Birds and bees at VanDusen

After a heavy downpour yesterday, today, Good Friday, was sunny and warm.

The turtles are still sunning themselves at VanDusen, and the geese are flapping and honking. 

Bees are active again and the humming birds have stopped along their long journey.

Photos by Jim Murray. Copyright 2014.

The Turtles appear at VanDusen Gardens

The warmth of the sun brings out the crowds, and the turtles, to VanDusen Gardens in Vancouver.

                                                                                                                                                

As for the other Turtles, they began as surf band in 1965 with a hit penned by Bob Dylan: It Ain't Me Babe. Great vocals, smart arrangements and dumb lyrics combined to provide their biggest hit in the spring of 1967, knocking Penny Lane by the Beatles out of the number one position: Happy Together.                                                

Photos by Jim Murray. Copyright 2014.

Cherry Blossoms in Vancouver

One would think we would grow tired of this time of year. Same old, same old. 

Yet every year at this time we delight in the cherry blossoms throughout the city.

The trees are beautiful, their arms full of flowers. It's a new show every year, even though we've seen it before.

Spring is here, warmer weather is coming and summer is only a breath away. The carpet lasts but a few days.

Photos by Jim Murray. Copyright 2014.

Wick's Cafe ~ Vancouver Coffee Shops part 9

It's not a place anyone happens to walk by, unless of course you live nearby, and many obviously do. This is Marpole and Airport Square is our nearest landmark.

Wick's Cafe is a neighbourhood gem. It has great coffee (from JJBean it appears) and the people are friendly. The customers appear to be local types, along with those coming to Airport Square.






My espresso was good and Sherry's macchiato was done in a traditional manner, which is a good thing and not always easy to find in this city. It was mid-afternoon when we visited and not overly busy, though it was obvious the afternoon trade was beginning to appear.


Music being played was nice too, sounding a bit like The Jam when we first arrived, followed by a cover of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, and not the one or two you might think.

Pleasant. Comfortable. Good coffee. West 73rd and Hudson: not a casual walk-by while looking for a gift for Uncle Albert but a great place for coffee if you're in the area.

Photos by Jim Murray. Copyright 2014.

April is Daffodil Month

April brings sunshine, and rain, to the left coast. The croci have appeared and trees are budding. The beaches once again hold promise of things to come. Someday soon.








April is also a month of daffodils across Canada, including the campaign to raise awareness and funds for the Canadian Cancer Society. A good thing.

Photos by Jim Murray.

Copyright 2014.