Laneway Ruler

 

This fierce looking guy was spotted in a laneway and I think no one will dare to tag over him.

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world. 

Clock

 

I loved the style of this clock found over the entrance to a store in old Quebec City. 

Disrupted

 

I have been seeing flocks of birds gathering and heading south while the House Sparrows have been gathering and grazing on all the seeds from weeds and grasses. Sometimes there can be more than a dozen of them in one patch. These two were is such a group that I disturbed by accident and they flew up to the top of a fence and gave me the evil eye.

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world. 

Beads

 

"Remembering Through Beads" by First Nation artist Ludovic Boney references the wampum beads that First Nation peoples used for trading and recording history & events. This piece was located at a high park overlooking the St Lawrence River.

A Car In The Doorway

 

I never did figure out the story behind this Fiat parked in what looks to be the entrance to a cafe or gallery. I only saw the doorway opened once so never got the story. It makes for a great shot though.

Contrasting Hotel

 

As a complete contrast to yesterday's large hotel, the vast majority of hotels in old Quebec City are small like this one which looks like it is in what had been an old house. Cute isn't it?

Taking part in Signs2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world. 

A Grand Hotel

 

This is the Chateau Frontenac hotel, one of the grand railway hotels built by the Canadian Pacific Railways in the late 1800s. It was built in 1893 and sits at the edge of the upper old Quebec City and looks down across this wide boardwalk to the St Lawrence River. There are over 600 rooms in the hotel which is a designated historic site.

Open Walls

 

Another mural found in the lower town in old Quebec City, this one shows what we might have seen going on behind the walls of the building in the past. Unfortunately that gate was always closed and locked so we see only the upper floors with many different activities. 

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world. 

A Chapel

 

This small church is the chapel of the convent of the Ursuline nuns. It was quite pretty inside and out. They also had a museum showing the history of the nuns in old Quebec City.

A Boy With Bears

This boy with his teddy bears was spotted in the front garden of a home that had been converted from a monastery to a house. The artist is Willie Verginer.  I hope the bears can count as creatures for Saturday's Critters.

To see more creatures from around the world click HERE.
 

Evening Meal

 

There are a lot of restaurants in old Quebec City but also a lot of tourists so reservations are usually needed. In the evening all the lights come on and the streetscape is wonderful. I particularly liked the look of this one.

An Old World Street

 

This is a typical side street in old Quebec City with its cobblestone road and buildings with apartments and sometimes a cafe on the ground floor. Some of these places are even small hotels.

An Irish Pub

 

There seem to be a lot of Irish pubs in Old Quebec City which I guess isn't surprising when one thinks of all the Irish people who landed there in the 1800s and have assimilated into the French culture. I did try out this Pub St-Patrick. Once again Blogger  has really darkened this pic. 

Taking part in Signs2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Walking The Hills

 

It feels like all of the streets in Old Quebec City are uphill but there are a few that are not really steep.This is a fairly steep one which I climbed several times a day. That is a nice little cafe for a bit of lunch and a glass of wine.

A View From Below The Cliff

 

The Old Quebec City has 2 sections, the lower part which is at the bottom of the cliff that completes the parts not surrounded by the wall, and the main part which is the upper city. This mural was painted on the side of a building in the lower town and shows a typical street scene looking up the hill towards the top. Those are really steep streets to climb. The whole of old Quebec City is an UNESCO heritage site.

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world. 

Notre Dame Cathedral Quebec City.

 Notre dame Cathedral in Quebec City is the oldest church in Canada. There was a mass being said when I entered so I was unable to get close to the altar. The exterior of the building is undergoing a major restoration so was surrounded by scaffolding and building materials. It was quite a majestic place inside.

Frogs

 

I spotted these wonderful frogs in a fountain in Quebec City. I loved them.

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world. 

A Walled City

 

Quebec City can be divided into two parts by these thick walls that separate the old 17th century town from the more modern areas. It is the only walled city in North America north of Mexico. I spent my whole time in the old charming city walking up and down the very hilly streets.

Quebec City

 

I have just returned from a trip to Quebec City and this is the train station there, the Gare Du Palais which was built in 1915. The train ride from Toronto was great fun and much easier than driving or flying. I will be showing some pics from the trip for the next several days.

Chips

 

Old Dutch potato chips have been found in Canada since the 1950s. They are a bit hard to find but worth the search.

Taking part in Signs2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the word. 

Outside of Cloister

I thought that I would show you the outside of the cloister that I showed you on Sunday. I love all the detail work and carvings on the wooden supports. There are so many lovely wood carvings at University College.

 

Flowers

 

I really like the simplicity and graphic design of this mural. Too bad there is no artist name with it.

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world. 

A Cloister

 

While wandering around University College I headed out into one of the quadrangles which was full of new students so I quickly went along this cloister and away from the crowds. I love the details. 

A Dragon

 

This wonderfully carved dragon was spotted in the University College building which I showed you yesterday. It is probably the best of all the beautiful carvings found throughout the building. Once again I have no live creature for Saturday's Critters.

Click HERE to see more creatures found around the world. 

 

University College

 

This is the main entrance to University College (UC) which is the oldest college at U of Toronto (U of T) and probably the most lovely. There has been scaffolding up around the entrance when I have passed by for the last long time while some restoration work was done. It was nice to see it back to normal.

