Scenery – Page 11 – Jennifer's Journal

Spring!

Published on May 2, 2014January 17, 2016 by J. Kelland Perry9 Comments

Greetings, humans! Maisie here, covering for Jennifer this week while she is away. My sister Vivian was eager to take over again, but Shy Little Me thought I would venture a few steps out of my comfort zone and host the blog for a change.

My sister and I had grown oh-so-bored with staying inside.

After the long, cold and snowy winter we endured in Canada this year, we are welcoming any signs of Spring with gratitude and huge sighs, or in our case,
purrs of relief.

When Vivian and I lived in the city four years ago, we had to content ourselves with the sighting of a robin or two in our backyard to let us know Spring had finally arrived.

Where we live now, there are many, many more signs to watch for and welcome. Not only fat robins with their red breasts, but birds of all kinds grace us with their presence, usually in pairs as they get ready for mating season. And we eagerly await the arrival of the gannets in May, and arctic terns in June. There is something deeply comforting in seeing wildlife return, especially when you spy them huddled in twos, preening or foraging for food together here on Perry’s Point. The seagulls are here as always, dropping and breaking crabs and sea urchins open on the rocks. But now they are joined by a few saddleback gulls. Vivian even spotted a saucy mink the other day!

During the last few days, my sister and I have enthusiastically returned to the great outdoors.
So much to see, to smell, to hear and to taste.

Vivian and I will stay outside almost all day when the summer gets here…

…just like last summer, and the summer before.

Life is good. 🙂

Weekly Photo Challenge: Spring!
What does Spring mean to you?

Scenes from Montreal

Published on March 14, 2014June 11, 2017 by J. Kelland Perry22 Comments

With few signs of spring here in Newfoundland, and our vacation more than two weeks away, I’m getting a little restless for a change of climate and scenery. This morning found me looking back on photos from a different spring, of our May trip to Montreal five years ago. Won’t you come along and take in some sightseeing with me, in one of my favourite cities?

Montreal 2009 026 — **view from our hotel room**

Montreal 2009 014 (2) — **inside the Centre for Architecture**

Montreal 2009 028 — **Montreal Museum of Fine Arts**

Montreal 2009 029 — **Let’s go inside.**

Montreal 2009 030 — **Exhibition by Yoko Ono**

John Lennon's Piano — **John Lennon’s Piano**

Montreal 2009 052 — **playing in the park 😉**

Montreal 2009 055 — **Ah…Spring in full bloom**

Montreal 2009 082 — **admiring the architecture**

**View from the top of Olympic Stadium**

montreal-2009-136-e1497041129932 — Enjoying sangria on Crescent Street

Hoping to visit again someday.

Have you ever been to Montreal? Lived there? What is your favourite city to visit?

Photo Challenge: Threes

Published on February 23, 2014April 23, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry35 Comments

The Daily Post challenge for photographers this week is to show three similar images. I came up with two versions from winter and summer here on Perry’s Point.

Ice Storm Aftermath

ice-close-up — **Glitter-Coated Branches**

ice-on-grass-3 — **Crunchy Tufts of Grass**

Seashells on Rocks

Now that March is marching toward us, this photographer is growing a smidge weary of the snow and ice. Thoughts swing to the anticipation of warm weather and the new life that Spring unfurls. I remember this colony of mollusks, better known as seashells, from last summer.

Shelled mollusks are not the only things living on these rocks. Colonies of tiny, white rock barnacles are everywhere. Barnacles are arthropods, related to crab and lobster.

I’m ready to trade the ice for seashells. Are you?

The Sky’s the Limit

Published on December 4, 2013March 24, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry21 Comments

Ailsa’s photo challenge this week is the Sky.

Here are a few of my personal favourites taken by our home here in Newfoundland.

golden sunset — **golden Autumn sunset**

January 2013 002 — **x 2 – notice the ice in the bay**

Hot summer night sky came out looking like Armageddon! — **Summer sunset sky came out looking like Armageddon!**

Husband must have stood on a small hill because he isn’t that much taller than the rest of us. 🙂

A Step Back in Time: Scenes from Bonavista

Published on October 10, 2013March 27, 2021 by J. Kelland Perry31 Comments

A couple of weekends ago, my husband and I visited friends who had relocated to the town of Bonavista last year. It was a three and a half hour drive away, the weather was lovely and it was our first time seeing the beautiful and historic town, so of course I had my camera ready. It was extremely difficult to narrow down the photos to only these!

008 — **The stocks and whipping post for criminals back in the day – yikes!**

077 — **United Memorial Church – the largest wooden structure in Eastern Canada**

Our friend's pooch hamming it up for the camera — **Our friend’s pooch hamming it up for the camera**

We enjoyed a run out to Cape Bonavista to see "John" — **We enjoyed a run out to Cape Bonavista to see “John”**

...then back to town to finish up at the Ryan Premises — **…then back to town to finish up at the Ryan Premises**

173 — **What a great way to end our summer!**

Sunshine, Surf and Sand

Published on August 24, 2013March 24, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry26 Comments

Is there anything that captures the carefree magic of summer more than spending warm days playing at the beach? When the kids came to visit this week, they happily took advantage of the many delights the seaside has to offer.

Our little girl made a new friend :) — Our little girl makes a new friend 🙂

Building sand castles, catching hermit crabs in their little shells – and releasing them again – jumping over frothy waves and off of sand dunes, letting their dog run free, all this and more made for a memorable summer holiday.

