Sunday morning walk

We are nearing the end of our stay on the Sunshine Coast. This morning we watched a seal in the water and soaked in the sunshine at Hopkins Landing wharf.

Our home away from home is in the second row up from the water and three houses from the right hand side. John is sitting on the end of Hopkins Landing wharf...taking a short break in our morning walk before we saunter along the length of the beach to the left, trudge up the hill and back home.

Along Point Road we stopped to admire this beautiful tree.

Sunrise

And the start of another extraordinary day!

Morning walks are quiet...

...but not silent!

Gulls scream

robins sing

crows protest

and the ferry thrums to life.

I can almost hear buds bursting

as branches stretch

with their springtime load 

of scented blossoms.

In the distance

a tug boat slices the water

with a long trail

of lost logs.

A lone figure approaches

and gives a passing nod

deep inside

his solitude.

End of day

The end of another glorious day!

The sun sets behind us and casts a warm glow on the mountains.

The Queen of Surrey ferry is still siting on the left of Hopkins Landing.

Gumboot and more art

Today's goal, after the usual puppy walk, was to visit Gumboot Restaurant in Roberts Creek for breakfast before driving to a gallery in Sechelt. Word of warning: there are two Gumboot establishments...the Cafe and the Restaurant. The Cafe has a limited menu for breakfast and you order at the counter.
The restaurant is in a separate building and you enter through an arched hedge.

The server handed us menus and there were no breakfast items listed. When we noticed that an omelet and french toast were printed on a chalkboard, I approached the server and asked if those were the breakfast offerings. She confirmed that so John ordered the omelet and I ordered the french toast. About 10-15 minutes later she approached us with different menus and explained that she had given us the wrong menus and that there were many more breakfast options if we wanted to change our orders! By this time...we both figured that our food was cooked and ready to be served...so...we decided not to re-order. Within 2 minutes the food was on the table...and...it was okay but nothing special.

The Arts Council Art Gallery in Sechelt is tucked away beside the Seniors Activity Centre...not exactly in the centre of town. It is housed in a unique log structure and is currently hosting an exhibition of artwork by EDGES, a Sunshine Coast group of six artists. The paintings were experimental and often playful.

Queen of Surrey

Well, it seems that we are cut off from the coast since the Queen of Surrey ferry ran into a docking barge at Langdale this morning and got stuck on the barge. Almost 300 passengers are still onboard and all ferry sailings have been cancelled. A tug boat is supposed to come to the rescue. Meanwhile hundreds of people are inconvenienced onboard and in the outdoor waiting area at Langdale. Fortunately no-one was injured.

Meanwhile we continue our acquaintance with this wonderful area...walks and coffees and chats!

The arts community is alive and well on the Sunshine Coast!

Friday

The sun was hiding behind clouds this morning.

The effect was magical!

A bevy of crocuses greets us at the bottom of the stairs...

...opening their hearts to spring days!

We continue to explore the local cafe options. So far the coffee ratings are highest for Emelle's Bistro in Gibsons Market. We pick up scones from Crazy Red's Breads on the lower level and take them upstairs to the central "meet and greet" area of the market where we order our tea and coffee from Emelle's. This area of the market is bright and airy with lots of seating and local artwork is on exhibit. The only negative is that the market doesn't open until 10am so, on the mornings when we are real early birds, we choose one of the other options.

The Black Bean Cafe is a favorite of locals and specializes in huge scones and muffins filled with scrumptious ingredients, freshly baked each day. The coffee is second on my list. There is outdoor seating that gives dog owners the option of stopping for a coffee with puppy along. Weekday mornings are much quieter than weekends.

This morning we drove to Sheer Bliss Cafe & Bakery on the Sunshine Coast Highway to enjoy their freshly baked raspberry/white chocolate scones with a fairly good coffee...in my top three! They also have a wide range of Mighty Leaf teas and their breakfast plates looked delicious. The prices are higher than anywhere else but the quality is very high.

Next week we plan to treat ourselves to breakfast at the Gumboot Cafe in Roberts Creek...a rustic location that has served healthy and interesting dishes for the past twenty years. Their coffee might not be the tastiest in my explorations but the food (from past experience)is guaranteed to be amazing!

THE MOON

Last night's moon

Market coffee

Another glorious day on the Sunshine Coast. We had encounters with several unknown dogs during our beach walk this morning. Boomer likes to bark his territorial claim at visiting canines which can result in confusion when the visiting dog had intended to sniff and play! No seals in the water but we did see an otter yesterday.

After the morning walk we drove into town for coffee and a scone at the Gibsons Market. I think that this venue has become our new favorite...good baking, excellent coffee and a quiet atmosphere.

Of course we had the travel sized backgammon (tavli) game along

for our traditional morning competition!

Does he look unhappy?...it wasn't his day!!

Gorgeous weather

The gorgeous weather continues. 

We are enjoying walks along the beach 

as well as walks in the town of Gibsons.

Boomer loves his walks!

Remembering

Today is a day for remembering...

...and some memories fill my heart. 

Gibsons

Well, we were not home for long before hitting the road again for a trip to Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast to look after a house and a puppy. Our hostess bought tickets for us to attend a concert last night in a renovated building that was originally a church. The hall is now a venue for concerts, weddings, memorials and many other community events.

Tia Brazda and a five piece jazz band filled the hall with a medley of wonderful music. Many people enjoyed dancing along...in true Sunshine Coast style...uninhibited and joyous. It was a great concert.

Our home for the next two weeks has a breathtaking view.

The sun appears from behind the mountains in the morning

and disappears behind us every evening.

A short walk downhill to the beach in search of sea glass

with Boomer, the puppy, leading the way.

Busy days

Whew! It has been a very busy ten days since we returned to Canada. Last week we drove into the "Big City" three times for various medical appointments. Thursday's drive was the worst...1 1/2 hours from the condo to St. Paul's Hospital for the pacemaker clinic appointment. After that horrible drive we sat in the waiting room for over one hour until John finally asked the receptionist if he had been forgotten. He was expedited through after that!

On Wednesday I lost my husband. He did not appear at the agreed meeting place because he had decided to wait in the car...convinced that I would eventually find him!

This week we have one more drive into the city and a scheduled colonoscopy for John. On Friday we head over to Gibsons for two weeks of house and puppy sitting. This is one of our favourite places in the world...beautiful views over the harbor, peaceful days with Boomer nestled beside us, walks on the beach.

Yesterday my walk took me through back alleys in Langley City 

where I discovered one new mural... 

...so true!...

...and this one that always makes me want to dance!