Friday, February 14, 2025

A Ferry Ride

 


There is no bridge between Vancouver Island and the rest of Canada. Instead, we rely on BC Ferries. A fleet of variously sized boats, ply the coastal waters, connecting islands big and small. 
There are those who long for a land link and find the 90-minute crossing tiresome. Not me.


I enjoy traveling on the ferry. There is nothing I have to do: it's a time to read a book, eat a relaxing meal, sip tea, or admire the passing scenery. 


Hundreds of islands and islets of all sizes dot the Salish Sea. Collectively known as the Gulf Islands, some are inhabited and others are parks. Here a bit of lingering snow lies on the shaded slope.


Standing on the back of the ferry the sharp wind whipped my hair (and the flag) and chilled me to the bone. I didn't stay on deck long, but wanted to enjoy the crisp (very) air and gorgeous sunshine for a few minutes. 

Tomorrow, February 15, marks 60 years since we adopted our beautiful red and white maple leaf flag. Prior to 1965 Canada flew the Union Jack, the national flag of the UK. I love my country and think our flag a beautiful sight. 



We wind our way through the islands, passing Portland Island where we take our own boat and go hiking. Salt Spring and Prevost Island lie to port and Pender to starboard. We round the corner into Active Pass, so named for the USCS Active, which was, in 1855, the first steamer to navigate the passage separating Galiano and Mayne Islands. 


Houses of all sizes dot the shoreline, all having one thing in common - a deck or patio overlooking the water. Who wouldn't want to have views like this? Today, on our return home on the ferry, a large flock of Common Terns floated on the water, lifting off in a cloud of white when the ship's horn blew a long blast to warn of its entrance into Active Pass. 

We visited my parents who live on the mainland, about 1 1/2 hours from the ferry. After leaving the ferry terminal on Vancouver Island, our drive home is only about 20 minutes. 
(edited to add: We spent two nights at my parents' place. Although we have done the round trip in a day, it's a long one.)

It was a slow afternoon. Unpacking, a bit of grocery shopping, some desultory cleaning, and reading that led to heavy eyes and a short nap. While I was out I dropped off some simple Valentines for our grandchildren. For the two of us we will likely do something tomorrow to celebrate Valentine's Day. 








Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Gifts of the Season

 



February has never been a favourite month. Growing up in more northerly climes, it seemed that winter had made herself too comfortable and I wondered if she would ever leave. We've had a wintery blast here lately with temperatures around -1 degree, just enough to keep the snow from melting. 
Last week when the snow was fresh, I visited Butchart Gardens, known for its wonderful array of flowers during the spring and summer. Shades of black, white, and dark green allowed the architecture of the garden to stand out. And how beautiful is the red of the little bridge in the Japanese Garden.


Each day is precious, even those of February, and I don't want to wish them away as I long for the sun's warmth and new shoots springing from the soil. Rather than merely enduring these days, I'm focusing on embracing what this season has to offer. Simple, everyday things. 

A kale salad might not seem very appealing, but I learned from somewhere that the trick is in massaging the cut kale with olive oil and a bit of salt. Working the kale with my hands before adding apple and radish slices makes the kale softer and not so chewy. Since the oil is already on the greens, I add a bit of white wine vinegar and toss everything together. A sprinkle of candied pecans or other nuts on top. A good winter salad. Grated carrot would be good in place or in addition to the radishes. 


On Mary's IG page she posted a parsnip and apple soup that sounded intriguing. It's hearty, faintly sweet, and with some sourdough bread is a lovely meal for a chilly day. 


I've been playing with watercolours again. It's so much better to paint in the evenings than to watch or read the news. I saw the book above on Catherine's blog and ordered for myself. It's in French and easy to read, with some great ideas. I'll share some of my little paintings in another post. 


On our trip across Canada in 2023, we stopped in Knowlton, Quebec, home of author Louise Penny and of Brome Lake Books. I bought the journal above there and when I open it to write, I remember that very rainy September day wandering around Knowlton, eating a cozy lunch in the bistro, and browsing in the bookstore. 