Nico loved his newfound freedom — Nico loves his newfound freedom

Nico probably had the best vacation a dog ever had. The freedom to explore the coastline, running after beach birds that couldn’t be caught, he was a joy to watch as he galloped across the sand in wide circles around us.

Our little girl played with her new friend from Ontario every chance she got, as if they had always known each other. When the time came to say goodbye, she cried, but they exchanged addresses and made plans to become pen pals until they could see each other again. 🙂

The day they left, our little boy said he wished he lived here because he didn’t have a “backyard beach” at home.

Come back for more fun any time you want, precious boy. — Come back for more fun any time you want, precious children.

Travel Theme: Play
Weekly Photo Challenge: Focus

Travel Theme: Architecture

Published on August 12, 2013March 24, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry28 Comments

Ailsa’s travel-themed photo challenge this week is Architecture.

While I was out and about in the older section of St. John’s last month, I stopped to admire some of the colourful Victorian rowhouses near the downtown. Tourists come every year looking for the street called Jelly Bean Row, but there is no one street. It is the nickname given to all the vibrantly painted row houses in the downtown area.

For fellow Canadians familiar with the CBC television show Republic of Doyle, this is the outside shot of the "Doyle household" — For fellow Canadians familiar with the CBC television show Republic of Doyle, this is the outside shot used for the “Doyle household”.

Playing Tourist in my own Hometown

Published on July 29, 2013April 27, 2017 by J. Kelland Perry21 Comments

Ahhh…Home Sweet Home!

After two busy weeks in our fair capital city of St. John’s, my husband and I are once again happy to be back in our house on the Point. Make no mistake, though, I always enjoy our extended summer jaunt revisiting my birthplace, even though husband has to bring some work with him. Time spent with the kids and grandkids is always a great thing, as were the walks around Mundy Pond and Quidi Vidi Lake, not to mention the dining out, the shopping, and celebrating husband’s birthday. We even managed to take a couple of side trips to Grates Cove and Portugal Cove while we were there.

My trip would not have been complete, however, if I had not taken a spin up to Signal Hill.

Is it any wonder one of my favourite spots has a spectacular view of the ocean? I know, I know. I live by the sea. You’d think I would have had my fill of huge bodies of water by now. But no, when the yearning for the sea beckons, I must respond.

husband enjoying the view — husband enjoying the scenery

057 — view of Cape Spear in the distance

Deadman's Pond - urban legend would have you believe it is bottomless — Deadman’s Pond – urban legend would have you believe it is bottomless

cannons guarding St. John's Harbour — cannons guarding the Harbour Narrows

the warmest visit I can ever remember on Signal Hill

I expect to be extremely busy over the coming weeks, finishing the first draft of my novel (but I will be checking in here too!). I’m hoping to have it completed by the time my daughter and her family come to visit in the latter part of August. Wish me luck!

Further Reading:
Sometimes I’m Still that St. John’s Girl

Grates Cove

Published on July 22, 2013January 19, 2016 by J. Kelland Perry13 Comments

My husband and I are enjoying our second week away from home, spending most of our time in my birthplace, St. John’s, the capital city of Newfoundland. This past weekend, however, we took a short trip to Grates Cove.

002 — Entering Grates Cove
– jenniferkellandperry.com

030 — View from the walking trail running along the cliffs and barrens
– jenniferkellandperry.com

This little community is the most northerly one on the Avalon Peninsula, and is my mother’s hometown.

Mom, out and about ;) — Mom, out and about 😉

My father’s maternal roots are also here, so most of my relatives originated in Grates Cove. Some of them still live here, and others have summer homes.

Grates Cove is actually a National Historic site, recognized for its acres of rock walls.
From the last of the 1700’s to the early 1900’s, local residents used the rocks to define spaces within their environment. The rocks were thrown, stacked and piled into more than 160 acres of land to set aside fields, create gardens, store vegetables, protect livestock and to use as cemeteries. (source: beyondbaccalieu.com)

Rock_Walls_at_Grates_Cove_0024-M — beyondbaccalieu.com

051 — Beautiful day on Saturday
– jenniferkellandperry.com

Like many of the coastal communities in our province, Grates Cove was a desirable place because of its prolific fishing grounds. First settled in 1790, its population has shrunk over the years, but it still supports the livelihood of a number of local fisher-persons, and is a popular tourist destination.

Many of these tourists have loved the place so much, they bought property of their own and put down roots. It has been reported that Grates Cove has the highest per capita in all of Newfoundland of “Mainlanders” buying up houses to live.

If you are ever in the area and get a chance to visit this picturesque little fishing village, I am sure you will understand why the “come-from-aways” fell in love with it and made up their minds to stay.

jenniferkellandperry.wordpress.com — jenniferkellandperry.com

Have you ever visited tiny, out-of-the-way communities like Grates Cove? Are any of your relatives still living in places such as these?

Beach Golf, Anyone?

Published on July 14, 2013March 24, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry41 Comments

Disclaimer: No wildlife was harmed during the creation of this photo shoot.

My son came for a visit here in Newtown this past week. On one of the days, I went along to take pics of him and my husband playing beach golf. This beautiful sandy beach is only a few hundred yards from our house. The weather was cool and windy, but I liked the way the photos turned out.