SHORE LUNCH ~ Fish and Chips in the Victoria Harbour...

Wild Pacific Salmon

A blog reader asked about the restaurant where Alisdair and I enjoyed eating fish and chips while we were in Victoria.  It was called Joe's Seafood Bar and was located at 1208 Wharf Street (Harbour Level).  The menu and other details can be found on their website.

Actually, we hadn't thought about being on the coast or that fish and chips would be a local dish, however, John sent us a text asking if we were planning to have some.  That got us thinking it was a "must-do."  Glad we had a taste of some delicious fish for lunch on the Friday afternoon.  Too bad it is so far away, as I'd go back again in a heart beat!

Alisdair and I were both pleased with our meals and remarked that there weren't any bones at all in our fish fillets.  The little wooden knives, forks and spoons were kind of fun, too!  And the coleslaw was to die for -- complete with sunflower seeds on top!  Yum... 

Cod

DID YOU KNOW? ~ Facts from "A String of Beads" By: Margarette S. Reid

Would it surprise you to learn that the word "bead" comes from the Anglo-Saxon word "bede" (which means "prayer"), or that each shape and type of bead has a name and a history?

At the back of this picture book, (which is both a story about a girl and her grandmother as well as an  informational volume), are three pages jammed packed with interesting information about "BEADS." These include:

* Beads probably were first made at about the same time in different places around the world.  The oldest ones discovered so far were found in France.  They were made from animal teeth and bones about forty thousand years ago.

* Beads from kangaroo bones have been discovered in Australia.

* In caves in Korea, people have found very old beads made from deer toe bones.

* Disk-shaped beads made from fossil dinosaur and ostrich eggshells were found in the Gobi dessert in Asia.

* Bones from fish and snakes have natural holes that make them easy to string.  Many early peoples used them as beads.

* We know beads were important to people who lived long ago because we find beads in their graves.  In South America, strings of tiny lizard-egg beads were found along with gold jewelry in clay pots.

* A wall painting in an Egyptian tomb shows craftsmen making, drilling, and stringing beads.  Everyone, including pets, wore beads in Egypt.  They thought beads brought them luck.  Sha means "luck" in Egyptian, and shasha is the Egyptian word for bead.

* As early people moved around to find food, they carried beads with them.  Wherever they went, they picked up new ideas about how to make and use beads.

* For thousands of years, up to the present day, people in many countries used a calculator made of beads to keep track of what they bought and sold.  It is called an abacus.  Abacus beads are usually made of wood.

* The English word bead comes from the Anglo-Saxon bede, meaning "prayer." Prayer beads are used by Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Christians. Although the beads are different, their purpose is the same: to guide worshipers through daily prayers.

* Around the time of Columbus, in the city of Venice, Italy, craftsmen made wonderful glass beads. To keep their methods secret, all Venetian bead makers had to live and work on one island. Although the craftsmen were threatened with death if they tried to leave that island, the secret was impossible to keep. Other centers sprang up to supply the growing demand for beads.

* Animals such as elephants and walruses that once provided ivory from their tusks are now protected. The tagua nut is an ivory look-alike that can be used for beads. It grows in the rain forests of Ecuador in South America.

* Ever since the first pearl was found inside an oyster, people have prized pearl beads.  But until two hundred years ago, people didn't know how they were formed.  Some people thought that oysters swallowed raindrops.  Now we know that when a grain of sand gets inside an oyster's shell, the oyster coats it with layers of smooth, lustrous material called nacre.  Behold -- a pearl!

* Myth and mystery have grown up around certain beads.  In Qom, Iran, people hang large, turquoise-colored beads around their donkeys' necks to protect them.  Eye beads and face beads are believed to have the power to protect their wearers from evil.  Those who wear Bodom beads -- beads that are usually yellow with black or dark-gray inner cores -- expect the beads to bark to warn them of danger!

* Native American women who were skilled at embroidering clothing with porcupine quills eagerly traded furs for bright-colored seed beads.  The explorers Lewis and Clark wrote in their journals that they must be careful to keep enough beads in reserve to trade for food supplies on their return trip.

* Japanese artists carve delicate bead sculptures of fruit, flowers, butterflies, and even dragons from a smooth, hard stone called jade -- and also from peach stones!

