UBC BOTANICAL GARDEN ~ VANCOUVER ~ CANADA

~ lovely photos and interesting blog~ well done TT!

Hi T.T
Thanks for this Blog.

Alan has Canadian 'roots' having worked in Canada as a photographer and he lived in Toronto, so he was pleased to see the photos along with myself. We passed Vancouver Island on our long cruise last year and it is truly beautiful.It's on our wish list for a proper extended visit.Some time ago I accompanied Alan and visited Canda and saw some of the places where he worked and photographed,and it is a spectacular country with breathtaking views. This brought back very happy memories for Alan....thankyou for posting this Blog!

Hello Arlene ~
I'm glad you like this.
Kind of Daniel to give me permission for the photos :o)

HI Grenville ~
I hadn't realised Alan has 'Canadian connections'.
How wonderful to cruise past Vancouver Island.
Do you still have Alan's photos of that cruise on your pages ?

Many thanks, TT, for this very interesting blog, with lovely pics. Now, of course, I'm away to search for more info on John Davidson (kilted or not!). :-)

Thanks T.T,
We have got some photos of the pine forests on Vancouver Island on file. I will have to look them up and post them up so you can see them.

Thanks. Grenville.
Maybe make the pine forest pictures into a blog, please, which would be easier than finding individual photos ?

Hi David ~
I did a lot of research for this blog. So when you're not busy, I'll let you know where to find the data, and the photo of the kilt ~ sadly not at UBC photo, so not one I could use in this blog.

John Davidson lived a long life ! I guess they are hardy, healthy folk from up in Aberdeen. :o) A little granite in their bones, perhaps !

Hello Marguerite ~
I kept adding more and more photos. LOL. Sadly, some I was offered are not Jpg and I don't know how to upload those.
Grenville, would Alan know how to do that ? There are a couple of John Davidson I would like to include.Thanks.

This looks so like home to me..I am just south of Vancouver by a few hours drive on the north east tip of the Olympic Peninsula...we get a little less rain as we live in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mt. range..they could get some benefit from it but not likely...
Grenville... did you take a cruise up the inside passage to Alaska? I have gone that route while working aboard a dive boat....

Cj ~ checkout Grenville's photos.
There are some good ones of his cruise. :o)
His current photo page 13 has Alaska.
I've answered my own question at the top of this thread. LOL

Great blog and some fab pics, esp. the Japanese garden shots, my second fav. after the trad. English Garden. : )

Thanks. Yes, the Japanese style is very calming.
Do you agree ?

Yes I suppose you're right. I hadn't really thought about it, but I do like it. I guess that is why they call them Zen gardens! : )

Lovely blog TT, Vancouver and Vancouver Island are on my favorite places list. I went to Butchart Gardens when I was there, I think that is in Victoria on Vancouver Island. I will have to dig my pictures out, I was only 17 at the time, but you can see by the pictures that I was a budding plant enthusiast. I'm not usually a fan of Lonicera, but the shade of 'Mandarin' is gorgeous, and I love the large leaves and structured lush greenery of the Asian Garden - inspiration me thinks.................ummm.

Lovely photos - thanks for 'borrowing' them.

I shall have to 'look up' John Davidson, I am ashamed to say I've never heard of him!

Good blog TT although I'm surprised you didn't manage to wangle a visit to the gardens in person to take your own photographs. Or will you be doing that next year during the Winter Olympics?

Sprtiz ~ I'm glad you like the photos. I'll try to find a way to include the pictures of John Davidson. Need some advice from Grenville and Alan, I think !

Andrewr ~
Sadly I think the virtual GoY Wellie Olympics is the only way I'll visit Vancouver, but it looks a super place, and the people at UBC were very helpful indeed with my questions.

TT - could you not get a grant from the British Olympic Committee for a recce for the Wellie Olympics team?

The GoY Wellie Olympians can ask Barney and Bruno to write our CV. That should qualify the whole team for a grant to go to Vancouver :o)

Thanks for the photo advice!

I've converted one to jpg and working on a second photo which is a bit more complicated. With this system, I might be able to add more plant and garden photos tomorrow :o)

I've included a picture of John Davidson at the top.
I'll have a try at adding more photos tomorrow. :o)

Sorry TT but Bruno and Barney are in hibernation just now - can't say I blame them this weather!

You can see why I'm going to upload the other photos tomorrow. I've become so boss-eyed making this blog that in my comment above I've keyed in "Sprtiz" !
Sorry Spritz. :o)

Hi Catfinch,
Yes we cruised down from Alaska on the inside passage passing Vancouver to Seattle then flew back to London. It was speactacular. It was a huge liner so we were travelling so slowly and we saw some spectacular views.We started the cruise in Shanghai then visited Japan and South Korea. A memorable holiday!

