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…and washed the snow away.
But not before we went for a walk in a very snowy Centennial Park in Saanichton.
Just a few snaps – which were not that easy to take given that I was wearing two pairs of gloves to protect my aging hands against the icy wind-chill. Walking is fine; standing still is a mistake!
Tags: British Columbia, Photo, Snow, Walk, winter
In my last post I promised further and better snow images – should the Arctic Outflow oblige by providing the requisite white stuff as it threatened to do. Yesterday evening it duly delivered. Herewith the evidence:
The inclement weather produced by the outflow led to a number of record low temperatures across the province, a notion which – given that large tracts of Canada are already notorious for bitterly cold winters – should cause the mind to boggle somewhat. Fortunately the worst of these records were set in parts of British Columbia to which right minded folk do not venture, should they be able at all to avoid so doing. Here in Victoria we reached a mere -5C yesterday – though the wind chill factor dropped that to a much less balmy -13C.
The Girl and I went for a swift walk around our neighbourhood yesterday and that gave me an opportunity to try out what has already become a favourite amongst her Christmas gifts to me – this fetching and most excellent tuke (for non-Canadians a tuke is a beanie!). This thing is awesomely warm which is clearly achieved by the appliance of some wonder of science or other… or possibly of magic. Either way it is a life (and ear) saver when the temperatures dip below -10C.
…Not so sure about the ‘jolly’ though!…
Who would have thought when I was writing this last year:
“There is no getting away from the fact that this is a Christmas unlike any that we have known. In fact, unless one is old enough to remember the Second World War it is highly unlikely that such a level of disruption to the normal cycle of celebration will have been experienced before. None the less, we will persevere – because that is what we do. And come next year – when much has returned to a state considerably closer to the ‘old normal’ – we may find it difficult to recall just how weird this one was.”
…that a year down the line I could easily have found myself writing exactly the same thing!
Funny old world – ain’t it?
Still…
…to friends, acquaintances and gentle readers…
…from the Kickass Canada Girl and the Imperceptible Immigrant…
we wish you a safe and peaceful Christmas and a Happy Hogmany!
Christmas piccies…!
Tags: Celebration, Christmas, Photo
Ever since arriving in Canada (more than six years ago now) I have – twice a week – taken part in a fitness class for those over 55 years of age. I do not do so because I enjoy this particular form of exercise but because I am determined to keep everything going for as long as possible. If that means doing some work – so be it.
The majority of of the group are ladies, with whom – naturally – I now have reasonably good relationships. We often go for a coffee after the class, to the delightfully named “Fickle Fig” farm shop on the outskirts of Sidney. We sit outside around a huge table – for the (by now) usual COVID protection reasons.
Sometimes we are not alone. Sometimes the wildlife wants to join in – as with this cheeky chappie!
He – or she – doesn’t seem to care for coffee but does quite like the pastries (which, of course, I can’t eat).
He – or she – cared not a jot that I was taking pictures of him/her!
Even during the wettest autumns there usually comes the occasional bright interlude. An alternative to getting out into the garden to slog one’s way through the many outstanding tasks there is to go for a nice walk instead.
To Gowlland Tod for example:
I found that I had too many photographs of the Fall leaves in Centennial Park in Saanichton to fit into a single post…
…so here are the rest of them.
That is one serious bunch of leaves!
Tags: Autumn, British Columbia, Fall, nature, Photo
“And all at once, summer collapsed into fall.”
Oscar Wilde
Should there be any doubts as to why Autumn is known as Fall here in North America, these images may well satisfy them.
They also provide an interesting illustration of the fact that – even when one is apparently walking through a forest predominantly comprising mixed conifers – there are always more maples present than appears to be the case at first (or even second) sight.
It feels to me as though it has been quite a long time now since even the blowsy days of August – when everything in the garden wore the appearance of having enjoyed rather too good a night out and was, in the aftermath thereof, trying just that bit too hard to convince that all was still coming up roses (see what I did there?)… Never mind looking back even further to the true highlights of the season (as far as our garden is concerned, anyway) in May, June and early July…
And as I say – even August is now but a memory…
Yet here we are – with the race to the shortest day well underway and nature – if not quite yet in full retreat – certainly considering carefully turning tail and joining the rout.
Kudos, then, to that flora still determined to see things through to the bitter end. Your loyalty is much appreciated and we thank you for yet bringing a little colour and light into our lives.
Some images, by way of illustration:
Tags: Autumn, British Columbia, garden, Photo
‘Tis the time of the year in Victoria that one repeatedly casts anxious glances outside – regardless of the time of day – to see what the weather is doing (or is about to do).
Today – for example – it is (to use the vernacular) tossing it down!
Yesterday was sunny – so we went for a walk and I got out in the garden.
This is the key of course. We venture outside whenever we can – to observe and enjoy the sights – be they what they may…
…like moonbeams – such as those emanating from this big golden full moon over the sea:
…or mushrooms! It is that time of year when the ‘fun guys’ poke their heads out for a few days before going subterranean for another cycle. These are the first of the crop:
…and mountains. This one you probably know already:
…and other magic! ‘Nuff said:
Tags: British Columbia, Fall, nature, Photo, Victoria
The new academic year stumbles somewhat uncertainly into life, with the Fall term kicking off and hoping – in this semi-post-COVID world – not to fall flat on its face. More of that in a near-future post!
For now though – one last day out before we knuckle down and try to surf our way through the unforgiving swell…
We live (as I am sure I have mentioned previously) near the seaside town of Sidney on the Saanich peninsula to the north of the city of Victoria – which itself nestles into the south eastern corner of Vancouver Island with the sea on three sides (See map for details). We face roughly east – looking out over the Haro Strait.
The other side of the peninsula is a deep natural fjord – the Saanich Inlet. I have previously published photos of the good ship Dignity exploring this impressive waterway.
On the far side of the inlet – and close up against it – is the Malahat mountain. To reach Victoria from further north on the island it is necessary to navigate one’s way down between the mountain and the deep inlet. For many years it was thought impossible to drive a road through this hostile land and it was not until the late nineteenth century that the fore-runner of what is now the Malahat Drive was constructed through the pass.
For those used to the grandeurs of other parts of Canada the Malahat may at first glance appear to be small fry. Looks can be deceiving. Weather conditions in winter can be bad on the Malahat and the road is often closed for periods. At the very least it requires snow tyres or chains during the winter months. The narrow and twisty nature of the highway also renders it vulnerable to accidents – which can easily cut Victoria off from the rest of the island for hours at a time.
The Malahat and the Saanich Inlet are – however – also strikingly beautiful and are now home to a new attraction – the Malahat Skywalk. Rather than me describing the attraction to you the link provided will furnish all that you need.
This outing was our first visit to the Skywalk and we were suitably impressed. I will add some images of it at the bottom of this post.
We also paid a first visit to Unsworth Vineyards at nearby Mill Bay, where their attractive restaurant serves a most acceptable lunch (and – of course – also where wines can be tasted).
All in all – a splendid day out. Thanks to The Girl – whose idea it was.
The views!
I added a small arrow to this next photo to indicate the rough position of our home!
Tags: Malahat, Outings, Photo, Saanich Inlet, Victoria
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