Canada's Gulf Islands and Point Roberts WA

The ferry terminal's best kept secret - a cheese shop. Only a world class cheese lover (and that's me) would shop for beautiful goat cheese prior to boarding the boat from Vancouver Island to the British Columbia mainland.......... headed for a city and a hotel room without a 'frig. The goat cheese lady said it would be OK not refrigerated for 2 days - and I know they don't chill their gorgeous cheeses in France - so, after sampling all of them, I took a chance and grabbed the mushroom and truffle oil on the far left, heavenly! These stunning cheeses were handmade on Whidbey Island, WA

The B.C. ferries are spacious, comfortable and serve a great breakfast on board. The early morning sail through the Strait of Georgia and the Gulf Islands was spectacular. My dream is to return soon, tour the West coast of Vancouver Island, visit the Pacific Rim National Park, then have several days in these smaller islands, staying in B&B's, enjoying walking, whale watching, and sunsets while sipping a great glass of wine.

It doesn't get more perfect than this!

Trivia question...............what's odd about the town of Point Roberts Washington? If you have time, go here and read the interesting story about this tiny piece of America that you can only access by crossing the border from Canada. Beautiful views across the water to Vancouver Island. Except for the gentle lapping of the tide and an occasional bird call, almost complete silence here on the driftwood covered beach. Worth the short detour (and having to pull out the passports yet again) after we left the ferry and headed to the great city of Vancouver.

We loved taking a break on this quiet beach - all seemed good in the world!

.........................tomorrow, Vancouver, Canada's great Western city.

Chinatown - Victoria - and Bubble Tea!

In downtown Victoria pass under the Gates of Harmonious Interest and find yourself in Canada's oldest Chinatown - Jasmin did just this and found herself at the entrance to Fan Tan Alley.

The alleyway's weather worn-bricks have remained unchanged since Chinatown's beginning. Fan Tan Alley is just five feet wide in places. Gambling and opium dens used to reside here, now there are many interesting little shops selling everything from dice and dominoes to vintage clothing.

Loved the colorful signs in the alley - wish I could have read the ones in beautiful Chinese writing.

Have you tried Bubble Tea? Granddaughter Jasmin was anxious to try this drink originating in Taiwan and now very popular in Asian communities in North America. The fruity and milky concoctions have chewy tapioca balls in the bottom which are drawn up through a wide diameter straw. The bubble tea cafes and bars are like coffee shops with dozens of flavors and additives possible - so popular with the younger people that we had to wait in long lines to be served.

Jasmin chose mango with the black tapioca balls - tasted quite good but I don't think it will take the place of my morning java - especially as they contain about 350 calories!! Would you believe...................here outside a Fan Tan Alley shop we found vintage "bubble tops"....................................just the thing to wear while slurping bubble tea!

Happy Canada Day to all you wonderful, friendly Canadians.

..........................coming soon, the Gulf Islands and Vancouver.

Victoria, British Columbia

The Royal BC Museum in Victoria is a wonderful place to visit, especially with children. Currently, one of three worldwide traveling exhibitions named TITANIC the Artifact Exhibition is being presented. This was well worth the visit - extremely moving but educational. On entering you are handed a Boarding Pass, mine is shown below, with the name and details of a passenger (hopefully this photo will enlarge for you - is there anyone out there who knows why some do and others don't?). I was actually another Mary - Mary Davis from London, traveling alone to visit a sister in NY. At the end of the exhibition the passenger lists are displayed on a wall and one is able to see if the person on your Boarding Pass survived the tragic event. Mary Davis did, as did my Granddaughter's person, however the Swedish gentleman who's pass my husband held did not! Of course the victims' list was mostly men as they had to relegate the lifeboats to the women and children. There are amazing actual relics from the Titanic in this exhibit along with photographs and depictions of the terrible accident that occured on that night to remember.

A visit to Craigdarroch Castle was interesting - those of us with small cottage style homes would be totally lost in a home like that! Afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel is now so overpriced, we had to pass. Instead we returned to this cute cottage tea room nearby.
In the evening we took Beach Road out of the city enjoying the fresh air and the view across Oak Bay toward the San Juan Islands and the mainland.