So there you have it - just a few very ordinary things that I'm delighting in lately. 


Saturday, February 08, 2025

Bird Life in Mexico

 



On this quiet Saturday I thought I'd take a look at some of the photos of birds from Mexico. I've been trying to identify them using Mexican Birds, with a fair bit of success, I think. As always, I am always open to correction on identification. 

The Little Green Heron, above, didn't seem at all concerned about me on the river bank above him. His colouring is so rich.




There were so many beautiful birds. We walked along the river in Puerto Vallarta and saw them flitting about, perched on trees or on rocks in the water. This might be a Great Kiskadee, although I'm not certain. Looks like he's wearing a flat black cap on his head. 



One day we took a water taxi to a fishing village. Brown Pelicans often glide over the water just off the beaches, graceful despite their gangly appearance. One day we took a water taxi to a fishing village and this one posed admirably as we floated by. 


I think this is a Tropical Kingbird perched on a power line in the fishing village of Quimixto. We enjoyed a hike to a waterfall there, and a delicious lunch of fish tacos on a white sand beach with the waves splashing on the shore. 



On our walk to the waterfall we saw several Chacalaca Birds (so much fun to say). In one spot there were about six Chacalacas racing around the woods chasing each other in a circle of about 20 feet. Round and round they went. Our guide had never seen that behaviour before. They are said to be very loud birds, but we didn't hear them beyond the racket they made running around.



In the river estuary near where we ate lunch Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets waded together, both elegant and deliberate in their movements.


On another day we visited the Botanical Gardens where trails wind through forested wildlands, down to the river, and up again. More groomed gardens surround the restaurant and nursery where one can purchase plants. The orchids were amazing, and I'll share those another time. 

Across the river, we watched a variety of birds flitting between shadow and light. The Squirrel Cuckoo above is well camouflaged. When he flies his long tail streams out in a fan behind. A beautiful sight. 




On one of our first walks along the river, I spied this bright orange bird, a Hooded Oriole, I think. I tried to photograph it with my small camera while Tim watched through his binoculars. It wasn't until today, while looking at the photos, that we noticed the looming iguana above the bird. We didn't even see him while we were focused on the Oriole. The bird didn't seem too concerned either. 

One day while walking along the river path we heard a branch crack from a tree just ahead of us. It fell with a thud to the ground. When we got closer we saw just a bit of leafy branch and a big iguana. It had fallen out of the tree. Temperatures were a bit cooler than normal, and apparently iguanas become lethargic and unbalanced when cold and literally fall out of trees. No harm was done and when we passed by later the iguana had moved on. 

It's evening now and time to read a book or watch a British mystery. The little girls are spending the night and have been tucked in after their baths. I'm glad to put my feet up. 

Tuesday, February 04, 2025

Snow Day!

 


Snow days are few around here. I hope for snow every winter as I love the way it transforms the landscape, softening the lines of buildings and trees. It adds light to the day and I can often tell if snow fell during the night by the faint light filtering into the bedroom. 
Although I am no longer teaching, there was a frisson of excitement at the thought of school closures. Those days always seemed like gifts - a day free of duty to do what I liked. 


The Varied Thrush is an elusive bird and I see them only when it snows. Its normal habitat is the dark evergreen forests. This one hung around for a short while, long enough for us all to admire his orange and black colouring. 


Dark-eyed Juncos are regular visitors to the garden, so handsome with their sharply defined black heads. They are common most of the year here, but tend to go further north in the summer. 


Spotted Towhees usually feed on the ground, but like the suet, especially now when the ground is covered with snow. All morning, while the snowflakes swirled around, birds took their turns at the feeders. 
We collected the little girls this morning as their mother needed to study. They played in the snow, making angels, climbing the pile of snow shoveled to the side of the drive, and slid down the small slope in our garden. What fun!