LOL...then you came right past my home!...From my house I watch all the cruise ships sail through from Alaska to Seattle...I thought you may have been on one of them!...LOL...I am at the crossroads of Straits of Juan De Fuca, Admiralty Inlet and the beginning of Puget Sound...the inside passage begins to the north of the San Juan Islands in the Straits of Georgia...you would have come down Hero Straits and in to the Straits of Juan De Fuca and then on through Admiralty inlet and into Puget Sound to Seattle...Did you go through the locks at Shilsho in Seattle? I think you probably would...but maybe no...I believe you may not have...hmmmm...Did you dock where you could see the Space Needle as you came in?

great blog tt.
we live by a big port catfinch. i love watchin the irish ferry, tankers and the little sailing boats on the water. i use binoculars to watch as the water is about a mile away as the crow flys.

Hi Sanda ~
I've just been working on more photos. so these will definitely be included tomorrow :o)
Yes, it is lovely watching all the ships and boats and wondering where they are heading. Seems like Grenville and Alan travelled very near to Catfinch's home. :o)

id love to go and see Grenvilles garden maybe i will be passin there one day...
lookin forward to more photos

LOL..I have a telescope I can use at the ready..I don't need it to see the cruise ships..but if I want to see the people on deck and what they are doing...LOL...I need it.

through my binoculars i can just about make out the names on the tankers and the people on the decks of the ferrys.. we get the odd cruise ship passing. the tankers are huge some of the biggest in the world.

Tankers are not allowed inside he Straits here..but we do get a lot of Air Craft Carriers from the navy bases inside here and submarines come through as well..The subs have to surface to come through the Straits...they have to follow the rules of the shipping lanes...lots and lots of cargo ships...etc...The oil tankers that come down form Alaska...stay outside and I believe the oil is lightered onto smaller oil barges to come inside if needs be.

This is home to me. I lived in Vancouver for 20 years. UBC gardens are fabulous. Well done getting the photos TT. I am going to make a trip down to the coast in the spring/summer and visit all the gardens again. UBC, VanDeusen, Queen Elizabeth, Blodel Conservatory, Park and Tillford, Stanley Park, Sun Yat Sen (sp?), etc. I want to go out to Rifel Bird Sanctuary too.
Perhaps I'll make a HUGE blog or several smaller ones. LOL.

Hi Gilli ~
Yes, I was lucky to get the photos.
Some more pictures to be added tomorrow.

That will be lovely for you to visit so many gardens.
Looking forward to the blogs ! :o)

There is a Blodel Reserve an hours drive from here..I have lived in this area for over 20 years and have always planned a trip there but not made it...It is totally made up of territorial plants and private walking tours are given. Makeing an appt. has been what has stopped me but maybe this year I will make it....

I wonder if it is named after the same Bloedel CF. The conservatory was named after Prentice Bloedel who was a lumberman in the area.

Ooo. I just went to the Bloedel reserve website CF. It looks lovely. I'm not surprised you wnat to visit. You can make an appointment online.....

This is probably the nearest I will ever get to Vancouver! Great photos and great blog. Thanks TT.

It is the same family...Prentice and Virginia
Bloedel raised their family on this reserve and then the property was made into the reserve. One of the children lives here in PT now...

Haha! This is what makes me feel soooooooooo gooood!
It's like a virtual new year's party in here! I bet if i turned on the volume on my laptop, I'd hear all the noise and chit-chat! Brilliant!

Oh, you're John Davidson, aye, ye've got a kent face, ye clarty torag! An' ane whit looks like it wis chiselt oot o' a muckle lump o' granite, tae! An' anither thing - yer wellies need a guid sprucin'! Ah'll be checkin' ye oot, mon, soon!

Noo, wheesht, else ye''ll waken the deid! Talkin' o' which, div ye no ken ma ancestor, Helen/Ellen/Nellie Marshall? She maiirit a loon ca'd Givens an' byded in Rendell Street, Victoria? She wiz a passenger on the first hale Trans-Canada train, ah have in ma records! Ah ca' her ma ain wee Molly Broon!

Talkin' o' which. Ah love Grenville and Alan's cruise pics tae bits, espeshully the ones o' the detail in the oriiental buildings. An' - ma fave - the prow o' the ship bargin' its way through the ice an' snow. Thank the Lord ye didnae hit ony icebergs an' came back wi' the pics! Richt, ah'm, gonnae sing Celine Dion fae Titaniic.

Far across the distance
and spaces between us
You have come to show you go on.

Love can touch us one time
and last for a lifetime,
and never let go till we're gone.

Love was when I loved you.
one true time to hold on to.
In my life, we'll always go on.

(Whaur's the karaoke DJ?)

Near, far, wherever you are,
I believe that the heart does go on.
Once more, you opened the door,
And you're here, in my heart,
and my heart will go on and on."

- Brilliant singing, btw! XXXXXXXXXXXXX

LOL. David. It took me some time to mentally translate your comment.
I would like to compliment you on your fabulous singing at our virtual news years eve party. Hardly a single glass was shattered. Well done. :o)
(I won't mention the horrible crack that appeared across my computer screen!!)

A very interesting blog TT. It was kind of them to let you use the photos so that we can all see them.
Now I've seen that clematis 'Lemon Bells ' I want one for my garden; and I really liked those lanterns. They've given me ideas for things to make in my pottery shed :o)

Yes, the Clematis 'Lemon Bells' is lovely, isn't it, Hywel. Another photo that caught my eye is the Lonicera 'Mandarin'.
Does anyone know if is it usual for Lonicera to have varieties with such warm orangey-reddish-pink colours ?
I generally associate Lonicera with pale flowers ~ more whitish-yellow ?

