Linda Barnard
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BC Travel

Meghan and Harry and their peaceful life on beautiful Vancouver Island

Attractions

Tea with a Canadian twist

BC Travel

British Columbia road trips: a year of travelling gratefully

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Baby Otter Cam star helping keep Vancouver Aquarium afloat

Film

Movies to make you hungry

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British Columbia in a bottle

BC Travel

Salt Spring Island: home of an amazing Montreal-style deli

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How cool is that? There is a Pencil Sharpener Museum

BC Travel

B.C. road trips: Vancouver Island

Attractions

Follow in Harry Potter’s tracks to explore the magic of England and Scotland

5 places to look for Harry Potter in Edinburgh
Attractions

5 places to look for Harry Potter in Edinburgh

  • By: Linda Barnard
  • December 15, 2017
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Hi, I’m Linda.

Four years ago, I walked out of the Toronto Star entertainment department and into a new life as a freelance travel, food and movie writer.

With my partner, Hans, and our chunky tabby, Lance, I moved across the country to Victoria, British Columbia.

Life changes liberated me to write about the people, places and experiences I’m passionate about. I know there’s joy on the road, on the plate and in a wine glass.

Characters and trailblazers, makers and creatives all have stories to tell. Meeting them creates travel memories. Remind me to tell you about the spice merchant Old Delhi’s chaotic Chandni Chowk who became a Canadian grocery store star, the celebrity goats that dine on the roof at a Vancouver Island café, or my first deep-sea fishing expedition in the company of four determined women, where I lost my breakfast but caught my lunch.

Beautiful British Columbia is my backyard. I’m excited to share the best of my home province with you.

I’m an energetic, curious sort who believes there’s no expiry date on reinvention. I’m active on social media, but also a big believer in putting the phone down to truly see the world. You can find my stories in national and international newspapers, websites and magazines. Click on the portfolio button if you want to have a look.