.........................next time - Victoria's colorful Chinatown and Bubble Tea!!

Good to be Home Again

Have you missed me? Ha! ha! I've been back a week but have been so busy with many family things to take care of - only just getting back to blog and update you on a great trip, along with the ups and downs of daily life. Have skimmed through your posts - wow, how I missed every one of you - and can see I must take time to catch up with everyone's news, especially dear Amy at foursistersinacottage as she starts her chemo (such a brave gal). Next week I will not keep my Granddaughter - she's off to camp - so hope to have a creative week of my own. This will include making some art cards, starting the Memory Book of the trip to the Northwest/Canada, blogging, and of course checking in and making time to leave each of you a note.

We started out by ferry from Seattle via Bainbridge Island to the spectacular Olympic Peninsula.

A stop in Port Gamble to enjoy the view from a quiet place - Jasmin took the pictures.

No time for a picnic, however an excellent dinner that evening at the Fountain Cafe in Port Townsend - one of our favorites from previous visits - new owner now but still great food!

Arriving early morning by ferry from Port Angeles, WA one is impressed by the scenery as you dock in Victoria B.C. If you've visited you will agree that it's a lovely city situated on the southern tip of spectacular Vancouver Island - very Canadian but still has an air of Britain wafting through the well kept public gardens and old Parliament buildings. Below is the famous ivy covered Empress Hotel - step inside and step back to a more elegant time. Didn't stay there - a little beyond our budget! Quite a few "Victorians" have chosen to make their homes on houseboats - extremely elegant ones too! It seems Victorian birds don't mind bathing in cool fountains

and.................strange Englishmen, wandering around Parliament, dress in historic costumes and speak with upper crust British accents! Lovely statue of the young Queen Victoria silhouetted against Parliament on a perfect sunny June afternoon.

.......................to be continued.

Lavender Fields Forever

Very early Tuesday morning I'll be on my way to Washington State and British Columbia ~ early Summer vacation in an area I truly love. See my post of last Wednesday for details. I love lavender - grew it in England as a child in the family garden - my brother's 200 year old village house in France has rows of it in his garden - I struggle to grow it here in humid North Carolina each Summer. Hope to visit the Jardin du Soleil Lavender Farm in Sequim, Washington - may be a little early to see the flowers in full bloom however it sounds like such a wonderful place at any time. They have mountains to the south, waters to the north and sunshine year round!
These lovely photos were not taken in Sequim but they do show the amazing differences in the lavender colors.
I've decided the laptop stays home! As much as I'll miss posting and reading your posts for a while, I want this to be a relaxing vacation for my DH and granddaughter as well as moi!! Lugging another heavy bag to bother with at airport security, border crossings etc., just isn't fun. I will have my camera and hope to spend time getting some great pictures to share with you later. Until then, take care ~~~~I'll catch up with you when I return.

CHEERIO!

Inspiration Friday - Southwest France June 2006

At the very top of the circulade village of Aigne (built in 1000 AD) in the Minervois area of SW France, there are pretty ivy clad houses such as this one - a couple have been turned into art galleries. A circulade is a "l'escargot" or snail shaped village - just one narrow cobbled street of ancient stone houses, turning round and round as it climbs the hill - a means of fortification during the time of the Cathar uprisings.

I can imagine a simple table set in these tiny village gardens..................

.......................and on the pink tablecloth glasses of double strawberry trifles........

.....................and little fresh strawberry cream puffs........afternoon tea, French village style.

As I continured circling around and around to get to the top, somewhat dizzy in the June heat, I noticed French kitties lounging on windowsills enjoying the afternoon siesta.

Returning to the bottom of the l'escargot we were welcomed to lunch at the Restaurant Lo Cagarol where we sat under the sunbrella on the terrasse ombragee - shaded terrace - and enjoyed cuisine gourmande - gourmet cuisine. My DH and granddaughter are sitting at the far left table with my brother and sister-in-law who now live near this idyllic medieval village.