“We know that in September, we will wander through the warm winds of summer’s wreckage. We will welcome summer’s ghost.” – Henry Rollins
Their voices are rusty but true after two years of silence, the yearly Strawberry Summer Party (formerly the Strawberry Festival) held at Barclay Square having been cancelled due to the pandemic to protect the vulnerable seniors who volunteer and those who are now singing songs that reach back reminding me of my own childhood and beloved grandparents.
I’ve missed spooning out delicious plump strawberries bathed in cool whipped cream on top of golden shortcake, it’s a joy to indulge today amid all these happy faces on a lush green expanse underneath the summer sun. What a beautiful start to summer…
A beautiful red camellia and rhododendron bush appear forever entwined just off a magical path in Stanley Park.Apartment towers can be seen just beyond the Rhododendron Garden, this lush beauty is just steps away from where we live!We just discovered a tuck shop (where passersby can buy an ice cream treat) at the miniature golf course where these beautiful rhododendrons stand sentinel! The Camellia path offers glimpses of wild beauty on solo walks, it’s hard to believe that the Pacific Ocean is minutes away…Coming across these stunning orange blooms is always a welcome surprise in the Rhododendron Garden!Just behind this magnificent Gunnera is a plethora of lovely rhododendron bushes delighting the eye with promises of a beautiful summer! Our favourite park gardener laid this flat stone at the end of the Rhododendron Garden for photographers to stand on, what a great idea!
I'm currently blogging from the beautiful West Coast city of Vancouver, British Columbia - a vibrant city by the sea, surrounded by mountains and a very unique urban forest.
We just flew back from a lovely birthday celebration with family in Ontario, it was wonderful to mingle again and catch up…we’re so happy we took the plunge!
Thank you so much for stopping by, Ali!
Hi Kimberlee! I am going to be in Vancouver for a week (Aug 10 -16) and we (my husband and I) will be visiting Stanley Park on the 15th!! Do you have any recommendations for places to eat or “must see” places in the city?? I’d love to meet you in person – perhaps an ice cream in Stanley Park??
How lovely to find yourselves out our way soon! We highly recommend taking the Hop On Hop Off tour bus as it will take you to most of the city’s highlights (Granville Island, Gastown and Stanley Park), you can hop off and wander before catching another bus to the next great sight. My partner and I could meet you in Stanley Park at Lumbermen’s Arch concession on the 15th after lunch at 1:15 pm for an ice cream, what do you think?
There are several places to eat in the park, one is called Stanley’s Grill near a Hop On Hop Off stop and the other is closer to English Bay called the Stanley Park Brew Pub (we’ve enjoyed meals at both!).
There used to be a geocache site behind the concession and on some Stanley Park trails…
Take care!
I didn’t hear from you and hope you made it to Vancouver! Just in case you found yourselves in Stanley Park we decided to have lunch at Lumbermen’s Arch on the 15th, it was lovely and we hope we didn’t miss you…
Thank you, Kate! Strawberries are a lovely harbinger of summer…we’ve been experiencing some very hot weather lately (heat dome effect) and it’s beginning to look more like autumn…today feels much cooler, what a relief!
How’s the weather down your way?
I’m already missing summer even though there’s several more weeks left with some warm autumn days yet to enjoy! Every season has its beauty but I love sunshine and warmth…
It’s lovely to read your comment here, Mark! We’re really appreciating all the beauty on offer this season, autumn is making itself known however, there are colourful leaves on the ground and lush green lawns are turning brown. It’s time to make a wish list for the rest of this glorious summer…
The rhododendrons are so beautiful. It’s always been a little startling to me (in a good way) to see orange rhododendrons. I like that you describe them as a surprise. 🙂
There are some still in bloom despite the heatwaves we’ve been experiencing! Thank you so much for stopping by, it’s lovely to read your words here, Robin.
How beautiful to see those lovely colors of the past spring, Kim. It’s a helpful reminder, as so many people swelter in the heat, that the seasons will change and change and change. Thanks for taking me on a beautiful walk and for the stunning photos. 🙂
There are hints of autumn beginning to make themselves known so I must make sure to seize some summer moments in between the heatwaves…my favourite days are filled with filtered sunshine and warm walks on shady shadow dappled paths or sitting on a bench underneath a leafy tree with a book, sigh!
Thank you so much for stopping by, Diana and enjoying a colourful walk through our public garden.
The rhododendrons are refreshing to look at, Kim! The Strawberry Summer Party sounds delightful, hoping you write a post about your recollections of it from your childhood someday ❤
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Shreya! The Strawberry Summer Party is a recent event I’ve enjoyed attending here in my bucolic neighbourhood…
anotetohuguette 
The energy looks so lush and colorful. I’m glad you’re enjoying your strawberry party Kim!
