The morning after my pub night in Victoria began with a train ride north to Nanaimo. The station, a one-roomed shack I've walked past plenty of times without even recognising, couldn't have been much closer to my hotel - right across the street. The train itself had just a single car, and seemed well aged, but was cosy inside.
The ride to Nanaimo is two and a half hours, an hour longer than a car's journey, but what a ride. You can't be in a hurry for something like this. The snowy scenery made it even more special. As we left town and our train rose in altitude, the experience grew positively Alpine, and when we eventually saw the inlet, it was way far below. We crossed two brides over ravines of frightening depth. With no railings or fencing, it seemed that if we all went to the windows at once, we might tip over! I was grinning like a kid. And at every stop and crossing, it seemed someone was waving at us.
Arriving in Nanimo, I had a walk of about three blocks uphill to Kennedy House, a charming character bed and breakfast. My upstairs room had a nice view of the harbour and inlet between the tree branches. I didn't linger long though, heading out to downtown and starting with a visit to one of my favourite music shops in all of BC, Fascinating Rhythm. Their selection always seems to have something I want, and I often marvel in seeing a recording there that's hard to find. I also love that much of their stock is used and thereby quite inexpensive. My perusal turned up two titles, one a treasure - a classic sampler from a favourite label, 4AD, that I'd not known about.
A visit to Serious Coffee reunited me with a pot of Market Spice Tea, an old friend from Seattle. By then it was about time for an early dinner. I ended up at the Modern Cafe, which had been reliable on a previous visit.
Wow. My dinner was way above expectation. I settled on a chicken club sandwich, which doesn't sound like much. I started with the salad, and soon I didn't want to finish. Greens in a viniagrette were topped by surprises like salted almonds, a spiced peach slice, and two slices of supremely tasty bleu-brie cheese. The sandwich also impressed with a spicy (but not too spicy) chipotle sauce, nicely cured bacon, and a herb-infused baguette. The weakest link was the wine, a Merlot from one of the bigger BC wineries serving as the house red. I love it when a meal makes me smile.
Back to my room and its super cosy bed. In the morning breakfast included eggs and bacon with toast from homemade bread and with homemade marmalade. After some pleasant chat and a chance to meet their dogs, I bade farewell to my hosts and made my way into fresh snowfall to linger some more downtown and eventually make my way to the ferry.
I ultimately decided to take the 25 minute waterfront walk to the ferry terminal. Bad idea. Most of the scenery was obscured by a thick snowfall that I had to keep shaking off my clothes. As impatient as I am, waiting for the bus would have been a better outcome. A cup of tea at the terminal was enjoyed. The ride to Departure Bay in West Vancouver was enlivened by high winds and choppy waters. After a skilful docking, two bus rides had me back home quickly to get warm and reunite with family.
Monday, 22 November 2010
Sunday, 21 November 2010
Holiday on the Island
I'm enjoying a few days off in Vancouver Island. Just me. My only agenda is to relax, read a lot, and eat and drink well.
My trip started with a surprise snowfall. Fortunately the roads were clear. I was also fortunate to get a ride to the Tsawassen ferry terminal with Margo, who needed to pick up mail over the border in Point Roberts, saving me about an hour in transit time.
I'm travelling light: just a shoulder bag. No camera, no books, no magazines, few clothes. It's just simpler when travelling alone. If I want to get up and explore the ferry or train, it's easier with one bag than with two.
I do have the iPad. I'm still delighted with it. It's an Anything Box: it can be just about anything a flat rectangle can contain. It's a deck of cards, or any board game I want. It's a library of books, especially free books from public domain authors - I have Shakespeare, Mark Twain, H.P. Lovecraft and many others loaded. It's a magazine; this week's Macleans and the current Uncut from England are loaded via Zinio. It's a video game arcade. It's a video player. It's a browser, letting me type this blog. It is endless distraction whenever I want it.
Boarding the ferry, I had the unfortunate realisation I'd forgotten to pack the charger though. I resolved to shop for one and eat the cost as a Dumb Person Tax.
The Vancouver to Victoria ferry is probably the busiest in BC but my ride was still pleasant. I initially sat on one side at a window, but when Aerosmith started cranking from a Guitar Hero video game in the adjacent arcade, I decided to relocate to the front centre to get a more panoramic view. It was my first exposure to the Gulf Islands as we passed between them, often rather closely. Snow dusted the fir trees.
