3 weeks in Spain | Andalusia
A collection of images from 3 weeks spent visiting a good friend in Andalusia.
Long swims in the salty Mediterranean, late meals on boisterous patios, early morning hikes through olive groves, strong whiffs of fresh jasmine, easy floats in Roman sulphur baths, small sips of Bitter Kas, meandering walks through white towns to find the view, serious comparisons of Sea vs Ocean, quiet rooftop mornings.
Many delights.
Summer 2017, Part 2
The second half of summer was a whirlwind.
It took me to the Saguenay Fjord (north of Quebec City) for a leisurely horseback ride with my sister Katie. We covered a variety of landscapes - forest, village, swamp, field, fjord - and had us both reliving our younger years when we had a horse of our own. Currently scheming to own another.
From Quebec, a favourite Nova Scotian-woodcarving-roadtrip sidekick and I traveled through Maine to reach the coast for a woodworking course (see instructor Danielle Rose Byrd's work here). While in Maine, we explored beaches and small towns, ate a LOT of lobster, rode the mail boat to Isle au Haut, and generally raved about the state's coastal region.
Finishing up in Maine, New Brunswick called. My foremost reason to be in New Brunswick was to shoot a wedding (see the photos here) but the touring didn't end there. A day at Fundy National Park, a peek at Kouchibouguac National Park and a few days in Miramichi rounded out our days in NB before heading back to Quebec.
'Twas full, fast, friendly, and fun.
Summer 2017, Part 1
This summer started by spending 2+ weeks in the beautiful Eastern townships of Quebec where small farms make up a lot of the landscape.
Next I had a week in California for my cousin's graduation from UCLA which was followed by dips in Ocean Beach and lots of espresso (Sightglass, Andytown and Saint Frank to mention a few favourites).
After returning, my family celebrated my Dad's 60th birthday at home and spent time at my brother's barn (soon to be converted into a cool home).
Part 2 is still underway. Post coming!
A Québécois winter
I think it's safe to write about winter now that April is nearly over. But I could be wrong - living in Québec City, I've seen more winter than any other place I've lived. And I loved it.
Besides walking in the evenings while the snow fell heavily, I spent a good amount of time snowboarding (Mont Ste Anne, Le Massif, Tremblant) which had become rare for me in the last years having lived in Ontario and Nova Scotia. I spent a some evenings taking turns around a nearby speed-skating oval. I'm no pro but the speed makes me grin, every time.
This winter my guest book welcomed several signatures, my wool socks got well-used (and soaked at times), my small emergency car-shovel nearly busted under duress, my personal knowledge of poutine expanded, and my kettle became a constant companion.
Here, some photos:
The view from the top of Le Massif in Charlevoix. That's the St. Lawrence river.
Out the gondola window ascending Le Massif.
Vieux Québec
Amongst the huts on the St. Lawrence
Rewarding soup stop at the top of Mont du Lac des Cygnes, Charlevoix
Montmorency Falls. Taller than Niagara.
Québec in October
Moving to Québec City, I've been spending lots of time exploring the old city by foot and roaming the province by Subaru. Here are some photos from my time so far:
Sheep, lochs, bagpipes, castles
Ireland and the UK did a fine job charming us Canadians who simply wanted to swim in the ocean and see a castle. We did both and more: hiking in Glencoe, swimming in the Scottish North Sea, fighting wind at Giant's Causeway, exploring castles on the Isle of Skye and getting acquainted with nosy sheep.
We drank more tea than water, willingly ordered haggis (more than once), and got to share it all with good, hearty company.
Mount Brandon, Ireland
Ross Castle
Muckross Lake, Ireland
Giant's Causeway, UK
Aberdeenshire, UK
Tillynaught, UK
Lossiemouth Beach, UK
Isle of Skye, UK
Armadale - Mallaig Ferry, UK
Glencoe, UK
Honister Pass, UK
Aotearoa | New Zealand
The past three weeks I've spent my days in New Zealand. Firstly for a friend's wedding, and secondly for the scenery. The landscape is dramatic and changeable. Here are some photos mostly from the North Island and a small part of the South Island. More photos to come!
