Scenery – Page 10 – Jennifer's Journal

Not-So-Obvious Reasons Why Italy Should Be Your Next Travel Destination

Published on October 29, 2016October 29, 2016 by J. Kelland Perry36 Comments

Ah, wanderlust. I’m experiencing you again.

My husband and I are beginning to yearn for a return trip to Europe. We are planning on seeing England sometime in the future, but we still get a warm and fuzzy feeling when we look back on our trip to Italy.

268057_10150360211538569_148206_n — jenniferkellandperry.com

We all know that food is one of the main draws to Italy. After all, it’s undeniable that their pizzas and pastas are the best in the world, and we feasted on both often, during our travels there.

Many people visit the country to experience the renowned cuisine, and crowds upon crowds of tourists frequent the popular cities of Venice and Rome.

But there is more to Italy than these things. Here are some not-so-obvious reasons why Italy should be your next travel destination.

Wonderful Festivals

One thing I hadn’t known when we visited is that Italy knows how to put on a good festival. If we ever return – and I hope we do – we won’t forget to sample a few. In the summer months, there are many outdoor festivals, full of music for locals and visitors to enjoy. One festival you won’t want to miss is the Carpino Folk Festival. It’s the biggest folk festival in the country and is fantastic if you want to listen to some haunting melodies. You can find out more about this festival in this article.

Amazing Craft Shops

Shopping is one of the biggest draws to Italy. The clothes are fantastic, and you wouldn’t want to leave without visiting some of the designer stores. But as well as clothes, there are some fabulous craft shops. You’ll find many towns across the country with stores selling all the craft items you could possibly need. One place to go to is the Palazzo Pitti. As this feature explains, you can find some great artisan shops here, selling ceramics and leather. You’ll be going home with a full suitcase of fabulous finds if you head to beautiful Italy. All you need is the money!

tuscan-villa-063 — jenniferkellandperry.com

The Beautiful Countryside in Tuscany

The views are one of the best things about Italy. Places in Italy like the Amalfi Coast are some of the most stunning in the world. If you head to Tuscany, you’ll see the gorgeous countryside, full of vineyards and olive groves that are breathtaking. The Apennine Mountains are a sight to behold. I recommend you find somewhere to stay in the heart of the Tuscany countryside to have an unforgettable Italian holiday.

We stayed in a lovely villa for an entire week while we were in Tuscany, and took day trips to Florence and Siena. Next time, we have to remember to book a trip to a winery for something a little different.

Beautiful churches

Even if you are not religious, the churches in Italy are worth taking in. For one thing, they are absolutely beautiful treasures of architecture. They were a highlight of our trip and something I will never forget. Just make sure you cover up out of respect when you visit the churches, or you won’t be allowed in. 🙂

siena-017-e1426603007674 — jenniferkellandperry.com

As well as all this, the country has some of the nicest people in the world. My husband and I would go back in a heartbeat!

Have you ever travelled to Italy?
Do you have any not-so-obvious reasons to add it as a destination?

My Buttercup Runneth Over

Published on July 21, 2016 by J. Kelland Perry17 Comments

Weekend Walk Part II – Lovely Greenspond

Published on July 19, 2016 by J. Kelland Perry26 Comments

There is something about the town of Greenspond in Bonavista North that consistently captures my imagination. Yes, it is known for its wonderful walking trail and its majestic icebergs in spring, but it is magical to me because of much more than that.

No matter how many times I visit, take pictures, or blog about it, this historic community with its many mansard roofs, saltbox homes, and idyllic scenery harkens me back to imaginings of yesteryear when English settlers first came here from Dorset, Devon, Somerset and Hampshire centuries ago.

These first inhabitants grew Greenspond into a major economic enterprise through fishing and trading, yet today it stands preserved in an “olden day” atmosphere, giving this visitor storybook inspiration of how Newfoundlanders lived before life became modern and fast-paced.