I'm learning lots from the comments on this blog ! Local Canadian history from Catfinch. Promise of future blogs from Giili. Hywel's hidden talents for pottery ~ can't wait to find out what you make this summer, please.

And ,not forgetting David's spectacular singing ! How many computer screens did he break ?! :o)

I'm growing the original species clematis chiisanensis - there is a picture of it somewhere among my plants. It is growing up a dwarf salix and reaches a couple of metres.
From Plant Finder on the RHS website, lonicera 'Mandarin' is available over here from a few specialist nurseries

Andrewr ~
Thanks for that extra information.

I've just added some more clear photos.
I appreciate your techy advice ~ worked well. :o)

These latest four pictures are ~
John Davidson working on Skwoach Mountain circa 1915
Banksia marginata,
another interesting Nitobe Lantern photo,
and Lupinus polyphyllus.

Fantastic images of the UBC Botanical Garden.
It would be an interesting place to visit !

Great "new" pic of "Botany John" Davidson, and plants, Tt!

Hi David,
We were tempted to outstretch our arms while standing on the bow of the ship and sing excepts from 'Titanic' when were were nudging our way through the ice in Alaska!
We declined because we thought we might be repremanded by the Captain of the ship and be told it was a bad omen, or we might be asked to do a cabaret slot as part of the ships entertainment!
Your rendition of the song was wonderful David. We can hear you singing it here down in Bristol!

Hi David ~
First time I tried a practice blog for the second Botany John photo it came out looking like he was studying plants on a VERY foggy mountain. I now know how to deal with the different types of photo.
Got a nice clear picture uploaded :o)

Hello Grenville ~
Andrew Lloyd Webber is looking for a singers to represent Britain in this year's Eurovision Song Contest entry.
Have you and Alan missed your chance ?
Or would Alan be representing Canada ? :o)

I could not help but notice that the uve ursi..looked like our native kinnickkinnick which Gilli and I have mentioned on GOY before...it is also know as Bear Berry as the ursi refers to the Bear species...it is one of my favorite ground covers..I believe because of it's realtionship to the bear and it's wonderful fun name...

Hello Catfinch ~
When I chose the uve ursi photo, I looked it up on the internet and it does say that an alternative name is bear berry, so, Cj, well spotted ! :o)

I believe the name kinnickinnick is the native American name for Bear berry /uve ursi...I also love the lupine photo as they bloom wild here along with wild daisies and make a gorgeous field to look at...in late spring.

Yes, the uve ursi is the latin name for kinnickinnick Cj. It is pretty isn't it?
TT - I don't know how common the deeper colour lonicera is but the one I have in my garden is this deep orangey colour. There seem to be quite a few deeper coloured ones in the local garden stores around here. The one I have (I can't remember the name) has this lovely colour but sadly no fragrance at all. The hummingbirds come for the colour though so that evens it out for me. :o)

Thanks Gilli.
It's good to know there are some orangey lonicera types around as I rather like the idea of getting one of those. It seems the hummingbirds agree with me. :o)

~hummingbirds Gilli!
Would love to see those in the garden!

Aaah, those hummingbirds, I just love the pics of them here on GOY. Tasteyg, for one, I remember, has lots of breath-taking pics of them hovering at flowers, as well as some lovely glass nectar feeders.(as,of course, do other members).

As for my singing, I very nearly lost the laptop altogether, when I outstretched my arms at the end ( may need to take out additional insurance, lol). I really like those cruise pics guys!

Cat, I remember this from somewhere in the back of my mind, and am grateful for your pointing this out. It's so great that we keep on learning here on GOY!

Many thanks again, Tt, for posting this blog! Can you tell that I've already begun googling John Davidson, but there is nothing to beat the website www.botanyjohn.org/en. I'd really enjoy seeing what is left here "on the ground" connected with him.

Yes, I'm learning all the time on GoY :o)

Tasteyg has recently photographed some other types of bird, as well as her lovely hummingbirds. Excellent !

Don't worry David, we won't let you fall overboard !
The website you mention has the photo of John Davidson looking very smart in his kilt. :o)

Hi TT,
Great blog and beautiful photos, what a good idea to do that.
I really liked the photo of the Rhododendron, look at the length of those leaves, they will look good as a feature on their own, when it's not out in flower. Sylvia fell in love with the photo of the "lemon bells". I can see myself having to get some. Any info on where to get them.?
The lanterns were a great feature also.
I hadn't heard of John Davidson either, He's not wearing wellies though TT, he's wearing puttees, could they be the next innovation for the olympics.
What's this about a Karaoke and why wasn't I invited? you missed a treat as I am completely tone deaf, but I would be great on a farm calling in the cows.
Thanks again TT, and the rain today gave me a chance to really study the blog, instead of working I am "slaving" away over a hot computer. Lol.
Love to you, can't wait for the next one.

Banksia marginata is tough - it's the one I have growing here in balmy(?) Bracknell. Checked it this morning and it hasn't even noticed the cold weather even though it's only three years old

Glad you like this blog Bob. You hadn't heard of John Davidson ? Well, I must admit I hadn't heard the word 'puttees'.

