Today we slept in a bit, had a nice breakfast in the University Commons (it was fun watching the boys figure out the menus and also watching the cafeteria personnel help the boys, who are much younger than the typical college kids). Then off we went to the BC Parliament building for our 11:30 am tour.
![\"Parliament10(m)\"](\"https://taabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Parliament10m.jpg\")
![\"Parliament02(m)\"](\"https://taabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Parliament02m.jpg\")
Before setting off on the tour with our guide we took the traditional AABC photo on the steps of the Parliament building.
![\"Parliament01(m)\"](\"https://taabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Parliament01m.jpg\")
The tour was excellent. Our guide did a nice job of mixing in historical facts with some interesting \”tidbits\”.
![\"Parliament04(m)\"](\"https://taabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Parliament04m.jpg\")
We asked and received permission to sing a song in the rotunda and the boys made a big circle and sang \”Don\’t Fence Me In.\” It was stupendous in that magnificent acoustic and our guide was quite moved.
![\"Parliament05(m)\"](\"https://taabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Parliament05m.jpg\")
![\"Parliament08(m)\"](\"https://taabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Parliament08m.jpg\")
![\"Parliament03(m)\"](\"https://taabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Parliament03m.jpg\")
![\"Parliament06(m)\"](\"https://taabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Parliament06m.jpg\")
After the tour was completed we assembled on the lawn of the building and had a lot of fun making human pyramids, a long-standing AABC Canada tour traditio
![\"Pyramid02(m)\"](\"https://taabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Pyramid02m.jpg\")
![\"Pyramid04(m)\"](\"https://taabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Pyramid04m.jpg\")
![\"PLPyramid01(m)\"](\"https://taabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/PLPyramid01m.jpg\")
![\"Staffpyramid03(m)\"](\"https://taabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Staffpyramid03m.jpg\")
Then it was time to break into \”walking groups\” and hit the town for lunch and some shopping! ![\"Parliament11(m)\"](\"https://taabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Parliament11m.jpg\")
![\"Parliament09(m)\"](\"https://taabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Parliament09m.jpg\")
![\"Tippingscales01(m)\"](\"https://taabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Tippingscales01m.jpg\")
![\"PartLeaders01(m)\"](\"https://taabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/PartLeaders01m.jpg\")
![\"Andrew01(m)\"](\"https://taabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Andrew01m.jpg\")
Later that afternoon the boys visited . . .
![\"Castle02(m)\"](\"https://taabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Castle02m.jpg\")
It\’s a beautiful building built by one of the founding families of Victoria. There were no flash photos allowed inside, but it\’s a really nice take-in and Andrew ended up playing the piano in the upstairs parlor, to the delight of the castle staff and other guests, and then a bunch of the boys sang \”You Raise Me Up\”.
![\"NormanRockwell01(m)\"](\"https://taabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/NormanRockwell01m.jpg\")
Dinner was at the Old Spaghetti Factory, and then it was time to head back to the University for an early bedtime. Tomorrow is the concert at the Butchart Gardens!
My wife and I were very impressed by the good behaviour and conduct of the boys visiting the Raptors refuge in Duncan, B.C. this past Saturday July 26th. We had a chance to speak with a few fine young men prior to the Flight demonstration…we were glad to see their excitement of their trip and of course, we welcomed them to our paradise…Beautiful B.C. Once at home, we checked out the AABC website…visited YouTube and watched the boys perform..very impressive group. Thanks and continue to have a Safe and Enjoyable trip!!