Wednesday 29 July 2015

Water, water everywhere

I am happy to report that we had a couple of days rain, the plants, gardens, parks, waterways and forests had a much needed drink of water.


Todays post also has a watery theme. We recently spent a wonderful day on the water; I like seeing the land from the water, quite a different perspective.
 
 




"I must go down to the sea again
For the call of the running tide
It's a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied."
John Masefield

The title of the post is from the "Ryme of the Ancient Mariner" by S. T. Coleridge. Here is a short excerpt:

Day after day, day after day,
We stuck, nor breath nor motion;
As idle as a painted ship
Upon a painted ocean.
Water, water, every where,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, every where,
Nor any drop to drink

 
Our voyage was peaceful and happily there was no shortage of water or food!
 
 
Detail above from the sail.
 
"Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made,
 for somewhere deep in their oaken hearts the soul of a song is laid."
Robert N. Rose

 
Fishing float above and fishing boat below.

 
Beautiful clear skies.

 
"He began in a tone of great taste and feeling, to talk of the sea and the sea shore."
Jane Austen


Interesting boats:

 
and views of the shore.

 

 
If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

 
We saw the occasional curious observer:
 
 
Mount Baker in the distance below:

 
A couple of boats that appear to be past there best before dates:

 
 
 
“hark, now hear the sailors cry, 
smell the sea, and feel the sky 
let your soul & spirit fly, into the mystic...” 
 
 
Busy dock:

 
Another view of the shoreline:

 
And farewell to our hosts:

 
"Voyager upon life's sea;
To yourself be true,
And what'er your lot may be,
Paddle your own canoe."
Dr. Edward P. Philpots 1844
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My painting this week follows a similar theme.
 
It is a view of the Lighthouse at Point Atkinson from the water. Titled "Lighthouse Park" it is a watercolour:
 
 
 
"Point Atkinson Lighthouse was built in 1914 on granite boulders jutting out into Burrard Inlet in West Vancouver, Canada. The reinforced concrete structure replaced an earlier wood structure built in 1875. The concrete structure was considered at the time innovative in lighthouse design. It is now automated and still in use." Wikipedia
 
The lighthouse can be reached by hiking the Valley Trail in Lighthouse Park but the best view is from the water!
 
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That's all for today.
 
Thank you for all your kind comments on my last post,
 
thanks for stopping by,
 
Happy Whimsy Wednesday,
 
 Gillian