What we learn on GoY ! I looked at puttees on Wikipedia and there is a photo of a war memorial, where Canadian soldiers are wearing puttees.

The Karaoke ~ everyone is invited. If I get the chance to make a new Wellie blog we can all Karaoke away on there. :o)

I'm not surprised Sylvia likes 'Lemon Bells'.
Did you see Andrewr's comment higher up on this thread about his growing the original species Clematis chiisanensis.?

Andrea, please post here when you make the blog with your old photos from your travels. Thanks.

Please note ~ Gilli has this weekend uploaded a photo of her orangey coloured Lonicera. She promises to identify it further when the snows melt and she can venture out to read the label. Lol.

If anyone on this thread finds out for certain where to obtain the Clematis or the Lonicera. please put a comment. Thanks. :o)

Andrewr ~
That's a tough Banksia !
I reckon John Davidson was also tough.
Lived to about 92 years old.
That must be a recommendation for plant studies and gardening being good for you. !

Lovely blog TT, really enjoyed the pic's looks like a wonderful place to visit.

Thanks Angie ~ I agree.
Looks a wonderful garden.
I now would like to own the Clematis...
and the Lonicera !
Lol. :o)

Thorncroft's Clematis Nursery apparently has "Lemon Bells" and you can order online.....
http://www.thorncroft.co.uk/
They are in Norwich and it was listed in their 2009 online catalogue. Ready in February and 12 pounds.

There are lots of suppliers of Lemon Bells in North America but that is the only one I could find in the UK.

Beamish Clematis Nursery in Co. Durham lists Lonicera Japonica "Manderin" but they don't do mail order.

Beamish Clematis Nursery is approx. 6 miles south of Newcastle upon Tyne, tucked away just a few hundred yards from the main road (A693 ) in the village of Beamish between Chester-le-Street and Stanley in County Durham, North East England, UK...phone: 0191 370 0202

http://www.beamishclematisnursery.co.uk/climbers.htm

Thanks Gilli ~
Funny that I'm writing about places on "your doorstep" and then you are finding Lemon Bells not too far from "my doorstep". The wonders of the internet ! :o)

Isn't it great TT? I really should be doing some housework and here I am researching places 6000 miles away. LOL

I am having problems finding them here Gilli...searching close at Wayside Gardens and even White Flower Farms..
tons of Clematis but no Lemon Bells..could probably walk in to my local garden supplier and find it easier...lol

Hmmmm ~ Lemon Bells ready in February.
Sounds like a good gift for St Valentine's Day. Lol

Haven't found a Washington supplier yet Cj but here are a couple of US mail order or online order suppliers.....

Joy Creek Nursery
http://www.joycreek.com/150-285-1.htm
20300 NW Watson Road Scappoose, OR 97056
(503) 543-7474 (503) 543-6933 (FAX)
catalogue@joycreek.com

Digging Dog Nursery
http://www.diggingdog.com/pages2/clematis.php
p.o. box 471, Albion, CA 95410
phone:(707) 937-1130
fax:(707) 937-2480

Is there really a nursery called Digging Dog ?
I must check that out. :o)
I found it ~ It has a weird logo ~
Sort of human with dog's head, holding a spade. :o)

Nice blog TT and lovely photo's. Well done on learning how to do it from Andrew! Team GoY strikes again!

It looks rather like an egyptian type of dog to me TT

Yes, Gilli. You are right. It does look like an Egyptian-style canine statue.
Interesting logo.
Anubis ~ Egyptian god of the underworld with a Jackal head.

Pottygardener, I was lucky in that Andrewr's photo advice was very easy to follow. As you say, Go Team GoY ! :o)

Hi everybody, what an inspirational blog, it has taken me ages to read it. I loved the Lonicera and the Lemon bells as well.

Thanks TT for setting it off, thanks to everyone else for info and wesites, it will keep me out of mischief for a while as I check them all out! Love Marge.

Hi TT...Great facilities at UBC...should check out the UofVic. on Vancouver Island...also the Butchart Gardens! Des Kennedy's book about the garden on Denman Island is very interesting too...the Islands in the Georgia Straits are a haven for gardenersand artists. The Haida Gwai is also wonderful...a little spooky perhaps...and the Queen Charlotte Islands is an amazing place also. The beaches on the west side of Vancouver Island go on forever...there is a defined walking trail from the upper end of the island along the west coast down to Sooke... British Columbia is a heavenly part of the world.

I have been through the Queen Charlottes on a dive boat and am interested in the God's Pocket Islands as well..they have a very nice kayaking resort there...that I have dreamed of staying at and learning how to kayak while visiting...lol...would be very relaxing ..only thing in the islands...is this one resort.

Fantastic and very facinating TT Thankyou......

David, I have to say that it took me over two hours to translate your comment. It was almost as bad as when Hywel lapses into Welsh!

I enjoyed your rendition of the song, though. I heard that loud and clear all the way down here.

Thank you Gilli for finding the online sites....I will be checking them out.....xx'[s

Fascinating blog TT and the photos are great I also had to backtrack for interpretation a couple of times LOL also added 2 more plants to wish list .........

