.jpg) Sun Peaks
From the flank of Mount Morrisey one has views of the modern chalets on the ski slope across the valley. There is something charming about a mountain resort village – even in the off season.
Sun Peaks is a popular ski resort in the Monashee Mountains, 410 kilometers (255 miles) east of Vancouver, British Columbia . It boasts the second largest area of skiable terrain in Canada (see: Sun Peaks Resort) and claims to average over 2000 hours of sun a year.
I visited in spring, not winter. And, much of the time I was there, there was little or no sun. But, the air was fresh, the streams were flowing, and the mountain pathways beckoned.
Like many other ski resorts, this area has attempted – with some recent success – to reinvent itself and attract more year-round visitors. Summer bike paths were built in 1999 and an 18-hole golf course was completed in 2005. The village itself has only been incorporated since 2010, but its population more than doubled between the last two censuses, reaching a grand total of 1,404 year-round residents in 2021.
I was making use of some timeshare points, and found myself in a lovely lodge a short walk away from the quaint main street. Because it was spring (not summer), bikes weren’t available, and the chair lifts weren’t running, which limited my activity choices somewhat. But, there were plenty of trails to walk – allowing me to justify some wonderfully decadent meals in the nice selection of local restaurants. The town boasts just enough inviting shops to make wandering enjoyable.
Join me for some not-so-sunny walks.
.jpg) Sun Peaks Village
Summer season was still weeks away, but there were just enough residents and visitors around to keep shops and restaurants open. .jpg) New Growth
Spring is the time for fresh buds on the willow branches. Patches of snow remain on the ground in the shadows.  Crystal Forest Condominiums
Many of the newly-built condominiums and lodges seem to be modelled on European alpine styles (eg: Leysin, Switzerland). American Robin – Turdus Migratorius
I didn’t have much luck with the wildlife; although a mother bear and cubs had recently been spotted, the best I could do was the occasional bird. View from the Packhorse Climb
The clue is in the name! It’s a steep hike up the ski runs on Mount Morrisey. The Village
I hiked up the Packhorse Climb twice – but never made it to the top of Mount Morrisey. I blame jet lag! Pesto Fusilli in Capones Italian Kitchen
I used the walking I did do as an excuse for some wonderful meals … A 6oz Sirloin in Sun Peaks Lodge
… and even treated myself to a steak. Pita Bread Chicken ‘Burger’ at Bottoms Bar & Grill
Mind you, the day I swapped out fries for onion rings I could barely walk home afterwards! Old Man’s Beard – Usnea
The spring sun doesn’t have much reach, and many of the forest paths are dark and mossy, with ferns underfoot and lichen overhead. Wild Strawberries – Fragaria Vesca
I only pulled the car out once all week: that was to drive seven minutes down the road to the Whitecroft Falls Trail Head. Maple Spinners
It is only a short track (1.6 km – 1 mi) running alongside McGillivray Creek, but there was plenty to look at, so I was rather slow. Dandelions and a Baby Tree
Douglas firs regularly live over 500 years – which explains how something this small can grow to 100 metres (330 feet) tall. Birch Bark Melissa Blue Butterfly – Plebejus Melissa Heartleaf Arnica – Arnica Cordifolia
These cheerful spring-bloomers were everywhere on the forest trails. Western Serviceberry – Amelanchier Alnifolia
The saskatoon berries were also in bloom on their trees. McGillivray Creek
Finally! The creek I’ve been hearing along the track finally comes into view. The path is soft underfoot. In the Cedars
The branches of the tall western red cedars (thuja plicata) droop gracefully. Whitecroft Falls
The waterfall is small, but very pretty – and the spray splashes high onto the banks … Bench
… soaking the ornate wooden bench overlooking it. Boulders in the Creek
The waters continue their race downstream. A Rocky Path
It always surprises me how different the same path looks when you are retracing it! Oregon Grape – Mahonia Aquifolium Nature’s Artworks : Conifer Needles Back at the Beginning
The way back was much quicker, and in no time at all I was back at the trailhead.
It was a lovely little walk – and a fitting end to a week of pleasant hikes in the woods, along creeks, and across ski hills.
I’m hoping to return some time when the summer ski lifts are operating, opening up a whole new batch of trails.
Until then,
Happy Walking!
Pictures: 19-26May2023
Posted in Canada,Nature,TravelTags: Alpine Flowers,Canada,flora,landscape,nature,Photo Blog,travel,Travel Blog,Ursula Wall,walk
Old Equipment inside Old Walls
Two things define the Sultanate of Oman: old forts and dates. I thought this date juice-jar inside the historic Jabreen Castle made a good illustration of this. If there are two things that define the Sultanate of Oman, it would be old forts, towers, and castles – and date palms.
