Berries and Bellevue Arts

An outdoor movie - inflatable movie screen

Thursday I went to an outdoor movie. I've been wanting to go to a drive in movie but actually Seattle doesn't have any left. This was the next best things, a movie in the local park. Thursday was a rainy rainy day but by the evening the rain had stopped. The 'seating' (a field) opened at 7pm but not many people were there. They had a few circus performers from the Cabiri group; a clown/juggler, and two ladies who were stilt walking and did a performance on an aerial hoop. There were also food trucks including yummy kettle corn and a little movie trivia quiz and prize draw. I sat and read for two hours interrupted by the occasional entertainment till it was actually dark enough to watch the movie. Snuggled in a couple of jumpers and wrapped in my picnic blanket I was quite comfy. This Thursday they were showing Gravity. I had seen it before and wasn't sure about a second viewing but it was actually just as captivating a second time. I can now tick 'go to an outdoor movie' off my list of things to do. 

Blueberry farm

On Saturday I had a chance to go Berry picking with some friends from work. We went to a couple of farms just  East of the Snoqualmie river. We started with some raspberries. We had a row to ourselves and slowly picked our way along in the sun. All the obvious berries had been picked but there were plenty at the top of the bushes and hidden under the bottom leaves. I only got a third of the way down the row before, with a tray full, we called it a day. I took about 5lbs worth which cost me twelve dollars. We then went off to pick blueberries. We wondered through the rows and tried some berries from here and there before we settled on our favourites. I picked 3lbs of berries - yum!

Yummy yummy blueberries

View from Evergreen Point Bridge

After I got home my landlady and I set off for the Bellevue Arts Fair. We went across the Evergreen Point Bridge and there happened to be a bridge swing (which doesn't happen very often). Everyone was getting out of their cars and enjoying the scene from the middle of lake Washington so I took some photos. The Bellevue Arts Fair has a section for selected artwork and another area where anyone can set up and sell. The chosen artwork is a mixture of ceramics, paintings, photography, glass, furniture, and jewelry. There were lots of beautiful things. Some of the most interesting were embroidered images that looked like photographs (Inlow), woven glass pieces (Lewanski), kaleidoscope-like images made from repetitive segments of Seattle photographs (LeGrave), metal engraved panels representing the different chemical elements(MacDonald), and some amazing porcelain that looked like intricate shaped antlers (McCurdy). 

All in all a nice Saturday, Sunday I'll have a bit of a rest! 

Bites, Star Trek, and Bats...

Brisket being cooked...

This weekend was the Bite of Seattle at Seattle Center. It brings together lots of restaurants (and food trucks) from around Seattle. The idea being you can try food from lots of different places. The event was started by one of the famous chefs in Seattle. There are several restaurants chosen to participate in 'The Alley' by the master chef hosting the event. For $10 dollars you can try a little portion of food from the 7 chosen restaurants. I enjoyed a menu of:

Nilman Ranch beef brisket with 

Washington blueberry corn mojo

Charred Monterey Bay squid salad with 

chorizo & green garbanzo beans

Vegetable and pork wonton with spicy sauce

Citrus poached white gulf prawn, 

Traditional Salmon Bake

Demetri's Bloody Mary Mix,

 pickled local vegetables

Fried chicken sammy with garnish

Honey barbeque pork buns

Creamside cupcake

The brisket was barbecued, it was yummy. I also really enjoyed the pork wonton. The rest of the bite was a bit of a disappointment. Although all the stalls are supposed to offer at least one item that was 'just a bite' (for less than $3.75) lots of them didn't advertise what this small portion meal was, or had long queues, or had something boring for their 'just a bite'. I guess they were trying to serve their proper portions at $6-8. The rest of bite wasn't a total loss though  I tried a funnel cake, which was very filling, and had a lovely mango-lemonade.

