Westminster Doors

There is something so enticing, so charming about a mews.

While in London recently, and enroute to the Victoria & Albert Museum, we stumbled upon this beauty.

What an amazing collection of inviting doorways!

All on one small street! Okay … not a street. A Mews.

The spring flowers helped, too!

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Tower Doors

We tried to be early enough in the day to beat the crowds. And we almost managed it.

Today we made our way around the Tower of London. And for you … some doors pics!!

From the chapel.

A glance out the window….

And a peak into a very old loo …

And, of course, a greeting from one of the ravens:

Thanks for dropping by!!

Linked with Norm’s Thursday Doors

Cold, Cold Saint John Doors

When most folks in my corner of the world consider a winter get away they usually picture someplace warm, perhaps a tropical drink in hand and toes in the sand. Or … hardier travellers might head for the ski hills. I tend toward city visits.

But in this particular trip, I’d have to say, I didn’t time it very well.

I haven’t been to Saint John, New Brunswick for years, so I was looking forward to a little exploring.

A VERY little exploring, it turned out.

The combination of bitter cold temperatures and brisk windchills (ie -30C) with ice covered sidewalks conspired against me.

I managed a quick jaunt along Germaine Street and wasn’t disappointed with the architecture.

Luckily, the city makes a visit a little easier in winter with pedways and tunnels connecting some of the must see spots…

… Such as the very charming City Market.

That said, I feel a return visit during one of the warmer months is warranted – for sure.

For now, I’m in full agreement with Norm Frampton – enough with winter!

Agricola Street Doors

I took a walk north along Agricola Street this afternoon. And yes! I spotted a few gorgeous doors.

Some absolute glowed in the slanting November afternoon sun.

And here’s a snazzy door knocker:

And sunny streets cape.

Linked with Norm’s Thursday Doors.

Brooklyn Heights Doors

Last week we were in Manhattan and decided to take a little walk.

We made our way from the east side of 40th Street south to the Brooklyn Bridge.

Soooooo, of course we had to walk across to Brooklyn.

After checking out the Promenade, we wandered through the streets of Brooklyn Heights.

Those stately brownstones have some pretty serious door-bragging-rights!

I couldn’t resist stopping to grab a few shots on my phone… to share with you.

After stopping for a delicious pizza & salad, we made our way to Dumbo for a quick explore before heading back across the Bridge and to our hotel.

It was a long, hot walk. Something like 23 kilometres in New York’s August heat.

And still, it was an exhilarating adventure! One of those bucket list kind of days.

Linked to Norm’s Thursday Doors

One Door Closes ….

Well, that’s a wrap, folks! Last week, we packed up and moved out of our family’s home – the place where the kiddies grew (mostly), and from where they were launched.

Well. Actually. The packing-up part took months and was a horribly, gruelling process – one best avoided. But never mind. It’s over now.

But last week, we closed the door(s) on this property and on particular period of our lives. We built this place ourselves fifteen years ago. It was a great experience for all of us, in a gorgeous location and we loved it.

The place is now in the hands of a delighted new owner, who has expansion plans of her own.

As for us, life is full of adventures and it’s time for a new one. So, with one last glance at that view, we turn our attention to the next project.

Construction begins next week.

I think.

I’ll keep you posted….

Linked with Norm’s Thursday Doors

Snowy Fredericton Doors

Fredericton has some very pretty houses. Their entrances are made all the more inviting with a bit of fresh snow.

We enjoyed a walk around while waiting for Son #1 to finish classes so we could takes him home for “Spring Break”. Apparently, Mother Nature didn’t get the memo.

That was okay with us, though. It was a gentle snow with no wind … and not too cold temperatures.

The plants know. These buds (lilac, maybe?) are ready for warmer weather.

I predict the snow will melt away fairly quickly and things will green up quickly.

That said, I’m happy to have my young fella home – where there is no snow, and the crocuses are thinking about blooming. Which is freakishly early in the season for here. Worryingly so. But that’s another thought for another day.

Linked with Norm’s Thursday Doors

Beacon Hill Doors

Recently, we found ourselves in Boston, on a layover; a few delicious hours to reunite with one of my favourite cities.

Not surprisingly, we gravitated toward Beacon Hill, where the low November sun added to the ambience – even though this shot was taken at 11:00 in the morning.

The pre-Thanksgiving (American) door decorations were bang on point. Natural, understated and elegant.

There were big doors… (love the reflections)9

… small doors …

… and the door of a famous author!

Did I mention it was chilly? As in, and downright cold? These little birdies had the right idea … soaking up the tiniest bit of heat from the sunny door step.

We took our cue from them, and popped into a warm and bustling corner coffee shop.

If you find yourself in this neighbourhood, drop in. The rest of the menu looked just as amazing as the pastries and coffee.

Linked to Norm’s Thursday Doors.

Charlottetown Doors

In early September, after depositing Number One son off at university in New Brunswick, we treated ourselves to a quick trip to Prince Edward Island. You know, as we were driving by anyway.

We could just manage an overnight visit and a brisk walk around Downtown Charlottetown in the morning before we were forced to head home.

But boy-o-boy, that town boasts some pretty doors …. even on cool, windy, grey morning.

Linked to Norm’s Thursday Doors.

Shelburne Doors

Sometimes you don’t have to travel very far to be blown away by your own history. We took a little drive. About 2 hours south. To the town of Shelburne, Nova Scotia.

Here, we wandered along Historic Dock Street.

Shelburne has an interesting history. During the American Revolution pro-British refugees (Loyalists) gathered in New York. The wealthier classes went to England while others sought refuge here, in Nova Scotia.

In 1783, four hundred such families associated to form the Town of Shelburne (named after the British Prime Minister). Within a year the population of the town mushroomed to 10,000.

The fledging town was not prepared and could not support so large a settlement. Most of the refugees moved on to other parts of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, or on to England. Some returned to the United States.

But of those who stayed, many focused their entrepreneurial spirit into this Nova Scotia town, infusing it with a distinctly New England flavour.

This door takes you into what maybe the last remaining commercial barrel factory in Canada. Traditionally, barrels were used to store and transport fish, food and other items and the staves and hoops were from this factory were exported in huge quantities. Today, are used to store salt bait for the lobster industry.

Across the street is The Coopers Inn. The house was originally built for George Gracie, a blind Loyalist who started the first whaling company in Shelburne.

Next door is a lovely example of a Greek Revival building. I love the storm doors.

The next building was, during the 1780’s, the home and tavern of Patrick McDonough – who was also the customs officer.

On the water side of the street, is a dory shop where the wooden boats are still built to order. It’s part of the Shelburne Historical Society complex.

A glance up Charlotte Lane.

This impressive structure (with a relatively modest door) was the store and warehouse of George A. Cox, an (obviously) prominent merchant. He constructed his own vessels and carried on an extensive world trade.

A former store front on Ann Street.

This former mill is under restoration. That’s good news as it looks like most of the foundation is missing!

The mill is part of the Muir-Cox shipyard which was in almost continuous operation from the 1800’s to 1984. The property launched everything from square riggers and schooners to motorized rum runners, minesweepers and luxury yachts.

The shipyards of Shelburne produced whale boats, life boats, row boats and canoes which were exported to Newfoundland, Bermuda, Ontario, Quebec, the Arctic and the United States. In 1928-29 one boat shop shipped 29 rail cars of boats to Northern Ontario and Quebec in what is believed to be the largest shipment of boats in Canada. Seriously? I had no idea! This waterfront must have been booming.

It was a short visit. But we’ll be back again to visit pretty little Shelburne (pop. 1743) and her intriguing Doors. It seems that she has more stories to tell.