Saturday morning. While eating breakfast (bacon, egg, tomato) I glanced outside to see that the clematis, having wound itself around the deck railing, had opened its first bud.
I had never noticed that the petals open one by one.
Unfurling. Opening wide to the light.
There will be many more pretty blooms from this General Sikorski clematis. Some searching on the internet reveals that the name is to honour a Polish general who "rendered great service to his country." Personally, the name makes me think of a helicopter.
After breakfast (and photography), we threw our bags into the car and drove up Island (as we say) to the beachside town of Parksville, along with some friends. This was the view from our room. In the evening, we ate a late (and delicious) dinner on the patio and watched the tide creep across the sand. In the distance, over time, three brightly lit cruise ships sailed by, en route to Alaska.
Beach art. Found art.
Wild roses bloom along the path down to the beach. I could smell them before I saw them.
Home again now, preparing for another week of work, but refreshed by walks on the sand, good food, and laughter and conversation with friends.
That just sounds like a perfect Island Weekend. It's good for body and soul to sit by the water, feel the tide and enjoy both silence and conversation with friends.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an idyllic break away. Beautiful photos. Have a good week!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely weekend. Beautiful shot of your clematis flower. I'm still waiting for my new clematis buds to open there are buds but they still look the same as the day I planted them a month ago, must be the lack of sunshine. Our weather forecast is getting warmer again after the late spell of cold nights and rainy days.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and wonderful! I did a temporary job stint at Sikorsky many years ago. :)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds perfect. I love the beach art, in a way so much more charming than anything one could arrange. Nature is talented!
ReplyDeleteHow pretty your General Sikorski clematis looks! Gorgeous photos!!!
ReplyDeleteI've never had much luck with them here in Ohio but knowing this one is "Polish", I think I should try one more time, for hubby's sake. He was very proud of his Polish heritage.
I bet my baby sister was on one of those cruise ships heading to Alaska!!!
What a lovely weekend getaway. Glad you were refreshed and now ready for another week!
ReplyDeleteSounds idyllic, what a great weekend getaway.
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect way to spend the weekend. We need a little getaway soon. We've worked...and worked! Have a good week too! Hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteBeing by water seems to refresh the soul and it sounds like you have a good weekend. Time with friends helps too. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as though you had a great day! The clematis flowers are so beautiful aren't they!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that about the clematis either - interesting - and the blossoms are beautiful. Your trip to the beach sounds wonderful. Happy new week.
ReplyDeleteOh is there any scent sweeter than that of a wild rose?! It sounded like the perfect way to spend a day. Have a wonderful flower filled week.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely weekend!! Beautiful resources to draw from during the workaday week.
ReplyDeleteI had an "Ah ha moment" after reading your post...
ReplyDeleteyour weekend sounds idyllic.
I am longing for that kind of restorative weekend. This weekend was way too hectic. Those last two shots have me sighing for the beauty.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful in your part of the world right now. :-)
ReplyDeleteLoving the clemantis' pretty purple colour! How wonderful to live so close to a beach getaway.
ReplyDeleteIt is intriguing to see just how a flower blooms. I didn't know that clematis opens one section at a time. That's how I like to begin a day, too...slowly. What a lovely weekend and already a school week nearly half over. It is the time of year when everyone gets restless for the end of the school year.
ReplyDeleteHi Lorrie,
ReplyDeletegreat photo's. What a wonderful escape you had. perfect, just perfect.
xoxo
Sounds like a delightful weekend and just what was needed to give refreshment!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a wonderful break away at the coast. The clematis is wonderful such a gorgeous colour:)
ReplyDeleteThe clematis is one of my favorite vines. Yours is a lovely specimen with an interesting heritage. Enjoy your weekend. You should be finishing school soon.
ReplyDeleteOh Lorrie, I'm always in awe at the beauty of your photos!! What a lovely sounding weekend you had, too.
ReplyDeleteLorrie, thank you for sharing your lovely photos. I feel as if I've just had a mini-vacation, and you've no idea how much I needed one!
ReplyDeleteA little getaway is always refreshing, isn't it? I may have a cousin to your clematis, mine is 'Polish Spirit'. :-)
ReplyDeleteA perfect weekend Lorrie.
ReplyDeleteSurveying your garden and photographing the elegant Clematis.
How lovely to just throw a few things together and drive away for the night.
It sounded idyllic to me (whose husband has spent almost every waking hour over the past three years restoring "Das Boot"). I've forgotten what it's like to do 'normal' things like that!!!
The wild rose is so pretty and with a good perfume I imagine it is one of the old sweetbriars.
Shane