Last ocean swim of the season

It was wonderfully sunny and warm yesterday but the ocean water was a little on the chilly side.  It was nice to sit out in the sunshine beachside and chat to our beach friends.

I took these photos of this great garden on Comox and Chilco while we were out for a walk the other day.  These two gardens provide such pleasure for so many.  I must drop a little thank you note in their mailboxes.

Itty Bitty Book Review: "Glass Houses" by Louise Penny

Wow....I really loved this novel!   I don't know how she keeps getting better.

I really liked the "Author's Note".

"Some might argue that Three Pines itself isn't real, and they'd be right, but limited in their view.  The village does not exist physically.  But I think of it existing in ways that are far more important and powerful.  Three Pines is a state of mind.  When we choose tolerance over hate.  Kindness over cruelty.  Goodness over bullying.  When we choose to be hopeful, not cynical.  Then we live in Three Pines.

I don't always make those choices, but I do know when I'm in the wilderness, and when I'm in the bistro.  I know where I want to be, and I know how to get there.  And so do you--otherwise you would still not be with me, reading this."

A great laugh to start the day....!

I know Carol has one last project to do for her Masters in Liberal Arts at SFU that she is taking for "fun".  I tease her about this a lot since she is a very very conscientious student and why she was an excellent journalist.  She wants to get it right.  She is working on the idea for her final project.  I broke up when I read this email:

As I am sure you guessed, I have been reading and torturing myself about my project proposal, which has detracted from blog-writing. Once the project is better defined, and I have a better sense of exactly what I have to do, I hope to continue blogging in some form. 

My supervising profs added to my stress by deciding my project, which is about Rome, should include a travel component. Unbeknownst to me, they applied for a travel research grant and got me a grant for $6,500, so now I "have" to go to Rome! For someone who hasn't been on a plane for 20 years and has no passport, this is daunting. I don't know when this will be, but I hope John can come and we can get someone to house and cat sit. Yikes!

I've included my blog entry after our trip to Italy in 2002 to whet your appetite, Carol! 

Update from Italy 

April/02 

It was a great trip but it is great to be home. Very good flight home, everything on time and just time to change planes comfortably but with no waiting around. We left Nice under beautiful warm sunny skies just as we had found it on Jan 25. Our two weeks in Italy was great but we did have about half of it rather cool and rainy...nothing, however to the extent of the Arctic front that met us at Victoria airport when we arrived Monday (and apparently the weather had improved considerably from the weekend!) After three months of crisp new Euro currency, we could hardly believe the tattered old bills that came out of the bank machine in the airport. Jim almost threw out a toony at home because he thought it was an old Mexican peso.   

Italy met expectations but didn’t exceed them. I guess part of it is we are francophiles to the core. The Italians were wonderfully warm and welcoming and Florence, Rome, and Venice (even though it was flooding when we were there, it is a fascinating place that you can’t imagine the feel of until you actually experience it) were all spectacular in their own ways. Other than Rapallo, the Italian Riviera can’t compare to the French....too many long expanses of beaches with very uninteresting places around them...no neat little French villages like Bandol, Sanary, Carqueiranne, etc. 

Rapallo was just a lovely, stepping back in time place where we stumbled fortunately on just about the last room to be had as it was Easter. And what a room! We would have taken anything at any price, but when we opened the shutters, we had this fabulous view and balcony right over the water in the port and overlooking a medieval castle to boot. After the mainly retirement community (in the winter at least) of Carqueiranne, it was wonderful to see so many children and families strolling the promenade. 

We were under budget as we spent about half what we had planned for our six days in Florence. We booked a place through an agency that books places of private individuals. Anyhow, we had this 60 sq meter one bedroom apartment with a big back garden in central Florence. So, of course, when we reached the hilltowns of Tuscany we splurged on a classic old style hotel in Siena with a view of the Tuscan countryside out of Room with a View. It included breakfast and dinner. 

The dinners were fabulous and we took advantage of their excellent wine list to sample some very good wine of the region. We really enjoyed the European style cooking and service as dining in Italy is quite different than France. Although the Trattoria experience is cheap and entertaining, the Italians (at least the ones we saw) tend to scarf down their food in no time flat and the courses are thrown at you at the same rate. You have to seek out a good restaurant, not like in France where they come to meet you at every step. There was a positive side to having a quick panini and beer for lunch when there is so much to see in the major places and we had limited time. 

