Whistler late September, 2014

In late September I went up to Whistler for a couple of days with two friends.  It was one of the longest trips imaginable because we were slowed up by one accident before we crossed the Lions Gate Bridge and one near Britannia Beach so that the trip took four hours instead of two as it would have normally.


But we did eventually get to Whistler only to discover that there was a mix up in reservations so we had to find a different place to stay Sunday night but we did which was fine in the end at the Coast Blackcomb Suites.


Being farther up the mountain than Club Intrawest where I normally stay we were a bit more in natural surroundings.


I caught sight of a Stellar Jay early in the morning





It was a dramatic kind of sky day...


I normally forget to take pictures of people but here are Melanie and Ros outside the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre.


This was my visit and well worth it.


It really is a spectacular building with many interesting displays.


























We went to an excellent movie about the two tribes represented in the centre.


I loved this beautiful piece of art


with a very interesting history


After lunch we went off to the Scandinave Spa


It has a beautiful setting-I loved the walk into the spa











A view down into the spa grounds (sorry couldn't bring my camera).  You can spend a very relaxing few hours in the hot tubs and cool pools and saunas and relaxing areas.








Our second night was in Club Intrawest in the Upper Village and we had a nice wander around and a dinner at the Fairmont in the Mallard Lounge.

















I tend to be an early riser so had a walk around the Upper Village the next morning.































Later we went into the Lower Village for a wander around and lunch...


We beat the rain in town but our drive down on the normally picturesque Sea to Sky highway was rather foggy and rainy...

Montreal in the rain

It was hard to leave Blue Mountain but we had a long drive and rain was forecast.








and here he was for the third time this trip in Toronto but fortunately traffic went well and the rain still hadn't begun.








But later we did get about an hour and half of heavy rain.








and once we got to the island of Montreal things slowed down- first construction and then an accident.








That evening the rain began in earnest and it poured. I swear for the next 24 hours.

















Thursday morning it stopped at least temporarily








It even looked clearer out the window








I decided to go for a walk








You can see this flower was still wet








Here you can see a typical strip mall and a road under construction, rather common in Vancouver.








But it is always nice to see lovely flower displays.



































Below is my friend, Linda's duplex, very common in. Montreal. She lives upstairs and her sister, Carol, down.








I like how the umbrella matches their planters.








Later in the afternoon Linda and I went for a walk








In one of my favourite neighbours just off Rosemount Avenue. It is a neighbourhood not known by my friends who live in the West Island or even west side of Montreal







But I just love it!









One day I am just going to spend a few days in Montreal rediscovering favourite neighbourhoods they way I have in Vancouver








and Montreal has some wonderful neighbourhoods.
















I love this roof









I just loved this chair below!






a rather nice backyard and there is a little park nearby as well








In feel as if I am in Switzerland here

















My favourite colour combination below














The rain held off until we were on our way back to Linda's.

Friday was my final day in Montreal and I went out to the West Island to Pointe Claire and Beaconsfield. I used to live and teach in Lachine which is the first West Island suburb, next is Dorval where the airport is and then Pointe Claire and Beaconsfield etc.







This is where It had lunch in Pointe Claire Village. It is very pretty along the Lakeshore, the widening of the St. Lawrence but I was visiting with friends, and seemed to have given out on photography.








Lady and her mistress kindly chauffeured me around and to the airport.








as you can see it was a rather cool overcast day, always sad to leave a city close to my heart, and wonderful friends (some of whom I didn't manage to see this trip)








But always fun to see the mountains and the Fraser River and Pacific Ocean







And then home...

It hope you enjoyed travelling with me, even with my slightly broken wrist. And a couple of days later, I am now out of the splint! Many thanks to all who made my trip so lovely!