Funnel Cake

The crew in the transporter

After the bite I met up with friends for 'Outdoor Trek'. A small group of amateur dramatics recreated the original star trek episode of 'Mirror Mirror' where Captain Kirk, Uhura, Scotty and Dr. McCoy get transported to a parallel universe where the Federation is the Empire, and advancement through the ranks is accomplished by murdering superiors. The troop of actors did an amazing job, the props were fantastic, and the music was incredible. It was provided  by a trio of musicians on a wash board, a banjo, and an accordion. I especially enjoyed the transporters - ribbons connecting hula-hoops. The episode was performed at a curious little park between apartments. It isn't very big but has a small amphitheater. Luckily it didn't rain which was an unexpected bonus.


After Star Trek it was time to visit the bat house and wait till dusk for the little creatures to fly off for food. The owners of the house the bats picked to roost in were nice enough to let other people know they had bats and put lawn chair out for people to sit and wait. They were too quick to photograph and my camera ran out of battery but I have a picture of the house to remember!

The bats picked a pretty attic to nest in

Seriously Sunny Seattle Summers

Seattle Harbour in the Sun

You’ll note that last weekend my trip to Bainbridge Island was a little damp but the general rule of thumb is that after Independence Day the weather is sunny here in Seattle. I checked the weather forecast on Saturday and it was suggesting a week of thirty degree (Celsius) days. If you are going to visit Seattle and want to see some sun come in July or August!

The back of a giant head facing Puget Sound

After my successful adventure last weekend I decided to hop on the bus and head down to the harbour side. I actually left the house before 10am which for recent Saturdays is something of a landmark occasion. First stop was the Olympic Sculpture Park. For some reason in my head this was a lot bigger but I still enjoyed my time there. It being summer there are a number of public outreach events happening all of which I neglected to photograph. While I was there there was; a hundred or so people doing yoga in the broiling sun, a hands on workshop where you could make your own sea creatures (?) out of diamonds that fitted together, easels set up where you could sit and sketch, and numerous orange chairs one could sit on. There was also some temporary art installations such as large headphones that played different background noises included noises from a city scape. As with most modern art there was some stuff I didn’t care for and some stuff I couldn’t get enough of, unsurprisingly it was the pieces I enjoyed that I photographed.

 My favourite was a set of mirrored squares, built so they would all nest inside each other but allowed to tumbled outwards creating a kicking K with one too many kicks. The inside of the shape was shaded and created a really interest negative space, but also shone an iridescent blue that I found fascinating. The outside reflected the beautiful green vegetation around so that it almost blended into the background except that the human eye is so good at seeing edges. Obviously as you moved the image changed as the interaction of the shapes and the reflections changed. I spent a happy 20mins in the sun drawing until I wilted in the heat and had to retire into the pavilion to do a bit more work. The sketch is still being finished so I’ll upload it when I’m done.

The signs I love to hate

My second favourite piece was called ‘wake’, these amazing computer designed 3D shapes gradually rusting on the surface, are reminiscent of a ships wake and it was fun to walk around them and stand in their shade.

I also love to hate signs that tell you not to touch artwork, which this artwork had. I totally understand our hands (mine especially) are riddled with acids that love to eat through metal, wood, probably even plastic given a few millennia, but part of our understanding of 3D shapes is built by touch and I always feel slightly resentful of ‘hands off’ art. I’ve always been fascinated by the way interact with art and had an interest in art that you can help shape as oppose to art that simply attempts to shape us. My favourite piece of art work is ‘Field for the British Isles’ by Antony Gormley (and myriad others) for just this reason.

cloudscape

Silver Tree

Looking through cloudscape

There were some other fun things. I  enjoyed the cloudscape, a corridor of artificially coloured cloud images with small circle gaps. These little circles, like miniature portholes, are supposed to give you glimpses of a moving landscape as you walk through them, supposedly like being on a moving escalator. I also enjoyed this mirrored tree that actually looks like a real tree standing in its own meadow. Finally I enjoyed the birds playing on this log, rope, and metal assemblage, people hands are a not allowed but pigeons are fine!