Even in the cheaper places we did get some wonderful food although a lot of it was too salty. Amazing the amount of salt the Italians must eat when you think of all the cured hams and meats and cheeses. I got a gnocci and a minestrone to die for and in another one (not so cheap) we got the local specialty of T-bone steak...absolutely fabulous except for one part that was overcooked. They serve a whole slab for two on one platter and the meat was unevenly cut. The handcutting aspect is part of the deal I think. 

I wasn’t that inspired by things to paint in Italy. Shutters are all in dull colours of brown, green, or gray, and the stuccos are drab as well compared to the bright pinks, yellows, etc of the south of France. I was inspired by the old bicycles so many people seem to use and took lots of pictures so will render something out of that. An amazing difference from France is that in Italy many people are riding very old bicycles and small motos. Only seemed to be racing type bikes in France and high powered motos that are going like bats of hell and scare the life out of you on the road. That was nice to be away from in Italy. Also, Italy seems to be making some progress in restricting smoking and it’s actually working. The French seem to be content to smoke themselves to death. 

Jim’s come down with a nasty cold and I’m getting over jetlag and doing all the usual unpacking, sorting, etc. We did come home to an immaculate house. Our renters were fabulous and even cleaned up the garden before they left two weeks ago and our neighbours cut our lawn just as we arrived. What a treat! 

Thinking about Palm Springs....

Now that we've both been cleared with health issues our PS plans are in place for the first round.  We leave Oct 28 and return Christmas day.   Then we'll head back down mid Jan to beginning April.

I get FB stuff from PS and I guess I clicked on something about Rose Mallet who is a singer we really enjoy hearing when we're in PS.  I got a friend request from her so now I'm getting some interesting posts.  This came up today...how romantic!

THE MAN IN MY LIFE: I recently posted an announcement of my new journey. Some will be curious as to who won my heart. This will be my last post about him in this manner, so we can further elevate each other in private. This is how Myron Taylor commented to my announcement - an insight into who he is, and why I'm captured:

Fly me to the moon as i've been kissed by a "Rose"...

Our journeys has brought us here from learning from our past to move us forward and beyond. 

The Universe has blessed me for surrendering to the man I am and gifting me with someone who speaks to my soul, my spirit, my being and most importantly my heart. 

I share my joy from a place I've longed for in my aloneness. I have arrived knowing how special this is with Rose. She is the light of the morning sunshine, the sky that illuminates over green pastures, the showers nurturing from the depths above feeding my soul and the woman I embrace in my world to grow to heights unknown.

She is Rose...

Laws of attraction alive and active with the abundance gratitude at work.

You really got to wonder....

I've been doing various changes of address and for the Federal Government last year I was told my Social Insurance # didn't exist and so I ended up having to write to them.  They seem to have been quite happy to collect taxes since I was 16 years old using this number that didn't exist.  So,  I thought I would at least try it online.

They have a warning message this year:

"If you are trying to change your address,  your old address may appear as your new address.  Phone such and such and sorry for the inconvenience."

REALLY!!!

I did snail mail.

Lonsdale Quay yesterday

We were in North Van yesterday to get our car serviced and a recall done so we went to the Quay.  With everything going on last year we didn't get there so were surprised to see how many changes there are in the Shipyards area.  Lots of new condos of course but also we were very impressed to see this new Polygon Gallery which is almost completed.  It's going to be a great space for lots of things especially photography.  And I love the pricing...$5 for adults,  $3 for seniors,  children and youth free.  It seems North Van is taking advantage of the cultural tourism wave which is powered by all us boomers retiring,  travelling,  and interested in cultural things.

Good article here:

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2016/01/north-vancouver-art-gallery-polygon-waterfront/

Some photos of what it will look like when finished.

My photos are blurry because I forgot my camera and used  my old iPhone.  It was a smokey day...even more so on that side,  but it was still wonderful to see Vancouver from this side as always.

You can't see the sign but this is an "oil response" boat apparently.  I hope there's more in place than this!

We took a look round this huge restaurant and brewpub,  the Tap and Barrel.  It didn't really appeal to us.  It's huge and rather uninviting for the most part for us anyway.

