The Rooms

The Rooms is home to Newfoundland and Labrador's Provincial Archives, Art Gallery and Museum.

It dominates the skyline of St John's. There was huge opposition from local historians when the building was first planned, as it was built on the site of Fort Townsend, one of the largest British fortifications in North America defending Britain's fishing interests during the 18th century.

The architecture and name refer to the simple gable-roofed sheds called "fishing rooms" where fish were cleaned and processed. These traditional wooden buildings lined the waterline in Newfoundland fishing villages.


There's a fantastic view over the harbour, and a marvellous restaurant with huge windows, where you can watch the shipping come and go while enjoying Atlantic salmon, Newfoundland crab, or cod cakes for lunch.

For more about our trip to Newfoundland, see the post below.

North America's Oldest City

Travellin' light?
Mission impossible with baby Isaac!
Playpen, car seat, folding baby chair, stroller, favourite cuddly toys, clothes, diaper bag, insulated bag for baby food.... and maybe some room left for some of mummy and daddy's own clothes.

We're back from a week in Newfoundland. A week is never enough, is it? St John's claims to be the oldest city in North America. The earliest reference is to São João on a Portuguese map in 1519.

The Cabot Tower stands as a sentinel on Signal Hill, overlooking The Narrows, the entrance to St John's sheltered harbour. The main downtown street is Water Street, calling itself the oldest street in North America, bustling with shops and restaurants.

Water Street and Duckworth Street are two of the few level streets in the downtown area. The city is built on steep hilly land and walking up and down the the maze of residential streets will certainly keep your legs in good shape.

St John's houses are typically painted in bright colours... think of your favourite colour and I guarantee that there's a house painted to match!





More to come.... keep checking in!

Biker Boy

To be a successful biker, you have to remember three important things;

1. Keep your foot on the accelerator
2. Steer in the direction you want to go
3. Look in the direction you want to go.
   

Unfortunately, Callum can only manage one of these things at once.
I hope he improves by the time he wants to go for his licence.

This is a scheduled post as I'm away this week.... back home tomorrow!

Lily

A couple of years ago I bought some lily bulbs that were on sale and planted them late in the season.
Nothing happened last year, just a few green shoots above ground, rather pathetic really.

But just look at what developed this year!

This is a scheduled post as I'm away this week.... see you when I get back.

We Be Jammin'

Recipe for the best strawberry jam EVER!

First... pick red ripe strawberries at the nearby strawberry fields. Bring them home, remove the stems, and smoosh the fruit in my special jammin' bucket. And don't eat too many or there won't be enough for the jam.

Cook the fruit adding the right amount of sugar and some pectin to help the fruit set. Keep stirring as it cools. Meanwhile heat up the clean jars in the oven. You can't put hot jam into cold jars.... that's courting disaster!

Once the jam is in the jars and the lids are on, there's bound to be some left over, so put the coffee pot on, make some toast and spread the sunshine.

And eat! Mmmmmm yummy.

This is a scheduled post as I'm away for a week... see you when I come back.

Smile!

.
Dr. Bob held an student art competition in (actually ON) his parking lot.
The subject was SMILE....

.... and this won First Prize.

C N Tower

It's the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere.

You can reach the SkyPod in one of six elevators (one has a glass floor!) travelling at 20 feet per second, and when you arrive, you'll probably need a beer to calm your frazzled nerves at the world's highest bar at at 346 metres (1,135 ft).

Flash Mob!

Wikipedia describes a Flash Mob as a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and pointless act for a brief time, then disperse.

We did exactly that on Saturday, and I can't begin to tell you how much fun it was!

We rehearsed on two Friday evenings for a couple of hours at a local dance studio, and then we assembled at our little theatre at the alloted time for a final runthrough. The Strawberry Festival crowd out on Main Street didn't know what a treat they were in for.

Here's the official video. I'm in a black Tshirt and white capris and visible at 0.38, 0.55 and 2.32 into the dance.



And here's the unofficial video. and I'm at 0.33, 1.12 and 2.07. Just look for the red hair and sunglasses.



This was the most fun that you can have in a public place and not get arrested!

Canada Day 2010

Today is Canada Day, July 1, Canada's National Day.

We're celebrating the anniversary of the passing of the British North America Act which created the country of Canada in 1867.

There are parties going on all across Canada. Even the Queen is here to help us celebrate.

Happy 143rd Birthday, Canada!