Category Archives: contemporary culture

The Lake District and Swallows and Amazons

Posted on March 14, 2018 by

Among the most famous writers of children’s books is the British author, Arthur Ransome. Unlike most contemporary writers of such books, he created adventure stories based on credible real-life incidents even though his youthful characters imagined events occurring that went … Continue reading →

Posted in Arthur Ransome, Coniston Water, contemporary culture, family literature, food literature, Georgian Bay, Killarney Provincial Park, Lake District, Swallows and Amazons, travel books, Wild Cat Island | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Canada 150, Conclusion

Posted on December 22, 2017 by

Here are some final thoughts from Roaming the Big Land: Flavours of Canada: Now we (have) travelled to both the western and eastern extremes of Canada–Toe Head in Haida Gwaii and Cape Spear at the northern end of the Avalon … Continue reading →

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Canada 150, British Columbia

Posted on December 7, 2017 by

Reaching the west coast at last, here are some excerpts from the chapter entitled “Looking For Utopia”: Since the middle of the nineteenth century, British Columbia has been a magnet for groups seeking a new and better life, one that … Continue reading →

Posted in British Columbia, Canada 150, Canadian travel, contemporary culture, family literature, food literature, golf, Haida Gwaii, travel books, Utopian communities | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Canada 150, Yukon

Posted on November 24, 2017 by

Moving west across the territories, here are some excerpts from the chapter in Roaming the Big Land,” entitled, “Trekking for Gold”: Late into the flight to Whitehorse…I struggle to catch a glimpse of Lake Bennett and Lake Lindeman, headwaters of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada 150, Canadian travel, contemporary culture, Dawson City, family literature, food literature, Klondike Gold Rush, travel books, Whitehorse, Yukon | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Canada 150, Northwest Territories

Posted on November 10, 2017 by

Roaming north to the territories again, here are some excerpts from the chapter, “North of Sixty”: “So, what brings you to Yellowknife?” the CBC producer asks me on the phone…why are you coming in March. It’s still pretty cold here, … Continue reading →

Posted in biography, books, Canada 150, Canadian travel, Caribou Carnival, contemporary culture, dogsledding, family literature, food literature, Northwest Territories, RCMP, recipes, travel books, Yellowknife | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Canada 150, Alberta

Posted on October 24, 2017 by

Here are some excerpts from “Rocky Ride,” the chapter about Alberta in Roaming the Big Land: Flavours of Canada”: Alberta is like a thick, juicy steak ready to toss on the barbecue. There are two sides to it. The first side … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta, Alberta Badlands, Banff, Calgary, Calgary Stampede, Canada 150, Canadian travel, contemporary culture, Dinosaur Provincial Park, family literature, food literature, Lake Louise, Parks Canada, recipes, travel books | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Canada 150, Saskatchewan

Posted on September 26, 2017 by

Continuing the journey across the country, here are some excerpts from “Queen of the West.” It’s game five of the Stanley Cup final and the Anaheim Mighty Ducks are leading the Ottawa Senators 4-2. We’re flying into Regina and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada 150, Canadian travel, contemporary culture, family literature, First Nations, food literature, ice hockey, prairies, RCMP, recipes, Regina, Saskatchewan, travel books | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment