Tinkerblue

First Paddle of the Summer

In fact that was the first time I've been kayaking in years.

We used to go all the time. We'd take sandwiches and go after work, we'd pack up the tent and go camping almost every weekend in the summer. Then we bought an airplane (or two) and the kayaks were neglected.

They've been hanging from the ceiling of the hangar for years. Yesterday I brought them up to Sechelt. (Dave kindly lent me his - it's more fun with two).

I'm walking distance to the beach, so this afternoon. I strapped the wheels on the kayak and walked down the side of the highway to the beach. Caught a few funny looks from the passing traffic, but mostly beeps and friendly waves.

The hardest part was hauling 52lbs of kayak over the driftwood and rocks to get from the road to the water. But once I was on the water it was worth the effort.

It's a beautiful sunny day, a little breeze, small rolling waves and quite. Just the noise of the ocean and the birds flying overhead.

I spent about an hour out in the water paddling and floating and enjoying the day.

While I don't mind going on my own, it's better than not going at all, I can't wait until someone else wants to come kayaking. There's two small islands (Trail Islands) opposite us, I'd like to pack a lunch and paddle out to them and back.

I'm looking forward to kayaking fairly often over the summer. I need to buy a dry bag of some sort for my iPhone. Today I used a ziplock bag, not very effective - the last photo was taken with the phone in the zip lock bag, it's a tad out of focus. Also a ziplock bag doesn't float.

Anyone want to come kayaking with me?

Twilight Photography Class

Back last year I purchased two Groupons for a twilight photography class at Granville Island. The idea was that DQ and I would take the class together.  Maybe go for dinner and a drink afterwards. Well we know how that turned out. I debated not going at all.  But I needed to get out of the house.  So I went.

 

I haven't done a lot of night photography. Well I have, but with my little point and shoot that does everything automatically for me. This was really the first time I had used the DSLR and the tripod.

 

 The class was through Amanda Kerr Photography, Amanda was our instructor for the evening. Amanda was very patient with my lack of manual photography skills.

 

With only 6 people in the class there was a lot of one on one attention and hopefully what I learnt will sink in.  I have information about aperture, ISO and shutter speed swirling in my head.  

 

 

Increase or decrease the shutter speed, made much more sense when it was phrased as turn the dial left or right! I know, I'm so technical.

 

 

And once I didn't have to worry about adjusting the ISO and just left it was 100 I was good. Night photography for dummies. Works for me.

 

It was a lot of fun.  I'm glad I talked myself into going on my own.  

 

 

I took a lot of photos last night. Some good, some not so good.  It's a work in progress.

 

I'd consider doing another class with Amanda.  I know I could probably work it out by reading the manual and using Google and You Tube.  But sometimes it's just worth it to take a class, and get the practical instruction.

 

 

Next Race - St Patricks 5k

I just signed up for another 5km race. The St Patricks Day 5k in Stanley Park.

It comes with its own incentive to finish...The Granville Island Brewery After Party. Beer, Irish stew and cupcakes.

Peninsula Hot Springs

I went back to the hot springs last night. Narelle had never been before, despite living only 30 mins away. We left the boys with Justin and had a girls night out.

Lucky for us if you go after 7pm you get a $10 discount on the entry fee. Nice!

Yes, I'm posting photos of Narelle and myself on the Internet in swimsuits. (I might change my mind and take them down). That is a wine barrel I'm sitting in, unfortunately no wine, just hot water.

Chocolates, Hot Pools, Beer and Pizza

I'm almost home. I'm spending a week in Melbourne first with Narelle and Justin and their boys, Dale, Liam, and Tait.

Today I was lucky enough to spend the day with some other friends, Nicole and Brendan.

We started the day with brunch at Blue Mini Cafe in Rosebud. It was delicious and well with the detour to get there - don't ask Brendan for directions, he took us an extra 20+ km down the highway!

After we filled our bellies we headed over to Flinders to Mornington Peninsula Chocolates. See the fish in the photos? They are all chocolate. Nicole and I indulged in the tasting session - almond praline, honey ganache, and orange ganache. Mmmm, the honey ganache literally melted in my mouth. So good. I bought three to take away as a treat for later - raspberry ganache, grapefruit ganache, and ganache noir. The ganache noir was my favourite, I could have inhaled an entire box of them. They are "Stonier vintage sparkling wine with Force Noir Chocolate ganache dipped in dark couverture." I'm not hundred percent sure what all that is, but it was so good.
http://www.mpchocolates.com.au/

We spent the better part of the day at the Peninsula Hot Springs. Here's the description from the website:
"The Bath House has over 20 bathing experiences on offer with areas suitable for visitors of all ages including a Hill Top pool with 360 deg views, reflexology walk, Turkish steam room, sauna, cave pool, family bathing area and many more".

We spent a good few hours here. The outside temperature was 32c, the hot pools were hot, bloody hot, 42c. The cool pools were 31c! It was so nice and relaxing. Rose, are you reading this? It was similar to Scandinave, but more pools and a more natural setting. You'd love it. I liked the view from the hilltop pool, but it was too hot to sit in. The plunge pool was cold, take your breath away cold, but it felt good. Nicole wasn't a fan, but I loved the reflexology walk.
http://www.peninsulahotsprings.com/

We finished the evening off with pizza and beer at the Mornington Peninsula Brewery. I had the Aussie Ale, a medium bodied beer, made only with Australian ingredients. It went down quiet well.

