Friday 26th August 2016 - Home? Already?

All too soon it was time to catch the ferry back to Vancouver in preparation for our flight home. One last picnic at White Cliff's then a very interesting IMAX film at FlyOver Canada.

A full 24 hours traveling plus losing a day crossing the International Date Line meant we arrived home on Sunday.

Thursday 25th August 2016 - Gibsons

A day of rest.  Norma and Cathy set off with plans to wander around a few shops and galleries.  A couple of hours later, the boys found us in Swish – the first shop we’d gone to.

Lyn and her staff looked after us well and a few purchases were made.  We went for a walk to the marina.

Cathy loved the fish store, whilst David was impressed with the shiny new $385,000 search and rescue craft with a fully suspended cabin.

Cathy and Deb went for an afternoon walk up the local bear trap hill.

Paul arrived on a later ferry to join us for dinner at The SweetWater Bistro. An exceptional night of food, wine, special company and laughter.

Wednesday 24th August 2016 - Canada's Outback

After a tasty cooked breakfast, it was time to rug up in orange/red flotation suits ready for our zodiac tour up the inlet.

We went all the way up to Chatterbox Falls – passing the Malibu Inlet Summer Camp – which used to be a getaway resort for the rich and famous many years ago (in the days of Bob Hope).

Amazing scenery, rock art, seals and stories of remote logging – but no bear sightings today.

Tuesday 23rd August 2016 - West Coast Wilderness Lodge

We’d seen bear scat on the lawn of the cottage yesterday, so Cathy was a bit apprehensive about going to the woods on her walk.  Instead, she admired the local streets.
Norma is a fantastic tour guide and Kel obediently followed instructions as we headed off to see the sights of the peninsula on our way up to West Coast Wilderness Lodge.

They’d planned well, but weren’t to know that the woodwork exhibition was closed on Tuesday which had us arrive a bit early for lunch at the grasshopper pub.
That gave us time to visit Motoko’s art studio and purchase some new artwork which Cathy intends to put up in the lounge room at home.

10/10 views from our tastefully decorated comfortable room at the lodge.  Time for another afternoon nap as Cathy collapsed into holiday mode.  After all that driving, we realised we could have caught a float plane to and from dinner.  We watched another group do just that but we were able to relax until well after dark with our delicious meal.

Monday 22nd August 2016 - Change

With Cathy fired up to change the world after her IPA congress ended, she farewelled colleagues and found our good friends Kel and Norma.  They’d been up early to take a Tanzanian student to the airport before meeting us at our hotel.  Cathy had been up early for her last run around Stanley Park where she marveled at the reflections of the city skyline in the calm waters.  David was up at the usual time to have breakfast with Cathy but he needed an afternoon nap so we all caught the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale terminal.

Our friendship with Kel and Norma took up where we had left off in Perth a couple of years ago and the friendly banter and shared adventures began again in earnest.  Drinks on the balcony, tour of the art collection and a delicious home-cooked meal preceded our first taste of Nanaimo bars.  Yummy!

Sunday 21st August 2016 - Repeats

Exercise, Eat, Conference, Shop, Cycle, Shop, Eat, Pack for Cathy.
Sleep, Eat, Cycle, Coffee - repeat for David.

 Clouds came over for the first time this week and it was a little cooler but no rain on this side of the harbour so another dazzling day of activities to enjoy.

The Pinnacle Harbourfront has been a fantastic hotel to stay in. They've looked after us with food, drinks, free hire bike for Cathy and excellent service throughout. It is well located for all we've wanted to do and it will feel strange to leave our home away from home tomorrow.
However, the holiday part of our trip really begins once Cathy's conference ends tomorrow at midday. We can't wait to see Kel and Norma and explore parts of Canada we've never seen before.

Saturday 20th August 2016 - Celebration

Cathy's day started with an early run..

Meanwhile, David was deciding what to do..

After 50 flips, it was 26 heads to 24 tails - so he went for a ride around Stanley Park

For lunch, we decided to head over to North Vancouver on the Seabus.  We stopped and did lunch at the "Tap and Barrel".  52 beers available on tap.  David didn't get through them all but at least 2 of them are pretty good.

We got dressed up for a special dinner to Celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary.  Cathy looked stunning.  David looked stunned - "Where has the time gone?"

Friday 19th August 2016 - Vancouver

Cathy continues her quest at the IPA Conference.  She took some time out to meet Leandre and her Mum for lunch.  We first met Leandre at Serena and Fergus's Wedding in Ireland last year.  The logical place to meet was an Irish Pub.  I couldn't convince Cathy to have a pint.

David was on domestic duties, crossing town to the local "Hot Sox Laundromat".  The world of front loading washers and commercial dryers is no different in Vancouver - machines out of action and furniture well passed it's use by date.  At least it was clean.