Starting from the top of the new comments ~
Hello Marge ~
Yes, Lemon Bells and the Lonicera and very tempting.
I've also learnt loads from the comments on this blog, so thank you to those who have participated. I giggled when Marge put that this is keeping her out of mischief. :o)

Hi Lori ~
Sounds like there is so much more to research. Thanks.
It seems you have fascinating memories of that region.

Catfinch ~
Could you please explain a bit more ? Dive boat ? Are those the ones which go under the ocean and you can see the fish and sea-life ? And God's Pocket Islands ?

Hello Milky ~ Do you think we should all ask Spritz for a translation of David's comment ? Lol. Or at least a couple of lines. :o)

Ahoy David ! ~ Are you still singing, or perhaps busy researching more about Botany John ? :o)

Hi Lincslass ~
Yes, a couple of those lovely plants are definitely on my wish list too.
I have another wish ~ more garden border space in which to plant new shrubs ! I'll need to put on my puttees and get digging. Lol

Such lovely pictures! the japanese style ones i could cry over there so lovely! I am trying to create a touch of the style to my own garden.

Can i ask about the clematis, Lemon bells! what conditions does it like, how tall does it grow, and how to prune it?.It looks unusual!.

Hello Liverbirdlain ~

Sounds like with your enthusiasm for the Japanese gardens, you'll definitely be including some of those themes in your own designs. Which of their styles do you like especially ?

This is the information I have read about Lemon Bells ~
Flowering ~ April - July.
Aspect ~ Any free-draining.
Pruning ~ Tidy after flowering.
Height ~ 6 - 8 feet.
Flower size ~ 2.5 inches.

I hope this helps, and thanks for visiting the blog.:o)

Liverbirdlain, there is an information page about Lemon Bells at the UBC site...........

http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/research/industry/clematis_lemon_bells.php

copy and paste the whole address into your browser address bar and it will take you right to the Lemon Bells page.

Oh my.... Dive boats...lol...no they do not go under the sea...thank goodness, but it does feel that way some days in stormy seas. I worked on a dive boat with Huka divers for 4 years...Huka diving is not scuba diving..it is diving that involves surface supplied air produced by air compressors or giant air tanks on deck and 300 ft. of bright yellow hose that floats, which we had shipped to us from Australia. The divers wore dry suits and full face masks with on demand regulators, they also wore extra lead around their waists to stay down better and wore heavy rubber boots(Wellies actually)to be able to "walk", all be it gently, on the bottom...I worked on the surface with the air supply and communications with the divers...either with intercoms or hose signals...I made sure they were safe and if there was an emergency I brought them to the surface safely.
We worked harvesting Herring roe on kelp in Alaska's Prince William Sound, Abalone off the Dahl Islands in a beautiful cove called Secret Cove to the West of Ketchikan Alaska..and Sea Cucumbers in Puget Sound...also Sea Urchins in the San Juan Islands and on the outside on the coast anchored in surf close to shore from Washington State to the south Oregon shores...My children worked with me on these dive boats..it was a great family adventure....the undersea gardens are spectacular..the first thing I was told when I first started working, was that every square inch under water had life on it..I saw it first hand a few times as a scuba diver only..I never worked as a harvester.
As to Gods Pocket Islands..they are a magical group of very round looking hills of islands poking out of the water off Vancouver Island just at the edge of the straights of Georgia...I will never forget the two dolphins coming out of those islands..they were leaping and diving in unison with sunlight glinting off the water sprays they were creating and headed right for us.They never slowed a drop and dove right under our boat as we sped on to the north and they kept on course for the west. There is a dive and kayak resort there that I wish to visit for a holiday someday...

~sounds fantastic Caroline~maybe this year?

Gilli ~
Thanks for that link. A useful addition to the previous information.

Wow, Catfinch ~
You've led a fascinating life. Thanks for explaining about the dive boats. Looks like Arlene is ready for a holiday across the pond ! :o)

LOL...Maybe..Arlene...we will see.

You are welcome TT..I was lucky to have the chance to have had this adventure in my life, for me & my children.

Gillian and Lori have both read this blog, and messaged me with further information on the varied climate and vastness of Canada. Quite an education ! Thanks to them both. :o)

My goodness yes...this small area we are discussing here is but a microcosim of what Canada has to offer...in variety of climate and grand beauty.....

Tt, I've given up "singing" in favour of research. Have also given up buying chocolate bars in favour of buying chocolate plants.

David, I think there are a lot less calories in chocolate plants than chocolate bars.......but they don't taste nearly as nice.

I like to do research, and buy plants, and eat chocolate, all at the same time ~
multi-tasking :o)

Sounds like a good time to me..LOL...and I do well with multi-tasking...lol...trouble is when you garden that way it gets a bit messier than needs be...I need to organize myself so I do not have things spread form heck to breakfast when I work outside.........can't help it...may just have to go on that way...too many things to consider at once.....hmmmm.

I know what you mean ...
When I'm gardening I'm usually doing several tasks all at once, or I go out intending to do one job, e.g. mow the lawns, and I find an hour later, I've been doing something completely different, such as trimming perennials. :o)

David
Might be better to buy chocolate and plants but not so much of either~chocolate is a good comfort food and the dark stuff is good for you?
I hope you are managing this horrible weather as well as possible!

