A Life, Lived

Travel Tuesday - Prince Edward County

I've posted two sets of pics from our recent getaway to prince Edward county here and here.

Here are some shots of our dinner on Saturday (one of the best meals we've had in years), wandering historic sites in Picton, a creamery, and a maple syrup 'hut' and one last winery.

 

Travel Tuesday - Prince Edward County

Last week I posted some pics from our weekend getaway in Prince Edward County.

Here are some more. Food, Quaker meeting house, wineries, brewery.

Dry January

Lots of folks attempt 'Dry January'. If you dont know it is an attempt to make it through the month of January without consuming any alcohol. Presumably it is part of their urge to be more healthy after the indulgence of the Christmas season.

Me, I am not a fan. I'm more a fan of this:

January is challenging at the best of times but in the time of COVID. WOW

I don't drink a lot any more but I sure do enjoy a glass of wine with my dinner.

Perhaps this version of 'Dry January' is more my style:

 

Difficult Relatives

If there was one good thing to come from COVID it has been that your difficult relatives are most likely to be anti-vaxxers and thus uninvited to Christmas dinner. If there are any difficult relatives left on your guest list look for this wine . . .

Advice to Live By

Travel Tuesdays - Berlin Endings

I have finally been going through some old photo files and discovered these.

Paul and I were in Berlin 4 years ago. We rented an apartment which was built just inside the Berlin wall. South of the apartment was the wonderful Arkonaplatz - a small park in the middle of the residential area. There was a market on Fridays and a flea market on Sundays. A school nearby ensured that children's laughter peeled across the area.

It was the middle of October and the trees were starting to turn.

On our last day in Berlin we decided to hang out at a wine bar and watch the neighbourhood. Parents picking up their kids after school, elderly couples slowly walking arm-in-arm, commuters rushing home from work their arms full of groceries, bundles of flowers, a bottle of wine, or work, people navigating the area by bicycle . . .

This really is what slow travel is all about. Stopping, hanging out, and enjoying the area as if you lived there.

Travel Tuesdays - 13th Street Winery

Yesterday I took mom to the Niagara wine country for her first outing in 16 months.

I decided to take her to 13th Street Winery - they have a great combination of wine, art, and food. Perfect for a nice time in Niagara.

We wandered the sculpture garden.

We noticed the covered sitting area starting to fill up so mom grabbed a prime table while I went to order wine and our pizza. A Margherita for mom and a Peach and proscuitto pizza for me

After lunch we visited the bakery (the 13th Street Winery Butter Tarts were rated the top in Canada a few years back) and bought some treats for home.

It was a brilliant gettaway - perfect fro getting the hang of being out and about after a long lockdown.

Travel Tuesday - the Okanagan Wine Country

Now that I have jab # 1 and life seems to be slowly returning to normal I've been thinking about 'quick' trips to make. This has me dreaming for a return to the BC wine country.

Travel Tuesdays - Kelowna

6 years ago I was in Kelowna for a conference. We tacked on some extra days to enjoy the area.

Travel Tuesdays - Niagara Wineries

Saturday was one of those nice days we get in late fall where it is warm enough to get out and about without having to bundle up too much. We decided to go to two wineries in Niagara. The first winery, 13th Street Winery, had Muskoka chairs set up around fire pits. It was wonderful to sit outside and enjoy a glass of wine. The second one we visited was Sue-Ann Staff. There we found a large event tent set up with small tasting areas inside. It was great to get out and enjoy some nice wines in a socially distanced way.