We hadn't noticed these murals before...wonder if they're new.  They're  on the side of the Quay building.

We dined outside at our usual restaurant,  The Cheshire Cheese,  and Jim's bangers and mash were excellent as usual.  I hope our new local Mahoney's bangers and mash are as good.  I had halibut and chips but the chips were inedible so they brought me a caesar to replace them.  Seems they had had a lot of complaints.  Something different about the potatoes.

This is the Tap and Barrel and this looked cosy.

Jim in Lonsdale Quay.

We went To Pier 7 Restaurant and Bar and had a Happy Hour glass of wine and calamari which was a "bite" at $7 and a good deal.  Too bad the calamari was lousy...well,  not to our taste.  We left most of it. Some people might have loved it.  We had a wonderful table outside right at the waterside and super view and we liked the inside too.  I think we will dine here the next time we're in the area and have the

WEST COAST BOUILLABAISSE

clams, prawns, scallop, mussels, local fresh fish, tomato coconut broth, saffron rouille, grilled focaccia

So pleased for Louise Penny...I'm loving the book!

On Facebook today:

WOW!! Just heard that GLASS HOUSES will debut at the top of the New York Times list!! For the week of Sept 17th. AND, it's at the top of the USA Today bestseller list, which takes into account fiction/non-fiction and all formats. Making GLASS HOUSES the top selling book in the US! Thanks to you. I thank you. Armand, Clara, Gabri - even Ruth thanks you!! Wow. Thank you Minotaur Books. Thank you Lise!! Great sold out event in Austin last night and off to support Houston today with Murder by the Book event. Wow

Stanley Park Lawn Bowling Club mementos

We kind of lucked in being that it was their 100th Anniversary this year so bowlers got a water bottle and crying towel (this will come in handy when I take up golf again...) and social members got a deck of cards.  I love the joker!  And we have our name tags as well.  The West Point Grey Bowling Club celebrates its 100th Anniversary next year....I wonder what goodies we'll get?

This looks like fun but I think we'll wait until we live in the neighbourhood

THE EVENT OF THE SUMMER IS HERE! The Wesbrook Village Festival is this Saturday, September 9th!

The Wesbrook Village Festival is something special: an annual celebration of partying with the neighbours, welcoming new visitors, and enjoying all that we have here in Wesbrook Village. There are so many reasons to come. For one thing, we'll be serving up our signature FREE barbecue under the big tent (with veggie and gluten-free options, too). Plus, live music will sing, stroll, and strum throughout the neighbourhood: Juno nominee Will Stroet will entrance the kids, Dr. Strangelove will rock the party with the classics, and the Beauty Shop Dolls will sing us through the decades. The party is all about family, of course. In the Kids Zone, we'll bounce in bouncy castles, twist some balloon animals, paint faces, and play games galore. And if that is not enough, they can let off more energy with our swing ride (new this year!), at our water park, four playgrounds and five parks! For the older kids (ahem, adults), we'll also have a sidewalk sale with local artisans and shops, sampling and freebies from our many merchants, make overs courtesy of our newly opened Shoppers Drug Mart, and more! And to raise the cheer at the end of the day? A frothy Happy Hour Beer Garden at BierCraft Restaurant.

The new Emily Carr University of Art + Design is now open

It looks quite wonderful and I look forward to going there and getting a library card.  I think it's a great idea to make the whole place accessible to everyone.

I just love the design of the building!

https://www.google.ca/maps/uv?hl=en&p…

From the Vancouver Sun
http://vancouversun.com/entertainment/local-arts/new-emily-carr-university-campus-opens-on-great-northern-way-in-east-vancouver

The bluest of blues....sky and sea in the Mediterranean

I was commenting on Carol's blog that the light of the Mediterranean for me meant the blazing sun which created the bluest of skies and the bluest of seas.  As much as I love our local ocean,  it is rather murky.

And now I know why!

