Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Halifax winter "walk off" ...

Les, over at A Tidewater Gardener issued a "walk off" challenge.   

He asked us to simply open our front door and go for a walk.

But I didn't do it.  Can't make me.  Don't want to.  Feeling petulant.

So I waited until last Friday when I had to go into Halifax for my Lunch Bunch Choir,


and went for a walk there.

And in the interest of honesty in blogging; I cheated.

St. Matthew's Church with the Bell Alliant building behind.

Like so many days before it, Friday was cold.  Too cold.  Too freakin' cold.

I hustled out of choir and across Barrington Street, to take a quick photo of ye Olde Burying Ground, and the intriguing sign that hangs next to its closed-for-the-winter gate.



Tourists from the many cruise ships that visit Halifax each summer, often stand with bemused expressions on their faces, looking for the answer to a question they probably never considered: "Why Aren't We (Canadians) Americans?".

St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica

With numb fingers I held my camera above the top of the iron fence to get this view of the lovely church on Spring Garden Road.  Not sure of the identity of the building next door.

Next to St. Matthew's church stands Government House; the home of the Lieutenant Governor.  The Lieutenant Governor represents the Queen, and carries out constitutional and ceremonial duties, at least that's what Wikipaedia says.


Now comes the part where I cheated.

I jumped into my car and hung a left on Bishop Street, crossed Lower Water Street and parked in a lot beside the boardwalk.  At any other time of the year this would have been a pleasant five minute walk. That shows you how sick of winter I am that I drove three blocks.

There, I visited an imaginative art installation that I think I may have shown you before.  

The post on the left is peeing into the harbour

On the far side of the harbour is the Woodside oil refinery, and to the right of that, is George's Island.

The caption for these two is: "Got drunk. Fell down".

 I love how this building reflects the boardwalk seating area and the far shore.


Fishing boat and community college.

If it hadn't been bitchin' cold, I would have shown you much more of the 3 km. long boardwalk.   Instead, you'll just have to take my word that it's well-worth a visit.

For now, I'm heading back into hibernation until spring comes.

And I'm not talking, "date-on-a-calendar" spring.

I'm talking warm spring.

'night.


25 comments:

  1. Thanks for risking frost bite to get your pictures in. I have always been bothered how we from the states have appropriated the term American to describe ourselves, when technically an American could be anyone from North or South America. It might be fine if we were feeling inclusive welcome everyone from both continents, but I know that is not the case. Maybe the term "United Stateser" is too awkward, and as southerner, Yankee is completely unacceptable. So I guess were stuck with American. Stay warm Sybil and thanks for the walk.

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    1. Thanks for the inspiration Les, even though I did cheat. It's OK. The world uses the term "American" to mean someone from the U.S. "Canadian" is pretty unambiguous. However with our current right-wing, anti-environment Conservative government there are days I wish I lived in " 'murica".

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    2. Think that over very carefully. . .

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    3. Oh yes indeed, be careful what you wish for . . .

      Rob the Firefighter has been down on the waterfront in Detroit, gazing across at Windsor, and wondering why we can't be Canadian.

      The lamp posts are an inspiration.

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    4. You have better pot laws ... lol

      Though we don't really enforce ours ...

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  2. I'm with you on the 'walk', and the desire for spring. I say this as another storm is forecast. Oh, we are lucky aren't we. No! You are brave to expose yourself to the cold.

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  3. I know that in past years the ground would be well on its way to thawing out by now. Today is a real tease. Mild and above freezing. And then it's s'posed to get frigid tonight .... 'UNCLE!!!"

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  4. Laughing at the "Got drunk. Fell down" picture - what on earth happened there? Lampposts with personality!

    I've never heard of a cemetery being closed for the winter - how frustrating! I hope you will return when you can and take some pictures for me.

    We have the gravestone of a British sailor from the War of 1812 in one of our local cemeteries: http://www.ingebrita.net/archives/15446
    On Veterans Day someone puts a British flag next to it, which makes it stand out in a sea of American flags.

    It's bitterly cold here, too. I've never wanted spring to come so badly - I usually enjoy all the seasons - hoping it helps to close this chapter of my life...

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    1. Hi Barbara, I love that art installation. Did you notice the third lamppost peeing in the harbour ?

      The Cemetery was closed to burials in 1844. I blogged about it back in 2010 ... here's your cemetery fix ... http://crittersnus.blogspot.ca/2010/09/old-burying-ground.html

      That British flag really must stand out. I'm glad that someone does that as I am sure it makes people stop ... and think.

      Hang in there Barbara, spring must come soon.

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  5. I don't think you cheated. You walk all the time anyhow when it's not so icy cold. Sybil, all the photos are just great. A real travel log here. Beautiful buildings with other interesting thing to view.

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  6. Thanks for dropping by. OK. Done. I'll stay here. lol

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  7. Bitchin' cold be damned. You did well in spite of it. These are fascinating photos. Thanks for going to all that cold trouble to share.

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    1. Thanks darlin' ... I'm sick of my fingers freezing when I haul out the camera. It just ain't natural.

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  8. Your photos make me miss the place, especially sitting by the harbour. The lamp posts are awesome! It sounds like your "spring" is much like ours... more like January. BTW, I really like your cover picture. Are you still using the magnifying lens?

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    1. I do take the lens with me sometimes but it doesn't work well with my new camera. I think the lamp post installation will be gone soon as it was only to be here for a year. A real pity as I love it.

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  9. Sybil, the building next to the Basilica is the Glebe, itself a Heritage Building. The Archbishop lives there and the Diocesan offices are (or were) there. http://www.halifaxyarmouth.org/archdiocesan-offices/chancery/item/saint-mary-s-cathedral-basilica-glebe-house-recipient-of-heritage-trust-built-award

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    1. Thanks for letting me know Rachel. It's a lovely building.

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  10. Sybil, are you sure it's really cold there? Really?? Look at the blue sky in every photo! Sky that colour here in Australia is usually a sign of a pleasant and warm day. Halifax must have a different version of the colour blue, I think!

    Loved the drive around Halifax, although a walk would have been lovely too. One day, (perhaps it will be years from now, but one day...) I would love to see Halifax for real! ~~ Joanne.

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    1. Ahhhh dear Joanne, it can be sunny at the North Pole too. Sunny AND bitchin cold. lol

      Would love to take you for a personal tour... just don't come in February !

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  11. What a gorgeous city! Those drunk street lights are hilarious. They remind me of Dali. Thanks for the tour of Halifax.

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  12. Thanks for dropping by Sarah. I love those drunk lights too. Dali ?

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  13. I'm originally from Dartmouth, but have lived in Ontario for almost 30 years now. Love your header photo. I can identify with getting that up close and personal shot.
    All your winter walk-off picture bring back so many memories. My Dad was a professor at TUNS across the street from Government House before he retired. Know the old cemetery and the church across from it well.
    I kept my winter walk-off simple. You can find a link on Les's site.

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    1. Thanks Jennifer. I'll go check out your walk and see where in Ontario you are. I used to live in Peterborough. I retired here and frankly, would not move back to Ontario. I'd miss the ocean too much !

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  14. I enjoyed walking with you. I didn't know the lamp posts in Halifax drank. What a country!
    Ray

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    1. I'm afraid Toronto Mayor, Rob Ford has badly influenced our lamp posts. ;-) Thanks for visiting Ray.

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Thanks for stopping by. I really do love to read your comments.