Archives for category: Travel

Homemade Pastry Pops

February 14, 2013 //

We enjoyed another delicious breakfast at Clay Pigeon in Victoria BC yesterday. They have a new treat and we couldn’t resist trying one. It’s a homemade pastry reminiscent of those packaged toaster goodies my mother would reluctantly buy once in a while if we pleaded long enough. These were superb!

New and delicious toaster-style pastries at Clay Pigeon, Victoria BC. And in the background, their amazing strawberry/rhubarb compote.

Flakey and sweet with a flavourful strawberry filling; and all homemade, except for the sprinkles!

Tags breakfast, Clay Pigeon, jam, pastry, restaurant, rhubarb, strawberry, Victoria BC

Categories Food, Travel, Uncategorized

Gung Hay Fat Choy

February 10, 2013 //

A beautiful day in Chinatown for New Year’s celebrations! Here are some pics from around our wonderful neighbourhood in Victoria BC. Welcome to the Year of the Snake.

As well as his attendants, a huge crowd of onlookers follow the lions through the streets of Chinatown, all to the sound of beating drums and firecrackers popping!

As well as his attendants, a huge crowd of onlookers follows the lions through the streets of Chinatown, all to the sound of beating drums and firecrackers popping!

The lion takes the offering at The Milkman’s Daughter on Government Street.

500 block Fisgard Street, the heart of Chinatown.

This dragon adorns the corner of Government Street and Pandora Avenue.

Doorway in Fan Tan Alley.

The classic shot with Don Mee Restaurant, a Victoria landmark for more than 80 years.

The Holiday decorations came down last week and up went new lanterns, some of them yellow.

New this year, a banner across Government Street announces Canada’s oldest Chinatown.

Tags Chinatown, Chinese New Year, lanterns, Lion Dance, Victoria BC, Year of the Snake

Categories Art, Travel, Uncategorized

Miscellaneous Victoria fun things

February 8, 2013 //

Some sights from Victoria mid winter.

Some early cherry blossoms set off by the beautiful Union Club, downtown Victoria BC.

GJ’s Teds displayed on the piano.

Last year’s summer hydrangea weathered and muted by the autumn and winter, but still spectacular.

So many Pea Fowl. Not all the Cocks had their tail feathers fully grown, but they are still so beautiful.

Spent an afternoon recently at Vanity Fair on Fort Street. Cases and cases of extraordinary items to peruse. Hours of fun!

Our first crocus sighting of 2013.

Many shades of grey, Ross Bay.

Very lovely boulevard display of snowdrops and cones in the neighbourhood of Rockland.

Tags antiques, cherry blossoms, crocus, GJ Pearson, hydrangea, peacock, sculpture, snowdrops, stormy sky, Victoria BC

Categories Art, Travel, Uncategorized

Summit Park and Smith’s Hill Reservoir

January 24, 2013 //

We took a lovely walk the other day to a part of the city we rarely visit, even tho it was only about 40 minutes by foot. In the Hillside-Quadra neighbourhood of Victoria is a wonderful Garry Oak grove called Summit Park. Next to it is the old Smith’s Hill Reservoir, shortly used in the early 1900s and fallen into disrepair. I find the rough and ragged beauty of the place astounding, and there are some beautiful views of the city to be had. Many years ago when I lived nearby, I remember how magnificent it was in the early spring when the crocus were in bloom: a tranquil sea of purples and white.

This north west view caught a glimpse of blue sky in the dark grey day.

A vast variety of greens.

South west view toward the Sooke Hills.

If you can ignore the chain-link fence and barbed wire, you can find magical beauty here.

Lots of birds take advantage of the old reservoir. In the summer, it’s a great place to watch swallows.

One of the largest Garry Oak meadows in the city.

The lovely snowdrop, always our first sign of spring’s approach.

I was touched by this memorial bench and the wild offering in memory.

Tags city views, Garry Oak, meadow, reservoir, Summit Park, Victoria BC

Categories Travel, Uncategorized

Open Studio

January 19, 2013 //

We’ve decided to open the studio to visitors one Saturday per month for the next few months. If you live in Victoria, or will be visiting, please drop by!

Tags Art, GJ Pearson, kinetic sculpture, open studio, sculpture, Victoria BC

Categories Art, Travel, Uncategorized

Winter Colour

January 17, 2013 //

Was delighted by this scene at Beacon Hill Park; so many colours for a mid-January day!

From a distance, I thought this tree was experiencing an early bloom. Upon closer inspection, I find it covered with berries in shades of pink and white.

Tags Beacon Hill Park, Victoria BC, winter colour

Categories Travel, Uncategorized

Adventures in Hot Chocolate

January 12, 2013 //

Gorgeous, cold, sunny day today. We walked around in Fernwood enjoying the brisk air. We stopped at the Cornerstone Cafe for a warmup. Their hot chocolate is very good. It had a nice subtle scent of cinnamon and a hint of cinnamon and chili in the flavour. The cafe is very pretty and a true part of the community.

Rich and creamy, great flavour!

Bright, large windows look out towards the square and The Belfry Theatre.

Cornerstone Cafe, corner of Fernwood and Gladstone.

Tags Cornerstone Cafe, Fernwood neighbourhood, Hot Chocolate, Victoria BC

Categories Food, Travel, Uncategorized

Sad sight; post-Christmas blues

January 12, 2013 //

The sad sight of discarded trees. Hopefully these are destined for some useful purpose.

The ghosts of Christmas newly past.

Tags Christmas trees, Victoria BC

Categories Travel, Uncategorized

Royal BC Museum

January 5, 2013 //

Spent the afternoon at the Royal BC Museum yesterday; we haven’t been there is years! For those of you in Victoria, they are open by donation ($5 suggested) until January 9. There is an amazing Wildlife Photography exhibit on right now, as well as an exhibit of early printed maps. The real draw for me (as it was when I was a child) is the Modern History Gallery and its recreation of Victoria’s Old Town at about 1900. Throughout the Holiday Season, the Old Town is decked out in Christmas finery. I couldn’t resist taking a few snaps, most of which turned out fuzzy. I would highly recommend visiting this world-class museum if you travel to Victoria. Hope you all enjoy twelfth night and that you had a joyous Holiday Season; and Merry Christmas on Monday to those following the Gregorian Calendar!

A slightly fuzzy overview of the Old Town exhibit in the Modern History Gallery at the Royal BC Museum.

Stairwell leading to the old Hotel.

A decorated room in the hotel.

Tags 19th century life, Christmas, Festive decorations, Old Town, Royal BC Museum, Victoria BC, Victoria BC attractions

Categories Travel, Uncategorized

Nice long New Year’s walk

January 3, 2013 //

Such a splendid sunny day, and a lot of folk out enjoying it. Just took our usual route along the waterfront and through the park, but always new things to see!