I shot myself in the foot. What does that expression mean anyway, and where does it come from?
I was so proud of myself. I have a new iPad and I brought it back with me to Canada. Soooo much lighter then my laptop, no laptop bag so I have an extra carry on, super important.
However, I should have tested it first. I use my photos from Picasa to post on my blog, and you have to right click. You can’t on an iPad, so no photos and no posts.
Till I return anyway…
By the time you read this I will be on my way back to Canada, once again leaving Ian behind for 6 weeks.
Fun for me, getting to enjoy my friends, family and yay, my garden. Not fun for Ian who still has to work, oh well, someone has to do it…
For some reason kite flying is the thing to do on Easter weekend in Barbados,
hope your Easter is wonderful.
I am sure most of you know that I used to be a floral designer. However, since we have lived in Barbados, I cannot work any more. But I miss flowers, and when I found out that St. James Church was having a Harvest Garden Party to raise money for the restoration on the church, I wanted to go. As is the case of most churches, the congregation cannot cover the costs of the church, so St. James has been holding this fund-raiser since 1989. There is entertainment by the Royal Barbados Police Band, many vendors and lots of food, but the flower arrangements were what I wanted to see.
And I was not disappointed. St. James is the oldest Anglican church on the island, originally built in 1628 of wood, the now day stone structure was built in 1847. It is an exquisite church, but the flowers enhanced it even more.
What do you think, did you like them as much as I did?
Or more like, a feeding frenzy.
Ian and I have company in Barbados and we took them to the Barbados Wildlife Reserve. Although it is surrounded by a high fence, there are few caged animals, (I am glad the snakes are one of them), and all the animals (and you) can wander around. Of course nothing keeps the green monkeys in, and they come and go as they please.
There were numerous Tortoises in the reserve,
they are native to Barbados, but now there are more in the reserve then on the rest of the island.
According to the pamphlet, the Reserve has the best collection in the world. And they were everywhere, it became a game to spot them, as you would often walk by thinking it was a rock.
It also had a large population of Brocket Deer,
these are native to other Caribbean islands and were imported here. they are very small, 35-80 cm high, 60-144 cm long, and weigh 8-48 kg, unlike the white tail deer in Canada. They weigh 41-141 kg and are 68-114 cm high and 95-220 cm long. They are almost twice the size in Canada, so it was a surprise to see such small ones.
There is also the Mara,
a rodent looking like a cross between a deer and a rabbit.
We were lucky to see them as they are usually in burrows during the day.
Lots of birds, from macaws in cages to peacocks
ranged the grounds, and a snake house had iguanas as well.
But it was the monkeys that we really wanted to see. Originally from Africa, they were brought over many years ago, and have a huge population on the island. Although a lot of farmers find them a pest, and they can decimate some of the crops, they also have a very important purpose. The Sabin Polio Vaccine is a live virus prepared through the cells of the green monkey. One monkey can provide up to 2.5 million doses of the vaccine. The Barbados Primate Research Centre and Wildlife Reserve is responsible for up to 70% of the world’s polio vaccine. But, I have to confess, I think they are adorable. At 2:00, a wheelbarrow of food arrives, and the frenzy begins.
The first to arrive were the tortoises, (I think they start heading that way very early)
and the deer are not far behind.
But chaos and fun ensues when the monkeys arrive.
At first, everything is civilized, but then it starts to get crowded at the trough. So what is a poor monkey to do, whatever it can…
Even the rooster wants in on the act, doesn’t he realize no one is here to see him?
Aaah, a full tummy….
A few weeks ago I shared some of my favourite photos of sunsets that I have taken since we moved to Barbados. The two things Barbados is known for is the sun and the sea, so today I thought I would share some of the sea.
One day when we move back to Kilbourne Grove, I shall have to get some of these photos blown up, so I can admire them every day and pretend I am back in Barbados (only in the winter of course).
How about you, any favourites?
I am probably the only person in the world thinking that. But living in a tropical country, it is (a bit) surprising that I miss it. But really I am celebrating it for what it did. Last year there had been an early warm spell , and everything flowered ahead of schedule. You may remember I only saw one lonely snowdrop. So this year I am excited when I read the weather reports and see photos on people’s blogs about the snow. This year, I am hoping to see my drops. In the meantime, I spend time lurking on the Galanthus site of the SRGC, and drooling over snowdrops on Pauline’s, Carolyn’s and Anna’s blogs.
My neighbour was nice enough to send me a photo of Kilbourne Grove when the storm happened a couple of weeks ago.
First it was light, then wow,
that is a great cover to keep my snowdrops from flowering before I arrive.
Snow, glorious snow!