I paired it with the spiced lamb pizza. I miss lamb, don't eat much of it in Canada. I've had it everyday since I've been back. The pizza bases are made with the brewery's beer. They were very tasty. I'd recommend it if you happen to be on the Mornington Peninsula.
http://www.mpbrew.com.au

A great day. Thanks Nicole and Brendan. I needed today.

Advent Calendar Day #21 - Festival of Lights at VanDusen Gardens

Happy Winter Solstice. Happy shortest day of the year (or longest, if you're on the southern hemisphere). Happy first day of winter.

Tonight after work Morag and I went to see the Festival of Lights at VanDusen Gardens. I've not been before. It was with going to. Word of warning... The queue to get in was huge. About an hour. Buy your tickets in advance. Don't wait to buy them at the door.

We were there about half an hour. We might have stayed longer but we were so bloody cold. The lake had started to freeze over.

The display uses over a million LED lights. Good thing they're LED, could you imagine the electricity bill?

It was spectacular. We were there for two of the half hour dancing light shows. I could have watched the lights for hours. Jo, you would have absolutely hated it. Good thing you are not here.

We missed seeing Svend and Jens, the Christmas Elves. Next time.

(and I get to cross another item off my Christmas Stocking List)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/sandra-thomas/festival-of-lights-at-van_b_1158225.html

Advent Calendar Day #20 - Bright Nights at Stanley Park

Day 20 - See some Christmas lights. Morag and I had our choice today. Bright Nights at Stanley Park, Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge or Festival or Lights at Van Dusen Gardens.

We chose Bright Nights at Stanley Park. Same location as the Ghost Train Sharyn, Kath and I went to.

I live going and riding the little train and seeing all the lights. It's so pretty. It definitely feels like Christmas .

My Christmas Stocking List

This is my Christmas Stocking list. No, it's not a wish list of gifts to buy for me. It's a list of things I would like to do before Christmas. Being that Christmas is less than a week away, these are not all happening.

*marks the items done
% marks Yeah, No, Not gonna happen

Bright Nights at Stanley Park
Drinks at Hotel Sylvia
Ice Skating at Grouse Mountain
Nutcracker (Dec 28-31 QET)
White Christmas or Patron Saint of Stanley Park (Dec 2-28 Arts Club)
*Buy a schwibbogen, nutcracker or smoker from the market
%Watch one Christmas movie a week
%Bake Christmas cookies once a week
*Follow advent calendar
Van Dusen Festival of Lights
*Have a mug of Feuerzangenbowle and/or Gluhwein at the market
*Get a Christmas pedicure
Make Christmas crackers
%Go to the Canucks game on Boxing Day

What's on your Christmas Stocking List?

Advent Calendar Day #4 - Make a Donation

In the spirit of giving make a donation. Food, toys, clothes, cash... Whatever you can spare.

I've had a rough couple of months emotionally, but I am very lucky to have my health, my family, my friends, a comfy bed to sleep in every night, a home cooked meal or a hot drink to warm my belly. There are those way less fortunate than me.

So my plan....

I have lightly worn winter costs that are now too big, new hats, mitts and scarves that have never been worn.

I have a cupboard full of canned foods, bags of pasta, soup, tuna, and more.

I even have brand new unopened toys and books. I'm guessing at some point they were bought specifically for someone, but never made it to the recipient.

So I've gone thought the garage, the kitchen and all number of nooks and crannies in this house. Everything has been cleaned (coats) and bagged up. This week I will drop them off at The Food Bank, a toy drive and Covenant House (who also asked for $5.00 gift cards to Timmies, Subway, Maccas, etc).

Feliz Navidad

Weehee, Ziptrekking

Shazza is not a fan of heights. Or so she says. So when I had a friend book is on the Eagle Tour with Ziptrek Ecotours in Whistler, I wasn't sure how she'd react.

Their website describes our tour as:
Five new ziplines including a 2000' awe inspiring monster that drops over 20 stories, make this tour perfect for those who have already experienced our Ziptrek Bear Tour or are seeking even more heart pounding adrenaline. On this tour you end your adventure by zipping all the way back to Whistler Village!

Bright and early we rocked up to learn our tour was the three of us, William from the US and our two tour guides, James and Chris. Pity James, Chris and William.

We climbed into our harness, and bussed up to the start of the course. Shazza was not do sure about the first line, but James and Chris did an awesome job and it wasn't long before she was screaming and hollering (and peeing her pants - kidding) and wanting more.

The scenery was stunning, fresh snow everywhere. Our tour guides were friendly
and funny, and they put up with the three of us. For that alone they deserved a tip.

The zip trekking was amazing. We loved every minute of it. It was like flying without the plane. And we all zipped down the last line upside down. Yep, upside down, even Shazz. Best morning in a long time. Can't wait to go again.