Autumn Picnics Pairs with Birding at Affinity Ciderhouse

Tucked into the Cowichan estuary sits a serene piece of land teeming with wildlife and an abundance of birds – a property that many locals don’t even know exists. While it is privately owned, the owner encourages the public to access the estuary for what is sure to be a spectacular experience.

Affinity Ciderhouse owner Tanner Elton is encouraging the public to bring a picnic, park in the parking lot and take in the shoreline birding opportunities in November. Heck, bring a picnic from a local restaurant or farm gate and settle in to watch the show. What’s special about this year is the record number of chinook salmon spawning in the Cowichan River. The increase is the result of years of conservation efforts by Cowichan Tribes, which has worked to restore the river to its natural course before logging operations altered the river. And with the salmon come dozens of hungry eagles, cleaning up the remains. Affinity Ciderhouse’s grounds border the estuary with many secluded spots to see the eagles gently gliding over the area spotting its prey, swooping down to grasp a fish in its beak or talons, or just solemnly perching in a nearby tree surveying the situation. General manager Kieran Holdsworth has even placed picnic tables and benches in key locations ideal for birdwatching at a respectful distance.

“We expect this experience to rival that of Goldstream Park, where people are most familiar with seeing the salmon run and the eagles in action,” says Holdsworth. “We want people in Cowichan to know they have a place for a more intimate experience at our property.”

Affinity Ciderhouse is open for public parking on Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check AffinityCider.com for more information or call Kieran at 778 455-4577.

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Holiday Recipes from The Soda Exchange

During the upcoming Holiday Season, your SodaStream™ carbonated beverage maker provides more refreshing opportunities for tasty beverages beyond the simply amazing sparkling water it produces. The Soda Exchange makes these carbonated treats even more affordable at half the cost of CO2 cartridge refills found at most retail big box stores, and more convenient with Free Delivery.

We’ve assembled a few recipes you can try, together with your favourite beverage, whether with alcohol or without. All recipes are from the Soda Stream™ recipe book and are used by permission.

Serial entrepreneur, web developer, author, educator and Mill Bay resident. bryan@ sodaexchange.com

Kombu-Cha-Cha

Recipe courtesy SodaStream™

Ingredients

45mL Soda Press Co Passionfruit & Mandarin Kombucha Concentrate SodaStream Sparkling Water Passionfruit Pulp Squeeze of Lime Lime Twist Garnish

Method

Add ice, plenty of passionfruit pulp, and a squeeze of lime to a glass Fill with sparkling water and top with kombucha concentrate

Tip

Ideal glass: High ball