I will have
arrived back in little old England and will be back in my old home town of Eastbourne … by the time you read this …
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| Seven Sisters and Cuckmere cottages |
I think I have a flat to go to … need to sort that out and should be in by the middle of December … a few things are planned after that – and then I’ll be settling in to normality …
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| Eastbourne panorama looking east towards Hastings |
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| Reefs seen from the float plane |
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| The bays - Cowichan Bay |
Once I’m up and settled then I’ll be back to normal – though may just take my time til early January 2019 – oh how time flyeth …
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| Victoria from a float plane trip |
I will miss lots about living here – it’s been a pleasure and I look forward to coming back at some stage … views to die for, opportunities not to miss, food and vino I've enjoyed ...
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| When I was out the other day ... |
BlueGrouseEstate Winery … present owners have knowledge of Peruvian vineyard as they lived down there …
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| Avocado and Crab salad at Cow Cafe |
Zanatta – lunch here … Vinoteca restaurant ... see Monday's and Friday's posts ...
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| Island Oysters 'Antoine' with pernod at Cow Cafe |
Enrico Winery ... another vineyard with a difference ...
CherryPoint –
very early vineyard, then taken over by First Nations, then bought back and now a vineyard again …
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| Trees, trees, old and new |
I was in one of the local liquor stores ... and two, what (in England) I would call construction guys - but here ... probably loggers or similar ... I'm waiting to pay by the open door ...
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| Cowichan estuary looking out from a hide |
... there's a heavy smell - almost dung, tobacco, brewery extracts ... I remark on it ... the cashier looks at me and looks at them ... I'm oblivious and keeping a cheery face ...
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| I never saw one of these ... but love the board letting us know they are around - wildlife will be missed |
... they are in the other queue (not to say there's a queue often in this part of Canada) buying their evening drink ...
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| Cannabis |
I wonder where the smell is coming from ... as do the others ... but it's a sort of 'difficult' situation - anyways I pays my way and offs I go ...
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| Cowichan harbour - floating homes |
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| History - these plots were allocated to the early settlers ... and I have to tell you more about these maps - they are on show in Cobble Hill |
No - she says and they apparently all have another good laugh - which I will now join in with ... they'd been smoking cannabis ... gosh it reeks and hangs around ...
We laugh away ... with more repartee ... and comments about these working lads - and my English accent ... then I say I'm going home and she says - oh no ... I'm so enjoying your company ... I'll miss your way with words and conversation ...
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| The evening sun glistening through some of the many trees |
So for now – goodbye Canada … and yes for my blogging friends I will continue with my pioneering series,
and other things I'd like to alert you to - an art gallery, a perfumier par excellence in my book, and lots of other subjects that I've never got round to ... so Canada will continue from the coast of little old England.
Hilary
Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
Welcome home! That's a smell that Canadians are going to have to get used to! I'll be surprised if you encounter it in Eastbourne - Brighton might be a different matter.
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, Hilary! I didn't realise your stay in Canada was coming to a close. I must have missed that. What a wonderful experience that was. I hope you manage to settle in back home okay. I was in England last weekend and although it felt familiar, it also felt strange to be there again. I feel that every time I go. The Netherlands has become home, but England is still so much part of me in many ways. Welcome home and wishing you a smooth settling in!
ReplyDeletePS, the smell of cannabis is quite a familiar one here :)
ReplyDeleteI could be used as a sniffer dog. Camnabis makes my tummy turn.
ReplyDeleteI also hadn't realised that your time in Canada was drawing to an end. Thank you for sharing so much from your stay.
Ha that smell, we could not go anywhere on our visit to Holland without that smell lingering and every cafe was alive with it. It sounds like you are going to really miss Canada and I can only say thank you for sharing your experience, I learnt so much about the place that I never knew before. Hope you had a happy landing and that your brother was glad to see you. We will be in the UK in another week until the end of January caring for Fil - Alzheimers. Hope that you have a good week, Diane
ReplyDeleteGood gracious Hilary - I had no idea! WELCOME HOME! May it all go well xxx
ReplyDeleteWow, it all sounds so wonderful. You always have the best stories to tell, and you experience so much. You are never afraid to try something new. And you do have an excellent way with words. I hope the settling back-in proccess goes well. Cheers😉
ReplyDeleteHari Om
ReplyDeletewell. For us, that news was out of the blue!!! Welcome back to the old country - then, where next?! YAM xx
ahhhhhh Eastbourne :) If I was living in the UK again, it would definitely be on the south coast.
ReplyDeleteAnd if I was living long term in Canada (for the first time, as opposed to summer holidays), it would definitely be in BC.
Enjoy enjoy!
Aaaannnnnnddddd...
ReplyDeleteShe's OFF! On to the next adventure!