Pigeons enjoying the artwork

After getting my fill of art work I slowly walked along the harbourside. I saw lots of people queuing  and waiting for their cruise. I saw people getting ready to go on a ferry trip to Victoria (that seems like a good idea for next year). A man with three chiwawahs dressed as Elvis(?), a Bride, and a Rock’n’Roller, he was causing a total blockage to the sidewalk but at least the dogs were in the shade! I thought seriously about having a go on the Seattle big wheel but decided that I might save that till I have a friend to go with me. I went in ‘Ye Old Curiosity shop' and saw the conjoined calves, two mummies, and flattened walrus face, amongst other curiosities and a lot of tourist souvenirs. I bought a really good sourdough round (about 7 inches diameter) which I filled with soup and ate this evening after work. I tried out another set of fish and chips (this time Salmon and chips) but I have to say that Ivar’s was definitely fresher. I fully intended to go in the Seattle Aquarium but there was a line out the door so instead I went to Pike’s place Market and visited my usual haunts. I got a macadamia bear from the chocolate factory, these are at least an entire meal of calories but they are so good, chocolate, nuts and carmel… I popped in the quilt fabric shop. I looked at the stall of the lady who does the lovely watercolours and bought myself a Seattle advent calendar. I may have bought some additional Seattle prints - I now have six for my Seattle wall when I get home. I got some flowers that are looking a bit poorly already – maybe because of the heat? I looked at the Jewellery stalls. I bought myself a two scoop beaker of ice cream with lavender & honey and Pomegranate cheesecake flavours. Most exciting of all I found a tea shop! I now have loose leaf Black currant black tea and Earl Grey tea with lavender and rose in it, both of which are very nice. They also sell PG Tips etc at ridiculous import prices. Sometimes it is fun to be tourist!

After spending the afternoon enjoying myself I headed home and then decided to do a little practical shopping at the local mall so hopped back on the bus and set off for the evening. I also  popped into the cinema and watched ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’. The first one is a favourite of mine and although I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much I did enjoy it a lot. My enjoyment was also slightly spoilt by the fact my bus was going to leave 5 mins after the film was due to end and it would be an hour till the next one. I did make the bus thankfully. On the way home I noticed the moon was almost full and massive so instead of heading straight to bed I ran down the road to try and get some pictures of the reflection off the lake.

Across Lake Washington at night

Sunday morning I played my flute in church which was fun. We played “Be though my Vision” and “He” (He can turn the tides and calm the angry see). There was an organ for the main hymn so we were just decorative touches, it was nice to play in church again but now I need to get something a bit more meaty up to scratch so I can play that.

Sunday after church I got back home and my plan of sour bread bowl filled with soup was foiled by a power-cut. I bounced back though and headed to discovery park having sussed out the quickest two bus one hour route. Discovery Park is actually only about 7 miles away but that is surprisingly far when you have no car. According to the website it is the largest of Seattle’s parks. I didn’t really know what to expect but I went anyway. I had a nice little meander and followed the signs to one of the beaches through wooded loam pathways. The beach I headed to, North Beach, is unfortunately right next to the sewerage treatment facility. Despite this it is a nice little beach and the water isn’t really dirty except for the far end of the beach. There is a little lighthouse that I contemplated drawing but didn’t (maybe another time). There is also lots of driftwood and some driftwood houses which were fun (see below). I was going to do some more walking but the draw of relaxing on the beach (having brought my picnic blanket all this way) was just too much. After an hour of sitting and reading it was time to head back to home and get ready for work tomorrow. On the way back I sussed out where the visitor centre is so I’ll have to find that another time, and visit the South Beach too. Altogether a nice relaxing busy weekend, it isn’t often I manage that dynamic so I am patting myself on the back! 

North Beach at Discovery Park, looking South West (ish)

Looking to the North

Fascinating Driftwood

At the beach

Lighthouse

A driftwood house 

...and another...

...and another!

Bainbridge Island

The waterfront in Seattle

Having been totally lazy on Independence day I decided I should do something slightly more exciting on Saturday and take a trip to Bainbridge Island. I eventually made it out of the house a bit after noon, caught two buses, and then a ferry.