* Today in Africa, as in the past, village craftsmen specialize in making beads from the materials they find around them.  The Dogan of Mali make granite beads.  In Mauritania, glass is recyled by crushing bottles to make beads that have a soft, grainy look.  The Turkana people make aluminum beads, sometimes by melting down cooking pots and pans.  In Kenya, it is the custom for a woman who is waiting for her baby to be born to wear an amulet made from large, shiny brown beans.  In Malawi, bright red and black beans make beautiful beads.  They look delicious, but they are poisonous, so don't eat them!

* You can make beads from ordinary things around you -- seeds, shells, acorn caps, paper straws, pasta, even buttons -- just about anything you can string.

* All over the world, for as long as we can remember, people have loved beads and treasured them.

***

In the biographical facts, on the dust jacket, about author, Margarette S. Reid, we are told she has been "fascinated with beads from childhood (when she wore them playing dress-up).  Reid still treasures 'old' family necklaces, such as carved sandlewood beads brought from India by her missionary aunt or crystal beads that looked sparkly as diamonds to her.  As a Camp Fire Girl, Margarette worked hard to earn wooden honour beads. When she wrote a letter to Child Life about one project worth eleven beads, and the magazine published it, she knew she wanted to become a writer.  She also became a secondary and elementary-school teacher, and a mother and grandmother.  She lives in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and is also the author of The Button Box.

DID YOU KNOW? ~ JOHN LENNON's "Yellow Submarine" Rolls-Royce

After the "Lose the Training Wheels" camp concluded, we spent a few hours sightseeing in Victoria.  We went to the Royal BC Museum and were surprised to find John Lennon's Yellow Submarine "Rolls-Royce Phantom V" near the ticket kiosk in the lobby.  Of course we had to take a photograph!

We also took a partial picture of the sign that accompanied the exhibit.  The text may be too small for some to read.  In one place it tells about an irate woman who got mad at Lennon about the paint job on his car.  She called him a "swine" for "doing this to a Rolls-Royce!"

Not surprisingly, Lennon had a double bed installed in the back section of the vehicle.  The car had been in a "Ripley's Believe it or Not" museum and then was given to the Royal BC Museum in Victoria by the famous automobile magnate, Jim Pattison.

For car enthusiasts, a wealth of information can be found at this site.  Additional detailed photos of this interesting vehicle and of Victoria's beautiful scenery are here.

***

Yellow Submarine

John Lennon/Paul McCartney
© 1966

In the town where I was born
Lived a man who sailed to sea
And he told us of his life
In the land of submarines

So we sailed up to the sun
Till we found the sea of green
And we lived beneath the waves
In our yellow submarine

We all live in our yellow submarine,
Yellow submarine, yellow submarine
We all live in our yellow submarine,
Yellow submarine, yellow submarine

And our friends are all on board
Many more of them live next door
And the band begins to play

We all live in our yellow submarine,
Yellow submarine, yellow submarine
We all live in our yellow submarine,
Yellow submarine, yellow submarine

As we live a life of ease
Everyone of us has all we need
Sky of blue and sea of green
In our yellow submarine.

We all live in our yellow submarine,
Yellow submarine, yellow submarine
We all live in our yellow submarine,
Yellow submarine, yellow submarine

We all live in our yellow submarine,
Yellow submarine, yellow submarine
We all live in our yellow submarine,
Yellow submarine, yellow submarine

DID YOU KNOW? ~ Facts about "The Race Across America"

What is the ... Race Across America (RAAM)?

Until Alisdair and I read "Geronimo Stilton:  The Race Across America," we were unaware this grueling race even existed!  On Page 14 of the novel, this event is described as follows:

"The Race Across America is the longest and most strenuous bicycle race in the world.  It's an ultra-marathon race that's more than 3,000 miles long.  Cyclists pedal for nine to twelve consecutive days, some resting only one to three hours every day.  The race starts on the West Coast, near San Diego, California, and ends on the East Coast.  The exact finish line changes from year to year, but was most recently in Annapolis, Maryland."

"The race requires an incredible amount of physical energy, but mental concentration is also absolutely essential.  In fact, some people believe that mental concentration is the most important factor in the race."

"Cyclists climb more than 100,000 feet along the racecourse.  Participants must pedal across the California and Arizona deserts, enduring brutal temperatures that can reach as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit.  Then racers must face the Rocky Mountains, the plains of Kansas, and the Appalachian Mountains on their way to the East Coast.  It's easy to see why the Race Across America is considered one of the most difficult racing challenges in the world."  

