Mosaics

We have a breeze again today. I am hoping that the idea of a weather change with the full moon will bring easier sleeps. This morning was a "biggie" for John as he walked down the hill from the house, all the way into town, along to the main square and back to the elementary school where we hailed a taxi for the trip home!!! Bravo!!!

The downtown schoolyard is enclosed with a cement wall. On the exterior, volunteers are encouraged to create mosaic designs. We heard school children rehearsing a Spanish version of Jingle Bells while we stood outside.

Quinta las Pinas

There have been some changes at Quinta las Pinas. The sunporch on the middle level has an extended overhang that will eventually be covered with a canopy of multi coloured bouganvillea that was planted in four hand painted pots. The branches already reach up through the overhang, ready to weave between the slats. By the time we leave at the end of January, there will be a rainbow of coloured blossoms!

It is still humid and very warm during the day and night. Apparently the weather is cooling but after our first sweaty night, I am not convinced....however I am not complaining!!

Sunday morning at Westminster Quay

Three guys at play

on Sunday morning at Westminster Quay.

American Thanksgiving

A celebration of American Thanksgiving

includes an annual cribbage tournament!

Annual reunion

At least once every year we gather with a group of friends for lunch in Vancouver. John's friendship with one of the group dates back to 1941 when, as a 4 year old, he stole Larry's toy. The others came together at Magee High School in 1951.

Stories of their past adventures, repeated over and over from year to year, still bring many chuckles. Of course the stories have not been embellished over time!

Birthday brunch with the Aunties

A birthday brunch celebration.

I couldn't get one shot with her eyes open!!

Damn!!

Damn! Suffering with the first cold of the winter. Have to get back into the habit of hand washing!

Rings of steel

One of the many interesting design features

at Westminster Quay which has expanded

to include walkways in both directions from the Market building.

Westminster Quay

The washrooms at Westminster Quay are very accommodating. 

This points the way for little girls to sit on a lowered red flower seat!!

Welcome sun!

Long shadows

From winter sun

IKEA

We travelled to Vancouver last Friday and have been busy ever since. A visit to the children's area of IKEA was very entertaining for my sisters. They discovered all kinds of critters to play with!

Fuelling up

It feels like we are fuelling up, capturing memories to carry with us over the winter months. On Thursday night we enjoyed a theatre production of "Mending Fences" with three local actors. I am always in awe of those who can memorize hundreds of words and then colour them with emotion before presenting them to a crowded audience. It is impossible to think that this play could have been performed any better on Broadway! Bravo to our local talent!!

On Friday night we shared Crannog Ale's stout and savoury appies at our community owned cinema before joining a full house to watch "The Runway", an Irish film that touched our hearts. This was the opening movie of a mini weekend festival presented by the local Film Society. The next day we returned to see "The Salt of Life", an Italian movie about the invisibility of aging men. Hmmm...I thought that was more likely to happen to aging women! Later that day I was impressed by "Where do we go now?" with shared credits from France, Lebanon, Egypt & Italy. The opening scene of black clad women enroute to the village cemetery was beautifully choreographed and set to music. The film was a true testament to the strength and flexibility of women.

Today's choices are "Midnight's Children" directed by Deepa Mehta, written and narrated by Salman Rushdie or "Stories we tell", a documentary by Sarah Polley. The fact that one is 148 minutes long might be the determining factor!