Take a little tour with me through the following photos. The first one is from Facebook but the rest are from our visit there in May.

facebook

195 — Lobster traps seen along the Causeway

105 099 may 2015 100 103 107 110 birds

Greenspond - Part II — Last but not least: one of my favourites from two years ago

Forces of Nature

Published on May 14, 2015June 20, 2018 by J. Kelland Perry32 Comments

Once again, iceberg season has arrived in Newfoundland.

Icebergs are beautiful to photograph and are a huge Force of Nature ( we only have to think of the Titanic disaster ) but the pack ice that often accompanies them can wreak their own special havoc. In our part of the world, these masses of moving ice interfere with fishing and sometimes even trap whales and dolphins.

In the area of Bonavista Bay North where I live, the water is too shallow to allow the big icebergs to get very close, but we do see plenty of pack ice and bergy bits.

Enter the seagulls. These hardy scavenger birds are so well-adapted to this rugged environment, I am in awe. Their ability to not only survive, but to thrive here, may well be called another force of nature.

Like all of our feathered friends in the northern hemisphere, seagulls mate in spring. This is the time of year in Newfoundland we see them answer to their instinct and pair off to procreate. They are monogamous, usually with one mate for life.

On the evening I took these photos, the setting sun cast interesting shadows and hues upon the ice and the water.

Of course, speaking of a force of nature, our Vivian needed to be a part of it all.

What Forces of Nature do you have in your backyard?

Friday Bouquet #19

Published on May 1, 2015February 12, 2020 by J. Kelland Perry

The World According to Dina is a photographer’s dream. Her blog includes a breathtakingly lovely collection of images from Norway, though she and her helpers “blog about everything that we connect with the North (Scandinavia)– from nature to culture.”

In her own words:

I am Dina. Actually, my name is Hanne and some even call me TofFeeFee. I come from Fredrikstad in Norway, the most beautiful land of the trolls, the fjords and midnightsun. If you take a closer at my blog, the natural beauty of Norway will present itself.”

I have chosen to highlight the following post because I am longing for summer here in Newfoundland and Labrador, and I was struck by the similarities of many of the scenes to my home province.

A True Summer Dream – Hvaler, Norway

I have disabled comments here in the hope you will comment on Dina’s blog.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Winter’s Glaze

Published on February 11, 2015February 11, 2015 by J. Kelland Perry44 Comments

A Chilly Welcome ;) — A Chilly Greeting?

A couple of weeks ago, we weathered yet another “lovely” ice storm. The freezing rain painted every surface with sleet, resulting in slippery walks, treacherous roads, and a thick coat of glittering rime on just about everything. Oh Joy!

140 (1280x721) — Our neighbour’s view of our point of land, with the ocean view lost in the fog beyond

If you’ve never heard about the phenomenon of “ice-fog”, this is what it looks like.

097 (1280x789) — A ghostly mist hangs in the air, glazing everything in a sheet of ice.

I hoped to capture some shots of sunshine on the glitter, but the forecast wasn’t cooperating. Not one to miss an opportunity, however, I headed outside to see what artistry I might find under the heavy grey overcast of gloom.

The scene is still, frozen in windless silence. I find a stalk encased in a shell of ice.

Abandoned clothespins encapsulated on our summer neighbour’s line.
Who knew they would prove useful for this shutterbug?

Fences are crusted with frost, and icicles trickle in abundance.

The fog begins to clear…

…and the clouds lift a little, allowing a few thin milky rays to shine through.

All at once, everything glows with a sparkly sheen…

…and the “batty catters” take on a cold blue tint at the ocean’s edge.
A wide band of slobby ice meanders in the water near the coastline.

018 (1280x834) — Grass that reminds me of glass straws

090 (1280x606) — The opening sky colours our sea blue once again.

So far, we’ve enjoyed countless sunny days and not too much of the white stuff.
But that may be about to change; a winter storm alert is issued for the weekend.

How are you braving the winter?
Are you longing to put this season behind you?
Or are you finding beauty in unexpected places?

To Sea by Virtue

Published on November 26, 2014November 26, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry25 Comments

One sunny afternoon last month, we accompanied friends aboard the Virtue, their Beneteau 400 sailing vessel.
We were only too happy to share in the enjoyment of the October sea and sky.