Rains and severe storms forecast for Britain this Saturday evening. Stock up on chocolate and stay indoors !

Thanks, have decided, therefore, to sit in and eat chocolate whilst going through the choccy plant list, haha! Is this better?

That's much better :o)

Sounds like a really good idea!

Me too...I want to do the chocolate part especially...but alas..have gone back to my low carb way of life...not so many comfort foods for me for a while..feel better all ready.
But will have an occasional chocolate for my health..you know...lol..dark is good....oh.... and black licorice is healthy I gather too....in small quantities of course...! ^..^

I've just eaten two Cadburys Mint Crisp Cake Bites.
The 'mint' part makes it 'garden research'. ^..^

Nothing but coffee for me so far this morning...it is a little after 10 a.m been up since 5a.m...but still.....too early for chocolate..may have lowcarb grainy, with pumpkin and sunflower seeds cereal with fresh frozen...lol..blackberries, raspberries and bluberries..with splenda for sweetness and half & half cream soon ...it is so yummy...and good for when you have a sweet tooth... or "teeth" as it seems I have ... ^..^

I got home from the hospital and had crumpets with butter and honey........yummmm........then I had a couple of After Eight mints to keep TT company..........You know the mint over here may be botanically different than TT's mint. I have to research this further.....................

~mmm that sounds like a good excuse Giil!
~had a bar of very dark Lindt chocolate~ but not all at once~ you can't eat more than acouple of pieces at time!

What? Arlene....please.I could snarf that thing down in one bite!...on the other hand those wonderful Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels I get from Trader Joes that they import from Ireland with the..oh..here is the full on eat me sentence they have on the front of the box..drew me in like a moth to flame....."Buttery smooth caramels drenched in Belgian chocolate, then sprinkled with crunchy rock salt from the Dead Sea"...who would not want to eat that..one at a time stays with you for a good long time...Yuuuuummmmmmers!!!!..all out ...darn..think I hear a piece of the sea salt rattling round...mmmmm...lets see...

I admire your constitution Caroline!I must be a wimp!

Have you had these Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels Arlene?

~no, never heard of them Caroline!~will look it up on the web!

~Found this for you Caroline!~

Harvey Nichols
caramel, hazelnut and seasalt milk chocolate bar 70g

211376

£4.95 £.71 per 10G

Harvey Nichols Chocolate Bars are made in Scotland using the finest ingredients such as chocolate high in cocoa and pure indulgent cocoa butter. Like sand and the sea, some things just go together, and you can't get a much better match than this Organic Milk Chocolate, Caramel, Hazelnuts and Sea Salt combination!
Harvey Nichols is a Department Store in London.This was taken from their online website.
Quite expensive for a bar of chocolate!

Also GF may find this interesting!

BOSSES at Anglesey Sea Salt have discovered they have a very important customer – none other than US President-elect Barack Obama.

The company exports sea salt from its base on the Menai Strait to Fran’s Chocolates in Seattle, California.

Fran’s sprinkles the salt on the top of their chocs – which just happens to be among the future president’s favourites.

Last night a spokesman for Fran’s confirmed to the Daily Post that Mr Obama was a customer of theirs and that the salt on top of their caramels did indeed come from the Anglesey Sea Salt Company.

Yesterday, Alison Lea-Wilson, a director of Anglesey Sea Salt in Brynsiencyn, enthused: “It’s so exciting.”

“I get e-newsletters from America about food. A newsletter which has just arrived at night, our time, shows Mr Obama was asked what was his favourite food company. He said Fran’s Chocolates of Seattle.

“They have been buying our sea salt for many years and use it on top of their milk chocolate caramels.”

It’s traditional in California to sprinkle salt flakes onto individual, upmarket chocolates and the delighted bosses of Anglesey Sea Salt are now planning to send Barack Obama a tangy Christmas present.

Fran’s describes its salted caramels as a “harmonious blend of complex flavours that is an intricate dance between the smooth chocolate, our buttery caramel and the unexpected boldness of the grey and smoked salt.”

Sean Seedlock, Fran’s Chocolates spokesman in Seattle, confirmed: “Yes, the salt on our chocolates comes from The Anglesey Sea Salt Company.

“Salt complements the lingering flavour of the chocolates. Mr Obama likes smoked salt caramels and Michelle Obama likes dark chocolate caramels with sea salt.”

He said Fran’s staff were “overwhelmed and thrilled” when they learned that Mr Obama loved their product.

Staff at Anglesey Sea Salt have other notable customers.

They sell to bass baritone Bryn Terfel and Gordon Ramsay’s New York restaurant buys it in for his smoked sea salt caramel ice cream.

Other customers are top Welsh chef Bryn Williams and Stephen Terry, of The Hardwick, Abergavenny, who have both cooked for the Queen.

The company also supplies salt to 11 of the world’s top 50 restaurants.

