Toronto I Like

In Toronto last week I felt a warmth from this city which lies on the northern shores of Lake Ontario...Its young vibrant and has a buzz..its a place where something is always going on event wise...


I was supposed to have attended the 2011Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition the previous weekend at Nathan Philips Square but a stag night and subsequent wedding and reception left me unable to make the 80 mile trip from St.Catharines...

Situated in the university district is the Ontario College of Art and Design which has a building that is a little different from the norm...underneath is the aboveground art store...

Getting around the city is no problem either with the streetcars that go over and underground...

Niagara River Jetboating

Why is it when your away from home technology lets ya down..So here in Canada for a wedding my laptop charger/adaptor failed..Fortunately Ian the brides brother came to my rescue and helped me get a replacement...thanks Ian...Close by to St.Catharines is Niagara On The Lake so several of us from the wedding party decided on some additional adventure was needed...needless to say we had a blast...

Fish And Chips at the Wee Hurrie

Once in a while I like fish and chips...when living down south in Eastbourne I was partial to plaice and chips from the Sovereign Fish Bar in Beatty Road...the owners family originated from Hong Kong which might have had some influence with the light batter which enhanced the fresh fish...yum...Of course wrapped in paper...

Since being up here in the south west coast of Scotland I have sampled a few establishments...the variety of seafood in these chippies varies immensely from whats merely described as a "fish supper"...which I was informed by a sign within was always haddock unless unavailable to be replaced by whiting...On the other end of the scale I think I've found my favourite place for fish and chips albiet a 20 minute drive to Troon Harbour...

Called the Wee Hurrie...I think I can say this is best fish and chips I've ever had..only cooked to order... in tempura batter...presented in a box with tartar sauce lemon and plastic cutlery...they never make it back home as they cool too quick and are consumed in the adjoining car park whilst looking at the seals in the harbour or out to the Isle Of Arran...

The menu is so varied...so tonight was fish and chips night...I asked what fritto misto on the blackboard menu consisted of and was told a mixture of haddock cod sea bass sole and salmon...mmm maybe next time I thought and had my usual sole goujons chips and tartare sauce...which was naturally consumed in the car park...yummy...

Plein Air Abstract

On the only day of sunshine this week here in Ayrshire I went outside and played with me paints plus a 30in x 30in canvas and created this...entitled " Expression On A Summers Day " ....

Ayrshire Tatties

Amongst other things I like about living north of the border is the quality of the food produce...

Ayrshire folk I am told are often referred to as " Tattie Howkers " this goes back to times when locals and Irish people came to Ayrshire to work at the time of the potato harvest...

I used to love Jersey Royals spuds like most people but over the years I'm not sure they taste as I remember them in my youth...probably something to do with ageing on my part...

So as the rain was down south for a change yesterday a visit to Dowhill Farm at Turnberry was hastely arranged...with an array of food stuff on sale and free samples I returned with some washed small tatties which were delicious...

Gone Local

" Concept Of Joy "

Acrylic On Gallery Wrapped Canvas 75cm x 75cm

SOLD

Off To Feel The Currant Bun And Riding A Virgin Again

Currently I'm onboard a virgin train in a quiet coach heading out of Glasgow bound for London...the stations are beginning to flash past...I'm off to my hometown of Eastbourne on the Sussex Coast to catch up with friends and family for a few days...Seeing the weather forecast on TV this morning makes one wonder if I'm overclothed... I'm not looking forward to lagging all my luggage on the tube during rush hour later...Still needs must...Hope you all have a great easter break...

Way Down To London Town

" Being Together "

Oil On Gallery Wrapped Canvas 50cm x 50cm

SOLD

Angus And Back

A daytrip to Glamis Castle Angus beckoned last friday as friends and family had moved to there from Ayr to live and work on the Strathmore Estate...

The dovecot looked an interesting structure...

Naturally with Forfar just a few miles down the road Forfar Bridies were bought from a local butchers and consumed...very delish...

Ready For A Squeeze

A kind person got me these on a recent trip to Canada here...I always wanted to try Tri Art acrylic paints but alas only place I could find them in the UK that sold them stopped stocking them a while ago...Even tried the listed european supplier but he wouldn't send to the UK for some reason unbeknown to me...Anyway I shall look forward to squeezing the tubes soon...