Leaving aside the Canary Islands for a while, I've been looking back at some of the early photos I took of my two girls when they were small. These were taken around 40 years ago with a 35mm East German Voigtländer camera using slide film. A friend in Germany later digitized them for me using a slide scanner.
The photos were taken in Vancouver, B.C. when we lived there. Not all slides have stood up to the years, with the emulsion wearing off in a few but I'm so glad that I now have some of the best ones saved as digital photos.
When little girls went out to play wearing dresses
Ladies' Gold Medal Figure Skater Kim Yu-Na Performing at the Exhibition Gala
As a Canadian and ex-Vancouverite I have to turn my attention away from Canary Islands for a few moments to comment on what were to me the most wonderful Winter Olympic games that I've seen. Congratulation to Vancouver for organizing such a monumental event and for showing the world one of Canada's most beautiful cities. They worked hard to make sure that Cypress Mountain had enough snow, while in downtown Vancouver the trees in the streets were decked with pink Japanese plum blossoms.
I watched every event possible, despite the eight hour time difference between Vancouver and the Canary Islands, where we are on GMT London time. But I have a special love of the Figure Skating events. And the young Korean girl, Kim Yu-Na was so exquisite, with the grace of a prima ballerina, that it was no wonder she won the gold medal for Womens' Figure Skating. These screen captures were taken during the Exhibition Gala.
We had a total electric failure on Tenerife just as we were waiting to watch the closing ceremonies of the games. What a shame. However we have to count ourselves lucky that shortly before that happened we were able to see the much awaited hockey game where Canada won the gold medal in the sudden death final after a tie with USA, for a total of 14 gold medals for Canada, an Olympic record. And thanks to Eurovision Tv's website all the Olympic events are recorded and available for Europeans for viewing in their entirety as well as in high definition and full screen. Even if you don't have HD on your monitor, the pictures are beautiful and clear.
Kim Yu-Na
So I was able to watch the closing ceremonies on my computer the next day. The setting was beautiful, the speeches were moving. And through the years, each time I watch the lowering of the Olympic flag and the snuffing out of the flame I always feel a little sad and teary-eyed. It's all over and everyone has to leave and go home again. But I have the impression from family members who were there that most everyone had a good time.
Vancouver, B.C. Canada
At the time of writing, if you live in Europe, you can still watch full length videos in HD and full screen of many of the Olympic events, including both the opening and closing ceremonies in their entirety on Eurovision Sports TV. Here is the link. The opening and closing ceremonies are the first and last of the thumbnail picture icons. The gala exhibition figure skating is also there.
There is another page of many video links from Eurovision TV, not in HD, where you can search at page left for the type of event which will appear in the thumbnail boxes. Here is that link. From there you can also switch to the HD page on the tab at the top of the video window.
And if you are living elsewhere, here is the website for Vancouver 2010 which also has many videos of the city and the Games.
Photos above are screenshots are taken from from OBS Olympic Broadcasting Services, as seen on Eurovision Sports TV on my computer.
And to finish, here is a little video about Vancouver:
Wind, sun, rain and all at the same time. Our Tenerife weather feels like spring. Some mornings are chilly enough to see the steam rising on my tea.
Bibi watches the birds through the open window.
They are waiting for their food and when there is none they take it from the cat's dish outside. Or come close to my window and look inside, waiting for me to fill the food tray.
An interesting sight for a cat, and so close.
Later when the rain has stopped I can go out into the garden.
Canna
Brunsfelsia
Stag's Horn
Bibi follows me and gives a morning kiss to her friend Tigger, who lives in our garden.
We're so lucky to have such mild temperatures and next week they will be between 23 to 26°C (mid 70s F). Makes one feel sorry for those up in Europe where there is still heavy snow and temperatures below zero.
But I'm so pleased to see that my former city of residence, Vancouver, Canada is having such wonderful sunny weather for the Olympic games. The usual Vancouver rain has stopped for these exciting events allowing the world to see just what a beautiful city it is. I'm enjoying watching the games on Eurosport TV.
There is a good link here on Eurovisionsports.tv for watching them on your computer if you live in Europe, and you can catch up with podcasts on everything from the opening ceremony onward, with many of them in HD and full screen.
Wishing you a good coming week and ¡Hasta la vista!
Come with me on a magic carpet journey while we travel at lightening speed away from the Canary Islands and Spain for a quick visit to the west coast of Canada and the island where I was born...Vancouver Island.
Vancouver Island Rainforest
Michelle has a lovely blog about her bucolic life there on the Saanich Peninsula, where she lives with deer in her garden, raccoons on her porch, stellar jays and bald eagles nesting in her trees: Mich's West Coast Journal.
Michelle & Richard walking in woods near their home
She's just come back from a day trip to neighbouring Salt Spring Island, a short ferry hop away, which is an even more laid back island where organic agriculture, artists and craftspeople are highlighted in their weekly Saturday markets held in the town of Ganges. But on October 4th there was a special event, the annual Apple Festival where 350 varieties of island grown organic apples including heritage apples were on display.
Michelle has taken some lovely photos of the island and the apple festival, posting them to a slideshow on her blog. She's still becoming accustomed to her new camera, and doesn't do any post editing on her photos, so I think she has done very well in her portrayal of the spirit of the island and the Apple Festival!
My Girls
In Stanley Park
With Playmates