This relatively small Middle Eastern country on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula is home to about 1,000 forts and watchtowers – many of which are open to the public. I didn’t see all of them, but I did visit a few – sometimes more than one a day (eg: Oman’s Fortress Castles)!
Dates are central to the Omani culture and economy. The date palm is the most important agricultural crop in the country, with around eight million trees and 60 different varieties. Historically, in addition to being an important general foodstuff and ritually offered to visitors, they were used to make date syrup, which when boiling, could be poured over would-be attackers.
The historic 17th century Jabreen Castle (حصن جبرين) – also spelled Jibreen or Jabrin – is an example of both ideas. Standing alone in a plain of date palms some distance from the Hajar Mountains, from the outside the palace looks like any of the other blocky Omani fortresses.
Jabreen Castle was built as a palace during a time of peace by a ruler who was passionate about science and art, and includes a madrasa, or school, and a library. But, it is well fortified: with thick defensive walls, soldiers’ quarters, gunnery platforms, and even secret internal hideouts and corridors – which visitors can now explore.
One of the most impressive rooms in the castle is the madbasa – often translated as “date press” – a large, specially constructed space for producing producing date syrup or honey. Bags of dates are piled on an elevated floor in a closed and non-ventilated room with channels grooved into the sloped floor. Gravity squashed the dates and the liquid ran downward to be collected in pots and jars (see: Besides the Obvious: Jabreen Castle). Ingenious!
Come explore:
Power from the Car
Oman is considered a high income country, with a relatively modern infrastructure. Unsurprising then, that many of the highways are flanked by power lines. Jabreen from the Car
Jabreen Castle (حصن جبرين) – also spelled Jibreen or Jabrin – stands alone in a wide plain, surrounded by date palms. Cannons at the Entry
It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but it is home to some fascinating architecture and history. Negotiating Entry
Our guide and driver Said negotiates our entrance fee. Castle Plans
Inside the outer wall, the plans of the castle illustrate its layout. I’m glad we had a guide: it was hard to tell one corridor from another, and even with audio guides, visitors often end up wandering lost. Arches
In typical Middle Eastern style, … Corridors
… arched doorways lead of in all directions. Inside Jabreen
Although it is built like a fortress, Jabreen is classified as a castle; it was was built in 1670 by Imam Bel’arab bin Sultan Al Yarubi as a palace and a center for knowledge. Between the Walls
Like other Omani bastions, the castle is a balance of solid defences and elegant lines. Interior Cannons
A second set of cannons guard the entrance to the main palace. Simplicity
The rendered walls and rooms … Old Date Syrup Dispenser
… are decorated with historical objects. Madbasa
Dark and airless, a madbasa is a room for extracting date syrup: the liquid once flowed down these old channels to be collected in pots or jars, ready for storage, cooking, or to assist women in labour. ‘Horse Trappings’
One of the more unusual rooms inside the castle would have to be the horse stall, one floor up, where the Imam’s horse was housed. Interior Courtyard
The inner courtyard between the two building blocks is cool and airy – even in the desert heat – with filigreed windows and wooden balconies Jabreen Rooftop
From the lower rooftop, you can get a sense of the construction of the thick walls, … View from Jabreen Fort
… and enjoy views over the surrounding plain. Flag on the Roof
Date palms extend into the distance. Sparrows
Back inside in the cooler dark of the castle, sparrows are making themselves at home. Carved Beam
Many of the ceilings within the castle are intricately carved and vividly painted. The Whisper Room
Nowhere is this better illustrated than in the little room on the upper level where the Imam held his most secret and confidential meetings: the closely packed ceiling beams helped baffle any sound, preventing anyone outside from listening in. View from the Upper Rooftop
From the upper roof, the views over the countryside are even better. Bahla Fort
We had a good view over nearby Bahla Fort and its oasis. Built during the the 13th and 14th century, it is Oman’s largest fort and considered one of the most impressive examples of medieval Islamic architecture. Unesco World Heritage Listed, it was closed when we were in the area. Looking Out
Entering the special staircase to the Imam’s room, I look back out to admire the lines and contrasts. Domed Corridor
This dark space is beautifully decorated in Islamic fashion … Carved Staircase
… with calligraphy and intricate designs. Beautiful Stairwell
The staircase leading to the Imam’s rooms is functional as well as beautiful: a plank on one of the lower steps makes noise when it is stepped on, alerting people to possible intruders. Jabreen Castle was restored in the 1980s, and the maze of beautifully decorated rooms and passages are well worth exploring.