In just a few days, the 2011 version of the "Race Across America" will play out along the highways designated as the official route.  Very detailed information for each leg, of the race, can be found at 2011 Race Across America .  This website also provides information on the racers who will be competing, the sponsors, interesting historical information and a listing of the records held by riders who have completed the Race Across America.

There are three different "starts" to the race!  The Solo Women start 12:00pm (PDT) Tuesday June 14, 2011;  The Solo Men start 12:00pm (PDT) Wednesday June 15, 2011; and the Teams start 2:00pm (PDT) Saturday June 18, 2011.

Now that we know about this race, it will be interesting to follow the event (via the website), and to keep track of the amazing athletes who are part of this difficult challenge.

After all, even Geronimo Stilton found the course difficult to complete! I have nothing but respect, and best wishes, for the racers planning to race next month.  Good luck to all!

FAMILY LIFE ~ A Pause for Station Identification!

You may have noticed new posts have been few and far between lately.  We've been busy and have lots to share but it will have to wait until another day...

We've been planting potatoes, enjoying the Newcap News TV and radio tour with the Lloydminster Homeschool Association, taking swimming lessons, and now we're heading off on another adventure!  We're going to take a "journey back in time" and visit what's left of the RMS Titanic at Telus World of Science in Calgary.  We're also going to visit family and get to see little baby Jack (my Great Nephew) for the first time!  It's going to be a three generation excursion as Granny and Grandpa don't want to miss out on the fun, either!

... and so, later in the coming week, we'll have lots of exciting posts to share with our readers.  Enjoy your Victoria Day long weekend (even if it isn't on the 24th of May this year!) ... and stay safe!

DID YOU KNOW? ~ The Most Challenging Races in the World

Until Alisdair and I read "Geronimo Stilton - The Race Across America," I didn't know about the four "Most Challenging Races in the World."  I can't say I'm planning to enter any of them, as a participant, but they would be interesting to watch as they are run each year!  On Page 15, of the novel, readers are told the following information about the four races:

"1.  THE RACE ACROSS AMERICA is a 3,000 mile bicycle race across the United States.

2. THE VENDEE GLOBE began in 1989.  In this famous race, sailboats sail around the world without stopping.  The race begins and ends in France.

3. THE IDITAROD TRAIL SLED DOG RACE is an annual sled dog race in which mushers with teams of ten to sixteen dogs cross Alaska from east to west, covering 1,161 miles in eight to fifteen days.

4. THE IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP is the world's oldest, longest, and most prestigious triathlon.  The first Ironman competition was held in Waikiki, Hawaii, on February 18, 1978.  Competitors must swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and run 26.2 miles."

***

RECORDS FOR THE RACE ACROSS AMERICA

"Riders can participate in the Race Across America as individuals or as part of a group.  An individual cyclist can travel about 430 miles a day in approximately 22 hours.  In the race's 26-year history, fewer than 200 solo cyclists have finished the race.

* In 1986, Pete Penseyres set a world record for biking 3,107 miles in 8 days, 9 hours, and 47 minutes.

* A cyclist burns an average of 300 calories an hour (a total of 7,000 calories a day) during the race!"

DID YOU KNOW? ~ A Brief "History of the Bicycle"

Who would have thought you could learn historical information from a "Geronimo Stilton" novel about mice?  On Saturday afternoon, I read "The Race Across America" aloud to Alisdair and was surprised to find Page 13 devoted to the "The History of the Bicycle."

Velocipede

The book tells readers "the first bicycle was invented in 1861 by the French mechanic Ernest Michaux.  It was called the velocipede.  The velocipede had pedals mounted on a large front wheel.  This helped riders travel very fast with very little effort."

It goes on to explain "the modern bicycle was born in 1880 with the invention of the chain, which transfers power from the bicycle's pedals to its wheels.  A few years later, rubber tires were added.  Tires made riding a bike a lot more comfortable.  Before they were invented, cyclists rode on wheels made of wood or iron."

"Today racing bicycles have narrow tires, curved handlebars, and most important, a gear mechanism that makes it easier to pedal up even the steepest hills.  These bikes are made from ultralight materials, like carbon fiber or titanium.  Every piece of the bicycle is designed to be as light as possible to help improve the rider's speed."



I've seen velocipede's ridden in parades, but I sure wouldn't want to try it myself . . .  teaching someone to ride would be a nightmare!  Give me a modern bike and some training wheels any day!