Vancouver's Olympic Cauldron

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When Vancouver hosted the Winter Olympics in 2010, our city was enraptured with the joy of being Canadian and playing host to the world. The games galvanized our national pride, made friends out of strangers and showed us we each have a heart that is even bigger than we know.

For most of us, the celebrations were a joy from start to finish. I still grin widely when remembering hands clasping and smiles shared in the busy downtown core where we'd previously walked unnoticed.

That gentle linking of humanity seemed to me to be Vancouver at its best

Russia has gone into the games with considerably more conflict than troubled us, and has drawn lines they're not willing to bend.

Few are more vehemently opposed to Russia's rigid stance on gay rights that I am. If we're lucky enough to be truly cherished -by anyone- we've already been given our own gold medal to treasure for all time.

No-one has the right to tell us who we may and may not love.

 That said, I remain in absolute awe of the athletes who are brave enough to try and fail - over and over again- until they finally succeed in pushing boundaries and forging new ground.

What spirit that must take, and how glorious it would feel to know you've given every piece of your soul to achieving your dreams! Surely that experience truly lets you know  you're alive.

Politics and bigotry cannot tarnish courage like that.

Our cauldron remains unlit most of the time, yet attracts many visitors who want to remember that wonderful time. Yesterday, the Province Newspaper ran an article highlighting complaints that the cauldron is still not being lit, even though Calgary has proudly ignited its flame from the 1988 Olympics.

Thankfully, voices were heard and the Vancouver Olympic Cauldron is to be lit each evening Canada wins gold medals and again on the final day of the games.

I'm still hoping for more but am glad we're stepping up and adding our light to celebrate the world coming together.

                            

                                                   

                                                          

Today I'm linking up to several memes. Do stop by  

and visit them...you'll be glad you did.

Sweet Shot Tuesday  http://kentweakley.com/blog/ Signs, Signs  http://signs2.blogspot.com/ Weekend Reflections   http://weekendreflection.blogspot.ca/ Skywatch Friday http://skyley.blogspot.ca/  The Saturday Photo Hunt   http://whistlestopphotohunt.blogspot.ca/ Shadow Shot Sunday   http://shadowshotsunday2.blogspot.ca/

Our World Tuesday: Fraser River

I am a lover of winter, of long rainy days, of strong cold winds and most particularly, of snow and ice.

Living on the temperate West Coast of British Columbia, I rarely get a chance to experience the latter, although rain we do have in abundance. I was, therefore, delighted when the temperature plummeted below freezing last week. On Saturday morning,  I eagerly packed up my camera and set out with my husband to see how the Fraser River had fared in the cold. We wound up in Burnaby's Foreshore Park, where the edges of the tidal river had frozen and shattered into chunks as its water ebbed and flowed. I happily snapped some shots and puttered about in the ice thinking it might be the last I'd see this season. Leaving the park to head homeward, we passed a Cactus Club Restaurant on Marine Drive. To my absolute delight, they had their fountain turned on and the resulting spray had coated the surrounding plant life with clusters of diamond-like jewels. They formed frozen sculptures of bizarre and beautiful form that were simply glorious. We quickly went around the block and stopped to check out the other-worldly shapes. The sun obliged by peaking out to throw everything into relief, and even a wintry gale and freezing hands did nothing to move me along quickly . Because I have a husband of infinite patience and good will, who shares my fascination with the mysterious ways of nature, we thoroughly enjoyed our chilly afternoon. For more pictures from around the world, do check out the link below... http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.ca/

Watching Boats

When my sons were small, we spent many hours on the edge of construction sites, watching the work in progress. 
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They never seemed to tire of dusty 
dump trucks and lean, lofty cranes that dwarfed all alongside them.

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While I think they have mostly gotten over their fascination with heavy machinery, I'm not sure my husband has. For yesterday's outing, he suggested a trip to North Vancouver's  Lonsdale Quay, a bit of a distance from our Surrey home. As drives are what we do, I happily agreed.

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He had been intrigued by a photo in the weekend paper of a massive ship-transporting vessel heading out to a scrap yard in China. This ship is, incredibly, loaded with a full-size log barge, an equally huge log ship and eight old tugs perched on top of those.

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The Development Way will take 25 days getting to China, where it will then lower a floating deck under the water and lift the ships up to release them in place. Wouldn't that be a process to watch?

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We were thoroughly intrigued when the tide eventually pulled the ship around to let us see the full scale of how wide this load really is.

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Of course, I took many  pictures of the waterfront, having a

personal fondness  for shiny red tugs and orange container cranes.

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 I was pleased to be able to include cormorants in some photos, since I see them infrequently, as well as our well-known Convention Centre  and ever-present ferries and freighters.

Since my eye is drawn more to details than the big picture, the fountains, murals and mosaic floors of the market competed for my camera time. 

Even the clean lines of the inner building seemed lovely to me.

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Alas...my eternal quest for the perfect seagull picture

 came no closer as I got this fellow on our way out

...one day I'll be satisfied with a shot!

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Four Mêmes in One

On Saturday morning, we drove my sister downtown to catch her flight to Vancouver Island.

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As she’d booked a floatplane, we made our way to the waterfront terminal just down from the Trade and Convention Centre.

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Though the day

hesitated between

cloudy and clear, I

happily grabbed my

camera to record the

early busyness as we

waited

for boarding time.

 Boats of all sorts dotted Coal Harbour...everything from sleek, compact skulls to a massive cruise ship docked at the Convention Centre.

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Coal Harbour: North Vancouver Sulpher Works in the background and a marine gas station just off Stanley park.

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Once we'd seen Nikki off, we climbed up to the overview of the Olympic Cauldron, immediately reminding us of 2010's wonderful  Winter Olympic Games.

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This calm, clear morning little resembled the rainy, hectic evening we'd lined up to see the glow of our Olympic torch lighting up the  night sky.

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Promenade to the convention centre with cruise ship in background.

 I wil be linking my post to four wonderful mêmes this week. If you get a chance, do check them out...

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My World Tuesday http://www.showyourworld.blogspot.com/

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Watery Wednesday http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/

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Skywatch Friday
 http://skyley.blogspot/.

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 Weekend Reflections

 http://newtowndailyphoto.blogspot.com/

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More Weird Water!

As is normal in the Fall, Vancouver has turned gray, damp and cold. Sunday afternoon found us taking a chilly walk through Surrey's Serpentine Fen.

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Because I was unimpressed with the photos I got, I thought to flip a few and see what happened.

Above at left is the original shot, taken across the river. When I turn it upside down, the sky seems to shimmer with light.

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Mallard Ducks were

lazily swimming up the Serpentine River.

Turning the picture upside down gives me a mirror image of the ducks.

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The Fen is a waterfowl sanctuary, so there are many birds to be seen. Several viewing towers around the property allow one an overview of the area.

The watchtower takes on a whole new look when reflected in the water.

Great Blue Heron,
original photo at far left.

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This top photo is the flip side of the one below it. I like the ghostly look of the trees, as if a heavy fog was rolling in.












The sun showed itself briefly, and lent colour to the day. I quickly snapped a few photos of stunted posts in the river.

The surreal effect created when flipping this shot over creates confusion...one cannot be sure what one is actually looking at...



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To see more water, click on the link below...I know you'll be glad you did!
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http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/

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For Weekend Reflections on Friday, click on this link:
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http://newtondailyphoto.blogspot.com/
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