Halifax

The reason for last week's blog silence? I spent almost 4 days in and around Halifax. I was there on work, but I had enough spare time to play tourist.

The Citadel.


Peggy's Cove- the obligatory shot of the famous lighthouse.


Peggy's Cove - coastline.


Peggy's Cove - it is so adorable, it is almost staged. Still beautiful.


There's something about the smell of the ocean. I was pretty happy!


And of course, I had to do the obligatory beer tour.

Cheltenham Badlands

Let's get it out of the way - I had a massive Friday night sew-in FAIL. I did sew (I started a twinset), but I finished nothing. However, it should/will get done this week, so a photo will be up soon.

On a different note, on Saturday, I went to the Cheltenham Badlands. The trail wasn't quite open, and it was pretty steep, so I did practically no hiking.

But I did take several pictures.

Playing Hooky

I played hooky yesterday, readers. Instead of coming home and dutifully cooking or sewing (in frantic preparation for SS-Sept), I changed into walking-friendly shoes, took advantage of the amazing warmth, and went for a nice, two-hour urban stroll. Awesome!

While we are on the subject of playing hooky, last Monday, our entire team at work went to Niagara-on-the-Lake for a team event. Lunch followed by a wine and chocolate tasting. Yum!!!! This team event actually took the *entire* day, and seriously, what an amazing way to start the week?!!

There were pretty flowers and beautifully landscaped gardens...




And rows of vines...


Of course, I found the wine barrels the most fascinating.


Looking at the photos again, I want to go back. Perhaps next Monday?

Montreal!

I spent the weekend in Montreal - it was awesome. (Also my excuse about the no-sewing/no-cooking thing.)

The goal was to hit up the excellent Mondial de la Biere, which I did.



Also, in the brief moments of time when I wasn't at the beer fest, I was in the really nice Atwater market, eating croissants, and lusting after fresh fruit and vegetables.

And yes, my Montreal pictures look very much like my Ottawa pictures. I enjoy wandering through markets everywhere.





I didn't buy any fabric (or even visit any fabric stores), but since I'm going to do PatternReview's Montreal trip in a couple of weeks, I've only delayed the inevitable.

In which I wander to Ottawa...

I spent Friday and most of Saturday in Ottawa. Friday, I worked - but Saturday was filled with fun.

I wandered down Wellington Street, checking out the pretty buildings.


I saw the Parliment from the outside.


And the Ottawa Locks.


I strolled through Byward Market, admiring the trays of annuals out on display (stopping for coffee and croissants at a very French bakery.)


I went to a park to see the tulips, but these beds were all that was left, the tulips bloomed early this year (it was Tulip festival at Ottawa.)


I had a very enjoyable Saturday morning/afternoon. Ottawa isn't really that far away, but I've never wandered around - it was fun being a tourist for a day.

Kakabeka Falls - Thunder Bay

I was in Thunder Bay on Wednesday for work, and managed to grab an hour to go see Kakabeka Falls.



I got there at 6.30pm, there was only a couple of people in sight. For about 15 minutes (which was all the time I had), I had this completely stunning view all to myself.



It was fun to see the river half-frozen in winter. (It was -17C the next morning when I filled gas before I dropped the rental off, spring hadn't really arrived.)

Oh, and of course, while driving around the town, I stumbled onto a Value Village. I stopped to do a a quick peek at their patterns, and those of the Salvation Army next door. Left with 4 - two on how to make custom shoulder pads (?!) and two others. (Of course.)