I’m just glad I had a guide! I had no idea where I was most of the time – just one of the features that helped keep intruders at bay.
 Peace reigned here until 1692, when the Imam’s brother and a large army laid siege. The Imam prayed to Allah for death, and is interred inside the castle he built, in a corner that was his favorite place of prayer.
Pictures: 23October2019.
Posted in Architecture,Oman,TravelTags: architecture,blog,castle,environmental portrait,environmental portraits,islamic,Oman,people,Photo Blog,travel,Travel Blog,Ursula Wall
Tangled Trunks
I kept imagining Red Riding Hood and the wolves and goblins of old fairy tales as I walked through the cool, mossy, rhododendron forest near Tadapani, Nepal. I’ve said it before: walking through the rhododendron forests of Nepal is like being in the enchanted world of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale (see: Waterfalls, Mystic Forests, And Clouds). The colours and textures of the trees, the mosses, and even the damp and rocky pathways captured my attention and imagination.
The rain had stopped and the skies were clear. It was late March and the tall and twisted trees were in bloom with Nepal’s national flower, the lali gurans, or red rhododendron. Considered a welcome sign of spring, the 30-odd species of lali gurans that are native to the central and eastern hills of Nepal are a subset of the much larger rhododendron arboreum family. Thriving at altitudes between 2000 m (6500 ft) and 3900 m (1300 ft) in the Himalayas, they are a welcome sight to trekkers.
My husband and I were on Day 5 of a slow circuit trek in the Annapurnas under the guidance of Angfula Sherpa: from Nayapul to Ghorepani/Poon Hill and Ghandruk. Most of our small group were on the slippery side of middle-age, and most of us were carrying heavy camera equipment, so the magnificent mountain and forest views were a welcome excuse to stop, take photos, and admire the scenery!
View from our Terrace
I have set my alarm early so that when I exit our Tadapani guesthouse room onto the terrace, I can watch the skies lighten over Fish Tail (Machapuchare). Sunrise on Annapurna South and Machapuchare
What could be better than being treated to this view? Prayer Flags, Roof Tiles, and Rhododendron Flowers
It is now 6:30 on a spring morning. The world behind me seems to drift off into a dream. “Good Morning, Tadapani!”
I pause for a quick selfie before going back in to pack for the day. Annapurna South Looms Large “You Are Here”
There are regular trekking map boards along these popular routes. Flowers Overhead
We head off, south east into the forest. There are rhododendron flowers in the tall trees overhead, … Flowers Underfoot
… and even more petals on the ground. Path Winding Through the Trees Heavy Load
We have the luxury of walking these tracks for pleasure; local people use them to meet their daily needs, … Porters on the Path
… or to make a living transporting tourists’ belongings. Nature’s Still Life : Colour and Texture Fallen Leaves Shaggy Bark
Everywhere I look, the colours and textures grab me. Mossy Trunk More Colour and Texture Fallen Flower in the Grass Rocks and Trunks
The moss on everything makes the scene magical to me. Light on the Leaf Spores More Flowers Going Down
It is always a relief when the path drops down instead of climbing! Into Bhaisikharka
It is even better news when it becomes obvious we have reached a town! Chances are good that we’ll stop for food. “Welcome to Bhaisikharka!”
The other great pleasure of reaching a town is chatting with the locals. Young Man
I’m always impressed by how willing people are to have their picture taken.
It wasn’t yet 11:00 o’clock, but we had been up early – and I am always ready to eat!
But, I knew we’d be on our way again soon to finish our walk for the day (Watch this Space!).
Until then,
Happy Walking!
Photos: 23March2017
Posted in Landscapes,Nepal,TravelTags: Annapurnas,blog,landscape,nature,Nepal,Photo Blog,travel,Travel Blog,Ursula Wall,walk
Boats on the Waterfront
The boats at Lakes Entrance, Australia, have their choice of endless protected inland waterways, or the wilder waters of the Tasman Sea and Southern Ocean Lakes Entrance is a delightful coastal town in eastern Victoria, Australia. It is known for its long, beautiful beaches, recreational and commercial fishing, and bushwalking and water-based activities. It sits at the meeting point of the Southern Ocean and the Gippsland Lakes – a vast system of inland waterways.
Being only 320 kilometres (200 mi) east of Melbourne, Lakes Entrance is usually a popular weekend and holiday destination for the urban residents there.
But, these were not usual times… I was heading to Melbourne to stay on the Mornington Peninsula (see: Balcombe Estuary And Coolart Homestead), with the hopes of getting into the CBD to see a special art exhibition. But, Melbourne was in the grips of a Covid19 lockdown, and I spent an unexpected extra day in Lakes Entrance waiting to see if the restrictions would be lifted.
