Showing posts with label sights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sights. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Holiday snippets and snapshots...part 2

The mountain of laundry has been washed, folded and ironed and it feels so good to be back on top of the chores.

Chester has definitely warmed up and is back to his former tricks...
a few more snapshots from our holidays.


Port Browning Harbour on Pender Island.
Mr. HB and I have been going there since the 1970's
when it was called Scot's Lair the bagpiper would play the pipes at the raising and lowering of the flag right atop this rocky outcropping.

The Marina is close to the Driftwood Centre which has a fabulous book shop, a gift store, pharmacy and a well stocked food market...
basically all the things we might need are a 10 minute walk from the boat.


This horse saw us walking by the fence and came over to say hello.


After checking us out it proceeded to munch on some dandelions.


The view from our walk along Razor Point Road.
This windmill was beside a farm stand that sold veggies, jams, wool and eggs.

We walked briskly for an hour in the hot sun to visit the Sea Star Winery.
I had worked up quite a thirst and the wine was chilled!








a lovely glimpse of the ocean from the top of the hill


There was a food truck from the Hope Bay Bistro on site and a Farmer's Market with veggies, breads, jewelry, pottery, flowers.
An acoustic guitarist played while we dined...
 I had tasty fish tacos for lunch with a glass of wine.


The Ortega is especially nice for al fresco summer time dining and BBQ's.


When we pack for our cruising holidays on our SeaRay 
we plan ahead and bring lots of books.
One of the luxuries of being away from our usual demands and routines mean that we can devote a good chunk of time to reading.
There are no distractions like TV or the Internet as WI-Fi coverage is spotty and unreliable.

Colm Toibin's Nora Webster is a gem...I thoroughly enjoyed it.


Jude the Obscure

I have another couple of instalments of the holiday snaps coming up...
with so many photos I need to break them up so that they don't bog down the Blogger site!
Hope that your week is a good one.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Festive season snippets..all is calm, all is bright.

The festive season is in full swing...
socials, lunches, parties, shopping, baking, gift giving, concerts, Christmas Carols, decorations, egg nog lattes and gingerbread houses are just a few of the highlights that I savour and enjoy.
It is a busy time of year.

Maintaining balance and calm we like taking a drive in the country and having a healthy lunch in a waterfront bistro.


These beautiful swans look pretty content nibbling in the farmer's field.
You can see the pumpkins in the back ground and the raindrops on the window of Mr. HB's car.


Caesar salad with kale and romaine lettuce.


I spy with my little eye a wee kitten in an Advent calendar...
in one of the shops along Oak Bay Avenue.


Felted animals...
I have a serious crush on these charming wee cute and cuddly creatures!




Christmas Tree in the lobby of the Laurel Point Hotel where we took in the annual decorated gingerbread house display.


The baking and decorating of the gingerbread displays is quite impressive.
I remember trying to make one years ago and it listed so far to the right that it fell apart!


Neighbours are decorating...
the streets looks quite bright and festive.


Oops 
a gold bauble blew down in the gale force winds...
I stopped on my walk to capture the image not realizing that I would be visible in the reflection.


I'll be posting sporadically over the next weeks as there are so many wonderful and engaging activities to enjoy.

Right now I have my nose firmly planted in Louise Penny's latest novel 
the Inspector Gamache mystery series..."The Nature of the Beast" is brilliant!
If you have never read Louise's books start with the first in the series and work your way up.
She uses the same characters and they develop over time.

Thank you for stopping by...

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Vancouver getaway...

Last weekend we hopped on a BC Ferry and visited friends in Vancouver.



Blue Horizon Hotel on Robson Street


The Marina on False Creek is where our friends moor their boat.
They served us a delicious dinner and we sat looking out facing this beautiful view.


The next morning the weather was cool and breezy, a typical Fall day.


Wind, rain and a wee bit chilly...leaves at our feet.


Perfect weather to visit The Vancouver Art Gallery




Exhibits by the Canadian Group of Seven and Lee Bul were highlights.


I was very impressed by the art installations of Lee Bul.
She worked with mirrors in Via Negativa and the effects were really interesting.





Walking through this mirrored installation I felt dizzy and slightly disoriented...
there were twists and turns before arriving at the lights.




It seemed quite popular with the people who were viewing this exhibit.
I ventured through the maze of mirrors several times!


We stopped for lunch in the cafe before going upstairs to explore more exhibits.


"Between Object and Action:
Transforming Media in the 1960's and 70's."
artists
Kate Craig, Eric Metcalfe, Gathie Falk, Carole Itter and Evelyn Roth.









We shopped a bit along South Granville...I found something on sale at Eileen Fisher!
                                        Later we met up at La Quercia for a fabulous meal.

Sunday morning Mr. HB and I went to check out the new Nordstroms and popped into Holt Renfrew before heading to the ferry.
We took our books up to the on board buffet and sat at a window table for the duration of the trip.


A beautiful setting sun
 appeared just as we were about to disembark the ferry.

All in all it was a fun weekend and the cats were happy to see us when we got home.
Hope your week is ticking along nicely.