Several Chestnut-backed Chickadees stopped by. I watched three of them for a long while, chasing each other through the bare lilac branches, swooping across the snow-covered lawn, and chirping among themselves. It looked as though they too were playing in the snow. 


Tall hats on dried flower stems. Colder weather is here for a few more days and the snow will stay, then quickly melt away. 


A snow day literally and figuratively falls from the sky, 
unbidden, and seems like a thing of wonder."
Susan Orlean

Friday, January 31, 2025

Five Favourites of the Week

 


This week has had many lovely moments. Nothing dramatic, but ordinary days have a sweetness all their own. 
Our hike on Monday was a highlight - all that fresh air, blue sky, and stunning scenery was a tonic.


I made a Leek Tart for the first time. Easy and delicious. Too much for the two of us for a meal, but leftovers are always welcome for lunches. 


Until the past week or two our temperatures have been quite warm and the poor roses keep trying to bloom. Still pretty even when tiny and frozen. 


Two loaves of bread, sliced and put into the freezer. Of course there is always a slice or two to be eaten while warm. 


A bunch of tulips made their way into my grocery cart. Isn't it interesting how tulips lengthen in the vase and have to be cut down every few days? 

It has taken awhile, but I certainly do know it now ­­– the most wonderful gift I had, the gift I finally learned to cherish above all else, was the gift of all those perfectly ordinary days.                            Katrina Kenison


Tuesday, January 28, 2025

A West Coast January Hike

 


While much of North America has suffered from intense cold and lots of snow, it's been sunny on the west coast of Canada. Frosty in the mornings, but pure sunshine in the afternoons. Tim and I decided to take advantage of these beautiful days by going hiking. 


One of the most scenic places we've found is the Coast Trail at East Sooke Park. Forest, sea, and sky combine in stunning vistas. The route follows alongside the Strait of Georgia. Rocks and inlets form a jagged coastline that can be challenging to hike with lots of scrambling up steep rocks, crossing streams, and rough terrain.


At one point along the trail my water bottle slipped out of my backpack pouch and we watched it bounce down the cliff, wondering if it would disappear forever. Fortunately it stopped and Tim rescued it for me. 


We stop often on our hikes, finding much to admire. For quite some time we observed three hummingbirds flitting from branch to branch in front of us. 


Reindeer Moss Lichen grows profusely in places and its pale and fluffy appearance looks faintly like snow from a distance. I love how it catches the light. 


When hiking in this park we generally travel five to six kilometres. This time we challenged ourselves to go further, to Cabin Point where a Fish Shack built in the 1930s stands as testament to the people who fished along the coast. The trail is more rugged and we felt it. Steeper climbs, longer descents. The going was slower, but the scenery more magnificent. In all, we hiked 10 kilometres. 


The sun has some real warmth in it while being in the shade was chilly. Little succulents grow in rocky crevices and on the sunny side of rocks.


We ate our lunch perched on rocks overlooking the water that changed from blue to turquoise to cobalt. The only sound for much of the day was birds chattering in the trees, the occasional cry of a gull, and the constant waves lapping or crashing onto the shore. 

To say we were tired when we arrived home was an understatement. Dinner was a simple meal and we spent the evening reading until we could no longer keep our eyes open. Sleep was sweet. I'm pleased that I'm still able to do these longer hikes. We hope to do more such hikes in the future. 

Today was spent more quietly, occupied with home tasks and writing. The weather will change in a few days and our sunny weather may end abruptly. 

Friday, January 24, 2025

Home Pursuits and a Tour to a Mountain Town

 


Frosty mornings this week, but sunny skies. I won't complain at all as I much prefer the brighter days, even if chilly, to dull grey and rain for days on end. The Hellebores are blooming, and the snowdrops. 

Since returning home earlier in the week there's been laundry to do, groceries to purchase, and cooking. Soup, granola, brownies, plus regular meals. It's good to get back to my own way of eating. 


