Our first stop was Westminster Abbey...home to a Benedictine monastery and Mission's most imposing landmark. The grounds are rather like a park...but are actually a part of a working farm operated by the self-sufficient monks. 
The abbey stands atop a ridge overlooking the Fraser River valley....and attracts thousands of visitors every year.
The monks welcome people of all faiths...and the monastery is open to the public every afternoon. We entered quietly...and observed the beauty of the sanctuary...and respected the signs that indicated we were in a quiet zone. Someone suggested it would probably be acceptable for us to sing...and so we sang "Praise God from whom all blessings flow..." in four part harmony...in a building with amazing acoustics...and it was good!
We chatted with a monk...who told us about their facilities...their lifestyle...and their farm. They planned to make grass silage today...exactly what we are doing here on the farm today.
From there we all wandered down the trail...
...through pastures and woods...where the scent of spring flowers hung in the air...and the birds provided the music.
The trail ended at a viewpoint...overlooking the Fraser Valley and the farms of Matsqui Prairie just across the river. And the mountains...my favorite peaks...were all clearly visible.
Just a short drive away...we stopped by Nielson Park...along the banks of Hatzic Lake. People picnicked and water skied...we watched and then carried on our way.In a few short months, the new Golden Ears Bridge will be ready for use...and the last remaining ferry across the Fraser River will be pulled out of service. So we thought we would take the Albion Ferry one more time...for the record. We had not really counted on a three-sailing wait...but we were in good company...so even the waiting was good.
The actual ferry crossing takes only about five minutes...so we had to be quick with the camera.
The only other river traffic on this bright sunny Sunday...were the tugs pulling logs.
Our trip across was uneventful...and soon we were in Fort Langley...the perfect spot to find a bite to eat and end our tour for this time. 