Good news - I know you were looking forward to getting home.
I hope your trip home was pleasant. Funny, now that you know what pot smells like, you'll never forget it.
ReplyDeleteWelcome home Hilary - it's been interesting reading along with your Canadian adventures. Here's wishing you a speedy settling in process.
ReplyDeletewelcome back home, but I've enjoyed your mini-tour of Canada and learned a lot from you. Good luck settling back in to your new home and catching up with old friends.
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a good trip home.
ReplyDeleteFunny, that pot story. We've been in Colorado a couple of times since recreational use was legalized and never smelled it, though we did notice a cannabis shop or two.
We're thinking of including a bit of Canada in our travels next year. It's been too long since we were last there. I doubt that we'll be trying any pot though.
Welcome home! Wow, time certainly does fly. I've been reading quite a few of your posts, though not commenting, and it's been fascinating to hear so much about the country from your perspective.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comments - really good to see you all .. it'll be a while before I'm up and running properly ... but I'll reply properly anon - cheers for now - Hilary
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a great time eating your way through Canada.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back from your Canadian adventure!
ReplyDeleteI so enjoy your stories, Hilary. I think that stuff stinks, too. And YES! The smell does hang around...and around. My husband and I saw a belted kingfisher in Montana along the river. Drat! I can't remember the name of the river. The kingfisher is a beautiful bird with a forever mohawk. Safe journey and all the best getting settled in back in England. I'll look for your next post once you're settled. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWelcome home, Hilary. What a fabulous adventure you have had on your travels.
ReplyDeleteYou were away for a long time. I hope you had a safe trip and will get settled without any problems. If we don't hear from you before Christmas, I wish you a very happy one and a happy new year too.
ReplyDeleteWelcome home! Thank you for sharing your adventure with us.
ReplyDeleteCLICK HERE for Bazza’s insidious Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
Sad you had to say goodbye, but I hope you had a safe and uneventful journey home and will soon get settled back to life in Britain.
ReplyDeleteHappy for you that you're back home. I've enjoyed your stories about my northern neighborhood. And yes, pot smells like s**t.
ReplyDeleteThere is no place like home but from your posts I know that Canada grew on you and you had a great adventure.
ReplyDeleteWith marijuana becoming legal in more and more places, that odor will become very prevalent.
Hilary, a bittersweet post. Always sad to leave a place where you've been happy, but it's always good to return home to the familiar. Your time in Canada sounds mostly positive and I'll enjoy reading more. Will look forward to your return to WEP, perhaps in February?
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, I hope the return goes smoothly with the flat and settling in and reacquainting yourself with the social like in Eastbourne.
Merry Christmas!
Denise x
Forgot to say, that cannabis story - what a hoot!
ReplyDeleteHi everyone ...I'm in the library ... so will get back to commenting when I can get into Eastbourne...but so appreciate seeing you all here ...and thanks for your well wishes - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary, what a lovely time you had in Canada! Thank you for sharing it with us. I am totally unfamiliar with that area so really enjoyed your version of it.
ReplyDeleteI hope the settling in goes smoothly and I'm very sure you're going to find a lot there to write about on this blog. Can't wait to hear what you find!
Love the cannabis story! It's funny they (the young men) remembered you!
That is a good story. The smell of smoked stuff--be it cigs or cannabis--clings doesn't it? Not that I'd know for either. I just don't want to be around it so it ends up clinging to me!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa and Jacqui... good to see you - more anon ... the cannabis story was funny though ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteOh yes, that is a distinctive smell, but one you wouldn't know of unless you had smelled it before. Around these parts, it could be either weed or skunk. (Yes, we have skunks. I've seen them.)
ReplyDeleteI had no idea your extended stay was coming to an end. Welcome home.
Once I would not know what that smell was but 20 years ago we got a neighbour who smoked the stuff so now I know what it smells like.
ReplyDeleteI hope you quickly settle back into living in England
Wow! Back home, nice. It's must be fun, exciting, and a bit weird too. :-)
ReplyDeleteI love the story at the store. Nice of the cashier to let you in on it.
Hilary, I don't know anyone who has explored and enjoyed an extended visit more thoroughly than you have. And thank you for sharing all your discoveries with us! Glad you're home safely.
ReplyDeleteWelcome home! I'm glad to hear you're back in your neighborhood. It's been fun hearing about your adventures on the other continent. Fun too, seeing your perspective on things. Take care and enjoy your week! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you had safe travels Hilary. I'm thrilled you enjoyed my country so much. Thank you for doing it justice with all your historic postings. Enjoy your Christmas holidays now back at home with family. <3
ReplyDeleteLovely to see so many of you ... thank you for your well wishes - all well ... slow but, that's the way it is ... I'll get settled, once in flat next week - by Christmas I should be just about there! Cheers for now - Hilary
ReplyDeleteWelcome back to the Suntrap of the South. Eastbourne looks very different from when you left it! Happy unpacking!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you are back home and getting settled in! I'm sure you are thrilled to be home and your friends and family are even more thrilled to have you back. I loved reading about your Canadian adventures and will now look forward to more from lovely England.
