A snap from a rainy day in October. Mid-pandemic.

3 weeks in Spain | Andalusia

A collection of images from 3 weeks spent visiting a good friend in Andalusia.

Long swims in the salty Mediterranean, late meals on boisterous patios, early morning hikes through olive groves, strong whiffs of fresh jasmine, easy floats in Roman sulphur baths, small sips of Bitter Kas, meandering walks through white towns to find the view, serious comparisons of Sea vs Ocean, quiet rooftop mornings.

Many delights.

Favourites from 2018

Summer 2017, Part 2

The second half of summer was a whirlwind.

It took me to the Saguenay Fjord (north of Quebec City) for a leisurely horseback ride with my sister Katie. We covered a variety of landscapes - forest, village, swamp, field, fjord - and had us both reliving our younger years when we had a horse of our own. Currently scheming to own another.

From Quebec, a favourite Nova Scotian-woodcarving-roadtrip sidekick and I traveled through Maine to reach the coast for a woodworking course (see instructor Danielle Rose Byrd's work here). While in Maine, we explored beaches and small towns, ate a LOT of lobster, rode the mail boat to Isle au Haut, and generally raved about the state's coastal region.

Finishing up in Maine, New Brunswick called. My foremost reason to be in New Brunswick was to shoot a wedding (see the photos here) but the touring didn't end there. A day at Fundy National Park, a peek at Kouchibouguac National Park and a few days in Miramichi rounded out our days in NB before heading back to Quebec.

'Twas full, fast, friendly, and fun.

Summer 2017, Part 1

This summer started by spending 2+ weeks in the beautiful Eastern townships of Quebec where small farms make up a lot of the landscape.

Next I had a week in California for my cousin's graduation from UCLA which was followed by dips in Ocean Beach and lots of espresso (Sightglass, Andytown and Saint Frank to mention a few favourites).

After returning, my family celebrated my Dad's 60th birthday at home and spent time at my brother's barn (soon to be converted into a cool home).

Part 2 is still underway. Post coming!

A Québécois winter

I think it's safe to write about winter now that April is nearly over. But I could be wrong - living in Québec City, I've seen more winter than any other place I've lived. And I loved it.

Besides walking in the evenings while the snow fell heavily, I spent a good amount of time snowboarding (Mont Ste Anne, Le Massif, Tremblant) which had become rare for me in the last years having lived in Ontario and Nova Scotia. I spent a some evenings taking turns around a nearby speed-skating oval. I'm no pro but the speed makes me grin, every time.

This winter my guest book welcomed several signatures, my wool socks got well-used (and soaked at times), my small emergency car-shovel nearly busted under duress, my personal knowledge of poutine expanded, and my kettle became a constant companion.

Here, some photos:

The view from the top of Le Massif in Charlevoix. That's the St. Lawrence river.

Out the gondola window ascending Le Massif.

Rewarding soup stop at the top of Mont du Lac des Cygnes, Charlevoix

New year, new nephew

January brought the snowstorms, power-outage-induced campfires, familial annual feasting, and fun firsts in the realm of renovations but most anticipated: a new baby nephew.

Québec in October

Moving to Québec City, I've been spending lots of time exploring the old city by foot and roaming the province by Subaru. Here are some photos from my time so far:

End of Summer | 2016

The summer in photographs:

Sheep, lochs, bagpipes, castles

Ireland and the UK did a fine job charming us Canadians who simply wanted to swim in the ocean and see a castle. We did both and more: hiking in Glencoe, swimming in the Scottish North Sea, fighting wind at Giant's Causeway, exploring castles on the Isle of Skye and getting acquainted with nosy sheep.
We drank more tea than water, willingly ordered haggis (more than once), and got to share it all with good, hearty company.

Japan | 5 weeks of trains

My trip to Japan started with a week in Tokyo with my cousin. Together we hiked Mount Takao, slurped lots of ramen, walked, ate sushi at Tsukiji market, walked and got lost in Shibuya station.

