Clam Bay a Retreat for Gatherings By Chris McBeath I had won the coin toss this night and now, enveloped by darkness, I was totally alone. Tucked beneath a deliciously warm comforter, it seemed as if nothing existed in my inky black shroud except for waves rippling against the shoreline and an odd bat going swoosh through the night. Perched at the edge of water, this little oar-house was one of coziest and imaginative rooms I had ever experienced and it was only a sampling of what Clam Bay Island Retreat was to offer.If you've not heard about Clam Bay on Pender Island, it's likely because this 100-acre sanctuary thrives of being a hidden treasure, offering safe haven for corporate retreats, group gatherings and family reunions. Surrounded by acres of forest, the privacy of this waterfront find is one of its key attractions. The other is its proximity to downtown Vancouver - a mere 25 minute flight from urban stress to pastoral luxury, or a scenic ferry ride away through the Gulf Islands. Developed as a labour of love by owner Peter Speck, Clam Bay has evolved from a traditional family farm to a self sufficient, sophisticated rural retreat. As a working farm, sheep and cattle graze the pastures, orchards are bountiful and organically grown herbs and flowers add fresh zest to the farm's gourmet cuisine. Turkeys roam freely, greeting every visitor like long lost friends while ducks and geese vie for space on the fountain-fed lake. It is an idyllic setting. Because Clam Bay's roots run deep in the community, it brings with it a special ambiance. Talk with the island's long-time residents and you'll hear stories of children making angels in the farm's high dry grass as grasshoppers bopped all over their bodies; of corn that once grew eight feet high, of learning to swim at Clam Bay Beach, and of aromas from freshly baked pies that would drift with the breeze across the valley. Today, such gentle memories are felt throughout Clam Bay's landscape. For corporate types, the meeting space is as far away from a downtown hotel as you can get. The octagonal-shaped Pavilion inspires guests with its 360 degree views and sliding glass doors, while the lounge, with its open fireplace, pool table and comfortable chesterfields is the ideal venue for evening get togethers. Even the massive verandah lends itself to informal meetings and leisurely conversation. For us, however, Clam Bay offered something different. It provided the setting for a wonderful family reunion. There were 15 of us all together - a mix of brothers, aunts, parents and young children who were celebrating nothing more than being in the same place at the same time. For our family, this was reason enough to party. Our stay had started with an afternoon tea of cucumber sandwiches, home-baked scones and fruitcake during which we planned the rest of our stay. The kids were going to cycle the trails and kayak; I was to be part of the canoe expedition and we were all game for an ongoing bocce championship on the lawn. The OFs, as we affectionately call our older folk, were off to tour the Island's many art studios and had, with great savvy, already booked the hot tub and Jacuzzi for 3 pm each day! And every evening, we would come together for one of Clam Bay's dinner extravaganzas which included everything from farm grown salads, barbecued rack of lamb, fruit cobbler creations and more. Then it came time for the coin toss. One of the delights at Clam Bay is its unique accommodation and, as for most groups, each room was up for grabs. Adults with children headed for the woodsy cottages set amidst the magic of tall cedar trees like homes out of a Grimms fairy tale. The OFs stayed in the lodge and my sister and her latest beau opted for the romance of the converted Boat House, a cozy bed-sitting room on the waterfront. That left the Pump House, a picturesque wooden tower where the bedroom is a secretive lookout across the estate, and the Oar House, a tiny one-room hideaway beside the water. I had won the toss this night and in the dark tranquility, I realized this little Oar House was too good an experience to keep secret so I resolved to find a double-sided coin. If I was to savour all that Clam Bay had to offer, I needed to win a night in the Pump House too. Then, perhaps, I could bargain with my sister for the Boat House or perhaps even one of the cottages. Yes, this was going to be a great family reunion. If You Go: Clam Bay Island Retreat 3202 Clam Bay Road RR1 Pender Island BC V0N 2M1 Toll Free: (800) 626-5955 or (250) 629-6313 E-mail: info@clambay.com Website: www.clambay.com Note: Clam Bay caters to groups of ten or more only The ferry trip from Tsawwassen to Pender Island is less than two hours; and from Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island, less than an hour Call BC Ferries: 1-888-BCFERRY (1-888-223-3779) Seair Charters fly directly to Clam Bay Harbour, three times daily Call Seair: 1-800-44SEAIR OR (604) 273-8900