On the ferry

It was cloudy and drizzling with rain. I stood at the front of the ferry whilst most other people found a seat. The ferry started up and so did the steady driving wind and rain. It wasn't actually raining that hard but it was enough to keep other people inside. I enjoyed the quiet or rather the roaring wind howling in my ears, a nice change from chattering people. I enjoyed spotting jelly fish. I enjoyed the watching the play of the light off the raindrops on the ripples on the surface of the gentle waves. Sometimes driving raindrops is just the perfect kind of weather.

Arriving at the island

The ferry docked and ready for deboarding

Downtown Bainbridge

Bainbridge Island is connected to Seattle by one bridge and the ferry which carries cars and people. It is an expensive place to live and is one of those places that really only seems to have tourist shops. There are lots of art galleries, bakeries, home decor shops, and restaurants. There was also a nice fabric store with some interesting patterns. My collection of fabric, which I've bought with no clear idea what I'm going to use it for, increased by another two pieces - but they were soooo beautiful!

Frogs on the Rock - treasure hunt

I stopped into the local bookshop and came across a painted fibreglass (?) frog. Hmmm... I thought to myself, could they possibly have a frog treasure hunt? Well yes they could - Frogs on the Rock! I didn't try to visit all of the frogs (I thought I'd save that for another time) but I did come across some...

 After spending slightly more than I should have on Seattle memorabilia I decided to try out a bit of the Waterfront Trail. This is a nice walk that starts off in Downtown Bainbridge and, where possible, winds around the edge of the island. I walked along it for about 40 minutes there and 40 mins back and saw many interesting things. Possibly my favourite was the stone sculptures (see below). There were a few humans, a T-rex, and a Triceratops (which I failed to photograph), as well as other things.

The waterfront next to the marina

Stone man pulling chain

The person who did the work

This stone man is living the high life

I had a chance to do another sketch, of a different stone man

The Waterfront Trail

I'm not sure what this was about but I liked the way it divided the view up
into segments all holding different interesting things. 

The hollyhocks were in full bloom with massive flowers

A hummingbird really liked this flower.
I think it is probably a Female Rufous Hummingbird but not entirely sure.
See video below

Though you can't see them in the photo there are
herons nesting in these trees

People in line for the ferry

Eventually it was time to head home. I was glad I was on foot when I walked past the queue for the cars going on the ferry. The journey back faces towards Seattle making ideal photo opportunities. The weather had cleared up somewhat so my return journey on the ferry was a lot less chatter-free. I'll have to try and take more ferry rides in the rain!

The view from the front of the ferry at the start of the return trip. So many shades of blue and grey!

Mt. Rainier

The Seattle Skyline as featured on most postcards. 

One of the things I miss about home is fish and chips. Every time I mention this to a Seattleite they say 'what about Ivars?'. Ivars is the white building in the photo. I have been to Ivars before but as a Birthday treat. I wasn't in the mood for American 'Fish and Chips' but today I thought I would give it a go...

Repeat after me "A chip is not a fry with it's skin on". The fish was really nice, fresh and yummy but it was breaded not battered and therefore does not count as fish in the sense of 'fish and chips'. They did have vinegar (sorry northerners, no gravy offered).  The chips were fries. A chip is at least 1cm (3/8") wide, anything smaller is a fry. My eating pleasure was also slightly ruined by picking a table by the railing, where people were feeding the seagulls. FEEDING SEAGULLS!

American Fish and Chips

Evidence that some
Americans are stupid.

This weekend I have come across two behavioural faux pas that have lead me to conclude that some Americans are actually stupid. Number 1: you do not let your children handle fireworks, you definitely don't let them pick up supposedly used fireworks. Number 2: Under no circumstances do you ever, EVER, feed the seagulls! You may laugh, but I have suffered from multiple sequential seagull ice cream raids in Cornwall. Swooping down and plucking the things from my hand inches away from my face. Please, people, for the love of fish and chips and ice creams everywhere. DO NOT FEED THE SEAGULLS! 

Despite that slight downer I had a really good afternoon and did enjoy my 'Fish Fingers and Fries'.