Stopped north of Whanganui to peek at the scenery
Brutus, our home for a week on the road
Lake Taupo
Audrey exploring our campsite at Mangaweka
Wellington
On the ferry
In Akaroa
The Gaspé Peninsula
This year, Thanksgiving was spent deep in the Chic Choc mountains in a warm chalet lit with propane lanterns and brimming with hearty company.
The next days were an introduction to the spectacular sights of Percé Rock, Gaspé and every view in between. The scenery is quiet a distraction while driving, so it's best to take lots of time in order to stop and wonder (& wander).
A week on The Island
75 minutes gets you from Nova Scotia to the island of Prince Edward by way of a drive-on ferry. As you approach the south port of Wood Islands, the famous red earth of PEI makes itself known in the form of cliffs, beaches and coastal roads. It is a pastoral paradise, lush with all shades of green this time of year.
I spent the last week touring PEI, keeping a home base on Point Prim and maintaining a daily helping of lobster, clams, crab and mussels. The south shore guarantees warm water and mostly red sand while the north shore offers whiter sand and slightly cooler waves. Both are recommended.
Be sure to visit the Chowder House and book in a clam dig with Happy Clammers both on Point Prim. Singing Sands Beach is not to be missed, especially when followed with a lobster supper in New Glasgow.
Where the Bonnechere starts
It was a weekend well spent, at the mouth of the Bonnechere River.
In the middle of Ontario somewhere between Barry's Bay and Pembroke, a group of friends got together to share core-warming meals and wood panelled quarters.
A beautiful hand built cedar strip canoe hosted live book readings and chartered quiet lake tours, while a single shotgun and a box of clay pigeons provided loud cracks and complimentary cheers.
Many a fishing line was cast, but not a fish came in from the lake.
Here are a few photos:
A September cottage weekend
Now that it is September, the cottage takes on a slightly different role. In general, it means more pots of coffee, extra layers of plaid, bigger waves, freshly picked apples, and too-small wetsuits.
This past weekend, it also meant a friendly exchange of homemade goods: kimchi, kombucha, applesauce, chicken broth, granola and sourdough. A productive weekend.
Forward still, to Nova Scotia.
After the trip from Winnipeg to Toronto, I decided to continue east. Three days later, I left Toronto and made my way to Nova Scotia to deliver a friends car. We started in Digby and took our time driving back - always along the shore road, whenever possible. Some highlights: an oceanside campsite at Rissers Beach, well-worn pickle recipes, handmade dories in Lunenburg, the LaHave Bakery, Peggy's Cove in the fog, oat cakes on Cape Breton, soap made by friends in West Arm and SO. MANY. BLUEBERRIES.
6000 kilometers later, I've seen my share of central and eastern Canada.
If I could, I'd keep going...
These images are from Nova Scotia's beautiful south shore; Rissers Beach, Crescent Beach, Queensland and Peggy's Cove.
From Winnipeg to Toronto
In a trusty steed, three of us took to the road and pointed towards Lake Superior.
We found it, and loved it. We would have stayed, but our city was calling our names.
Art sale. Newfoundland edition.
There are six WIND + ROCK + SEA pieces still for sale at Manic Coffee.
Only $200 each!
426 College Street. Email me here if you're interested.
30" x 24". Watercolour paper and pine. Handmade vegetable tanned leather hanging strap.
WIND + ROCK + SEA
Last May I took a trip to Newfoundland to see icebergs. I took many many photographs while I was there with no real purpose other than to try to document everything, including icebergs. Now, almost a year later, the images have finally been made into something tangible. I just finished a ten-piece series of images printed on watercolour paper and displayed like school room maps. The collection is a visual journey of my first encounter with Newfoundland.
See WIND + ROCK + SEA at Manic Coffee, 426 College Street in Toronto. Prices rage from $300 - $500.