So, I had no real plans, except to get out for a morning walk.
I was lucky enough to be staying near the footbridge that crosses Cunninghame Arm and leads to the Entrance Walk (see: Walking Maps). This gorgeous walk is along well-marked paths through coastal bush, along beaches, and over boardwalk. There are historical buildings and the occasional explanatory sign-board as you work your way along the shores of Lake Cunninghame to the actual entrance into the Gippsland Lakes.
I heard and saw many birds that were too quick for me to photograph. According to one website, you ‘alway’ see Australian fur seals here; I didn’t. I did, however, enjoy the sight of a pod of dolphins surfing the strong currents through the tidal narrows. I had left the cameras behind, and did what I could with the iPhone.
Join me for a short and easy, but very pleasant, walk around a portion of Lake Tyers Coastal Reserve.
Endless Golden Sand
Lakes Entrance Beach stretches out before me: we are near the top end of Ninety Mile Beach – a 151 kilometre (94 mile) stretch of sandy beach facing the Bass Strait. It is the fourth longest stretch of uninterrupted beach in the world, and is also considered one of the most natural and unspoilt expanses of waterfront sand anywhere. Lakes Entrance Beach
As I walk along the beach, I am looking across Cunninghame Arm and back to the township. These are tidal waters, so if you want en extended beach walk, you need to check the tide tables. Working Boats on the Waterfront
The walking track takes me up into beautiful coastal scrub of banksia, tea trees, and boobialla. I get glimpses of the boats along the waterfront in the township. Nature’s Artwork : A Textured Stump Private Jetty, Carpentertown
Talk about location! Carpentertown was established after it was decided, in 1870, to build a permanent opening between Gippsland Lakes and the ocean. The settlement included workmen’s cottages, a boarding house, and a school. Today there are a few cottages left which are still occupied by lucky descendants of those workers. Retaining Wall on Cunninghame Arm
The original project took 19 years, and the Entrance finally opened in 1889. However, it wasn’t up to the power of the elements, and many of the timber piers were destroyed by teredo worms. The second stage of project to rectify these problems was unimaginatively named the New Works. Entrance Pier
Looking down over the Entrance, you can see the power of the water surging into the Lakes through the channel. Walkway
The wooden walkway down to the pier from Flagstaff Lookout is steep, but well maintained. Dolphins
I got lucky! A small pod of dolphins were frolicking in the incoming waters. Dolphins in the Entrance
I can’t watch these lovely creatures without smiling. The Relics Trail
I love the shapes and textures of old machinery … Winch at New Works
… and these rusty pieces are real historic treasures. Still Life Found : Old Machinery Old Building at New Works I followed the beach back to the footbridge – and was back in town in time for a big Aussie breakfast.
I had earned it: it’s only a 5.6 km (3.5 mi) walk, but somehow I managed to clock up eight km!
Happy Walking!
Pictures: 17June2021
Posted in Australia,Nature,TravelTags: Australia,history,landscape,nature,Photo Blog,travel,Travel Blog,Ursula Wall,Victoria,walk
Sailboats in Sydney Harbour
It’s a perfect summer day: sunny skies; enough wind to give the genoas a nice puff; and a slight sea haze, rendering Sydney’s distinctive skyline dreamy. Almost any city is nice in good weather – but you just can’t beat Sydney and its harbour on a sunny day.
For all my years of being in and around Sydney, I have not spent enough time on the waters there. There is no excuse for it really – the public ferries that criss-cross from Sydney’s Circular Quay to various points around the harbour and beyond are comfortable, relatively cheap, and easy to use. And, they afford the same glorious views as the more-expensive tourist boats.
But there always seemed to be something else going on …
One December, however – mid-summer in the southern hemisphere – we had international visitors and had taken them to the zoo and the aquarium. A bonus with our tickets was a return passage from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay on the Captain Cook Cruises ferry. The season had been glorious, so there was no reason not to jump aboard and take ourselves over the harbour for some famous fish and chips and a short coastal walk.
Watsons Bay is a harbour-side suburb 11km (6.8mi) northeast of Sydney’s Central Business District (CBD). While you can access it by road, the city’s traffic can be a nightmare – and if you are downtown anyway, private boats or New South Wales Ferries are easier and much more fun.
The suburb sits on the South Head Peninsula, allowing great views west across Port Jackson to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The high eastern cliffs, known as The Gap, give views to Manly on North Head and the Pacific Ocean.
