Snowboarding

We went to watch Olivia snow-boarding (quite difficult to find her among all those on the slopes until she got close)

This looks a bit like a film set.

Ah, here she is!

Natalie's Magical Mystery Tour

These little darlings above are called Gay Bombs, and as I feel an explanation is called for, it is below. Beneath that are other wonderful glass items from an exhibition I went to with Susan.

The full story goes like this - Natalie decided that, as she was at work, she would send Susan and I on a mystery tour - there were several envelopes to be opened at various times, and we were given directions how to get to places but not what they were! We were also given $20 for the first venue, which was a huge second-hand store called Cat's Eyes and you could fill a bag for $20 - we were there for AGES it was brilliant, crimpelene heaven - fifties, sixties, you name it they had it in brilon, nylon, fur and furbelows. From there we were directed to a lovely 'natural food' cafe, then an envelope contained something for me that I had to wear in public - it was a sash with BIRTHDAY GIRL on it!!!! I wore it everywhere, and on being wished a happy birthday I said it wasn't but that at my age every day was my birthday. Our next stop (still wearing the sash and taking photos) was the brilliant blown glass exhibition above.

Susan and I had such a great time and bought crazy clothes and had a lot of laughs. Thank you Natalie.

Face and body painting

Had a lovely time with Liz, who kindly gave up some of her birthday to show me how to face (and body) paint. Her daughter Chloe generously lent her body (!) and has allowed me to put the results on here.... My effort is the right side of her face as you look at it, not bad for a first attempt I think.

Liz has some wonderful colours, which make you want to be quite adventurous and bold, and different ways of achieving different effects.

I decided to go it alone on Chloe's back as I had the image of sea and fish in my mind, and this is the rather wonky but fun result.

Good fun. Thank you, both.

More outings including Banff

We had a lovely visit to Banff, where Heath wanted to see the really important stuff. Sweets. Then a bit of sightseeing.

Back in Calgary, going downtown..

to visit the Glenbow Museum, where this horse reminded me of the wonderful production of War Horse back in England.

Only kidding - we did lots of things

One day we went to the zoo - it was actually the day with the best weather and the snow seemed to be melting in front of our eyes. The zoo is great - I think these are the three wise monkeys.

We went to a Harley Davidson cafe (where the loo door was picturesque, but I hope the bikes were in better nick) and met the Red Hat Society ladies - they are an international society and it was evidently founded because of the poem 'Warning' by Jenny Joseph. I'm not sure if I am allowed to write it out, but most people know the poem - therefore the women wear purple, and red hats to go (or not to go) with it. I think you have to be over 50. And they were having fun. Oh boy were they having fun. I met Queen Glitterbunny of Euphoria.

What more can you ask, than move in circles like that.

Another day we went and painted ceramics, and the grandchildren

made a plate each for me - they are to be a surprise, so I couldn't

watch what they were doing.

There has been a lot of snow while I have been here,

so I don't think there'll be much sitting and dining at these

picnic tables! But they did look pretty!

Visit to the snows of Calgary

Went to visit daughter and grandchildren and was greeted with open arms.

Foundling Museum, etc.

Visited the Foundling Museum in London, where they had an exhibition called 'Threads of feeling' (1740 to 1770) - the exhibits were of swatches of material, or bonnets, or ribbon. These were left with the abandoned babies so that they could be identified, or in rare cases, reunited with their mother or parents.

Sometimes the mementoes were left with the babies by the (usually) mother, but sometimes they were added by the hospital for their records. The babies were usually renamed on arrival.

If the articles left were ribbons, these were usually tied in a knot, with trailing ribbons, for a girl and gathered into a cockade for a boy.

I found the exhibition deeply moving, particularly one boy called Charles, and renamed Benjamin Twirl (which of course made me think of Oliver Twist), who was left there with half an embroidered heart. His mother kept the other half, and he was one of the lucky ones who was reclaimed some eight years later.

After that I went to a lovely art shop near the British Museum, somewhere to visit another time with a bit of money...

I then walked down to Covent Garden to have a look round and a rest, and on my way passed some weird buildings in lego colours.