Two younger guys a few seats away started pulling out instruments. An acoustic guitar. Aww man, I thought. Next came a tambourine, then a shaker. Now I was really getting worried; surely I would be subjected to some awful music shortly. Sure enough they promptly stood up at the front, introduced themselves, and launched into just two songs. I shouldn't have worried. They played very well, a cheerful Latin-tinged sound and a unique vocal delivery, roaming the aisles. After their two songs, they brought out CDs to sell, and as the trickle became a flood, it was clear they'd won over quite a few new fans. Some even asked for autographs. I just kept grinning and basking in the glow of the impromptu community.
A pod of killer whales was spotted. We also saw the unusual sight of a crew member shoveling snow from the deck.
Listening to randomly ordered songs, I realised I was listening through some songs I would otherwise skip over, making time for things I usually don't. Slowing down, and adjusting to "island time".
At the Schwartz Bay ferry terminal, I chose the slower of the two waiting double buses because the faster express had an immense line of waiting riders, and I was in no hurry. It was nice to be reacquainted with the motions of riding the top of a double bus, and the journey through Saanich and Sidney was scenic, with lots of coastal and countryside views.
In town, I spent the better part of an hour shopping for a charger (always more expensive than you expect) and then wandered a bit before crossing the Johnson Street bridge and walking along the north shore of the Inner Harbour to an early dinner at the legendary pub Spinnakers.
I was hoping for a seat at the upstairs bar and the chance to connect with a few other beer geeks. This was not to be. The entire upstairs was reserved for a ticket-only Firkin Festival of cask ales from around the region. Getting a table at the downstairs restaurant, I was further chagrined to find that my first two choices of cask ale, the Jameson's Scotch Ale and the Abbott Ale, were both unavailable. I made do with their fine Spinnakers Ale, and later washed down my fish and chips with a pint of their cask ESB, which Macleans reportedly called one of Canada's top beers.
I walked back, admiring the harbour at night and the now-lit strings of Christmasy lights adorning Parliament. I checked into my room at the Swan's Hotel, right above another of my favourite pubs. Soon I was downstairs to partake of my two must-haves from their brewery: the Extra IPA and the sublime Rileys Scotch Ale, happiness in a glass. A fine ending to a fine day out.
My trip started with a surprise snowfall. Fortunately the roads were clear. I was also fortunate to get a ride to the Tsawassen ferry terminal with Margo, who needed to pick up mail over the border in Point Roberts, saving me about an hour in transit time.
I'm travelling light: just a shoulder bag. No camera, no books, no magazines, few clothes. It's just simpler when travelling alone. If I want to get up and explore the ferry or train, it's easier with one bag than with two.
I do have the iPad. I'm still delighted with it. It's an Anything Box: it can be just about anything a flat rectangle can contain. It's a deck of cards, or any board game I want. It's a library of books, especially free books from public domain authors - I have Shakespeare, Mark Twain, H.P. Lovecraft and many others loaded. It's a magazine; this week's Macleans and the current Uncut from England are loaded via Zinio. It's a video game arcade. It's a video player. It's a browser, letting me type this blog. It is endless distraction whenever I want it.
Boarding the ferry, I had the unfortunate realisation I'd forgotten to pack the charger though. I resolved to shop for one and eat the cost as a Dumb Person Tax.
The Vancouver to Victoria ferry is probably the busiest in BC but my ride was still pleasant. I initially sat on one side at a window, but when Aerosmith started cranking from a Guitar Hero video game in the adjacent arcade, I decided to relocate to the front centre to get a more panoramic view. It was my first exposure to the Gulf Islands as we passed between them, often rather closely. Snow dusted the fir trees.
Two younger guys a few seats away started pulling out instruments. An acoustic guitar. Aww man, I thought. Next came a tambourine, then a shaker. Now I was really getting worried; surely I would be subjected to some awful music shortly. Sure enough they promptly stood up at the front, introduced themselves, and launched into just two songs. I shouldn't have worried. They played very well, a cheerful Latin-tinged sound and a unique vocal delivery, roaming the aisles. After their two songs, they brought out CDs to sell, and as the trickle became a flood, it was clear they'd won over quite a few new fans. Some even asked for autographs. I just kept grinning and basking in the glow of the impromptu community.