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Thank you, Brad! We’re so lucky to come across beautiful rhododendrons throughout the seasons…
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You’re welcome Kim I love rhododendrons, but we don’t have them here in Arkansas.
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You’re so fortunate to have this park so close by… what a dream, all that beauty without the work! 😉
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We often say this, we have the best of both worlds, a beautiful garden to wander in and yes, without the work!
Thank you for stopping by, Eliza!
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A perfect quote to accompany your photos capturing the glorious colors of summer. Isn’t it wonderful to be able to gather together again.
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We just flew back from a lovely birthday celebration with family in Ontario, it was wonderful to mingle again and catch up…we’re so happy we took the plunge!
Thank you so much for stopping by, Ali!
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Isn’t it amazing to be able to travel again. I am happy for you
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Hopefully more travelers will take the plunge…
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Hi Kimberlee! I am going to be in Vancouver for a week (Aug 10 -16) and we (my husband and I) will be visiting Stanley Park on the 15th!! Do you have any recommendations for places to eat or “must see” places in the city?? I’d love to meet you in person – perhaps an ice cream in Stanley Park??
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How lovely to find yourselves out our way soon! We highly recommend taking the Hop On Hop Off tour bus as it will take you to most of the city’s highlights (Granville Island, Gastown and Stanley Park), you can hop off and wander before catching another bus to the next great sight. My partner and I could meet you in Stanley Park at Lumbermen’s Arch concession on the 15th after lunch at 1:15 pm for an ice cream, what do you think?
There are several places to eat in the park, one is called Stanley’s Grill near a Hop On Hop Off stop and the other is closer to English Bay called the Stanley Park Brew Pub (we’ve enjoyed meals at both!).
There used to be a geocache site behind the concession and on some Stanley Park trails…
Take care!
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I didn’t hear from you and hope you made it to Vancouver! Just in case you found yourselves in Stanley Park we decided to have lunch at Lumbermen’s Arch on the 15th, it was lovely and we hope we didn’t miss you…
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oh what lovely shots! So glad the strawberries are back 🙂
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Thank you, Kate! Strawberries are a lovely harbinger of summer…we’ve been experiencing some very hot weather lately (heat dome effect) and it’s beginning to look more like autumn…today feels much cooler, what a relief!
How’s the weather down your way?
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we’ve had a particularly chilly winter, looking forward to spring! Thanks for asking Kim, most don’t realise our seasons are opposite 🙂
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I’m already missing summer even though there’s several more weeks left with some warm autumn days yet to enjoy! Every season has its beauty but I love sunshine and warmth…
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it’s certainly my first choice Kim 🙂
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The flowers are beautiful and rich in color! Thanks for sharing these wonderful pictures of nature from your neck of the woods Kimberlee!
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It’s lovely to read your comment here, Mark! We’re really appreciating all the beauty on offer this season, autumn is making itself known however, there are colourful leaves on the ground and lush green lawns are turning brown. It’s time to make a wish list for the rest of this glorious summer…
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I can’t wait to read your posts on the upcoming season Kimberlee, especially since your fall and winter season is something that I only see on TV.
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But first comes a post on our recent trip to Toronto!
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The rhododendrons are so beautiful. It’s always been a little startling to me (in a good way) to see orange rhododendrons. I like that you describe them as a surprise. 🙂
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There are some still in bloom despite the heatwaves we’ve been experiencing! Thank you so much for stopping by, it’s lovely to read your words here, Robin.
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How beautiful to see those lovely colors of the past spring, Kim. It’s a helpful reminder, as so many people swelter in the heat, that the seasons will change and change and change. Thanks for taking me on a beautiful walk and for the stunning photos. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are hints of autumn beginning to make themselves known so I must make sure to seize some summer moments in between the heatwaves…my favourite days are filled with filtered sunshine and warm walks on shady shadow dappled paths or sitting on a bench underneath a leafy tree with a book, sigh!
Thank you so much for stopping by, Diana and enjoying a colourful walk through our public garden.
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I’m a shade lover too. Perhaps that’s why those walks appeal to me so much. 🙂
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It’s blissful, isn’t it?!
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Absolutely. 🙂
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The rhododendrons are refreshing to look at, Kim! The Strawberry Summer Party sounds delightful, hoping you write a post about your recollections of it from your childhood someday ❤
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Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Shreya! The Strawberry Summer Party is a recent event I’ve enjoyed attending here in my bucolic neighbourhood…
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You know, I’ve always kind of ignored the world of rhododendrons because I never liked the name. You’ve made me change (open) my mind!!!
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It is a mouthful, that name! I’m so glad you enjoyed the variety on offer…
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Beautiful photos. I just posted an article on the rhododendron. Love them so much 🌱😁
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Thank you for your very kind comment and how cool is it that you’ve just posted a piece on the rhododendron! I will pop over to check it out soon…
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