Dinner at our hotel, with a refreshing local beer.

The queue at the award winning local Gelato place was out the door and around the corner, so we went to the local supermarket for ice cream and a latte.  We must be acclimatising to the coffee - it actually tasted ok.

Thursday 18th August 2016 - Back Together Again

Today is dedicated to Mary Jones who turned 37 73 today.  Happy Birthday, Mary.
Cathy continued to be inspired at the IPA Conference and is ready to save the world.
David was returning from Whistler, getting sunburnt and needed saving.
Click to see David's Ride

Wednesday 17th August 2016 - Separate Ways

Cathy headed off to her IPA conference.  She spent the whole day looking at things like this

Whereas David jumped on his bike.

And, looked at things like this....

To arrive in Whistler, where Crankworx was in full swing

Which is amazing, especially if you're into Mountain Biking

Tuesday 16th August 2016 - Butchart Gardens

Butchart gardens - A very long day

Cathy was "happy as a bee in clover" as we revisited Butchart gardens.

Being late summer, the range of flowers in bloom was different to our last visit so Cathy felt justified in taking lots more photos. Some reminded her of Hawthorn team colours!

David found places to sit and wait and had some fun too.

We flew over on the floatplane right from Vancouver harbourfront. The trip back was a bit longer though as we took the bus that drives on to the ferry. Bus transfers between Victoria and the gardens added to the waiting around. All part of the adventure though. We managed to get 2 and a bit hours at the gardens. We learned lots about Vancouver island too from our knowledgable driver Rob. We finally got back to the hotel about 8pm for late dinner.

Monday 15th August 2016 - Capilano Suspension Bridge

After breakfast, we dodged the beggars and caught the Free Shuttle to the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

We actually started on the Cliff Walk.  Cathy couldn't look down. Whereas David wanted a paraglider to jump off.

Next was the suspension bridge. Along with about 5 busloads of other tourists, we negotiated our way across. Unfortunately, one of the walking tracks was closed due to a bear being sighted the day before.  So 10 busloads of tourists crammed onto the treetop walk.

Apparently the smart thing to do, is arrive after 5pm - it's cheaper and the crowds are significantly less (although the bear is hungrier at that time of night!!)  We shared a coffee but David ate all the almond croissant.

Sunday 14th August 2016 - Vancouver

We managed to sleep in and get ourselves basically on Canada time.  We started a day of "Metro Travel".  The No. 50 Bus took us to Granville Island.  Lots of walking to build up an appetite for cakes and gelati.

Lots of great artwork to look at as well.  Prints, sculptures and even a kids market (toys, puppets, kites, you name it).  Then a quick ferry ride on the Aquabus to Yaletown.

More walking and eating and catching a bit of sun before jumping on the train to Waterfront.  David was only allowed a small rest before dinner. Usain Bolt did his bit and won another 100m Gold Medal.  Apparently his Grandmother told him to "stop winning medals and get me a grandchild!".

We went for a relaxing cycle using the Complimentary bikes from the hotel.  Complimentary = Zero Dollars = The amount of money spent on maintenance!!  David's bike could only use 2 of the 3 front chainrings, and it make an odd grinding noise in all except the bottom 3 gears.  It was quite a busy Sunday evening on the bike track - slow was the go.

The day ended with more coffee.  And some more gelati....YumYum

Saturday 13th August 2016 - Flying High

The Mary Jones taxi service was excellent as usual. Our cases and the bike bag all fitted in and we headed for the airport. 

 I love travelling - they supply champagne without me even asking!  It all went smoothly.  Have to say that the lie flat seats in business class are fantastic so I got 7 hours sleep whilst David managed 4.  In addition, I got a few work projects finished and only a few things left to do so that I can really relax.   

 

It's amazing to fly into Vancouver in the sun with snow capped mountain peaks in the distance.  Looking forward to a fascinating conference and a few days R and R.

Friday 12th August 2016 - Moscow Circus

The amazing Great Moscow circus  How many years is it since you allowed yourself to get lost in the wonder of a circus?  I won gold ringside seats to the Great Moscow circus for fundraising efforts in the Run Melbourne, so Thank You to everyone who sponsored me. 

When we sat down, I did feel that I should have dressed up some resuscitation mannequins to pretend we were bringing children, but my independent adult self said it was fine to choose to be at the circus.  Sophie and I loved everything about the performance, from clowns to trapeze artists to the crazy guys on motorbikes - SIX of them all riding around inside a globe cage!!  

I spent the whole time hoping that i wouldn't need my medical skills.  No trip to the circus is complete without a selfie with the clown!  We'd had McDonalds for dinner before the performance, so no fairy floss and popcorn required.