One sunny morning in Mexico we boarded a sprinter-van with three other couples and drove out of Puerto Vallarta (PV) to San Sebastian del Oeste, an old silver mining town. I learned that PV was once the port for shipping the silver back to Spain in the time of the conquistadores. The road up the mountain was very steep in places, narrow and winding around dry canyons and dusty mountains. Our guide gave a running commentary on the landscape and economics of the area we drove through.
We stopped at an artisanal tequila factory just across the bridge in the above photo. I'm not fond of tequila, and tasting it in the morning just seemed silly. The other couples happily sipped away. Next stop was La Quinta Mary, a family-run coffee plantation where they grow, roast, and sell their coffee beans. I'm not a coffee drinker, but we purchased a bag of coffee beans to grind and serve here at home. The rest of the family loves coffee. 



San Sebastian is a well-preserved town with cobblestone streets, adobe houses, and colourful bougainvillea draped over walls and softening the landscape. 
Through the arch above is the original jail for the town, a dark and damp place. One bed is still there, used by the night watch. 


The local church was light inside, very pretty with blue and white walls and ceiling. Saint Sebastian is venerated as the patron saint of athletics, archery, and plagues. That's quite the portfolio. January 20 is his saint day and the town was gussied up with bunting in red and white. 


Wandering through the streets with narrow passageways, wooden gates, and tiles roofs reminded us both of the mountain villages in Ecuador. Isn't that blue sky beautiful?


The tour included a delicious lunch eaten on a shaded patio. A quesadilla, beans, fresh corn tortillas, chicken with molé sauce, and of course, rice. Fresh guava water was a refreshing accompaniment. 

We've found that taking tours is a great way to learn more about the places we visit. We use Viator - a platform that coordinates with local guides who are very knowledgeable. It's all done online. Our tours in Iceland last summer were organized this way, too. 

I'll be puttering in the house today, but definitely going outside to enjoy the sunshine! 



Monday, January 20, 2025

Arriving Home

 


After a trip, be it long or short, how wonderful it is to walk through my own front door. All the rooms seem to welcome me, enfolding me in familiarity and warmth. The amaryllis above was not at all open 10 days ago. Now it's in its glory and a second stem will flower soon. 



We arrived last night with time to unpack our suitcases before laying our heads on our own pillows and pulling up familiar covers and falling into deep refreshing sleep. 

I've spent the day doing laundry and buying groceries. Roasted a pan of cauliflower and one of butternut squash. Made a creamy broccoli soup with a hint of blue cheese. After doing no chores for awhile, I am enjoying slipping into the routines of house and home. 

Now, as the sun slips lower on the horizon, I've made a proper cup of tea (no tea bag dragged through hot water), and will enjoying catching up with a few blogs after writing this post.


Earlier, I ventured out to the garden to take a good look at the snowdrops now blooming despite the chilly temperatures. 


The Hellebores are also in bloom, heads nodding downwards so that I must tip them up to see them properly. 

Our visit to Mexico was lovely. Tim's sister and her husband live in Puerto Vallarta, and January seemed like a good time to visit them. We stayed in a hotel, spending time on our own as well as with family. It was fun to speak Spanish again, and to be part of the Latin American culture once again. 

I'll share some of the sights we saw on our trip in future blogs. For now, I'm reveling in being at home. 



Sunday, January 12, 2025

Popping in to say hello

 


A quick post from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where the sun shines most of the day and the temperature is pleasant, but not hot. 


Sunset over the Pacific Ocean. 


Art on the Malecon walk. 


We’ve been walking a lot and climbed a very steep hill to the viewpoint of El Cerro de la Cruz. Gorgeous views. We’ve seen whales and dolphins, lots of different birds, and iguanas. 

Posting from my phone - my excuse if things look wonky!  





A Ferry Ride

  There is no bridge between Vancouver Island and the rest of Canada. Instead, we rely on BC Ferries. A fleet of variously sized boats, ply ...