Posts Tagged ‘friends’
Special Visitors from Abroad
Posted on: June 29, 2017
- In: Family | People | Spain | Travel
- 36 Comments
I haven’t been spending much time on my blog lately but there is a very good reason. I’ve been entertaining overseas guests and showing them around my part of Spain. The three of us come from the same place originally and have been buddies since we were children. One is related, one isn’t, one now lives in Arizona and one in Alberta. I can´t tell you how wonderful it has been having them here in Spain with me.
So far we have explored medieval castles, cathedrals, museums, a Roman fortress, an amphitheatre, and a sanctuary built into the side of a mountain, shopped the markets, shared tapas and watched a flamenco dancer to name a few of the many fun things we’ve been doing. I’ll write more about these events and sites later but in the meantime here are a few pictures to show what we’ve been up to.
At the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Esperanza
Happy to have my friends here in Spain with me.
With a friendly sailor in Cartagena
Enjoying the amphitheatre in Cartagena
On stage at the amphitheatre ready to give a performance
A Roman Senator lost his head over us!
At the top of the castle in Guadalest
Beautiful Guadalest
We did not fight over the knight in shining armour
Someone bought a new hat at the market and is very happy!
Resting in a cute courtyard in Cordoba.
At the Alcazar in Cordoba with King Alfonso
Look who we found at the top of Santa Barbara Castle in Alicante
The three amigas together again, ready for adventure.
There are many more pictures and stories to share but you will have to wait.
Note – pictures from a collection taken by all three of us.
Fun with Bob and Jayne!
Posted on: October 16, 2016
- In: People | Spain
- 42 Comments
As much fun as we are having here in Spain, we do miss our friends and family back in Canada. So when friends come to visit, it is pretty special. We were delighted when my bestie Jayne, and her hubby, Bob, came to spend a week with us in September. We had so much fun together, as we always do, and did lots of catching up. There was beach time and shopping time, as well as visits to historic sites and a Roman and Carthaginian festival. We hung out with gladiators and ate tapas, paella and much more delicious Spanish food. My hubby was happy to drive us to many interesting places.
Jayne at the market, stopping to smell the flowers
Jayne and Bob enjoying the Mediterranean.
An evening walk on the beach.
Hanging out with gladiators at the Roman Fiesta
Romans and archers
by a mural in Cartagena
The amazing church at Novelda, designed by a student of Gaudi.
Old friends in Spain
Coffee at the mall after serious shopping
Relaxing by the sea in Torrevieja
Ice cream in Torrevieja. That was the small size!
Of course, Dot loved Jayne
Jayne is an English girl from Nottingham who has lived in Canada for a long time. She was the first friend I made when I moved to Vancouver in 1989. We have done some fun things together over the years. I am so glad she came to visit me in Spain. Jayne and her husband had a great time and loved our new relaxed life.
Jayne is having surgery on October 18. She is such a positive individual, I know she will be fine. But I would like to ask you to please send some positive thoughts and prayers her way.
Jayne in Spain
Isn´t it great to get together with a long time friend!
Time with Family and Friends
Posted on: July 14, 2015
- In: Family | People | Travel
- 24 Comments
I just returned from a trip home to Alberta, Canada, where I attended my grandson´s graduation and a large family reunion, visited many friends and relatives and spent quality time with mom, my son and his family. Needless to say I had a wonderful time. I´ll let the pictures tell the story.
Proud Grandma
Proud parents and brother
I did it!
So glad I could be there for this important occasion.
Long time Calgary buddies
Catching up with a childhood friend I haven´t seen for many years
We worked together 35 years ago. Where does the time go?
Dinner with the grandsons
My sweet great granddaughter
With my other sweet great granddaughter at the family reunion
Giving her great great grandmother a ride in the garden
With Mom and her sister at the family reunion
I saw many relatives I hadn´t seen for some time, including my 91 year old great aunt and her husband in Calgary, my dad´s 90 year old brother and my 86 year old great uncle in Medicine Hat. Always good to see them and hear their wonderful stories, some of which I plan to share on this blog.
I´ll write more about the family reunion which deserves its own post.
Summer With Friends
Posted on: August 26, 2014
- In: People
- 25 Comments
We are blessed with so many good friends and this past while we have had the pleasure of spending time with many of them. I’d like to share some pictures with you.
We have lived in this area for fourteen years and only just discovered a wonderful place called the Riverhouse Restaurant. It is so lovely to sit on the patio, watch the sunset over the marina, and share a delicious meal with good friends.
Dinner with friends at the Riverhouse Restuarant
Outside the Riverhouse Restaurant
Watching the sun set as we eat
A romantic table for two
We enjoyed a fabulous barbeque at our friend’s acreage. We were greeted with a welcoming sign which I believe means “Home Forever More” as we pulled in the driveway. It was a lovely day with boccie ball, lawn darts and croquette organized, plenty of interesting people to chat with and an amazing display of food all in a picturesque setting.
A welcome sign to greet us.
Beautiful flowers everywhere
Even an owl to oversee things
A mare and her filly in the pasture
A civilized game of croquette
Great food!
Making sure everyone goes the right way!
Another fiend invited us to a salmon barbeque in her lovely back yard.
A beautiful backyard
Opening the sparkling wine
Dinner under the pergola
We have been so lucky this summer; plenty of good food, good weather and great friends!
