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Thursday - We set off from Ilkley by train yesterday and, after meeting Emma in Leeds for coffee, continued on to Kings Cross. After some hassle over return train tickets, we head out to Heathrow and finally reach the EasyHotel around 10pm. Not completely orange, thankfully, spartan but comfortable enough. Oddly, it feels, we're in a villagey suburb with views from our window of a huge wheat field. Short walk to The White Hart in the village for a quick drink before bed.
The flight to Vancouver is not completely full and we're lucky to have a three-seat block to ourselves. Nine and a half hours passes - great views of Greenland but a cloudy arrival and we meet Pauline's cousin Jean ( first time in about 35 years) and Alex and they take us to their lovely home. We have lunch then a walk at Buntzen Lake, a spot of grocery shopping then a delicious dinner and an early night.....we're here!!
Friday - We woke early to beautiful sunshine, so decided to head for Grouse Mountain while the going is good. An expensive but spectacular cable-car ride takes us up in time for a very corny but funny Disney-esque lumberjack show with, bizarrely, 2 large grizzly bears prowling in the near distance! It turns out they are rescued bears in an enclosure, but they are BIG! Great photos then up a chair lift to the top and a walk around admiring the views. Then a quick lunch and back down to head for Stanley waterside park and Prospect Point - a beautiful park with a collection of Totem Poles, an amazing hollow tree, a backdrop of seaplanes coming and going like taxis and a huge cruise ship leaving port. Then off to an excellent dinner (oysters, crab-stuffed prawns, steak and creme brulle - food heaven!) at The Boathouse on English Bay. And then have to watch England beat Sweden. Yeah!!
Saturday - A different story today - steady rain and thick mist. We visit the Museum of Anthropology. Very interesting with more Totem Poles and some fabulous art and craft work. Then on to Granville Island to the market for lunch. After that, Jean and Alex go back home to prepare the meal and we explore the market and lots of quirky shops. A ride on the Aquabus takes us to Science World where we watch dragon boat races in the bay. Then it's a ride on the Skytrain back to the house. Dinner with Jean's children, grandchildren and friends from Switzerland - Alex has cooked a whole salmon (which Jean had caught) and we have delicious Jean-style boozy trifle for sweet! A noisy, boisterous party to end our fun stay in Vancouver. Thank you Jean and Alex!
- comments
Ruth and Alex smith Yes I remember we went to a few of those places too,thoroughly enjoyed it loved the atmosphere in the market and the food!!!! Yummy.enjoy love Ruth and Alex xx
paulineewilliams Good to hear from you. You must be getting excited about the big day now!