024 — *Rowing in the little boat to the big boat*

“Throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

“I never get tired of the blue sky.” – Vincent Van Gogh

“Roll on, deep and dark blue ocean, roll… Man marks the earth with ruin, but his control stops with the shore.” – Lord Byron

“Long may your big jib draw.” – legendary Newfoundland saying meaning good wishes for the future

“I wanted freedom, open air and adventure. I found it on the sea.” – Alaine Gerbault

“How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is quite clearly Ocean.”
– Arthur C. Clarke

“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.”
– William Arthur Ward

“When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky.” – Buddha

“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” – Jacques Yves Cousteau

“I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and sky; and all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.” – John Masefield

Have you ever gone sailing on a beautiful day such as this?

Historic Grand Bank

Published on October 30, 2014October 30, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry22 Comments

It seems the older I get, the more I treasure the chance to travel around this province. Even when I visit a Newfoundland community I’ve been in before, it’s as if I see it with new and more appreciative eyes.

Earlier this week, I accompanied Paul on one of his little road trips for work, this time on the Burin Peninsula Heritage Run. Our destination was the vibrant town of Grand Bank. I hadn’t been there in over a decade.

It was a rainy trip. But Good Fortune smiled down, the sun came out as soon as we got there, and so did my trusty camera.

The authentic old buildings and heritage architecture I found especially charming. I’ll let the pictures tell the story of what I loved about historic Grand Bank.

155 — **The Inn by the Sea Bed and Breakfast**

162 — **The Thorndyke – Registered Heritage B & B**

169 — **…and another Widow’s Walk, a popular feature of long ago fishing communities.**

And Old meets New:

186 — **The Provincial Seamen’s Museum**

192 — **Thank you for the lovely visit, Grand Bank.**

Where do you like to go for a road trip?

My “Backyard” – Part 1

Published on September 8, 2014September 14, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry31 Comments

“If one really loves nature, one can find beauty everywhere.”
~ Vincent van Gogh

There is something about this time of year, before the advent of autumn, that I love about life on Perry’s Point.

Unconventional to say the least, my backyard here in Newfoundland has no fences, save for one side shared with our neighbour.

One day last week I got out early with my camera, hoping to capture the soft morning light.

The grass is still glistening with dew. — **The grass still glistens with dew.**

It's shaping up to be a splendid September day. — **It’s shaping up to be another splendid September day.**

View from the back door. — **View of the islands from the back door**

Vivian is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. — **Vivian joins me, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.**

Maisie is looking for a belly rub. — **Maisie begs shamelessly for a belly rub.**

The outermost point of land on Perry's Point — **View from our deck of the outermost point of land on Perry’s Point**

**Walking toward the brink. Around here they call it a “beel”, which I believe to be a slang version of “bill”, or small peninsula.**

036 — **This morning the bay is calm and serene.**

The inukshuk my husband made this summer — **The Inukshuk my husband made this summer**

The "Rock Cove", where rainwater collects — **The “Rock Cove”, where rainwater collects**

An ideal source of drinking water for our feathered friends. We've seen a few indulge in birdbaths here too. — **It’s an ideal source of fresh drinking water for our feathered friends. We’ve seen a few indulge in bird baths here too.**

The patridgeberries are ripening, on schedule for picking next month. — **The partridgeberries are ripening, on schedule for picking next month.**

I don't know what kind these are. Do you? — **I don’t know what kind these are. Do you?**

Neighbour Ben's buoys and bobbers — **Neighbour Ben’s fishing buoys and bobbers**

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”
~ Albert Einstein

Join me next Monday for: My “Backyard”- Part 2: The Beach

Weekend Family Fun

Published on July 22, 2014July 22, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry16 Comments

Last Friday, we took a trip to Lead Cove, the little outport community where my children grew up.

Time spent with fun-loving family…

…on a warm summer weekend, is high on my list of favourite things to do.

Around the bay, the pace slows down where time together is savoured and enjoyed.
(Our boy fell and skinned his knee after I took this one, but let’s not talk about that.)