It has been so long since I last sat down to write. I know I promised great things to anyone that actually reads my blog and failed to deliver on all accounts. It would be wonderful if I could at least say it was because I was busy writing my dissertation but as I said, it has been ages since I last sat down to write anything at all. So here we are already 22 days into another new year…
Even the cat seems depressed; a definite sign that something’s not quite right. Who would have thought that several weeks of nothing would be quite so exausting? I’m sat staring at our lethargic lump of black fur as he takes his umpteenth catnap of the day, flicking his tail in mild annoyance that the sound of the TV has caused him to stir. What can a cat possibly have to be depressed about? Surely his days should be spent out and…
Every year, for one weekend only, Winnipeg opens up the doors of its public buildings to the commonfolk, offering guided tours interspersed with historical facts and local legend. Although the Manitoba Legislative Building is actually accessible to the public on an almost daily basis, it is not often that we get the opportunity to hear some of the stories contained within its four walls (or whatever magical number of walls it happens to have) and even rarer that we might…
Since the day I set foot in the catacombs of Paris and did a spot of research about the Parisian underground scene I have been fascinated by tales of what goes on deep in the labyrinth of alleys and dark cavities below the bustling surface of the city of lights. Last year I was intrigued when I discovered the story of how an elaborate secret cinema had been unearthed beneath the ancient buildings of the French capital. Today I have learnt more about the…
Why I think Winnipeg trumps New York and Paris for shopping – Between climbing the steps to the Sacre Coeur and the bustling streets of the Latin Quarter, or watching the sunset at the top of the Empire state Building and a boat ride to the Statue of Liberty; I‘m amazed that anyone finds time to do any shopping when in New York or Paris. During my year in Paris I didn’t buy a single item of clothing, and shopping…
Sitting out on the front porch, on a little wooden bench like in the movies, under the evening sunshine, listening to the birds chirping as I read and write is quite different from how I was spending my evenings this time last year. At best it would have been on some terrace in front of an overcrowded, over-priced café with the sound of traffic, and the rumble of the metro beneath my feet. If there’s one thing about the rural…
It’s been a while since I created the postal pick and I was all but decided to call it off as up until the other day my best bit of post had been my pay cheque but to my surprise and delight upon opening the mailbox I found a very informative little piece of Britain staring back at me, courtesy of Xavier. This beautiful postcard shows Ogmore Castle in Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr (Bridgend), as a stunning sunset is reflected on…
I had never heard of a Bonspiel until this week and as a linguist I couldn’t help but wonder if it might have a particular meaning; perhaps from the French ‘bon’ meaning good and German ‘Spiel’ meaning game. In any case the curling tournament held this week between the local schools was a good game. As I have mentioned before, Winter sports are big in Canada so curling is pretty popular around these parts, for people of all ages. Ashern’s…
One of the better things about living in rural Canada in a majority First Nations province is the way that people still rely heavily on the land as a major source of income. For many people in Ashern, farming, particularly of cattle is their livelihood. Most of the men enjoy hunting and fishing as weekend pastimes. I have heard that it is permitted to hunt certain animals at different times of the year and that sometimes, depending on the season, instead of…
I will be starting a new feature to get some more photographs and art from around the world displayed on my blog. I look forward to getting to know more about the far corners of this world I have yet to discover. If you would like your images to be shared please write to: Touring And Tribulations 317 Harbour Road Coal Harbour British Columbia V0N 1K0 Canada 20 – 26th February 2012 Having been lucky enough to receive a few…