Mudge Island with Friends
Posted on: April 21, 2014
- In: Family | Travel
- 28 Comments
Myself and my good friends, Jayne and Shannon, were recently invited to spend a weekend with my daughter and her partner on Mudge Island. It takes two ferries and a small boat to get to her island, but it’s worth it. I’ve written about my daughter and her island previously here. It was a wonderful weekend, with much visiting, eating and wine consumption in their cosy, comfortable home. We feasted on fresh crab caught the day before by our host, salad made with fresh greens from the garden and steamed kale (also from the garden) . Everyone brought food and we took turns making meals and snacks. We balanced the eating with long walks and fresh air. The island, green with moss at this time of the year, is great for walks and has many picturesque spots to visit. The sea lions kept us company with their barking.
Mudge Island in the spring
One walk took us to Dodd’s Narrows were we watched sea lions, all the way from California, swim past in the swirling waters, happy to fill up on herring. Such a lovely spot to sit and take in nature.
Dodd’s Narrows
Dodd’s Narrows
Another trip took us to Link Island, a small island that can be reached at low tide, linked to Mudge. We enjoyed collecting seashells, exploring the island and catching some sun on the rocks. Not warm enough to sun tan yet.
Link Island
Comet, their amiable yellow lab, loved every minute. She was happy to go for long walks and explore with us.
Comet exploring Link Island
View from Link Island to Mudge
Unique rock formations on Link Island
Enjoying the sun on Link Island
Barnsworth, the 19 year old cat, enjoys looking at himself in the mirror when he’s not sleeping, which is most of the time
The outhouse that sits among the trees, is clean and comfortable
But what is under the outhouse??
Mudge buddies
Our gracious hosts
One last drink at the Skol pub on Gabriola Island before catching the ferry back to reality.
Yet another fabulous get-away. I’ve been having the best spring haven’t I? Soon I’m off to Taos, New Mexico to spend time with a special aunt. I’ll report back later.
Tea with Good Company
Posted on: March 6, 2012
- In: People
- 18 Comments
“The company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.” ~ Jane Austen
On Sunday I met with nine friends for an early birthday celebration at one of my favourite places, The Secret Garden Tea Company in Kerrisdale. http://www.secretgardentea.com/ It was a delightful gathering of friends who have supported and inspired me over the years. Many had not met each other before but all had something in common. Besides being friends with me, they love to travel and shared many interesting travel experiences. They also love to read and we often exchange books and book ideas. Oh yes – they all love good food.
Upon our arrival at this cozy tea shop, we were presented with an extensive menu of teas, making it hard to decide on one. I chose the plum and cottage pear tea for this occasion. Then came the elegant three-tiered trays of miniature pastries, sweets, sweet scones,Devoncream, raspberry jam, and tiny sandwiches. Everything was fresh and delicious, no one left hungry.
It was a perfect occasion for me to wear my fabulous fascinator, a Christmas gift from one of the friends attending. It felt so right.
I left contented and filled with happiness, so grateful to have such wonderful friends to share tea and lively conversation with. One should do this more often.
“Whatever our situation in life… we can and should surround ourselves with friends who not only understand us, but also inspire us to make the most of our current calling.” ~ Beverly LaHaye
You are my sunshine!
Posted on: March 1, 2012
- In: People
- 29 Comments
You Are My Sunshine. My only sunshine.
You make me happy. When skies are grey.
You’ll never know, dear, How much I love you.
Please don’t take my sunshine away.
~ Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell. Copyright 1940
This was my favourite song when I was a little girl growing up on the Canadian prairies. My Dad and I used to sing it together.
So imagine how happy I was to recieve the Sunshine Award from my east coast friend Pauline at newfoundlandtraveller Check out her blog, she posts delightful stories about her life and her part of the world.
Of course, the Sunshine Award has some rules:
- Include the award’s logo in a post or on your blog
- Answer 10 questions about yourself
- Nominate 10-12 other fabulous bloggers
- Link your nominees to the post and comment on their blogs, letting them know they have been nominated
- Share the love and link the person who nominated you.
TEN EASY QUESTIONS
Favorite color: purple
Favorite animal: camel
Favorite number: 12
Favorite non-alcoholic drink: Rooibos tea, it always makes me feel good
Prefer Facebook or Twitter? Twitter, I have over 1400 followers from all over the world
My passion: Helping others meet their goals
Prefer getting or giving presents: Giving, I love to shop for that perfect gift for a special person. I usually pick up things on my travels. Seeing the look on the faces of people when they open the gift is so wonderful.
Favorite pattern: stars
Favorite day of the week: Monday because it is a fresh start. (I know, I am weird)
Favorite flower: Tulips, they make me so happy.
PASSING IT ON:
I hereby pass forward this Sunshine Award to some wonderful blogging friends I have met over the past year. If you have won this award before it is because you are so deserving of it. They are all worth checking out! I look forward to your answers.
http://lynnadavidson.wordpress.com/
http://mybookofstories.wordpress.com/
http://clarbojahn.wordpress.com/
http://bridgesburning.wordpress.com/
http://thesimplecountrylife.com/
http://growingyoungereachday.wordpress.com/
http://writingsistersblog.wordpress.com/
http://sharonssunlitmemories.blogspot.com/
Thanks everyone for being my sunshine!!
Who would you like to pass this feel good sunshine award on to?
