Came across this photo today while reading the BBC news "Days in Pictures" online .... these penguins can hardly wait to unwrap their presents, containing tasty snacks - at a zoo in Hanover, Germany. It's a shame these poor kin are locked up in a zoo, but I am happy to see they weren't forgotten this Christmas!
Penguins love this time of year, all the Christmas decorations and displays, the sparkling lights and of course the frost, snow and cold, bitter weather! Makes me feel right at home!
Time to say farewell to Vancouver, our time here is over .... we will be heading back to Alberta today. Looking forward to hosting Glammy in my home city. We will definitely miss the plentiful fresh fish available in Vancouver *sigh* ... won't be seeing any signs like this!
Having a relationship with Glammy Glacier is hard to keep secret. Given the pressure of her adoring public, Glammy caved in to their request and persuaded me to agree to participate in this Glamour magazine photo shoot with her. (honestly, could I ever deny her anything?)
We headed off to Granville Island for a little retail therapy ... life is grand.
Glammy insisted I climb into this mangled piece of driftwood to demonstrate what great camouflage cover it gave me. Granted, penguins do not often find themselves in situations requiring camouflage, but it is a fine example of the things Glammy will notice and comment upon.
Can't tell you how much fun Glammy and I are having just hanging out in Vancouver!
Glammy was "well impressed" seeing these totem poles; being from England, she has never seen anything like them! She was particularly intrigued learning about the the stories told by these totem poles.
People are always so nice to us ... offering to take our photo wherever we happen to be! This picture of us was taken along the sea wall, a part of the 8 km walk around Stanley Park, in Vancouver. The park was named for Lord Stanley, the Governor General of Canada in 1888 when the park was officially opened, establishing the then fledgling city's first official "greenspace". It is estimated that 8 million people visit this evergreen oasis of 400 hectares (1,000 acres) each year. Glammy and I thought it was a pretty sweet park!
There is no doubt - I am the luckiest penguin alive! The love of my life, Glammy Glacier, travelled all the way from the UK to Vancouver. What a surprise! I just adore surprises! I couldn't believe my eyes when there she stood, a pink vision of perfection before me, amongst the fallen autumn leaves. My heart skipped a beat or two and I could barely breathe. Glammy sensed my disbelief, and was the first to make a move, waddling right up to me, so close, our beaks nearly touched. It was a magical moment.
Before you all inquire as to how exactly this surprise visit came about, I will tell you: It will come as no surprise to those closest to me, to hear that I have been keeping in touch with Glammy daily, since my return to Canada via email, regular post and the odd telephone call every now and then (not always the easiest thing to co-ordinate given Glammy's hectic schedule, not to mention the time change, but I digress...). Naturally, Glammy knew of my plans to travel to Vancouver. Being the smartest, most glamorous, most fashionable, feminine, pink female penguin in the world, she knew exactly where to find me - near the ocean!
The Haida Nation are the Indigenous people of British Columbia's Queen Charlotte Islands, located northwest of Vancouver. There are several wonderful examples of Haida carving styles on display, both inside and on the Museum of Anthropology grounds.
Vancouver is THE place to be - I mean, who doesn't love to be near the ocean? where better to feast on fresh seafood??
and I'm lovin' all the maple trees (amongst others) here in Vancouver, in various stages of color change, from green to yellow and crimson red. I love the contrast! The only thing that could possibly improve the scenery I see here, would be sharing the sights in Vancouver with my precious Glammy!
Time to hit the road ... going to Vancouver, but given the distance I need to travel to get there, will probably stop along the way.
I'm thinking of taking up the piano again ... it's been a while since I've tinkled the ivories, but I need something to fill the lonely hours on my own. Oh Glammy, how I miss you! Your letters from England lift my spirits to no end; I spend hours on end reminiscing the time we spent together this past summer. I am going to practice diligently so that I might play for you, that is, if you ever come to visit me here in Canada. How sweet that would be.
Yikes! Had a close call while the mountains this past weekend. This guy's breath was terrible! Luckily I waddled my way out of this! Glammy, if you reading this, rest assured, I'm fine.
Decided to get away from it all and headed to the mountains for a 3 hour hike ... ending up at Elbow Lake. Phew! It was mighty hard work waddling over 2,000 ft straight up a mountain but the icy cold lake at the end, was worth the work!
They say all good things must come to an end. Who are "they" and why, oh why, do "they" have to be right about that?!
I cannot describe to you how heavy my heart was watching the train depart the Moreton station. Glammy has gone home, and our time together has come to an end, but the friendship we have forged over these past months will last a lifetime, of that I am certain. I will soon be returning to Canada, and will be separated from the love of my life. We have committed ourselves to keeping our friendship alive. I am hoping and praying Glammy will accept my invitation to come to Canada for a visit. Deep in my heart I know we are destined to be together, forever.
Alas, my UK adventure is coming to an end ... prompting me to look back at some photos and recalling the fantastic times I have spent with Glammy ... not sure how I will be able to leave her behind - we have developed a very deep bond. To be honest, I don't want to think about it.