Amongst other things, Watsons Bay is known for the internationally famous Doyles on the Beach seafood restaurant. That was a bit out of our league, and we didn’t have a reservation, so we made do with fish and chips from the more modest Doyles on the Wharf Take Away.
We carried our lunch up to The Gap Lookout National Park, and enjoyed some of the best food and views that Sydney has to offer.
Join me on and around the waters of Sydney Harbour.
Bridge over Darling Harbour
We picked up our boat in Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour, and motored under the historic Pyrmont Bridge – built in 1902 – to get to the outer harbour. Cars were banned here in 1981, and it is now strictly for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. I walk over this bridge often when I’m in Sydney. Australian National Maritime Museum
This ‘museum of the sea’ includes a replica of James Cook’s HMB Endeavour, which visitors can tour to get a feel for the life of the early explorers. I visit the museum regularly because it also hosts the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. Ferry on the Water
While Sydney Ferries get highlighted in the occasional news stories of high drama, cost blow-outs, or unreasonable delays, for the most part they are clean, fast, and efficient ways to access ports around the city and beyond. Iconic Sydney Harbour Scene
Sailors in the crowd will note that this scene is less-than-ideal: the sails are luffing; slack with insufficient wind. But, really! A sailboat, the Opera House, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge; what more could you want? (iPhone6) High-Rises on Sydney Harbour A Sydney Ferry and Luna Park
Luna Park is a heritage-listed amusement park in Milsons Point. Constructed in 1935, it was closed in mid-1979 (just before my arrival in the country) when the Ghost Train fire killed six children and one adult. Although most of the park was demolished and new rides were constructed, it was closed for various reasons for most of the time I lived nearby, and I have never visited. But, I would miss that ridiculous clown-faced sun if it were ever to disappear! Almost Abstract : Lines and Angles
We get glimpses of the Sydney Opera House as we pass under Pyrmont Bridge. Sydney Ferry and the Opera House
And there she is! I attend performances here four or more times most years, and never get tired of visiting. What a beautiful building! Boats and the Bridge
And that bridge! Affectionately called the ‘The Coathanger’, this steel-through-arch bridge opened in 1932 and gives Sydney Harbour some of its most iconic views. (Phone6) The Sydney Opera House On Top of the World!
Since 1998 the BridgeClimb has allowed visitors – well-harnessed in – the chance to climb the bridge. Wedding on the Shore
Unfortunately, this photo is not very sharp, but it gives a feel for the layers of age in the city, and the continual activity on the waterfront. Fort Denison
Once a penal site and a defensive facility, this island in the harbour has been heritage-listed since 1999. I like the contrast with the ultra-modern recreational vessel in the foreground. With the Sun in my Eyes Sailboats in the Harbour
The waters here are a playground for the wealthy! Sydney in our Wake
The profile of the CBD makes a dreamy backdrop for all the boats on the waters. Shark Island and its Light Watsons Bay
As we come into the wharf, it is easy to envy those with houses on the waterfront here; median house prices in this Sydney suburb are currently 5.4M Australian dollars. Sydney and Port Jackson
From the hilly land of South Head, we have views back to the city centre. Commemorative Anchor
The waters outside the headland can be dangerous. The Dunbar was wrecked here in 1857, with the loss of 121 lives. Enjoying the Sun Weathered Rocks
I’ve always loved the colours, textures, and shapes carved into the sandstone along Sydney’s lengthy coastline. Treasure Flowers – Gazania Rigens Memorial
Lieutenant Grieve was a Special Service Officer who was killed in 1900 at the Battle of Paardeberg during the South African (Boer) War. Local residents had this marble and sandstone memorial (originally a drinking fountain) erected in his honour. Looking North to Manly Keeping the Beat
There is a visible police presence to discourage people from climbing; … ‘Hold Onto Hope’
… this is a popular suicide spot because of the unforgiving ocean below. Doyles on the Wharf
We work our way back down the hill to the ferry wharf. View from the Ferry Pier Our Captain Cook’s Representative
Back on the ferry, we are again given the safety briefing, as well as commentary on the sights. From Mossman Pier
On our return trip we stop at Mossman, which gives access to Taronga Zoo (see: A tale of Two Tarongas). South Passage Schooner
We are also treated to the sight of some more fabulous sailing boats, … Manly Fast Ferry
… as well as some of the other commercial vessels on the waters with us. The Bridge And, just like that, we are back.
Until next time,
Safe sailing!
Pictures: 16December2017
Posted in Australia,On the Water,TravelTags: Australia,blog,National Park,on the water,sailboat,Sydney,transportation,Travel Blog,Ursula Wall,water,waterscape,waterways
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