ReplyDeleteTake care!
Our country will feel a little bit emptier without you!
ReplyDeleteHope your trip home was safe and pleasant, and that you settle back in without hardship. Happy Holidays!
Welcome back to your old home! Looks and sounds awesome. In case I don't see you again before 2019, have a safe and Happy Holidays! :)
ReplyDeleteYour moving? I think moving will be a good thing. Brings new perspective to our brains.
ReplyDeleteTeresa
There are so many beautiful places on our planet that are beautiful and interesting. I wish I could visit all of my favorites, but that's just not possible. Glad you had such a great time in Canada, and I know you'll be back into your activities in GB soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed your time there and I'm certain you touched many lives during your stay.
ReplyDeleteOne time my youngest asked, "What's that strange smell from Ms. Smith's yard?" (our neighbor). I replied I think a skunk sprayed. haha Now my child is older and knows the real truth.
Elsie
Yikes, I am so sad that you are gone already. Please come back soon!
ReplyDeleteUntil then, I look forward to reading what you have in store for us.
Awesome. I'm glad you gad such a great time!
ReplyDeleteWonderful to receive more well wishes for my return ... all well - just going slow - but will get back into swing of things - thanks so much for coming by - be back anon ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteWelcome back "home"
ReplyDeletewww.thepulpitandthepen.com
Looks like you had a good time! I'll look forward to seeing the rest of the series.
ReplyDeleteLooks lovely! As for Britain, I just got back from there a while back. Loved seeing the White Cliffs, Oxford, and even Wales! :)
ReplyDeleteOther than home (Australia), I have only lived in two countries for at least two years - Israel and the UK. And even though Tel Aviv and London were never going to be permanent, I had put roots down and was still miserable in having to leave :(
ReplyDeleteGlad you made it safely home. Yes, time does fly. Have a wonderful December!
ReplyDeletewelcome home Grandblogmom!
ReplyDeleteyour story about the two guys smoking ganja (that's what Cannabis is called in Jamaica) made me laugh. too funny! you sure have some interesting experiences.
i'm glad you got to do some wine tours and got to eat a lot of seafood whilst you were in B.C. i'll look forward to more posts about your time in Canada.
don't forget to change "About Me" on the side panel of your blog.
hope you're getting settled in and getting things sorted out. i'm so happy you'll be getting back with friends and going to lectures, etc.
love you!
Thanks so much to you all ... and Lenny thanks for the reminder about the 'About Me' ... I'll change it soon ... getting sorted for move into flat next week - and then a bit of time when I need to sort the new situation out ... hope to be up and running just before Christmas ... I 'need my machine'!! Cheers to you all ... Hilary
ReplyDeleteOh, I didn't realise you were moving back! I have so enjoyed reading your Canada posts. Thank you for sharing your adventures.
ReplyDeleteHappy transitions and wish you all the joys of the season. Going away is good fun, coming home is great too!
Welcome home! Looks like a lovely visit. I've been to Montreal a couple of times, and I ate very well! Next year, I hope to head to Quebec.
ReplyDeleteYou were in Canada a long time! It sounds like you saw and did a lot of things. It must have been a great experience!
ReplyDeleteBig changes for sure. It must be like being in a brand new country, not one you know.
ReplyDeleteMedical cannabis is available here in Calif. Getting a Dr. prescription is not at all difficult--which is a weak link in control--but I am glad. My migraines are disabling, one big reason I retired from teaching.
Keep the info rolling in.
Hello Hilary: It occurred to me this morning that I hadn’t heard from you for a while and I checked your blog to see if all was well, and I find that you have left us and returned to Blighty. Thanks for such illuminating commentaries during your sojourn here. I will look forward to hearing from you again when you resume in the new year. All the best for the holidays. May 2019 be fabulous for you.
ReplyDeleteHi Hilary,
ReplyDeleteI do apologise for my lack of interaction on your wondrous blog. As you will understand, I've been going through a very emotional and reflective time.
And thus, dear friend, your Canadian adventure, has concluded, for now. You will reminisce, think about the experience of living on Vancouver Island. Once Canada and its gentle people get into your heart, you realise just what a quietly proud nation it be.
I know you will treasure your memories as you look out your window in Eastbourne and suddenly having this incredible urge to say, "eh", eh!
All the very best and thank you for this. Chat soon, my thoughtful friend.