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Wee cherry tree says: “It’s spring! Work with Wee cherry tree says: “It’s spring! Work with me trees!”@golfmountdoug #victoriabc #springgolf
I bought this mixed-media composition “Hombre de I bought this mixed-media composition “Hombre de mundo” - man of the world - from artist Lázaro Carlos Martinez Barreiro in the Havana art market in 2004. He told me he was a former engineer and self-taught artist. I loved the artwork as soon as I saw it and Barreiro explained the story he wanted to tell with the photos and images he used. With so many of us watching the new Ken Burns and Lynn Novik documentary “Hemingway” I am learning new things about the writer and seeing new things in this artwork. #cuba #havana #art #carlosbarreiro #hemingway @kenburnspbs @pbs
Right-angle socks that don’t slip and therefore Right-angle socks that don’t slip and therefore don’t suck from @mujicanada A simple yet clever design from a traditional knitting pattern used in the Czech Republic. Most socks are hockey stick-shaped 🏒 but look down at your foot when it’s flat on the floor. Right angle, right? I’ve always had a problem with the heel cup stretching halfway up my ankle with most non-athletic socks. Disclosure: Thanks to #muji for sending me a couple pairs to test drive, er, walk. #happyfeet #socksofinstagram #socks
My interview with the Oscar-nominated director of My interview with the Oscar-nominated director of “Nomadland,” Chloè Zhao,
is at thestar.com. “Nomadland” is my favourite movie of the year and worthy of every accolade for telling a powerful story of post financial-meltdown Americans living a new, unencumbered life as economic nomads. Zhao deserves to take home the gold statue April 25. Story link in bio. (Sundance Film Festival photo) @thetorontostar @nomadlandfilm @disneyplus @disneystudios #nomadland #chloezhao #womenmakemovies #director #screenwriter
Congratulations to Chef Brian Tesolin on being nam Congratulations to Chef Brian Tesolin on being named Executive Chef of The Courtney Room at The Magnolia Hotel & Spa in Victoria BC. I took this photo of Tesolin with a dish of delightful caramelle pasta - named for its resemblance to candy in a twisted wrapper - last fall. My staycation at the hotel for a story for @vacaycanada was a relaxing mini-break, including Tesolin’s tasting menu for dinner. He talked about the local farms, purveyors and foragers who contributed to each dish. With restaurants temporarily closed due to new restrictions, you can still enjoy Tesolin’s food with the Date Night In menu to go: six courses to share and a bottle of wine. #buylocal #eatlocal @how.i.handle.my.vices #yyjeats #knowyourchef @magnoliahotel @thecourtneyroom @downtownvictoriabc
Sweet “Dreams” from mega-talented surface patt Sweet “Dreams” from mega-talented surface pattern designer Jackie Tahara of @unblinkstudio whose fabulous, fanciful forest design fills empty windows on an unused building as part of Victoria’s Storefronts Exhibition Program. Jackie writes: “I thought, wouldn’t it be fun to come across this fantastical, brightly-coloured, immersive landscape while strolling the streets?” Yes! Public art helps elevate a city. It makes a statement that goes beyond beautification to say artists make urban spaces more liveable and enjoyable. It’s accessible, immediate and uplifting. Go to Victoria.ca to see the designs and meet the artists. #yyjart #yyj @tourismvictoriabc @downtownvictoriabc @cityofvictoria #victoriabc
Mount Baker puts on a show on a beautiful afternoo Mount Baker puts on a show on a beautiful afternoon at ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱/John Dean Provincial Park. No matter what life throws at you, being in the woods and hearing the birds while climbing a trail always makes it better. Climb on! #yyjlife #hitthetrail #viewfromthetop
Thanks to @saveurresto for another outstanding tak Thanks to @saveurresto for another outstanding takeaway holiday meal. Our Easter dinner featured Haida Gwaii halibut with salsa verde, roasted potatoes and grilled asparagus with smoked tomatoes from Sun Wing Farms in the Saanich peninsula. Chef Robert Cassels says it was a record take-out dinner service. Congratulations to Saveur for making the tough times of lockdown work with sublime meals to enjoy at home. #eatlocal #knowyourchef #buylocal #yyjeats #victoriabc #vancouverisland #supportrestaurants #easterdinner
When the culinary creatives at @nowherearestaurant When the culinary creatives at @nowherearestaurant, one of Victoria’s top dining spots and among @enroutemag Top 10 new restaurants for 2019
do take out, it’s an elevated experience. The six-course vegetarian version of Nowhere’s signature Today’s Best Things tasting menu is now called Everything Goes with new lockdown restrictions. Sour cherry gnocchi with a subtle kick of heat (not shown), spring wheat bread with cultured butter, creamed spinach and marcona almond agnolotti, cauliflower many ways with aoli. And the showstopper-brilliant root vegetable tart tatin - the delicious. Buttery-crunch puff pastry with caramelized edges and chunks of roasted vegetables. Sublime. Saanich Meyer lemon tart topped with fluffy, sweet meringue to finish. All devoured with a bottle of beautiful 2017 Merlot from Penticton’s @poplargrovewinery Thanks to the staff at @cascadialiquor for that recommendation. Order in tonight from a local restaurant- maybe twice this week if it works for you. Help restaurants through a rough time so they’ll be open when we can all dine together again. #buylocal #eatlocal #eatlocalgrown #nowherearestaurant #supportrestaurants @downtownvictoriabc @tourismvictoriabc #victoriabc #vancouverisland #bcismybackyard #dinein #takeout
Opening of the ballet season today! Had a front ro Opening of the ballet season today! Had a front row seat for the return of the bodacious pickle boats. They’re back in Victoria Harbour doing their synchronized floating ballet this weekend at 10:45 a.m. The troupe picks up its regular water dance schedule Sunday mornings. When it’s safe to travel again, don’t miss this. Tutus optional. It’s ridiculous good fun. @vicharbourferry @tourismvictoriabc @downtownvictoriabc #victoriabc #vancouverisland #watertaxi #pickleboat #ballet