It seems that the Mediterranean is so blue because it is basically dead....not much algae etc.  For more info,  click on the link.  I found it quite fascinating.

http://epistimograph.blogspot.ca/2011/04/blue-waters-of-mediterranean.html

A day for celebration even though it looks like the end of the world outside

We visited our new doctor, Dr. Gordon Yip, who is located in Westbrook Village so a few minutes drive or 15-20 min walk and lots of free parking....and Murchies and Rogers Chocolates...not to mention Save-On Foods.    Thanks,  Donna,  for reminding me that there is a list of doctors taking new patients.  We're really pleased with him....young and very personable and seems also very competent and knowledgable.  He gets great reviews.  And he actually has regular office hours five days a week.  Our doctor in the West End does mainly clinic work and only takes appointments once a week and it's very difficult to get an appointment.

We had lunch at Biercraft in the village.  The food was very good but a bit on the pricey side.  Our server said they didn't cater all that much to students...more the families of the Tapestry Retirement Residence next door and residents of all the new condos that are going up in that area.

I took this yesterday evening from our balcony.  I doubt there will be any sunset tonight.

We often have Phillips Blue Buck but this is the first time we've been served it in these cool glasses.  It does make a difference to the taste.

My French Onion soup which was wonderful and salad.

Jim's burger.  The fries were excellent and they served it like in Belgium with mayo and catsup.  Well,  a much more interesting mayo than you actually get in Belgium.

Smoke back today...yuck

Well,  I guess the more accurate word would be "haze" but it is caused by the smoke from wildfires elsewhere.  It's not quite as bad as last time since at the moment we can still see the mountains.

Was it really our last wonderful swim in the ocean yesterday?   Well,  we need to consider ourselves lucky not to be in the midst of all these disasters.

It was finally a day for pastis....that means hot and south of France like.

Can you believe we bought these beach towels the first year we were in Victoria (1971)?  Jim's was the golf one since I hadn't started to play golf yet.

Three weeks today we move so won't be seeing this view.  We'll miss it but look forward to our new view and getting sunshine on our balcony.

Then off the the special Cowpoke Dinner at the Stanley Park Lawn Bowling.   A bit of a hot night for cowboy gear but Jim was determined to wear his cowboy boots he bought in Austin,  Texas.

Quite a few people wore cowboy hats.

The ribs were absolutely amazing and so was the corn on the cob...like Silver Rill and cooked perfectly.

Jim joined the gals line dancing...what fun!

Elaine sent me this today...

So nice not to be back to school although Jim starts his Royal Military College online course today...no rest for the wicked!

Sunflowers seemed like a good way to start the day

I think it's going to be a hot one.

And I guess we better dig out the jeans and checked shirts for our lawn bowling Cowpoke Dinner....Jim says he's going to wear his cowboy boots.

We will be heading down to Chinatown one last time before we leave here

Not to say we'll never get to Chinatown again but it won't be quite as convenient.   There are so many new things that we didn't have time to explore and we'll have to have hot and sour soup and bar-b-q duck in one of the old time places that are more like cafeterias but also very cheap, big portions,  and excellent.

I was googling Chinese food places in West Point Grey and was thrilled to see an upscale Chinese restaurant has opened where an excellent Indian restaurant was....sad to see that go,  though.

It is called Beijing Roast Duck.  Now,  Beijing (or Peking) Duck is a whole different thing than Bar-b-q duck...it's a real gourmet meal and the price usually reflects it.

Lion Dancers for the opening.

https://www.straight.com/food/956536/old-beijing-roast-duck-restaurant-holds-grand-opening-lion-dancers

Article in The Sunday Province today on Sai Woo

http://www.theprovince.com/news/local+news/neon+rooster+sign+crows+over+chinatown+once+again/14049211/story.html

West Point Grey Community Centre

When we were transferring our safety deposit box to the West Point Grey TD Branch,  Jim picked up a brochure for West Point Grey Community Centre.  They have a number of different places where they have what sound to be pretty interesting programs including Aberthau Mansion which they light up at Christmas.  Lots of cool things to explore in our new hood!

Lovely ocean swim yesterday.  We will miss being able to walk to Bikini Beach and our beach friends.

Louise Penny's latest book was released today....

and I just picked up my copy!  I'll have to read a bit of it before we head to the beach for a swim later.

Already getting great reviews.  Here's a link to her newsletter:
http://mailchi.mp/louisepenny/2017sep?e=792d907659

This is the cover in Canada.

Perhaps this is the cover in the US but on Amazon.com it was showing the first one.  I picked this up on a google search.