"Can boys fly too?"

(Pietenpol)

Less than a year ago we met Glenn - another Glenn - and Michelle who so kindly got Glenn and I up flying in a Fleet Finch (blog entry: July 24, 2009 'Guelph - Antique airplanes!').

After a year of hard work, they and their partners have launched their online magazine for people with a passion for airplanes and flying. "Can boys fly too?" is a question from a little girl to Michelle. It's in her story 'Birdwoman - What's in a Name?' This and some other free content is available at: http://www.whyfly.aero/

We wish them all the best!

Butchart Gardens January 24, 2010

Historical display

This was our second year of visiting the historical display in the former home of the Butcharts, so I didn't take many pictures.

Robert Pim & Jennie Butchart

The story goes that a dead bird prevented the Butcharts (3 of them) from sailing on the Titanic. Mr. Butchart's favourite bird died so their trip home was delayed as he made a trip to Germany instead to get another. Or something to that effect.

This looks like a passport yet it has both their photos in it. Maybe that's the way it was done in 1937 when this was issued.

Photos of a few famous people.

A few of the rooms are open to the public at this time of year. The swimming pool room and bowling alley aren't among them but we were able to have a peek last year.

Naturally I started getting distracted by flowers like this orchid in a pot on a windowsill.

Butchart Gardens January 24, 2010

More of the Spring Prelude display

Butchart Gardens Jan. 15, 2010 - Outside

On the grounds

There was warmth in the sun. One could start to believe spring was here.

A sign of 'real' spring. We've also seen snowdrops blooming in our neighbourhood.

Two types of the fascinating Witch-hazel.

Except for staff, the carousel was completely empty so I got to ride on the RCMP horse (see top photo in 'The Rose Carousel' from Dec 1st).

Butchart Gardens Jan. 15, 2010 - Inside

Spring Prelude plants

Miniature Anthurium?

Many of the flowers in the indoor garden at the moment are tropicals but bulbs should be blooming soon.

But the big excitement amongst the staff was about this one plant, shown below.

Someone asked, "When will it bloom?" I think it is in bloom. (Update: No, I think it was just in bud here.)

Butchart Gardens January 15, 2010

'Spring Prelude' begins!

(January 15 - March 31 2010)

This is our second year of seeing the indoor garden, which is in what is normally the Blue Poppy restaurant. There is a bit of variation - for instance the waterfall has been redesigned - and some plants are different but the pond and bridge are there again.

Photo by Glenn.

Another photo by Glenn. This is an area set up for weddings, but it goes to show that if the urns and pillars were removed, there could be a nice relaxing, secluded garden in a very small space. Glenn says this was about 10 sq. ft.

December 2009 - Sky 2

December 16, 2009

And on an otherwise lackluster day we had this spectacular rainbow.

December 2009 - Sky 1

December 13, 2009

There were some interesting skies in December, like this near sunset.

December 2009 - A walk on an icy morning

December 10, 2009

It always surprises me to see ice in the Inner Harbour.

The little harbour ferries, decorated for Christmas, look frozen in place.

The ice may not have been thick enough for me to walk on, but it was for some.

Downtown on Government Street, the chalk artist had been at work.

The Rose Carousel

I've got some catching up to do! The next few posts will be of photos from December.

December 1, 2009

The Rose Carousel opened at Butchart Gardens. Rides are $2 but on opening night they were free! I went twice: once on a horse (I wanted a brown one but got white), and once with Glenn on one of the sled-like chariots.

There are 30 animals carved from basswood by a company in California. The carousel moves fairly fast! And the thing I liked was that all the animals go up and down as they're going around. So I finally got my 'proper' merry-go-round ride.

Home

Monday October 5, 2009

Kenmore Air instructs you to be at their Lake Union office so long before the first flight, but they don't have the office open. I hiked across the vast parking lots to get some Starbuck's coffee while we waited outside in the chilly air. Met some nice people from California.

But eventually we were off, 3 planes full to Victoria. Lucky us, we got the Beaver!

Freight cars

Float and boats

Container ships

Taxiing in

The End of the San Diego trip.