This place is BEAUTIFUL and very thoughtfully laid out. I actually think the photos don't do it justice! The apartment itself has everything one would ever need (Caryl had even stocked the fridge with breakfast goodies). We met lots of very happy animals -- Caryl's very friendly dog, Sasha, a hoard of neighborhood wild bunnies (rather large, fluffy and not afraid of humans), and a few small pretty snakes on the GG-trail (there are no poisonous snakes in BC). The humans around all seemed very happy too -- and why not? Sooke and surrounds is really something to behold.
The apartment is very close to the Galloping Goose Trail, which is amazing and goes on for about 43km to the south and 20km to the north. Caryl & Ian have bikes that one can use to go further on the trail -- I only made it as far as the Sooke potholes (which is a local dipping hole). Assuming one has a car, I highly recommend driving west 35mins to China beach and making the hike from there to Mystic beach. The Whiffen Spit (and a meal at the Sooke Harbor House) is also not to be missed -- only a 6 min drive away. I'll definitely try to make it back!