The girls have finished their first terms/semesters at the end of January and have received their report cards. Claudia and Angela did very well. Gillian did well on her exams, she had the highest exam mark in her chemistry class. Her first semester average was 92, well done Gillian!
Lunch In Chinatown
We headed down to Chinatown this morning for lunch with Uncle Tak and Anona. He had invited Mom and Dad out for dim sum and invited us kids. The plan was to go for dim sum at the Bright Pearl, but that place has closed down. We ended up at Xam Yu, across the street, another of Uncle Tak’s favourite restaurants when he comes to Toronto. On the Shrimp Ball plates there were carrot sculptures, we think a lion and a bird.
The bird we’re pretty sure about, but Uncle Tak thought the other was a poodle, I called it a pig when it first came out.
Uncle Tak was having an engaging conversation with Claudia through lunch. He likes kids that can converse with him.
The menu.
Claudia and Uncle Tak reading their fortunes.
As Angela commented when we were driving up Spadina Avenue, there were a lot of asians around.
Uncle Tak giving Claudia a hug good-bye.
Uncle Tak with the girls, Alex and Emi.
The Bright Pearl across the street.
Looking north along Spadina.
R.I.P. Mickey
We got word that Mickey (Lori and Dale’s dog) passed away today. His health had deteriorated recently and he was having a hard time earlier in the week. Here is Chloe and Mickey in August 2010.
“Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really.”
-Agnes Sligh Turnbull
Uncle Tak’s Opening
Claudia, Gillian and I went down to see the opening of Uncle Tak’s show at the Mira Godard Gallery in Yorkville. It is part two of his early abstract work. Angela had a Confirmation Retreat at the Church, so her and Susan couldn’t make it.
We met Carolyn, Alex, G-ma and G-pa down there and then Claudia went for a sleepover at Carolyn’s. Gillian and I headed down to the Eaton Centre area. We had some lunch at Kenzo Japanese Noodle House, we both had the Sapporo miso Ramen. Afterwards we walked through the Eaton’s Centre down to Henry’s on Church. Next was the 501 streetcar to University along Queen Street to catch the subway back to Yorkdale. This cow and tractor was outside a gallery next to the Mira Godard Gallery.
Touring Saturna Island
My last day on the island was forecasted to be sunny.
Some of the wild turkeys that roam the island.
Up at the site the feral goats were out sunning themselves.
We had some time before catching the ferry back to Swartz Bay. You can drive up to the top of Mount Warburton Pike. The elevation is 1316 ft (401 m).
The views from the top are spectacular.
We were able to see a bald eagle while we were up on the summit.
It was out to East Point. Almost half of the island is part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. This is the Foghorn Alarm Building.
Tumbo Island in the distance.
These are the rocks at Boiling Reef. Can you see the Stellar Sea Lions and Harbour Seals?
The Harbour Seals were scattered on the left and the sea lions on the right. The wind was carrying the sound of the sea lions roaring.
A closer look at the Sea Lions.
Tumbo Island.
This is Winter Cove.
The ferry dock at Lyall Harbour. The 4:10 ferry goes to Swartz Bay, via a transfer at Mayne Island. From Mayne Island to Swartz Bay there was only ten vehicles on the ferry.
I always enjoy the ferry crossings and the scenery. Probably because the lighting often reminds me of some of Uncle Tak’s paintings.
It was back to Sidney, BC on Thursday night and then a flight back to Toronto on Friday morning.
Saturna Wildlife
Not as many deer around the island as in past years, only saw two at the site all week. The new residents around the site are feral goats. The one day I counted 17 goats in the herd.
There were some young ones, and a baby kid that was bleating away.
Saturna Island For The Week
Headed out to Saturna Island in BC this past week for work.
The weather was about 7-8 degrees C and rain off and on Tuesday and Wednesday. I was staying at the Four Winds B & B, on Tuesday night the power went out at 11:00 PM and when I left the next morning at 7:30 AM, it still had not come back on. It made for a chilly night and eating breakfast in the dark.
Walk In The Forest
Claudia, Chloe and I went for a walk in the forest on Sunday. While we were at the park, a train went by and Chloe was barking at it.
Claudia found a small hill that would make a good toboggan hill.
Claudia figured she didn’t need a sled.
Chloe Pics
I have been using Chloe to practise my focusing and camera settings. It is challenging trying to photograph a black dog.
Chloe resting on her favourite perch.
Hoping to do some time lapse photography of the front hall to try and see what Chloe does throughout the day. I imagine it is a lot of this. I’m going to do some video of her on the treadmill.
The Girls On The Couch
I bought a new battery grip for my camera, it came in the mail today, so I had to try it out.