Some members don't need to EAT the chocolate to put on weight.
There are those who'll put on pounds from just READING Arlene's chocolate comments :o)

Looks like I must not wait too long before making my new blog ~ especially to get us fit for the GoY Winter Wellie Olympics.:o)

Some of our athletes are getting way out of control. :o)

Sorry TT!
Too much information on Chocolate! We all need info on salads,low calorie recipes etc~boring!

Arlene ~
Are you confessing to being one of the less fit athletes ? :o)

~errr no no no no no no yes!

Er, no,no,no ~
Yes, that settles it ~
A new blog is now in the design stages. :o)

Can't wait, Tt! Meantime, I'll pop into Harvey Nics in Edinburgh and try that chocolate (I wonder if they serve free samples of this?). Anyways, I need to put on weight for some of Olympic events, if I want to get through the qualifiers (and this is not an excuse, haha!).

~go for it David~you will have to tell us what it is like! ~If there are free samples don't forget us!

For Christmas, Mr. Claptrap gave me a big box of "Famous Names" liqueurs. I haven't opened those yet. I'm officially TT. Lol.

But to start the new Wellie blog, I might need to sample the Cointreau, and the Irish Cream, and the Drambuie.
And there's one called Harvey's. Definitely not for Boxers, but I guess Arlene could eat it on his behalf ?? :o)

Another liqueur is "William Grant's Scotch Whisky" ~ would David recommend I eat that one, or save it for David ???

Hmmmmvery interesting ..I knew that Franz sells the sea salt chocolates but cannot find them close to home...but then when I was in Trader Joes found the same basically imported from Ireland...wonder what Irish knows about this...you get 12 for about $6.00 ....Nice to now I in good company in my tastes...lol

I didn't know that California had a Seattle too.

Thanks for the lovely, mouth watering, weight gaining, heavenly blurb on the chocolates Arlene. I've gained 5 pounds just reading it.

LOL...no it does not..lol..that is our Seattle here in Washington state that does the Franz chocolates...lol..oh my how did I miss that!...lol...

For Gilli
email a friend
From Artisan Du Chocolat London

Salted caramels collection: larger and assorted boxes from £14.00

Larger boxes of our salted caramels from 200g to 900g. Choose N°1 originals only or an assorment of all our caramels N°1,N°4, N°7, N°9 and N°15
Our original sea salted caramels N°1 were invented in 2003 by Gerard Coleman for Gordon Ramsay’s menu at Claridges: a sweet liquid caramel with a pinch of Noirmoutier island’s grey salt, captured in a cocoa dusted shell of intense dark chocolate. The pure untreated grey salt, harvested by hand from clay marshes since medieval times, holds a wealth of minerals and trace elements that enrich its rich taste. It is the balance of flavours - sweet, saline and mineral - and of textures - crunchy, liquid and velvety - that make these salted caramels our most famous creation. Gerard has continued researching ingredients to complement his original recipe. Only the most successful samples, dutifully vetted by volunteer salted caramel fans, are allowed on our shelves, numbered by the timeline of their conception: N°4-spicy caramel with pink and black pepper, N°7- caramel with aged balsamic vinegar, N°9 zesty caramel with lemongrass and N°15-caramel with sage and thyme.

Shelf life of 2 months
Available in boxes of 200g, 300g, 500g and 900g
Unrefined sea salt ma y contain traces of mollusks

Whoa Yowzers! Arlene these have got to be healthy as all get out for ya...! LOL...I think I may try to mail order some!
When I can afford it!

OMG Tt!

Get on with the new Olympics blog, quickly! I've just raided the fridge again for more chocolate!

I'm having a day out next Thursday! Going to view an exhibition by the University of Dundee entitled "Plant Life".
For the first time, the University is showing some of the collection of its 10,000-strong collection of plant specimens from its herbareum. "Botany John" Davidson (as I learned) did some great pioneering work in Scotland on developing better preservative fluids for plant specimens from around the world, so there is a link between this exhibition and this blog, in a way.. I'll be really interested to see some of the preserved samples.

Many Thanks, Tt, for furthering my education, through this blog!

Arleeeeeennnnneeee.............Another 5 lbs just stuck to my hips!!!! OMG they sound divine.
All except the little warning at the end about the grey salt may contain traces of mollusks.........uuummmmm.....I'm thinking that if the salt is from the marshes they could be refering to slugs and snails???

Wow. Real dangers here of members being kept away from their gardens and indulging in too many chocolate temptations ! Wellie training must resume soon !

I'm burning even more midnight oil here, to get the 2010 Winter Wellie Olympics Blog under way....

David's University trip next Thursday sounds very interesting.
I hope, David, you might get further information on Botany John to add a comment to this blog, please ?

However, if you look at every example of 10,000 plant specimens, it could be a while before you report back ..... :o)

I may return, "pickled" in a triple-glazed jar, sometime in the 22nd century?

David ~
Whichever century you are in, you'll be well-preserved :o)

Marge has kindly given a link to the UBC website which has botany photo of the day.
I'll give it again here, in case anyone missed it ~

http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/

Interesting photo on the ubc site this morning about heat from pine & douglas fir in particular...I have, over many winters used these trees when no garage was available to keep frost off my car windows...I have pulled my vehichles up under there limbs for over night and come out in the early freezing morning to find no ice at all most times and if there were ice it would be light, soft and easy to get rid of. I have always taken it as a fact that these trees are warm...

