Peter and Margaret Jones became the owners of Bird Song Cottage and Castlebury in October 2007. For them it was a retirement challenge on the Dylan Thomas principle “do not go gently into that good night...”. They loved the old house with so much history and fell in love with Chemainus. They also appreciated the loving creativity that the Blatchfords had poured into it. Moreover, having run a bed and breakfast before (in Sooke) they knew the satisfaction of meeting interesting people and providing quality accommodation and tasty food.
Both Peter and Margaret have spent most of their adult lives as educators. She as a math teacher, most recently at Heritage Park School in Mission. He as a university professor and, more recently, president of the University College of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford.
Margaret grew up in Edinburgh in Scotland, and Peter in Warwickshire in England. Although they say that the Scots and the English don’t get along, they have been getting along fairly well for the past forty years. Peter spent several years in Italy, so they are both familiar with Europe and return there whenever they can. Assisi, in the Italian Umbrian countryside, is their favourite place in the whole world.
They have three grown sons, one, a lawyer, currently in Australia for a spell; another lives in North Carolina , USA, with his wife and two children; the youngest is a math teacher in England, but planning on returning to Canada soon. A far-flung family, but one that visits often and talks together almost daily via phone, e-mail and web-cam.
Peter’s work frequently took him around the world promoting his institution and BC’s post-secondary system generally. Often Margaret accompanied him – once on a six-month teaching exchange in Hokkaido, Japan. In addition to Japan they have spent time in Vietnam, China, Thailand, India and Bangladesh. Not surprising, then, that Birdsong now displays artefacts and treasures from around the world. Also, being educators, they brought with them an eclectic collection of books and artwork which can be enjoyed by visitors to Birdsong.
They both look forward to being your hosts when you pay an unforgettable visit to their new adventure.
