{quotable thursdays}

Tomorrow eve I head to Portugal for a mini-break! can't wait!
If you recall, I was in Lisbon in November for a conference and really enjoyed it (blog here). I was however, on crutches so I'm looking forward to being mobile this time.
I realise I have lots of catching up to do blog-wise...some great weekends have been had, but for some reason work has also been really crazy recently.
Anyway, I'm headed toward the south this time, so looking forward to exploring a different region and spending some time on the beach and in the sun!! Even better, I'm visiting a friend who lives there, so will get an authentic experience too.

{adventures are a must!}

{sun, sea, glamour? Yes please!}

{gorgeous!}

{happy hour on the beach!}

{& I'm off!}

xo, 

L

{quotable thursdays--for my uncle}

I grew up on the sea. Before I could walk, I was nestled into my Mum's snuggli as she sewed the mast boots as they restored the grand bank fishing schooner, Robertson II. At 6 we sailed to Australia from the west coast of Canada on Pacific Swift (detail of trip here). In my life, I have felt peace at sea. We've been in bad conditions, we've braved storms, experienced broken engines and listless days of drifting, but we always made it through. & there was always a sense of affinity with the ocean; we knew her dangers but we also felt at one with her.

This week we received the terrible news that my uncle went missing in his rowboat off of the coast of BC on a journey he had spent years planning. The news report can be found here. A huge search & rescue effort ensued with the coast guard, but to no avail, and now the search has been called off. It is all hard to grasp...hard to handle.

My uncle (along with my dad) were born and raised in what is now Pakistan and India. Their adventures with the sea began in the long-haul voyages on the P&O liners to England. Once they immigrated to Canada they fell in love with boats. They are both expert mariners and have a lifetime of experience on the water.
It is with sadness and disbelief that I write these words, thinking of my adventurous uncle who was always keen to experience the world around him with such enthusiasm. If you are in BC, keep a look out for him...we can only hope he will be found.
This week's quote is a hymn for my uncle. You can listen to the music here.

I feel the winds of God today; today my sail I lift,

Though heavy, oft with drenching spray, and torn with many a rift;

If hope but light the water’s crest, and Christ my bark will use,

I’ll seek the seas at His behest, and brave another cruise.

It is the wind of God that dries my vain regretful tears,

Until with braver thoughts shall rise the purer, brighter years;

If cast on shores of selfish ease or pleasure I should be;

Lord, let me feel Thy freshening breeze, and I’ll put back to sea.

If ever I forget Thy love and how that love was shown,

Lift high the blood red flag above; it bears Thy name alone.

Great pilot of my onward way, Thou wilt not let me drift;

I feel the winds of God today, today my sail I lift.

{Uncle Paul and his boat}

{from left to right: my dad, uncle latu, uncle Paul & my grandpa in India}

Thinking of you Uncle Paul, 

L

{quotable thursdays}

I'm on study leave and trying to spend it wisely writing and researching.
But this weekend my cousins are coming for a visit to my flat, and we will have loads of fun in London together.
so no quote today but a little poem I wrote in 2 seconds, so apologies for its lack of rhetoricity.

Tomorrow is the day

 for a clark part-ay!

when chella the fella, 

eliza the betta

tinza the rella

& marian the maida 

will all get together 

with the Siametic Simla

for 

FUN FUN FUN 

in the London sun!

Last year when they came for a visit, we had a great time enjoying London. some pictures below of their visit last year, and I promise to post some of this weekend soon!

xo, 

L

{quotable thursdays}

{library love}

{the library at Oxborough Hall--I took this pic last year when we visited}

{love books!}

for more pics of books & libraries, check out my pinterest board.

xo,
L

{Tea at Amberley Castle}

Last weekend, we celebrated the birthday & retirement of my Dad's cousin's wife-who I like to refer as simply my cousin! She is like a close aunt to me, and has always provided a home away from home here in the UK.
The highlight of the weekend was a High Tea at Amberley Castle--a 900-year old castle, renovated into a 5* hotel. Simply divine! We got our own private room, and ate lots...and then burned off all the calories roaming the beautiful gardens...
Here are some pics, including our walk before hand, and other festivities...

{me and my first cousin walking along Devil's Dyke, near Brighton}

{Amberley Castle}

{peacock at Amberley Castle}

{tea at Amberley Castle}

{Happy Retirement Liz!!}

{our private baronial room}

{Amberley's gardens}

{breathtaking views--rural England}

{masked evening celebrations at my cousins' home}

xo, 

L

{quotable thursdays}

{views from Amberley Castle last weekend}

It has been a few hectic weeks at work, and I'm finally starting to feel, at the end of this week, that I might be able to come up for air. In the midst of our busy lives, where we are always connected somehow to some device, these words ring true:

{silence & time}

xo, 

L