Happy Birthday Lance! Aka Lance Boyle, Col. Chubby Happy Birthday Lance! Aka Lance Boyle, Col. Chubby, Big Boy, Lance Machine. Brave cat who flew across the country to his new west-coast home. Media superstar. This is what 12 looks like (12 is the new 10). 🎂🎉🥳🐈
Spring feels in #victoriabc #spring Spring feels in #victoriabc #spring
Britain in a Box arrived today! It’s filled with Britain in a Box arrived today! It’s filled with inspiration for stories to write about Britain when we can travel again. Twinings Tea, Walker’s shortbread, Bombay Gin and Fever-Tree tonic, Welsh Lavender Ltd. Farmers’ lavender hand cream, a subscription to @bbc and @itv BritBox streaming service and a trio of Cadbury Creme Eggs. I love Cadbury chocolate! Not only are the creme eggs made in Birmingham, one of my favourite cities in Northern England, it’s the 50th anniversary of these seasonal treats. So cheers to you, Cadbury Creme Eggs and thanks to #VisitBritain. From “Bridgerton” fans to Lake District literary getaways , Scotland’s Year of Coasts & Water and Commonwealth Games 2022, so many reasons to @lovegreatbritain #LoveGreatBritian_CA @cadburyuk @twiningsuk @fevertreemixers @walkersshortbread @visit_birmingham
Gulf islands and Haro Straight views and yellow pa Gulf islands and Haro Straight views and yellow patches of daffodil fields amid the farms below are the reward for the hike to the Pickle’s Bluff at ȽÁU, WELṈEW̱/John Dean Provincial Park on Mount Newton. Called “the place of refuge” by the W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations people who lived on this land for thousands of years because it was safe, high ground during the Great Flood. It’s still a place for Indigenous ceremony. Pioneer John Dean built his cabin here in the early 1900s, later giving the land to the province. It’s the only stand of old growth forest left on southern Vancouver Island, with massive Douglas fir, hemlock and Western red cedar. Our first time here. We’ll be back in a couple of weeks for the spring flowering, a magical event on the island. Spring flowers carpet every available space and the smell is intoxicating. Thanks to local volunteer Jared, who paused from his work clearing paths of deadfall to tell us about the rich history here. @yourbcparks #saanich #bcismybackyard #hiking #vancouverisland #getoutside #bestview #spring
Golfing with my pals Lisa, @ritasofoxie and Bonne Golfing with my pals Lisa, @ritasofoxie and Bonne Henry. Be calm. Be kind. Make par. #theridgecourse #cordovabay #golf 🏌️‍♀️⛳️ #golfingwithfriends #womengolf
Colour Pop! Rainbow umbrellas line Garden Court in Colour Pop! Rainbow umbrellas line Garden Court in Sidney-by-the-Sea. Next to my favourite cheese monger, @thefarmersdaughter.co. So that’s a bonus! Such a cheerful installation. I’ve seen these in many cities around the world but it’s fun to see these pretty parasols close to home. @exploresidney @tourismvictoriabc #exploresidney #umbrellas #umbrellastreet #gardencourt #sidneybythesea #vancouverisland #explorevi #shoplocal #BIA
I’ve always wanted to visit Germany’s Black Fo I’ve always wanted to visit Germany’s Black Forest region and the Baden-Baden spas. Thanks to today’s webinar on slow travel and spa life in Southwest Germany I got an inside view. And how about the hiking routes that stop at schnapps fountains? Yes please! When it’s safe to travel again, this region is on my list. @visitbawu @vklarson.communications #visitbawu #naturebawu #visitgermany #baden-wuerttemberg #baden-baden #spalife #travelwriter @bw_international
Hearts in the park. Colourful and inspiring, the H Hearts in the park. Colourful and inspiring, the HeArts Together collaborative community art project hearts are up in Saanich parks through summer, a means for isolated and vulnerable people to connect through art during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their messages lift spirits in a gift to the community. 🙏@saanparksreccoms #saanich
#heartstogether 💛🧡
Calming art that lives for only a few hours before Calming art that lives for only a few hours before the ocean claims it: Oregon labyrinth artist Denny Dyke creates Circles in the Sand meditative art in the beach sand at Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint in Bandon. Volunteers rake the ever-changing paths he lays out. People walk the serpentine labyrinth circles “setting an intention of love” and emerging with less stress and a quietened mind. A couple of hours later, it’s gone. But Denny, Bethe and a group of volunteers are back the next morning to make a new piece of ephemeral art that touches the spirit. When it’s safe to travel again, you’ll find me here, rake in hand. Thanks to @traveloregon for sharing this inspiring story in a travel writer webinar. @circles_in_the_sand #traveloregon #oregoncoast #circlesinthesand #labyrinth @hmcgillivray #walkwithintention #visitoregon #roadtrip
Big thanks to presenters form @travelmanitoba @exp Big thanks to presenters form @travelmanitoba @exploreedmonton @tourismsask and @discoversurreybc who showed SATW Canadian Chapter members what’s new amid the delights of four western provinces at our #unexpectedwest webinar today. Lentil beer, baby bison, floating with belugas, a new spice trail and a variety of Indigenous experiences. So much to see and do when it’s safe to travel again! @societyofamericantravelwriters #travelwriter @travelyukon
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Latest Posts

  • Meghan and Harry and their peaceful life on beautiful Vancouver Island
    March 20, 2021

    Meghan and Harry and their peaceful life on beautiful Vancouver Island

  • Tea with a Canadian twist
    March 19, 2021

    Tea with a Canadian twist

  • British Columbia road trips: a year of travelling gratefully
    January 1, 2021

    British Columbia road trips: a year of travelling gratefully

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