The Pink Dishrack

Spotted on Vancouver Island, BC, near Victoria.

(If you enlarge the image, you'll see the words "Pink Dishrack" below the "bay" window. 

As I was travelling solo and there seemed to be little activity in the region of this marina, I wasn't able to establish the name's significance - but thought the reflection worth taking!)

Joining in with other participants of James' Weekend Reflection

Wishing all a safe and happy weekend.

England's Lake District

Back in early May, I spent a couple of days (way too short a time!) in the Lake District of England, based in a charming 17th Century BnB at Ayside where I was warmly greeted by the "locals", this was just a 10 minute drive from the southern edge of Lake Windemere.

This gorgeous mother and daughter team of Highland Laboradors were a delight with their enthusiastic welcomes

I so admire the patience and skill of those who built these iconic stone and slate boundaries centuries ago.

This brilliant blossom provided a blaze of colour as I made my way down to the ferry landing at Fell Foot

where I spotted this Black Headed Gull (their masking is actually chocolate brown in Summer - as was the case here)

 

and this was some of the surrounding scenery viewed from the ferry 

(I took a 3/4 hr round trip on Windemere)

Linking up with Outdoor Wednesday (and thank you Susan for hosting)

Great eatery !

(Thought I'd continue the Canadian experience) ....

In the City of Victoria, British Columbia, is a gem of an eating establishment - Pagliacci's - which I came upon after visiting the nearby Lens & Shutter store to get a new camera battery.

I couldn't resist taking a photo of the menu on the window, and although the quality of this next shot leaves much to be desired, happily the food didn't -

I chose "The Prawn Broker" and it was the most delicious meal I experienced during my 3 week stay.

The ambience and decor was fascinating - images on the warm timber walls reflecting faces and scenes from the 1920s and '30s - some more infamous than others!

Although I was a bit early for lunch, it wasn't long before the place filled with eager patrons.

If you find yourself anywhere near Victoria BC, I encourage you to track down this eatery for a delicious and delightful experience.

Linking up with others at Our World Tuesday

Blue on Blue

At the beginning of this year I was greatly blessed to have been invited to experience a house exchange to Vancouver Island in British Columbia. 

As I live in South AUSTRALIA and Canada had been on my travel wish list for more than 30 years, it will come as no surprise that I joyfully accepted the invitation!  It was a dream come true.

Below is one aspect of the view from the front garden of the property, which is situated adjacent to a couple of marinas and a bird sanctuary.

Behind these blue "doors", expensive yachts are moored

 Joining in with Blue Monday

(Thank you Sally, for hosting)

Green & Gold

This fish was happily swimming in the waters adjacent to Old Moreton Hall in Cheshire, UK

Do visit James' Weekend Reflection for more reflection images

(Thanks for the time and effort you put into hosting that site James)

This too will pass !

Thundery skies over the Marche region of Central Italy

To see other sky shots from around the world, visit Skywatch Friday

Musical Paree

The Paris Metro (underground train system) is an effective, efficient and affordable means of getting around Paris.  (The numerous stairs can be rather testing though on those of us who are unfit - 

especially when toting baggage: another reminder to travel light!)

One of the great and memorable experiences was hearing a group of musicians playing cool jazz in one of the many tunnels running between platforms and particular routes. It was a wonderfully welcoming sound and, regardless of the direction of your intended platform, one felt drawn to follow the source of the beat as it echoed around the tunnels!

On another day's outing, we came across this happy trio set up on a pedestrian bridge across the Seine, providing joyful entertainment for those out and about enjoying the sunshine.

The musicians seemed to be having as much fun as those listening to their talents.

For more images of happenings and scenes around the world, visit

Our World Tuesday

Canoeing in Florence

Canoeing on the River Arno in Florence

Joining in with other reflections from around the world at

James' Weekend Reflection

Evening Glow

The beautiful glow of early evening as the sun sets over Vancouver Island, British Columbia (and magnificent Mt Baker in the State of Washington, USA)

Linking up with Skywatch Friday

Unique Urbino

During the last few days of the European adventure (referred to in my previous post), a visit to the walled town of Urbino in Italy's Marche region was a must - Italian Renaissance painter and architect Raphael (known for his frescoes and "Madonnas" in the Vatican) was born here in 1483 and it is a UNESCO World Heritage site noted for its remarkable legacy of Renaissance culture.

Before (or after!) tackling the physical demands of walking the steep streets, delicious refreshments can be purchased from this popular "bar"/cafe adjacent to the square at the top of the town in which resides a statue of Raphael

. . . with these engaging cherubs at the base

A street sign reaffirms we're on the right track !

The streets were comfortably busy with visitors

. . . a curious feline greets us as we pass by

The town's streets are steep - not for the feint of heart or those wearing high heels! 

. . . lovely views across the town to surrounding countryside

This little shop had displays of pretty, fragrant herbs on its window sills

. . . and here is the dome of Duomo di Urbino

I wondered what hidden treasures lay behind this ornate door! 

Pretty window boxes brightened up the grey walls

Catching up with a friend in the cool shade of the trees in the square

Well, I hope you enjoyed this taste of Urbino

Dutch delights

My overseas travels earlier this year took me to Holland for a 3 day visit where I met the generous hosts of a house exchange in Italy that would complete my European travels 8 weeks down the track.

As it was 45 years since I last spent time in Holland, it was a delight to see it again through more mature eyes! 

 (I still find the windmills a pleasing sight)

. . . and the numerous pretty canals 

with a nesting swan

and, of course, the many bridges over canals throughout Amsterdam.

Linking up with Our World Tuesday and Outdoor Wednesday

with thanks to the respective hosts

Petrel Cove

 

This is the view from Petrel Cove near Victor Harbour in my favourite part of South Australia - the Fleurieu Peninsula.  If you visit our State, may I encourage you to add it to your itinerary? It's unlikely you'll be disappointed (but then again, perhaps I'm a tad biased!!)

 

To see more views from far and wide, click on

Our World Tuesday

A crazy chick !

 

This crazy chick was spotted on the edge of the lake within Biddulph Grange gardens (posted last month). Not much chance of losing its balance with those HUGE feet! - and no, it hasn't been "photoshopped".  (I wondered whether it might be a swamp hen chick)

 

Not sure that this image truly qualifies as a macro shot, but I'll submit it anyway to

Macro Monday 2 and Camera Critters - with thanks to the hosts of both sites.

Beautiful Bretagne

Back in April of this year I was privileged to have been invited to join in a week's house exchange in Bretagne. One of our many exploratory outings took us to the delightful town of Dinan, which is described by Wikipedia as "a walled Breton town and a commune in the Cotes dÁrmor department of north-west France"

 with a population just under 11,000.

 

As shown below it has a wonderful viaduct crossing over the River Rance, on which we enjoyed a half-hour's boat trip.

 

 

 

. . . here a faithful companion waited patiently while its owner tinkered on an adjacent yacht

 

I really like the appearance of these window boxes, storm shutters and ancient stone buildings - so very different to that of Australian houses!

 

 

. . . and here, a fascinating combination of timber and leadlight

 

 

. . .  as little alley ways and stairways invite further exploration

 

while "Pretty Penny"s owner was no doubt expecting just that from the sale of his yacht!

 

 

. . . and beautiful hand-worked curtains adorned many windows

 

and local eateries extended invitations to dine al fresco in a colourful setting

 

It is indeed a truly charming town and one I can thoroughly recommend as a "must visit" on your holiday To Do list.

 

Joining in with James' Weekend Reflection