Here and There...

I know I am late in updating the pics! I haven't been out for the last couple of days, so here are a few from the past weekend.

This is Long Lake, in North Nanaimo.

Long Lake is a favourite swimming and boating spot in summer - now the ducks are enjoying it in peace.

Then to Parksville, and the park on the ocean.

There were some very large roots and logs that have come in with the storms this winter.

The storms and the high tides have cut away the lawn....

There is a lot of new building along the Parksville waterfront - mostly condos......

This fluffy finch spent most of today in the feeder.

The flower of the day...... the first primroses blooming....

Deep Bay

Quite a nice day today - about 8 degrees C and some sunshine off and on.

I drove up through Parksville and Qualicum to Deep Bay - one of my favourite spots. This part of the Island is called 'Lighthouse Country', and here is the lighthouse.

This is the marina at Deep Bay. The clouds never lifted from the mountains, but the sun was filtering through. The snow on the hills shows up all the logging slashes.....

The dock has a colourful railing. Behind this little bay is a narrow peninsula with one street of houses.

I drove out on this peninsula - and this is the view from the end of it. This is looking north-west up the Island towards Courtenay.

The flower of the day...... a small cheat - these daffs were in a pot outside Thrifty Foods......

January Days....

The first three pictures were taken yesterday - it was mostly cloudy but quite mild.

I drove up to the top of Oakridge - this is the marina channel with Departure Bay to the right.

This is a picture of the new C-class ferry on our Departure Bay / Horseshoe Bay run. It is quite a bit bigger than the old one behind it. As I am going to Vancouver next Monday, maybe I will get to ride on it....... Yes, I do believe in ferries......

This was taken from the new planned subdivision below the Lost Lake Rd., looking down on all the new building on Rocky Point.

Yesterday was nice - today was a different story. It snowed at the higher levels (not at my house) and then warmed up and rained. This is Jingle Pot Rd. this afternoon.

I stopped at the Millstone River - it is usually a small stream, but is now flooding over the banks.

Flower of the day - heather, of course....... all the winter heather is looking very colourful.

Brannen Lake

The day started out cloudy and dull, but gradually brightened in the afternoon and about +5 C.

I was out briefly, and drove around Brannen Lake. The snow is quite low on Mount Benson.

There isn't much access to the lake - I only know of this little road down to the water.

The lake is very high after all the rains, flooding into the fields.

At the south end of the lake is the Nanaimo Correctional Centre - it used to be called the Brannen Lake Penitentiary. That is part of it on the right of the picture.

Back home - the view from my window at sunset.

Flower of the day - I am not sure what these are called - but they bloom all winter.

Yesterday in Victoria

I drove to Victoria yesterday with Lovette...... It was horridly windy and poured cats and dogs all the way to Duncan, but then the sky began to improve and by picture time it was mostly blue.

After our errands and shopping, we drove around so I could take some pictures. This is the sunny Inner Harbour.

A quick stop in Beacon Hill Park

It was warm and sunny - 11 degrees C (what's that? 52 F...) - sweater weather.

The flower beds are full of winter blooms.

We couldn't see the Olympic Peninsula on the other side of the Strait. The harbour master's boat is just at the freighter's bow.

Then up to the Lieutenant Governor's gardens - the helebores were quite spectacular.

It is beginning to darken with clouds again. This is the view from the gardens down towards the sea.

Back on the sea route, the wind is kicking up.

Flower of the day - I knew I would find these! The snowdrops are out in many gardens. Spring is coming!

Cow Bay

We went to Cowichan Bay several days ago.

As usual, the skies were gray......

This is looking towards the 'town' and the marina.

We walked out on the maritime museum pier. There are quite a few houseboats tied up here.

The snow was quite low on the hills and the air was cold that day.

An old boom boat painted up - definitely easy to see in the fog!

This is the end of the museum pier.

Along the pier are small buildings holding old outboard engines, canoes and other maritime memorabilia.

It looks like wood smoke - do you suppose there is a stove inside?

This is the view from my window today - stormy - lots of wind and rain.

Flower of the day - a poor little pansy in one of my flower pots is trying to come out.

Happy New Year!

It is time for resolutions. I only have two - I am GOING to lose weight and try to put up more pictures for all of my friends who tune in faithfully as long as I keep putting them on-line. I know I have promised this many times before - hopefully 2008 will be better! Rain is promising to take a picture each day - a 365 challenge.

The photo above was taken a couple of days ago, from my window.
Today was gray, but any coast winter day when it doesn't rain is a bonus.... I stopped at Piper's Lagoon, briefly. It was quite mild out, and I wished the tide had been out so I could easily get to the hump across. There were several families out for winter walks.

It was quite windy at the beach, but a family with kids, picnic basket and pails and shovels seemed to be enjoying it.....

The south winds have brought up lots of interesting seaweed. Does anyone know what the pink stuff is?



My favourite photos in January are of flowers. These winter rhodos are out on Hammond Bay Rd. This is what living on the Island is all about!