A RAINY DAY WALK IN THE COTSWOLDS

On an overcast day late August in London, I joined a London's Walks touring group to spend the morning and afternoon walking in the Cotswolds.  We met our friendly host/guide Richard at Paddington Station at 9.30 then boarded the train for a pleasant journey to Oxford where we transferred onto a touring coach to drive through the quaint towns of the Cotswolds, some dating from the 1400 - 1700s.

The Cotswolds is an area in south central England roughly 25 miles (40km) across and 90 miles (145 km) long stretching from the south-west just south of Stratford-on-Ave, south to Bath. The name, "Cotswolds" is attributed to mean "sheep enclosure in rolling hillsides" (wold meaning "hill"). However this is contested and usually the name is accepted to be derived from Codesuualt, or variations such as "Cod's-wold" which means "high open land"

There are remains of Bronze and Iran Age forts in the area and later the Romans built villas there. During the Middle Ages the Cotswolds became prosperous from the wool trade and the area is still populated with sheep farms. Today many of the Cotswolds homes and estates are occupied by wealthy Londoners or retirees.

The home of Graham Greene, author

We drove through many of the lovely towns and at some we stopped to walk around. At Chipping Camden when we stopped for lunch it took me ages to find a dining place that wasn't full of people and by the time I did, I only had ten minutes left to down a bowl of soup and some yam friends. Then it was back to the coach until we were let off again at Lower Slaughter. From there we walked in the misty rain across the fields to Upper Slaughter.All along the way our friendly, informative guide, Richard, told us stories and interesting anecdotes.

The entire day, in spite of the rain, was pleasant though by the time I'd walked the six miles around and to villages, my feet were soaked and sore. It was worth the effort though and I'd recommend this walk to anyone who likes the countryside.

GRANVILLE ISLAND ART

Granville Island boat houses, a work of art.

Even the way these racing canoes are lined up is artistic.

  I always enjoy spending an afternoon browsing around Granville Island.  Sometimes it's just to look around the Farmer's Market, other times I've gone there to attend events at the various theatres and the Performance Works. But the last time I visited, while meandering along the False Creek path by the line-up of boat houses, I discovered something new to focus on:  the Granville Island art.

An unsual sculpture with moving parts that reflects Granville Island's industrial past.

Industrial Art

Cement Trucks

Seagull cement worker

The Island, which once was just an industrial area, is a perfect location of artists to display and market their work. In the quiet atmosphere, the picturesque surroundings, away from the bustle of downtown, you can relax and browse around enjoying the variety of art works that are on display. And Granville Island is also the home of the Emily Carr art school, allowing an easy access and appropriate venue for the artists to show their sometimes quirky but always interesting pieces of work.

Here's a few that I discovered on that Sunday afternoon walk.

First Nations carvers workshop

Totems

Rocking  Horse

There are miniature boat shows on the Island too.

I found this gallery located behind some of the main buildings by the False Creek.  There were some unusual sculptures on display there.

One of my favorites was this fountain made of saxophones.

A funny rooster

Sidewalk art.

This icecream cone made me want to hurry to the market to buy myself a treat!

Besides the visual art you'll also find musicians entertaining at the Market Square.

Hurdy-gurdy player

And beautiful displays of flowers.

Inside the Farmer's Market even the produce is artistically displayed!

Everywhere you look on Granville Island you will find art!

Mermaid

LINKS TO GRANVILLE ISLAND ART:

http://www.granvilleisland.com/discover-island/arts-and-culture

http://www.granvilleisland.com/directory-type/directory-type/artists-artisans

http://www.seegranvilleisland.com/artperf/artperf.htm

FARMERS MARKET

http://www.granvilleisland.com/granville-island-farmers-market

AN EARLY AUTUMN STROLL IN THE WOODS AT CENTRAL PARK

Central Park is a 90 hectare (222 acre) urban park in Burnaby, B.C.  The park was founded in 1891 and named to honour Mrs. David Oppenheimer, the wife of Vancouver's second mayor, who was born in New York City.

There's no nicer place close at hand to go for an afternoon stroll, and as I hadn't visited the park for some time, I decided to make that my Saturday afternoon destination this week.  The park is located on the border of Vancouver/Burnaby and it's easy to get to from where I live by bus and skytrain.

One of the exercise stations (this one is for sit-ups)

The park as many amenities besides the well-kept trails.  There is a running route (the Terry Fox route in honour of our beloved young cross-Canada runner who has inspired so many and in his name so much money has been raised for cancer research.  There are also fitness aids along the trails to help you stay fit.  And if all  you want to do is walk, there are many trails to explore.

Don't be alarmed if as y ou walk along you are greeted by the friendly black or grey squirrels or chipmunks.  They are so tame they'll come right up to you,  hoping you might have a little hand-out like some seeds or nuts.

The children's playground is full of exciting opportunities for adventure. 

And the day I was there, one of our last warm days of early Autumn, there were a lot of picnics.  The park is well equipped for group or individual picnics. There is also a pitch-and-putt, swimming pool, and lawn bowling facility in the park.

Picnics

There's a small gazebo in the park. When I passed by later in the afternoon there was a wedding party there having their photos takens.

The first tinges of Autumn were being to show in the coloured leaves. Soon the park will be blazing with colour.  I meandered along the tree-lined pathways, not quite sure where I'd end up.  It's a bit of a maze in the woods but there were lots of people on the trails that day.

 The park's main attraction is the large proportion of  well-preserved temperate rainforest.  One of my favorite places in the park is the large duck pond.  Children enjoy feeding the ducks, but the signs around the park remind you not to feed the wildlife. So if you are inclined to do so make sure it's the appropriate kind of food for them.

Feeding the ducks.

I sat for awhile on a bench by the little 'lake' and meditated, wrote in my journal, and had a small picnic lunch.  Such a serene way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

If you go:
The main park entrance is off Kingsway near Patterson.  If you go by skytrain, get off at the Patterson station and walk into the park from there. You can also enter the park from Imperial Road to the south.