A pod of killer whales was spotted. We also saw the unusual sight of a crew member shoveling snow from the deck.
Listening to randomly ordered songs, I realised I was listening through some songs I would otherwise skip over, making time for things I usually don't. Slowing down, and adjusting to "island time".
At the Schwartz Bay ferry terminal, I chose the slower of the two waiting double buses because the faster express had an immense line of waiting riders, and I was in no hurry. It was nice to be reacquainted with the motions of riding the top of a double bus, and the journey through Saanich and Sidney was scenic, with lots of coastal and countryside views.
In town, I spent the better part of an hour shopping for a charger (always more expensive than you expect) and then wandered a bit before crossing the Johnson Street bridge and walking along the north shore of the Inner Harbour to an early dinner at the legendary pub Spinnakers.
I was hoping for a seat at the upstairs bar and the chance to connect with a few other beer geeks. This was not to be. The entire upstairs was reserved for a ticket-only Firkin Festival of cask ales from around the region. Getting a table at the downstairs restaurant, I was further chagrined to find that my first two choices of cask ale, the Jameson's Scotch Ale and the Abbott Ale, were both unavailable. I made do with their fine Spinnakers Ale, and later washed down my fish and chips with a pint of their cask ESB, which Macleans reportedly called one of Canada's top beers.
I walked back, admiring the harbour at night and the now-lit strings of Christmasy lights adorning Parliament. I checked into my room at the Swan's Hotel, right above another of my favourite pubs. Soon I was downstairs to partake of my two must-haves from their brewery: the Extra IPA and the sublime Rileys Scotch Ale, happiness in a glass. A fine ending to a fine day out.
Monday, 1 November 2010
Halloween
Here is a photo of our headless skeleton. Yes, Sarah seems to enjoy being a pile of bones for Halloween; this is the third time I have painted a skeleton costume. I vote for something different next year!
Sunday, 17 October 2010
Bloedel Conservatory
Sarah and I visited the Bloedel Conservatory today. It's a domed tropical environment containing lots of exotic plants and birds.
"Look, Dad!" Sarah spots a bird.
Most of my closeups were pretty rubbish but here are some of the better ones.
Afterward we watched the fountain. Here Sarah is playing the sorcerer and willing the water jets to rise higher.
The conservatory, inside the large Queen Elizabeth Park, is one of the highest points in Vancouver, giving us a nice vista as well.
"Look, Dad!" Sarah spots a bird.
Most of my closeups were pretty rubbish but here are some of the better ones.
Afterward we watched the fountain. Here Sarah is playing the sorcerer and willing the water jets to rise higher.
The conservatory, inside the large Queen Elizabeth Park, is one of the highest points in Vancouver, giving us a nice vista as well.
Monday, 11 October 2010
Road Trip: Mission and Harrison Hot Springs
We decided to have our Thanksgiving meal yesterday instead of today. With Margo baking all day, and Sarah wanting to stay home (she never wants to go out), I came up with an outing for myself. I'm rarely in our car, so the idea of the open road and some nice tunes sounded good.
After consulting maps, I decided to explore what is effectively a single road. If you start at the Western edge of Vancouver in the University of British Columbia and head east on Broadway, it will be renamed as Lougheed Highway at the Vancouver-Burnaby border (Boundary Road). Lougheed then proceeds about 125 km along the northern shore of the Fraser River, ending just about at the resort community of Harrison Hot Springs and passing through the tri-cities of Port Moody, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam as well as Mission and Dewdney.
I stopped in Mission to briefly look around. I knew there was something like a monastery on a hilltop there, but after a few minutes of driving around the city centre, even going uphill a bit, I didn't see any references to it, so continued East.
Harrison Hot Springs is a small resort town at the bottom of Harrison Lake. I didn't stay more than a few minutes but did see a public pool that appeared to be fed by natural hot springs. But the natural beauty is a draw and many hotels and resorts are there to accommodate visitors.
Natually the focus of the city planning is the waterfront. At the end of the road there's a nice gathering place.
Here's the lake. It extends for hundreds of kilometers. In the centre is one of its larger islands. The southern end is more broad and shallow; the northern end is more fjordlike, narrow and deep.