Hi Catfinch ~
What a fascinating comment. What an interesting person you are !!!
There's so much logic your theory about the warm trees :o)

I have also been a person without a garage in freezing winters most of my life...lol..neccesity is the mother of invention you know..I am nothing if not challenge loving ...lol...and besides...trees & I get along...we be friends...

The trees are no doubt pleased to help their friend Cj :o)

~I think you are right about them being warm Caroline~they don't have to drop their leaves and go dormant like decidous trees ~it is the denseness of the needles on the branches which trap the air to give greater insulation.
if you check out the animals,birds etc that can shelter in a dense hedge /tree you would be surprised~my neighbour's tall Leylandii hedge is always buzzing when it is cold or windy!

I have found the same thing Cat. Spruce trees work too.

~ Hug a Pine in 2009 ~ :o)

.... but don't get prickled ... or pickled.....

Yes, I have been working far too hard on my house tidying, and no I haven't yet started on the liqueur chocolates. :o)

Back to my tidying NOW :O)

Well, my planned trip to the exhibition of pickled plants today has had to be postponed until Monday. Yesterday, whilst driving through roadworks, a stone flew up and cracked my windscreen all the way across. Waiting now for the repairers to come and fit a new one. Great chance to sit and catch up with GOY but, unfortunately, there's no chocolate left in the house.

These experiences are called "Character building" !!!

I have the whole box of Chocolate Liqueurs, still unopened.
Including William Grant's Finest Scotch Whisky ~

Wish I could send you some of those :o)

Thanks, Tt, lol, but I hate whisky!

The car is now repaired, so am off to the shops for supplies! Hmm, and there's a garden centre en route.........

Well. I'm TT, as you know :o)

Have we nobody interested in Whisky ?
When my mother had the flu, she used to drink milk with a dash of Whisky ~
or was it Whisky with a dash of milk ???

Methinks I'll keep those liqueurs for medicinal purposes :o)

That's what put me off for life, haha! "Hot Toddies" - even the thought of such a thing cured all my childhood ails, and still does! Bleeeeuuuuuuugh! I wonder what "Botany John" thought of whisky? Mind you, I can do a rather nice Hogmanay starter of "Highland Prawns", when I cook them in whisky and cream, as a topical alternative to Prawn Marie Rose (or mere prawn cocktail). Now, I do like that.....................Hmmmmmmmmmmm!

Hmmm. Highland Prawns sounds good.....do you cook them with chocolate too??? LOL

Chocolate prawns? yuck..petooo..iey...no way..

Is it all round to Davids' house next Hogmany for Highland Prawns?

Sounds really good. Will try it.

Amazing how everything always leads to food... Obviously this is my kind of site!
Thanks for telling me about your UBC blog! I'm interested in the uve-ursi plant too. The flowers look just like our blueberry flowers. Perhaps the berries are similar. I'll post a photo on my page.

Hello Marge ~
Highland Prawns ? That's seafood diet ~

i.e. ~ see food, eat food. :o)

Hi Elke ~
I'll check out your photo. Thanks.
I'm pleased you are enjoying this blog. :o)

Marge and Elke ~
I'm pleased for you to visit this blog any time, and talk about plants and/or chocolate :o)

Good Morning, today is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Rabbie Burns (also your Mum's birthday, Tt!). There is an identical recipe on the 'net to the one I use, except I just make it in one large dish. It can be found at:-

www.accessentertainment.co.uk/Eatingin/Recipes/Prawnshighlandstyle.htm

Yummmmmmmmmmmmmm!

A special good morning to everyone in Scotland.

Happy birthday to Robbie Burns and also to my mother.
She died about ten years ago.

Happy Rabbie Burns Day, David.

Happy Birthday TT's Mum. Perhaps she is eating Haggis and Highland Prawns where she is now TT. :o)

Gilli ~ Thanks :o)

No doubt washing it all down with Whisky in hot milk. :o)

Happy Robbie Burns Day indeed - I've found a recipe for Kipper Dip - that's what I'm serving at the RBD Canasta Party tonight. Nearest thing to authentic Scottish food I could do. I couldn't find a sheep's stomach for the haggis...
No chocolate on that dip though.

Hello Elke ~
Your knowledge of cuisine is very informative and entertaining ~
Fantastic !
Thanks for visiting the blog.
Please return again soon and ~

good luck with the Canasta Party. :o)

Hi, Elke!

I wouldn't have the stomach for a choc-dipped haggis, nor fish!

Hope the Canasta party went well. We DID have our haggis, tatties and neeps!! And, most memorably, the kids gave a resounding rendition of the Scots poems they've learned at school!!

~Brilliant David~sounds like quite an occasion!No chocolate for dessert?...I found this great recipe...

Thanks so much for telling me about this blog entry, it was really nice looking around the gardens. I also love Japanese gardens as I think they are very peaceful and calming.

Sandra x

Hi Sandra...
I'm pleased you enjoyed this blog...
It isn't always easy for new GoY members to find out about previous blogs.
These are lovely gardens, aren't they !
:o) x