Around but Breaking

So We are back from our travels from snowy Vancouver and what an adventure that was. I've been resting and trying to stay away from the Internet for the most part.

Here are a few photos to enjoy.

The North Vancouver Snow - probably nearly 1.5 to 2 ft of it.
Possibly also a new record for most snowfall ever in December.

P throwing snowballs.

A self portrait.

And Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

I'm skipping one more photo hunt because I won't be around a computer enough to comment. If I were, I'd Hope for more sunshine!

Happy Hunting.

Winter Bliss

We are living in a Winter Bliss here in Victoria. Besides being very creative when walking on the side walk and trying not to walk in 6 inches or more of snow melt, I've stayed relatively warm and dry.

I went out yesterday and took a few more photos from around the area. Perhaps I will post a few more photos. But more snow is in the forecast which probably means this will be the first Canada Wide White Christmas in a long while. Thank goodness I don't have to worry about taking a plane!

I do plan on taking a break from the next photo hunt and won't be blogging like most everyone else right now. We are out and about the next few days anyhow.

Wishing you Happy and Safe Holidays until the new year!

Even More Snow

Here's a look at last night....

More snow fell - roughly 8cm's more of the stuff, 32cm's total so far last week.

I thought I'd check out what others had to say about how much snow we get here seeing that this is my first winter in Victoria, BC.

Pretty unusual for Victoria where roughly one third of winters will see virtually no snow, with less than 5 cm falling during the entire season. When snow does fall, it rarely lasts long on the ground. Victoria averages just 2-3 days per year with at least 5 cm of snow on the ground.

Taking the Plunge

This weeks Photohunt Theme is Wide
Go to Tnchick.com to participate

I get many comments about the quality of my photography and have known this for quite some time that I should try to publicly sell my work.

I uploaded a few of my favorite photos into my portfolio for sale. You can find a few of the first photos at ImageKind and RedBubble. One of my uploads just happens to be perfect for the photo hunt.

(Wide Angle Views from Interlaken Switzerland during my March 2008 visit.)

I used my wide angle lens for this shot.
You can also view this photo large or buy it on RedBubble.

You can find a link on the left hand side of the blog to more of my work also.

Happy Hunting as it gets closer and closer to Christmas and blogging breaks.

More Snow

So if you haven't heard yet, Southern California was actually hit with some white stuff last night. Now that's very rare for Los Angeles to get snow. We were pelted by a bit more of the snow also here in Victoria.

I've been taking a few snap shots along the way, so here are a few of the impressions.

Cold windows from St. Ann's Academy.

A day after the big storm and lots of sunshine.

Tuesday's lovely sunset in Victoria.

Snow and rain at the window yesterday before the 2nd storm really hit.

Morning views with a bit more snow.

Today also just so happens to be my parents wedding anniversary.
I'm thinking it's 37 years!

Too Cold for Snowmen

We woke up this morning to a lot of snow for a city that isn't used to seeing temperatures reach 0C.

Here's a look at a few of the photos I managed to get while freezing in the wind.

A fair amount of snow fell on the ground.

 It was windy and cold.

Add a bit of Holiday Spirit.

P giving me a smile.

snow down the brick wall.

Even the paddling club was closed today.

I think we are in for a week of cold snowy weather around Victoria, BC.  

This is quite unusual for the area.

My Favorite Photos

This weeks Photohunt Theme is Favorite

Go to Tnchick.com to participate

Here are a few of my favorite photos from Switzerland.

I figured it would be great to see different years of nearly the same photos, so here is my attempt.

Spring 2003 while living in Switzerland - like below photo


Mar 2008 back visiting Montreux, Switzerland (Same city),
nearly the same location within 1500 meters

Montreux 2003 Spring

Spring 2008 - A bit more stormy weather
(taken nearly on the same exact spot, and same house.)

Hiking above Interlaken Aug 2005

Hiking Above Interlaken on the same road,
during a much colder Mar 2008 day.



Beautiful summer views of 2005


The same winter views in 2008.
I couldn't even climb over to see the views from the previous photo.


Happy Hunting!

Weekend Snapshots

Here's a few photos around Victoria from the weekend.

The morning sunrise on Saturday.
(It was a rainy day.)

A different bird.

Beautiful ocean views on Sunday.

Kite Surfers in the wind.

Photo Hunt - Breakfast

This weeks Photohunt Theme is Breakfast

Go to Tnchick.com to participate

This was breakfast one morning in March while on vacation in Switzerland, Interlaken.

home made biscuits.
The first photo however shows yogurt and juice.

Happy Hunting!

Morning Light

Some mornings here in BC, we have the most incredible sunrises. This morning was definitely one of those mornings.

Here's a quick look at 3 different shots I took this morning.

Looking out the window. Victoria - BC

Time Flies

As December is already here, the holidays are just that much closer. I guess it's time I do the weekend wrap up of how I did at the masters swim meet.

I loved the pool in Nanaimo as it was so fast! Some swim pools are just plain slow, but this one felt incredible while I was swimming in it. Part of the reason was for the flush gutters which basically take out all of the wake from when you are swimming. The pool actually had a water slide area, kid play ground, warm up pool and race pool, along with a hot tub, sauna and viewing area. Let me tell you, it's impressive!


Now I only wish that the North Shore would wake up and build a pool like this. You can still have incoming recreation swimmers and families enjoying their day while the meet is taking place. Talk about GREAT planning!

(yes that's me swimming fly)

I ended up impressing myself, but still I'd like to better the times I did. From memory here are the results from the masters meet:

50 Fly - 32.97 - 1st in heat.
50 Back - 34. - 1st in heat
200 IM - 2:40.38 - about 5th overall
200 Breast - 2:55 - 2nd overall, was not thoroughly impressed with the swim as my splits should have been better. Oh well, back to the training board..


Masters Canada has the records and results from the meets too.

We had a 19 yr old and an 89 yr old there on our team at the meet. So impressive.

And yesterday - I came down with the flu.. Fun.. Today I am feeling better, but I can't fool myself into thinking I'm out of the woods just yet...