This was another trip with the Senior Resources Group, where I have had many interesting trips. The Bloedel Conservatory is one place that I had visited before – but it was a few years ago when I still lived in Winnipeg, but had come west to visit my daughter. I knew what to expect and I was excited to see all the birds & flowers again. Most (if not all) of the birds are rescues or owner surrender. The large parrots require a lot of care, which many people are unaware of when they make the decision to bring a large (or sometimes even small) bird into their home. Many of the birds have free flight and are amazing to watch as they move about the conservatory.
Unfortunately, it was raining hard – so the gorgeous view on the paths around there were too wet to bother walking or trying to take photos in the pouring rain. I’ll get back there again another day.
Next was our meal at a culinary school so we headed out after about an hour of being in the conservatory.
I had no idea what to expect at the culinary school and have never really had any gourmet meal. We had a choice for our courses, but really didn’t know what we were getting. I know I picked shrimp for my starter and Cornish Game Hen for the main meal and Lemon Tart for dessert.
I am not used to eating gourmet meals, but (if I could afford it) I would certainly get used to it! Everything was absolutely delicious and I ate every bite.
When we book a trip with the Senior Organization, we pay for everything before we go. We pay for the use of the bus, plus gas and the driver as well as the entry into wherever we go and our meal. We have a host or hostess with us and our cost includes their meal and entry also.
Mavimet's Weblog 
Beautiful photos as always! I love the parrots!
We ate at the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) in an old winery in St. Helena, CA in the Napa Valley years ago. It was a beautiful old building and the students’ food was excellent. Sadly, I’m a bread lover and the bread they served with lunch was homemade, of course, and delicious. I don’t know what was in the bread. Maybe it was seeds or chopped nuts. I don’t like either and am allergic to tree nuts but I ate 3 baskets of that bread! My husband probably had one slice. I can’t believe it but I still remember that bread 10+ years later. I have no idea what my entree was. I paid for my gluttony by developing severe diverticulitis. Agony! I’ve never had such excellent bread! Moderation!!
As for your lunch, I don’t like that noodle on the lemon tart. That seems very odd. Is it a soba noodle? No noodles with my dessert, please! It looks too wormy! Everything else looks fabulous.
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Thanks Marymac – that noodle wasn’t a noodle. I think it was fruit – and was delicious. I didn’t know what 1/2 the items were, but it was all made & served by the students. I’m a bread lover too and we had several baskets full of different breads (all delicious).
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Sorry, Marymac. I love a good tart with raspberry lips. And the dessert looks, good, too! Hiyo! Sorry, I’ve just gotten a call from HR …
Luckily the Cornish game hen did not look “birdy” enough to evoke a flashback to the Conservatory … one hopes?
Haute cuisine is wasted on me, I’m afraid. Too much boiled New England cuisine!
Continued Happy Trails, all! Cheers, SB
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LOL – I don’t eat like this normally Stumblebum, but I really enjoyed it. I don’t even know what much of it was though.
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A good thing they were not serving the Blue Heron special. Believe your wrath would have been fearsome!
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LOL – no, that would certainly not be good. But I am certain that these birds are probably protected.
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