Pedestrian

 

This sculpture by Sorel Etrog was spotted on University Ave. Titled "Pieton" which is French for pedestrian, it was created in 1974.

A School For Boys

 

Royal St George's College is a private school for boys located in the Annex neighbourhood. The buildings fit in perfectly with the architecture of the surrounding houses. Nice details have been maintained.

Taking part in Signs2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world. 

Innovation

 

I hadn't been down to the Queen's Park area in a while and was surprised to see this building which has replaced some very old small buildings at U of Toronto (U of T). It is the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus and is part of U of T. I love the look of it.

Blogger has really darkened this shot. Sorry. 

Under A Brollie

 

I spotted this rather dark mural on a garage and thought it was wonderful. It looked like it should be an illustration in a book. The artist is boowhitewalls I guess.

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world. 

Red Door

 

I love this red door that was spotted in the Annex neighborhood. If you look carefully, just above the door handle is a small little black door outline which I think covers a hole for an old lock. Cool.

"Elephant In The Room"

 

This 9.5 ft tall elephant has stood in this tiny front garden on Yarmouth Rd since 2003. Originally created by Matt Donovan as a school project it has delighted passersby constantly. I often make a point of going by to see it.

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world. 

More Laneway Houses

 

I showed you a pair of laneway houses a week ago that were a bit boring. These two look a bit more interesting but a brighter door would help the one on the left don't you think? There are so many of these being built here.

One Of Many

 

There are quite a few houses in the Annex neighbourhood that have turrets,  all different from each other. I would love to see the room inside one of them some day.

Eleven

 

This is a recently opened bicycle shop which seems to be called 11 with the number appearing on a gear with 11 teeth. I'm not sure if there is significance to the number but I do like their sign. And the window gives a great reflection.

Taking part in Signs2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world. 

A Pub

 

Walking through a pub to get out to their patio I thought how nice it would be to have a meal in there on a cold winter day. They even had a wood-fired pizza oven which is visible a bit at the back.

September Theme: Vanishing Point

 

The September theme for the City Daily Photo Blog community is Vanishing Point and for this I offer this view down a long laneway. I explore these laneways a lot and one never knows what lies ahead as you head off and now with all the houses being built along the lanes it is even more interesting.

Taking part in the theme. Click HERE to see more vanishing points from around the world. 

Pretty In Pink

 

This gorgeous mural was spotted on a garage that had at one point displayed a mural with birds. This one is by Kristie Holden. I like it a lot.

Taking part in Monday Murals even though I am posting it today. Click HERE later today to see more murals from around the world.

Friends

 

These two friends were spotted along the top of a fence as I wandered down a laneway. They are nicely painted. I had no real creatures for today so this is my shot for Saturday's Critters.

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world. 

Along A Laneway

 

There have  been more and more laneways houses popping up here replacing garages. Some of them are quite attractive but these two could use a little something to spruce them up as they look a bit dull don't you think? It is a good way to increase the population density in the city and to help to curb urban spread.

Paper Doll Dress?

 

This ceramic dress was spotted in a gallery. I always loved playing with paper dolls when I was a kid. That is another one of those things that are not done anymore.

Hungry?

 

Tim Hortons is Canada most popular coffee place and was known for its donuts but the menu has greatly expanded and you can now get a huge assortment of fast foods. I don't drink coffee but have tried one of these breakfast sandwiches and it was great.

Taking part in Signs2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Another Conversion

 

This scene is from the neighbourhood where yesterday's mural was found. The house on the right was probably one of the corner stores that used to be found sprinkled through residential areas. They were great community centres but are rarely found now. They have done a nice job with this conversion.

In The Neighbourhood

 

This mural was found along a laneway just south of Dupont St and the scene resembles the neighbourhood which has a rail line running just north of Dupont along with a hydro corridor. Even the houses resemble those in the 'hood. I like the colours too. The artist for this one is Erin McCluskey.

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world. 

An Oldie

 

I was walking along on a beautiful day when I spotted this beauty parked in a driveway. It is a 1954 Pontiac and was in mint condition.

Water

 

I have a large container for a bird bath on the roof deck. The bigger birds like the Robins love it but the smaller Sparrows love this small metal saucer-like container. I have been filling it a couple of times during the day while we have been having hot weather. Sometimes there have been as many as 5 of them around the edge at a time. In this catch just 2 with one perched on the wing of one of the metal decorative birds. At the right you can see another bird on the edge of a planter waiting for a chance to get in. 

Taking part  in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world. 

Fly Away

 

I recently saw this large painting by Canadian artist Andrew King. I love his work and this one is quite large - about 7 ft by 3 ft - so there is lots to admire. I have forgotten the title.

Hello!

 

I was walking along a street when I noticed this mask attached to a telephone pole. It was a nice addition. The house behind it had a few odd things scattered in its front garden so I wonder if they added the mask.

Pollinate TO

 

Pollinate TO (aka Toronto) refers to community led projects that are helping the pollinators by installing gardens around the city on boulevards and other underused spaces. They receive small grants from the city to help with getting the plants etc. The one in this pic is located in a small patch of land at the entrance to a parking lot.

Taking part in Signs2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world. 

Rose Of Sharon

 

Rose of Sharon bushes are flowering all over the city. There are several colours but I think that the white ones are my favourite.

Colours

 

I'm not sure what the theme of this mural is but the colours all seem to be so relaxing. There was no artist info for this one.

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.