To Reserve: (250) 474-4042

E-Mail: info@swallowhillfarm.com