Following the Compass

I had an amazing adventure today! 💖 I was early for an appointment in Oak Bay so I took random streets, exploring as I did. There’s so many roads in this city that I’ve never been down before.

I had “King of my Castle” stuck in my head so I’d queued up all different techno versions to discover which one(s) I liked. I enjoy having one ear bud in when I’m out walking, so I can have my music but also have one ear free to be attuned to my surroundings.

I got off the # 7 at Fort and Foul Bay. I knew I had to get over to Cadboro Bay Road, however I was an hour early so I also knew I had time to explore; I had time to get lost. I went up Foul Bay Road then I took a random street: Carrick. There was another street name sign above it, it started with a “W”. I don’t remember what it was, but I recall it wasn’t a word that I was familiar with, meaning I wasn’t sure how to pronounce it. That intrigued me. I turned right as that was the direction I needed to go in.

I saw some cool Christmas decorations as I walked down Carrick Street. I saw a City of Victoria manhole cover with a turquoise circle painted on it but I also intuit that this wasn’t the time to stop and take photos. I met a lovely buck. He only had one antler. He was grazing on some plants but he lifted his head as I passed; I greeted him as he did.

As I ventured down Carrick Street, I was dismayed to discover that it didn’t continue towards the right—the direction I needed to go in. It looped back around, turning into Kings Road, angling me back towards Foul Bay. I was a little taken aback to be honest, by the streetsign “Kings Rd.”, especially when so many different versions of “King of my Castle” were pumping down my ear canal. I understand that I find meaning in words, numbers, and symbols that others may not, yet sometimes there’s more coincidences in my life than I think is randomly possible.

I found a nearby pathway through the residential neighbourhood that led me to Carnarvan Park. I was surprised as I followed my intuition as somehow by going this way and that, it led me directly to the road I was looking for. It was uncanny really, as I didn’t know where I was going, I just knew what direction I needed to go in.

I’m learning to trust my gut again and that has been a beautiful thing. Here are some photos from today’s journey down roads and pathways I’d never taken. ✨ It’s my (newish) favourite pastime in this city—Walking—rain, shine, or storm—with music to fuel my body, adventure to nourish my soul; allowing my curiosity to guide me like a compass. 🧭 It seems to know the way, even when I, consciously, do not. 🙏

Photos by Amy Frank

Victoria, BC, Canada