April in Vancouver

 This may have started a bit earlier but sounds more poetic to say April… It's been such a beautiful month I really wanted to post a few of my favourite pictures.

Cherry and Plum blossoms just came out everywhere and due to somewhat cool weather they seemed to last much longer than usual.  On the other hand this was my first year of "retirement" so I just may have noticed them more!

This is one of my favourite views looking down Sasamatt Street...

 This photo was actually taken from The Vancouver Museum on a very rainy day but I kind of liked the moodiness of it...

Daffodils were everywhere and it is always so exciting when they start blooming!  I think this is actually one of mine!

 I loved this combination spotted walking home near Douglas Park.

 I discovered that just sitting in your car and letting the raindrops fall can create some interesting pictures.  This is taken at Kits Point

 I love this pathway again in Kits Point-the rain had stopped by then!

And these are definitely my daffodils!

I just loved looking through these blossoms to the sky!

 A really beautiful place to go is Nitobe Gardens where I hadn't been for years...

 It wasn't the most beautiful day but the park was still lovely!

 The most fun is seeing plants come up in my garden.

 Douglas Park near me has some beautiful ornamental cherry trees!

I have really enjoyed my ferry rides this spring and here you can see a couple in False Creek!

Kits Point to me is beautiful in all weather.  This day there was a real ethereal quality...

 Looking into the west end from Kits Point

Here's the marina which is part of the Maritime Museum and where you can catch a little ferry!

One rainy day I had to go to my doctor's office and I parked my car nearby on 8th between Cambie and Heather.  I loved the reflection on the wet pavement.

A walk at Spanish Banks brought a surprise when I noticed this art installation

 Here is a bit of information about the installation-this is an area where people can use chain saws to cut driftwood so one day I saw a man there who actually might have been the artist?!

 It's always fun at Spanish Banks to see the dogs enjoying themselves

 It was Easter and my Easter tradition is making Nanaimo bar Easter eggs...

 My camellia bush looked so pretty out my den window I had to take a picture…It was tiny when I bought the bush originally!

More and more beautiful rhododendrons and azaleas were coming into bloom

 One morning I hiked up to Queen Elizabeth Park

 The gardens were becoming beautiful

It wasn't that clear a day but the colourful blooms really made this picture I think

 Walking down Main Street after being in the park I spotted this display

And the streets certainly reflected that window!

I can't resist these rhodos

 Tulips began to appear so cheerily

 And here you have the nice combination of tulips, daffodils, and cherry blossoms!

 My azalea has come out and I still have my camellia bush in bloom…

My azalea looked so beautiful Saturday I just had to take a picture!!!

 So many beautiful still lives in the neighbourhood!

Sunday I went to Van Dusen Gardens for their annual plant sale.  It was super crowded so my friend and I decided to go for a walk and have lunch at Truffles Cafe before we braved the sale.  Van Dusen is one of the loveliest spots in Vancouver!

 I love the beautiful paths

 The rhodos and azaleas make this an amazing time to visit the gardens even on a bit of an iffy day weather wise.

Look at the great colour combinations!

 There are a many art installations throughout the garden but this is my favourite!

I had to share at least one close up!  

And today I had to take my car in and started working on this blog on my cellphone.  The car took longer than expected and on my second walk, between Burrard and Cyprus on 6th or 7th Avenue, I discovered these interesting planters!

Well the month isn't over yet and I am sure I will be taking many more photos but I really should be out doing some gardening so I hope you have enjoyed a taste of April in Vancouver!

A Few Days in Salt Spring, March

Long ago I saw the movie, Five Easy Pieces and had to know where this unbelievably beautiful place was.  I found out it was filmed at the University of Victoria and Salt Spring Island, and I vowed I had to go there.  I have several times and still think it is lovely.  I was thrilled to be able to keep my friend, Sandy, company, on a trip over there during the second week of March break.

Not all ferry rides are full of sunshine so we had a bit of a rainy trip over.  We took the ferry from  Tsawwassen and then caught the small ferry to Salt Spring.  This is a small ferry which just takes 45 minutes to make the trip from Schwartz Bay where the Vancouver ferry comes in.  You can go to  Salt Spring from Tsawassen but there are not very many ferries and they take a circuitous route stopping at other Gulf Islands.

I like the smaller BC ferries where you can even sit in your car if you like and watch the scenery-this ferry has small waiting rooms on each side of the car deck.

We drove into Ganges and then after we settled into Sandy's mom's condo (which Sandy is hoping to eventually sell) we had a delicious lunch at Auntie Pesto's Cafe.  We spent from Tuesday to Friday on the island and here are a few pictures from our time there.













Ganges is a lovely town.  Recently they have a new library and it's amazing.  I took a few pictures but they don't really do it justice.  












There is some really neat art, no doubt thanks to all the artists who make their homes in Salt Spring.  Here is one example of what you may find on the walls.


















In the summer this park is the site of a big outdoor market every Saturday but in March it is quiet and peaceful.


















There are many interesting stores in the village, this is one wax candle display that i came across.















Just one of the lovely scenes you will see on the island.













I love this rural picture… Other than the town of Ganges and the smaller communities of Fulford and Vesuvius the island is very rural with rolling countryside.


















One beautiful place is Ruckles Park.
Here are a few pictures

Salal, a native plant with edible berries

a little about the original Ruckles family

The original homestead

Another fun place to visit is the Salt Spring Cheese company. There are many interesting places you can visit on the island, but in the winter and early spring some studios are closed or open on weekends or by appointment. For instance, we didn't get to visit any of the three wineries!  You have to plan carefully!







There are lovely ocean views





















It was so beautiful being there this time of year-and watching the cherry and plum trees blossom

Our last night there we had fish and chips in Vesuvius.  This was our lovely view.

more beautiful blossoms
















This picture was taken from the deck of our friends' house!












On our way out our final day we stopped at this tiny church.


At the Fulford ferry we had a bit of a wait but had fun poking in the shops and having a cup of coffee at the cafe.




But soon we had to head back onto the ferry and leave lovely Salt Spring behind!