Let's Get the Show on the Road!

After much ado, and adiuex, here's a little tour of my recent escape to Halifax.

These odd looking tour buses seem to be popping up all over the Maritimes. It would be cool if they were actually amphibious in nature, but then I guess passengers would have to be outfitted with scuba, just in case.  Well, it's not as if they don't look crazy enough already, riding around on these things!

One of the popular attractions in Halifax is the Public Gardens.  I wandered through the paths there, on my way from my friends' house to the nearby downtown area.  The picture to the left is taken from the main gates to the gardens.  I think the Latin translates to,

"Have mercy on your spouse."

The gardens make a lovely little oasis in the middle of a bustling city. Shall we take a tour?

A timeless sight anywhere is a bandstand.  There are free concerts here on the weekends during the summer.

This guy makes me a little nervous, though. 

Especially after I saw what happened to this damsel!  Target practice gone awry?  Lend a hand!

Here's a tongue twister for you: Toy boat, toy boat...tay boot, toay boyt!  Try it, you'll see what I mean.

I believe this is a tiny replica of the Titanic.  Halifax citizens were involved in the rescue and recovery of those who were aboard the Titanic when it went down.  There are 150 Titanic victims buried in Halifax, the largest number anywhere in the world, 

while 1523 others are swimming with the fishes in their watery graves. 

Well, this is turning into a cheery little post, isn't it!

How about if we leave a sweet posy in memoriam to all those we have loved and lost and continue on our way.  This is a dogwood blossom blooming merrily on a dogwood tree in the Gardens.  I know what it is (a rare occurence) because the dogwood is the floral emblem of BC, where I was born and raised.  More commonly, they're white, but isn't this a lovely pink example?

(To see my artistically altered version of this image, go here.)

I don't know about you, but I've worked up an appetite from all this strolling and pondering of life & death.

How about if we take a little break for lunch?

What could be more appropriate on the east coast than indulging in a big bowl of seafood chowder?

Bon appétit!

A Little Birdie Told Me

I heard it through the grapevine covering the chicken coup that it is  was World Bird Wednesday so I thought I would add these Toulouse Geese that I saw recently at the Public Gardens in Halifax.

A sign on the fence informed me that these geese are the sort that are preferred for producing paté de foie gras, which perhaps explains why they're looking rather disgruntled, and not a little apprehensive at being so attentively regarded.

Apologies

I extend my apologies from the bottom of my glass heart to those dear blog friends who so kindly left me farewell messages and welcome back notes and where-the-hell-are-you SOS's in these past few days.  I have, indeed, burrowed back into the bosom of the hills in which I live and am enjoying lazing about on the decrepit wicker, making an occasional foray to the beach, or town, or even an island.  I do have some photos to share and am working on getting them ready.  I apologise for posting my mug here but it's to toast my blog friends and ask you all over for a refreshing drink while you're waiting for me to pop up with something a little tastier. 

Back very soon--I promise!

Cheers!