Gobsmacked? Me? Yup.

5/29/2025

Gobsmacked? Me? Yup.

I start today’s musical interlude with a personal observation.

I am not someone drawn to seeking out the geographic wonders of the world. I am not disinterested, but that is not a priority. I have never travelled to a destination for the purpose of seeing nature. It’s just not my thing. I don’t think the Himalayas are in my future…

I am an urban creature through and through. My vacation destinations are cities. Always.

I am much more interested in human achievements be they music, art, and architecture to name a few.

And so yesterday when we set off to see the Butchard Gardens just north of Victoria, I was prepared. I had my headphones and book in tow. I fully expected to be parked on a bench somewhere whilst Kimberly was exploring the botanical gardens.

Was I ever wrong.

The book and music did not make an appearance.

I was literally gobsmacked by the incredible display of flowers, plants trees and other fauna displayed with incredible architectural genius.

There were several “gardens” to observe, but the first generated a moment I will never forget. It is called “The Sunken Garden”.

Unbeknownst to me, Kimberly was taking a video from behind as we approached. I first look back to see how far ahead of her I am. Then watch my reaction when I begin to see the view that lies ahead.

The sunken garden was created from a limestone quarry the Butchart family used to make Portland cement. It is considered the first land reclamation project in the world- ever! It was created over 9 years from this in 1915.

Gobsmacked doesn’t describe how the genius of this hit me…

So how do I pair a track with that?

The answer was, like the stunning beauty before me, relatively easy.

CAROLINE 🇬🇧 are a London based 8 piece.

Their 2022 eponymous debut captured my attention not only for their unique songwriting and style, but the LP cover that still mesmerizes me and conjures up a thousand questions.