Hugs,
Gary X
Welcome home Hilary! Happy Christmas and have a great New year :-) XX
ReplyDeleteHi all - thanks for the new comments ... I'll start getting around to everyone - still need to sort things out - albeit not much ... but as we do: re-arrange stuff etc and get to the point where it's fine as it is.
ReplyDeleteSo flat is nearish town and I walk in and out and then up two flights of stairs - about 50 steps all told - so am getting some exercise. The bus does go nearby ... but stops early evening - but tis fine ...
I'll be popping in to see you all soon ... and replying to these comments - cheers for tonight - Hilary
I can't believe it's over already! I really enjoyed seeing the other side of Canada through your eyes. Wishing you safe travels and an easy transition back home -- glad the flat is near to the town! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI think it's great you visited a lot of vineyards... one of my favorite things to do, and always a wonderful time had!
ReplyDeleteWelcome home and I hope the jetlag wasn't too bad!!
Hi Hilary,
ReplyDeleteI thought I'd left a welcome home comment already, but I think it bounced back, so wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas and hope you're settling back into a nice, peaceful routine :)
Hello Hilary,
ReplyDeleteCame to your post a bit late.
Hope you have settled in by now.
Looking forward to your posts in the New Year.
Wish you and everyone near and dear to you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! :-)
-- bpradeepnair.blogspot.com
Gorgeous. Merry Christmas! :-)
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
Have a wonderful holiday season!
ReplyDelete:snowflake:
Wishing you and your loved ones peace, health, happiness, and prosperity in the coming New Year. Thank you for your kindness and caring.
Sounds like you had a good time. Yeah, that smell really is something.
- J
@ Deniz - I know ... it was earlier than I expected - but I did so enjoy seeing that side of Canada, and learning the history. Yes having the flat near the centre is really helpful.
ReplyDelete@ Mark - sorry your comments went into moderation - which I eventually found - so thanks for your thoughts and well wishes - for some reason I didn't really feel jet-lagged ... but exhaustion from the shenanigans before I left were already in place. I feel much better now. Life starts again as the festive season winds down ...
@ Pradeep - so good to see you ... and yes thank you I'm settling in ... slowly!! Thank you so much for your wishes and thoughts ...
Cheers to you all - and I really will get back into blogging, but still need to sort things out here ... life is ticking along - and 2019 is nearly here ... thanks for all your wishes - Hilary
@ ACIL - I hope you've had a lovely time and all the best for 2019 ...
ReplyDelete@ J Lenni - many thanks for your thoughts for a prosperous 2019; while caring for others is so essential for all our welfare in this day and age. I had a lovely time .. but the cannabis smell 'really is something' - pongy!
Cheers to you both - Hilary
Sounds like a wonderful trip, Hilary, and I do hope you are enjoying your holidays. Happy happy and merry merry! oxo
ReplyDeleteTo me, it smells like burnt rope! I smelled it a lot in New Orleans but not since I've been in Lake Charles. It's here but not where I frequent thankfully.
ReplyDeleteI wish you an easy time of settling in and finding security and joy. Lovely New Year!
I hope you are getting all settled in. I so enjoyed your adventures in Canada and I can imagine you are happy to be home in England. Your last story made me smile. :)
ReplyDeleteHope you had a Merry Christmas. May 2019 bring happiness and good health to you and lots of fun time. :)
~Jess
Just popping in here to wish you a very Happy New Year, Hilary. I hope you've settled back in Eastbourne now and are getting used to life in England again. Hoping to see you again here soon. All the very best for 2019, Val.
ReplyDeleteWishing you well with the changes. I hope all goes smoothly with your flat and that your new year is amazing. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Hilary!
ReplyDeleteOh Hilary, that's wonderful. I bet you are so glad to be in England again.
ReplyDeleteWishing you joy and good health in 2019.
Welcome home and very best wishes for 2019!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much to you all for your thoughts here ... I'm finally getting my act into gear and returning to blogging and will now be around ... endeavouring to catch up ...
ReplyDeleteI did return a year earlier than I anticipated - my sanity demanded it ... however the experience of seeing something of the west coast and meeting so many fascinating people was a real treat - which I thoroughly enjoyed.
As so many of you have rightly said - I loved Canada ... and would have been so happy if things had worked out and thus to have had the opportunity to see more.
History is interesting ... the puzzle pieces slot into place and I'm so glad I started blogging ... to let the past, with its human touches, take its proper place in my life ...
Cheers to you all - and all the very best for 2019 ... take care - cheers Hilary
That is a funny story about the cannabis and the guys and you in the store. It sounds like it was time to move back to England and good you have a flat to move in to.
ReplyDeleteThanks Terra - it was very funny when I had the 2nd conversation ... just made me laugh ... but the smell is yugh!! I'm glad I came back - it's good to be home ... all the best for the year ahead - cheers Hilary
ReplyDelete