Our mainland adventure is over ... for now! As I write this we are safely on the boat bound for Alaska, watching the sun set over Vancouver Island. Covid test successfully passed (ie negative), and unpacked for the first time in over seven weeks. It feels like luxury!
The wifi is dodgy but if that is the price for heading out in to the wilderness, then I will gladly pay it. Blogs might be sparse but who knows! Here we are passing by Stanley Park, under Lions Gate Bridge and towards the inside passage, heading ever north.
And here is a pair of happy campers enjoying the complimentary Prosecco before departure.
Last few days have passed in a bit of a whirlwind of visiting with friends, doing laundry, returning the car and even occasionally chilling out! While Nareesa was working I even managed the 20 minute walk to the "Larry Berg Flight Path Park" a place that attracts plane spotters like bears to a honeypot. I have to admit, I was slightly disappointed to find it deserted, because they were using the other runway that day. But it did give me time to walk along the pretend runways, set out exactly like the real ones (yes, really), gain a bit of info about Vancouver International Airport, or YVR as it seems to be universally known, and waste a bit of time in the sun! Of the myriad of facts displayed the one that struck me as most interesting was not actually about the airport but the park and its surrounding area, which is designed to repel wildlife through the choice of plants, grasses etc. YVR, being built on a river delta is otherwise a haven for birds which have to be kept away - for the sake of the birds and air passengers. I'm sure there will be environmentalists that will decry this victory for air traffic over the natural world but I can't claim any detailed knowledge, so for now I only report what I read. Before someone has a go at me!
The weather seems to have finally cheered up since we are last here, all of a month and half ago, and the spring is finally drifting in to summer. Which has meant outdoor meetings with old friends over wine and food. We met up with Calum, Iain and Sue's son, at a fabulous little cafe in Richmond - of course we forgot to take a picture but if you are reading this Cal, it was great to catch up with you. Best I can do is a shot of the cafe itself, nicked from the net! Great place though!
We met Andy, his wife Lizzie, and their daughter Sophia at a great pizza restaurant in Kitsilano, a cool and trendy suburb of Van - so not sure why they allowed us in. Turns out Lizzie is every bit as rubbish as me at selfies!
And followed that up with a picnic lunch the next day with Michelle, who now owes us at least two visits to the UK! Another complete failure on the picture front, so here is one from (a lot) earlier. Same place, just a few years difference! Ah, how young we look! You haven't changed a bit Mich, but Alex has!!
Finally a cribbage and wine evening with John and Nancy. And the obligatory rubbish selfie. Note the score: Hollywood Dames 3, Irkutsk Circus 0. Not going well for the boys then. Rematch scheduled for Paris in December!
As always when leaving Vancouver there is an element of sadness. I love it here, not just because it is a great place to live, but mostly, it has to be said, because of the people we know. If we ever decided to move here, we would have a ready made group of friends. The last time we left, Covid struck only a few months later and it has taken us two and half years to return. I am hoping the next one is sooner than that, or we get a chance to entertain our friends on our side of the pond. Thanks Vancouver and all our friends for making it yet another wonderful trip.
Just one last bit before I go to dinner. Our friends Michelle and Cari did indeed say: "Hope? Seriously? Yeeeesh!" Ah well, we did manage to make a stop between Hope and Vancouver for a walk up to the rather lovely Bridal Veil Falls. Can't think why it is called that.
And finally (for now), I am sure you will all be relieved to know I have been excused from jury service! Phew! That seems a good note on which to end today's blog. I'll be back when signal allows.
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