This fall, the little tree outdid itself, i guess the nights were just cool enough, and i had fed it several times in summer, look at these colors!!!

Japanese Horn beam, in full color!!

Winter time, time to rest.

We had been told that Humpback whales came into the harbor here, it is not very deep, so we figured the whales , at the time , might have been looking around…. well, that night, around 11.30, i heard the unmistakable loud whoosh of a whale surfacing and breathing.  A second whoosh came right after, two whales!!!!     Its amazing how fast you can be out of bed and out on deck if necessary,it was pitch black out there, a quiet night, so i could not see them, but every time they surfaced, the two of them, i heard the spouts !      They stayed over an hour, just circling the bay, at one point coming very close to us, i could then see a huge black shape to our port.      I didnt sleep for a long time, just way too excited!!!!!  No photos of these two whales, but i did get a treat, out in Saanich inlet, on our way home, where this amazing big animal was posing for us!!!

Lounging Sea lion.

Yeeesss?????????

I always try to pick out special boats, ones that are different, that stand out, both times we anchored in Nanaimo harbor, we noticed the Chinese Junk, a true beauty, so very well kept and painted in the traditional colors.

Chinese Junk, i just know for sure that i wrote her name down somewhere, but can i find it now??? NOOOO………

My friend and i went to Roberts creek, we sat near the beach and then walked over to the Mandala, an incredibly creation, made with chalk, right on the large cement walkway near the beach.   I tried to capture the colors, this really is a work of art!!!   have a look!!

mandala in Roberts Creek

I know its already December, but there are still a few things to be said and shown regarding the Sunshine Coast.  I was there in October, staying with my friend, and we traveled around a bit, the Art crawl was on, and we tried to see as many of the artists, but after a few places , and a whole lot of beautiful art, we needed a spot to eat lunch and rest a bit, its amazing , how fast you get tired, going in and out of places, trying to see it all…. First of all , we did go to the Madeira Bistro ,where a friend of ours gave a show for the little ones ,singing wonderful songs he had written and reading them a story.    George Connell is an amazing artist, not only does he write some wonderful books and poems, he writes his own songs and performs where he can!    And….he makes the most incredible and tasty cheeses!!!       

George,singing to all of us!!

This little guy was quite mesmerized by this gent in his kilt!!