We have been doing lot's of walking since we have been here in Vancouver and today was no exception. It was raining rather steadilly when we set out and it didn't let up for most of the day. It wasn't too unpleasant and with Deb's new jacket it was much more pleasant for her to be out in the elements. Vancouver seems to be built around a harbour with parks, gardens and walkways and most people make use of it.
While we were doing our walk there were quite a number of people who were jogging in the rain. I suppose that if they waited for better weather there wouldn't be a lot of opportunities for exercise. We went past a playground where a mum had a little toddler on a swing. The toddler was dressed up in what looked like a little padded ski suit and was oblivious to the weather.
We were honked at a few times during our walk, not by irate motorists but by geese.
As we approached the False Creek Yacht Club there were a number of pleasure craft moored there and one of them looked like it was still covered up for their winter. They are in their Spring now although to us it seems like winter.
If you have a look closely you will see ropes from the cover passing under the hull. The cover appeared to be held very tightly over the boat to prevent any pooling of water, snow or other things.
A little further along from where this pictuure was taken we got on an aqua bus for a short journey over to Granville Island. As mentioned in previous blog, Granville Island is not actually an island but an old industrial site that fell into disuse and became rather unsightly and poluted. I believe the city of Vancouver decided to clean it up and turn it into a market area. It is also an area for arts and crafts and there is a theatre there.
We had a good wander through the market place and I am sure that I put on a couple of kilos just looking at the produce. There was just about everything you would require. I did find out why Ian and Karen don't have lamb very often. Lamb roast, lamb loin chops and racks of lamb, $65 per kilo!!!!
Pork on the other hand for a boned roast was only $19 per kilo.
We left Granville Island about 2.00 pm but before leaving got a fresh demi baguette (a small roll similar to Turkish bread in taste) for our lunch.
Friday 18 April (Good Friday)
Today is so different from yesterday. Beautiful and sunny but with a bit of a cold breeze. Out of the breeze in the sun is absolutely delightful. Unfortunately when walking around you have got to take the good with the bad.
It is hard to tell it is Good Friday. Most of the shops are open. Some have restricted trading, 9.00 am to 7.00 pm while most were 9.00 am to 9.00 pm. Government offices and business that were not involved in retail did have a public holiday. Karen had the day off and Ian had to work.
On our walk on Monday we saw Christ Church Cathedral on Burrard Street. There was a sign indicating that viitors were welcome so we thought today we might go in and have a look. The gardens outside are magnificant and the inside was equally magnificent.
All the stained glass windows are covered on the outside by plain glass so you don't get the effect until you are inside. I had a bit of a lean here, not the building.
The roof was built by ship builders using western red cedar.
We went down to the end of Burrard Street where the convention centres are. There is an old one and a new one. The new convention centre was built for the Winter Olympics in 2010. The view over the harbour and to the mountains north of the city was really something.
This is Grouse Mountain where we went with Karen and Ian on Tuesday. If you look closely you will see the wind turbine that is located there. The turbine has viewing platforms located just below the generator.
There is a lot of activity flying activity here. There is a large flying boat base located on the harbour with both single engined and twin engined flying boats taking off and landing very regularly
Karen did some studying this morning and them came down to meet us. Where Karen works is in an area called Gas Town which is another tourist type area. We were given a guided tour of this area (by Karen) and it was very interesting indeed. They have a steam powered clock there. Unfortunately it was not working as far as indicating the time, however the steam chimes worked which we were able to hear. We also went to see where Karen works. She has a lovely view of the snow capped mountains from the window just behind her.
Had enough walking for the day so got a bus back to near Karen and Ian's, did some shopping and had a nice meal with them.
Saturday 19 April
Went down to the Pacific Centre (Shopping Mall) where we got another pair of fit over sunglasses for me, (I will probably need them in the next couple of days) and then headed down to a food court for some lunch. We had lunch there yesterday and saw some very strange sights.
Evidently there is a convention where people get dressed up in their fantasy characters. Today the place was packed. There was Batman and Robin, characters from Starwars (although I didn'tsee any Storm Troopers) and all sorts of other things. Below is a selection:
The weather was getting a little worse. Up to lunch time it was overcast and a little cool but after lunch it started to rain so we decided that we would do one of the Hop on, Hop off tours that we purchased tickets for on Monday. We decided however that we wouldn't get off. We went around a lot of the city of Vancouver, Stanley Park and Granville Island. It gave us a good idea of where to hop on and off when we do take the bus again in better weather.
Got off the bus close to home and we were back at the apartment by about 3.30 pm. A good day. Then it was off to dinner at Karen and Ian's.
There will probably be a bit of a break with the blog. Tomorrow morning we are being picked up and we are all going up to Whistler. It is a couple of hours away and we will stay overnight then back on Monday afternoon. May not have the time or inclination to complete a blog on Monday night. May have to wait until Tuesday.
Deb and Den, The Gunnedah Adventurers
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