Yesterday we escaped Seattle’s rainy morning and headed north to British Columbia where the sun always shines. Okay, a bit of hyperbole there. After an hour and a half on the ferry we arrived to a drizzle, stopped to do our shopping at Whole Foods, and checked into our condo. Home sweet home!
After an evening getting settled, watching a bit of Canadian TV (very interesting), and a good night’s sleep, we awoke to snow blowing sideways across the harbor out our windows. The natives tell us that the last two weeks have been colder and had more snow than they usually see in an entire winter.
Morning Snow
However, it stopped soon after we rose and soon there was blue sky and sunshine. (See, I told you the sun always shines in B.C.!
Most of the day was spent drawing, playing ukulele, reading, and watching the gull who seems to have adopted us. He returned to our deck every 30 minutes throughout the day.
No, we did not feed him. One foot seems to have a tendency to get cold because he always folded the right foot up into his feathers. Never the left foot!
When it warmed above freezing we took a walk along the waterfront to downtown Victoria, about a mile one way. There I took the obligatory picture of The Empress.
We will be having high tea at another establishment next weekend, but one simply cannot visit Victoria without seeing The Empress. As usual it is swathed in scaffolds and sand blasters. It seems every time we come renovations are underway.
We returned to our snug home where Jean cooked up a kettle of chicken lentil stew that should provide food for a few days. Life in the slow lane.
Paul
Travels With Picasso 
Brings back many pleasant memories, Paul.
The weather may have been less than gorgeous, but the pixes are top notch.
Your trip seems to be fun; after all, it is not everyday that one encounters a one-legged sea-gull which undoubtedly has since then proceeded to let you know under which highly dramatic circumstances he or she lost the use of that ridiculous appendix. No doubt, you shall transmit this tale to your friends during the forthcoming winter. Perhaps a song is composed at this very moment.
At any rate, do enjoy.
Perhaps I didn’t make it clear that he does indeed have a right leg. He merely likes to keep it tucked up in his feathers. He may be old and have circulatory problems in that leg. Who knows? I haven’t seen him yet this morning.
Sounds like a delightful trip. Hope the weather cooperates!