A large pool has been built at the waterfront, ringed by sand.
On the way back, traffic slowed to a crawl. For a while all I could see was a moving van going very slowly along the side of the road, holding up traffic behind it. Turns out it was a support van for what looks like a skateboard-related fundraising activity.
Approaching Mission from the East, it was easy to see the spire of Westminster Abbey, which wasn't visible from the West. I worked out which road to take up toward it and was soon parked. Much of the grounds are closed to visitors but a path has been provided to a lookout point, giving a fabulous view of the Fraser river and valley.
Here's the main building of the Abbey and its tower.
At the bottom of the Abbey's drive, instead of turning right and rejoining Lougheed, I turned left onto Dewdney Trunk Road, which I knew rejoined Lougheed just before the Pitt River bridge. I'm glad I did. Traffic was much lower and the drive more exciting. I saw lots of motorcycles, a sign of a good road to drive. Soon enough the road hit suburbia, widening to two or more lanes, and I could see distant condo towers, so the rest of the ride back was a slog. But it was a nice afternoon drive overall.
After consulting maps, I decided to explore what is effectively a single road. If you start at the Western edge of Vancouver in the University of British Columbia and head east on Broadway, it will be renamed as Lougheed Highway at the Vancouver-Burnaby border (Boundary Road). Lougheed then proceeds about 125 km along the northern shore of the Fraser River, ending just about at the resort community of Harrison Hot Springs and passing through the tri-cities of Port Moody, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam as well as Mission and Dewdney.
I stopped in Mission to briefly look around. I knew there was something like a monastery on a hilltop there, but after a few minutes of driving around the city centre, even going uphill a bit, I didn't see any references to it, so continued East.
Harrison Hot Springs is a small resort town at the bottom of Harrison Lake. I didn't stay more than a few minutes but did see a public pool that appeared to be fed by natural hot springs. But the natural beauty is a draw and many hotels and resorts are there to accommodate visitors.
Natually the focus of the city planning is the waterfront. At the end of the road there's a nice gathering place.
Here's the lake. It extends for hundreds of kilometers. In the centre is one of its larger islands. The southern end is more broad and shallow; the northern end is more fjordlike, narrow and deep.
A large pool has been built at the waterfront, ringed by sand.
On the way back, traffic slowed to a crawl. For a while all I could see was a moving van going very slowly along the side of the road, holding up traffic behind it. Turns out it was a support van for what looks like a skateboard-related fundraising activity.
Approaching Mission from the East, it was easy to see the spire of Westminster Abbey, which wasn't visible from the West. I worked out which road to take up toward it and was soon parked. Much of the grounds are closed to visitors but a path has been provided to a lookout point, giving a fabulous view of the Fraser river and valley.
Here's the main building of the Abbey and its tower.
At the bottom of the Abbey's drive, instead of turning right and rejoining Lougheed, I turned left onto Dewdney Trunk Road, which I knew rejoined Lougheed just before the Pitt River bridge. I'm glad I did. Traffic was much lower and the drive more exciting. I saw lots of motorcycles, a sign of a good road to drive. Soon enough the road hit suburbia, widening to two or more lanes, and I could see distant condo towers, so the rest of the ride back was a slog. But it was a nice afternoon drive overall.
Saturday, 2 October 2010
The Spanking Head
Hello Reporter Sarah here with the latest Spanking Head news ,we have seen a spanking head sighting near Alberta, they claim he has light brown hair looks about in his 40's and gives people "melvins" a type of wegie. One of the victims Mrs.Nelson will tell us how it felt: Oh I'm on? Ooh um well it's hard to explain really but when he does your underpants tighten and it's really painful.: Thank you Mrs. Nelson now our leading report says that this mans name is Michael Patrick Nelson thats all for tonight so have a good night see you next time on the SPANK channel bye!
Heartwarming Conversation
Sarah: Do you think I should have a plum, or a nectarine?
Mom: Have whichever sounds better to you.
Sarah: But, I really want to know your opinion. Which would YOU have?
Mom: I don't know, a nectarine I suppose.
Sarah: I will have a plum.
Mom: Have whichever sounds better to you.
Sarah: But, I really want to know your opinion. Which would YOU have?
Mom: I don't know, a nectarine I suppose.
Sarah: I will have a plum.
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