After she left to return to California, Caitlyn (NZ travel companion) and her brother Shaun flew into Sapporo (on Hokkaido, Japan's northern island) where we met up to begin our month in Japan together. Our first stop was Niseko, a ski village heavily populated with Aussies. We had a day snowboarding at Grand Hirafu, thanks to rental gear and 100 yen shop "driving gloves" that we acquired the day prior. Hokkaido is known for its dairy products, and we can confidently attest to their excellent quality.

After Niseko, we made our way south traveling mainly on high speed bullet trains. We stopped in Sendai, Nagano, Fukui and then enjoyed some days in Kyoto. We all agree that Kyoto is special. It is history-rich and has a small feel that makes a person feel comfortable immediately. Although not planned, we managed to follow the cherry blossoms as they bloomed. Arashiyama delivered the blossoms exceptionally, which was helpful as we waited in a long lineup for... coffee. (Look up % Arabica Coffee.) After touring around Kyoto with great local guides/new friends, we headed to Hiroshima, Miyajima island, and onto Fukuoka. Hiroshima also sits in our top 5 cities. The Peace Memorial Museum is not to be missed, as are the many tributes placed all over the city. After making our way to Kyushu (Japan's large south island), we headed back to Tokyo for 5 days before flying south. Tokyo is an experience. We found it to be surprisingly quiet for its size and population. More eating and walking and getting lost.

Our last week in Japan was spent on Okinawa, one of many islands that make up the Okinawa Islands (or the "Hawaii of Japan"). Upon arrival, the increase in heat and the humidity were both felt and welcome. We rented a car for a few days and saw a lot of the island, swimming in both the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Both were warmer than any ocean in Canada. After getting too much sun, we met up with friends in Naha city to enjoy 4 days together.

3 words for Japan: safe, clean, quiet. I will most definitely be back.

Edith + Nic | Whangarei, New Zealand

Early in March, I had the privilege of photographing a good friend's wedding in her newly adopted home of New Zealand. Edith and Nic were married near Whangarei on the grounds of a beautiful aged home. The morning of the wedding, I followed Nic and Edith (see the restored MG they drove) to the coastal town of Tutukaka for some photos while the sun was waking up.
Beach + happy couple + friends + wood-fired pizza = hard to beat.

Here are some of my favourites:

NZ continued

Aotearoa | New Zealand

The past three weeks I've spent my days in New Zealand. Firstly for a friend's wedding, and secondly for the scenery. The landscape is dramatic and changeable. Here are some photos mostly from the North Island and a small part of the South Island. More photos to come!

Stopped north of Whanganui to peek at the scenery

Audrey exploring our campsite at Mangaweka

St. George in a portrait

Om my drive back to Ontario from Nova Scotia, I stopped in to see some family in St. George and take their portrait. These photographs were taken in their front yard: The Atlantic Ocean. This portrait was easily the most scenic to date, and the subjects were great company.

St. George, New Brunswick
December 2015

Portable leather shop takes to the Atlantic Ocean

Yesterday I took my leather projects to the ocean and finished up some leather bowls while perched on the rocky shore of Blue Rocks, Nova Scotia. Everything is better outside.

NEW! Leather bowls for sale

The newest member of the Outsider collection is what I'm calling a "leather bowl".

It comes in two sizes (small and large) and its purpose, though tricky to nail down could be described as any of these:
plant holder
key 'n phone catcher
candle holder
fruit bowl
pen 'n pencil holder
...

Each piece is handmade and lovingly finished with a beeswax conditioner. Because the leather is not dyed, it will darken as you use it and touch it.

BUY it here!

The Gaspé Peninsula

This year, Thanksgiving was spent deep in the Chic Choc mountains in a warm chalet lit with propane lanterns and brimming with hearty company.

The next days were an introduction to the spectacular sights of Percé Rock, Gaspé and every view in between. The scenery is quiet a distraction while driving, so it's best to take lots of time in order to stop and wonder (& wander).

Rain on the South Shore

I took a drive along the coast on a grey day last week.

Touring the Cabot Trail

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Get to Cape Breton.