Our last supper at Kathleen and Phillips ended with desert. I was too full to make an 'after' picture. Good tasting or what!
Saturday, we drove to Los Angeles and expect to visit the Getty Gallery and Huntington Gardens today, but since we arrived earlier than the Smart car, [they had to deliver Maveric to friends], we sussed out the place and walked the ocean pier at Venice Beach, just down the street from our hotel, past about three blocks of restaurants, cafes, etc. On our walk back we saw the Smart car, rejoined them in the room for a bit, then returned beach-ward.
On the way, we discovered a path along one of the canals that give this place its name. Glad we did, since our walk then developed into all these pictures.
There were signs of recent rain, like all boats along the canal were filled. These canals are very shallow, as far as I can say, but the few pelicans did dive in...
This white egret was fishing from the boat, so to speak...
Most of the houses in the first block were older, well kept for the most part, but as we rounded the block, this stunning house welded our eyes on it.
Notice that the lowest floor, has no exterior wall, and consists of a full outdoor cooking, eating, lounging area, complete with separate BBQ and fireplace.
By the way, that white fence is made of frosted glass, no Home Depot specials here.
More text to follow: my people are leaving and I must go to lead them.
I'll get back to this later, so please visit again...
OK, I'm back. These canals were created to give the impression of the real Venice. They are basically set up on a grid system and houses have sprung up over the years. The older ones have now been replaced with newer ones and all in all, the whole experience seems very positive. There are walking paths on either side of the canals, and little bridges here and there so you're never caught at a dead end. The 'corner' lots seem to be biggest and seem to have the newest houses. The former occupants must just have 'cashed in'.
Most houses did not look lived in, but none were abandoned, so it's possible that these places are second homes, cottages, or what have you. Some were definitely always lived in, but we though most were not.
This next one did not seem to be occupied at the moment, but shame on the owners; they will miss these wonderful Cymbidium Orchids about to bloom. [Eat your heart out Albert, there is more to come!]
Here's another humble single home on a corner lot. Neighbours' houses aren't bad either.
Some architecture is very special in the details; this is a private staircase with a little tiled waterfall on the left. Too bad you can't hear the water... It really is there, honest.
Some house styles are reminders of elsewhere, or possibly a different time. This was a charmer and seemed to have a little old lady and her dog as permanent occupants. Notice the whimsical leaded glass in all the windows in the next two pictures.
These next two pictures of a house [and its neighbour] somewhat over-run, or maybe just designed to be over-run by ivy.
Note that the spaces between the rails have been trimmed... And the house to the left probably just planted the clippings. There's at least ten feet between the two properties, so there's no chance that the plant just migrated to the neighbours house, is there?
Here's another great corner lot development, probably a single home.
And another...
Other houses were just personal expressions, such as this one. You can't quite see it, but the blender is orange, to go with the pink kitchen furniture. Kind of matches the exterior don't you think.
Here's another orchid in full bloom in the shadows...
Some residents had a sense of humour... [double click picture to enlarge]
And just for Albert, another Cymbidium doing its thing... through a fence no less!
What a fun place to chance upon!
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