Vancouver -last days

Tuesday October 4th

Another busy couple of days. We dropped Bertha back at the Fraserway depot just south of Vancouver city centre yesterday morning. It took some time for them to inspect and agree we didn't owe them anything, and then to wait for the transfer to,our hotel. We are staying at the Empire Landmark on Robson St, it probably was a landmark, once, but now it is rather dated! However the room is fine and has a great view

We walked down to the waterfront at Coal Harbour and had lunch at Carderos, a marine pub and restaurant. 

We then explored part of Stanley Park, which is a typical English style park, but with lots of trees and walking trails and no flowerbeds. My knee was troubling me so we walked back to the hotel for a rest. In the evening we had a meal in an Italian restaurant across the road. The spag bol was tasty! 

This morning we ate breakfast up the street at Abode and I indulged in eggs benedict! 

After catching up on the internet stuff we set off to walk downtown. We ventured into Yaletown, an older area where lots of warehouses are now trendy shops and cafes. We then ventured onto the public transit system, we bought a day pass and used the underground rapid transit unmanned train to  go to the waterfront and Gastown.  This is the area where the city was founded 

This is the site of the maple tree under which pioneers met in 1885 and decided to name the place Vancouver.

There is a 'steam clock here too, although we understand it is run by electricity!! It puffs and hoots every quarter hour.

We dodged in and out of shops but nothing really took our fancy. There were some nice mukluks.......

We crossed to North Vancouver using the Sea Bus, and caught a public bus to go to visit a friend in hospital. The Sea Bus appears to be a vital link and was very busy.

Looking north

A Sea Bus ferry

We couldn't find a bus  to take us back to the hotel so had to walk.......which was a bit painful, so tonight we are just going to use the lift and eat in the restaurant on the 46th floor!!!

Maybe I will get some night time shots....

Later:

It was the 42nd floor, Cloud 9, revolving restaurant! A new experience for both of us! Amazing views of the city, even the 'low' seeming buildings have 15 floors!!  Got a few shots, not very good as they are through the window! 

Looking north

So, that's it folks, on the way home tomorrow.

Farewell from Canada, a great trip, but not sure I would describe it as a holiday!!! 

Seattle Day 2 and back into Canad

Sunday Oct 2nd

Canadian geese at home!!!

Yesterday we had a gentle start, looking after the twins while Jessie, Ross and Emmet went out to meet friends for breakfast then onto Emmet's soccer session. Michael got into the van and packed up his stuff while Deb, Jim and I looked after the little ones and the dog. We went for a walk, had coffee at a lovely French bakery, and by the time we got back the rest of the family had returned. After lunch we all went to MOHAI (Museum Of History And Industry) which was excellent. We spent a while there then walked outside to look at the historical boats. We were able to board a few of them including an old fire boat and a cruiser.

The weather was very mixed, heavy showers then sunshine, but we were rewarded with a rainbow

We had a look at the Centre for Wooden Boats

Which has smaller wooden craft and which provides a programme to get children out on the water. Jim was very taken with a sailing boat for sale!!!

We then visited to flagship REI store, which sells everything and anything for the outdoors! Unfortunately it didn't have what I was looking for!!  The Capital Cider restaurant was our next port of call, for an early dinner. Some had fish and chips, some a burger and most adults had a glass of cider. The girls enjoyed fish and chips, sharing with their brother!

Today we celebrated the girls' first birthday with a doughnut party. A few friends and their children came along for coffee, doughnuts and champagne!! A good time was had by all and Daisy and Libby loved their cream doughnuts!!!

We left about 2.0pm and have just driven north, back across the border to the outskirts of Vancouver. We hand the van back in the morning and will transfer to the Empire Landmark Hotel for two nights. We are partly packed up and will do the rest in the morning. It was handy to be a Jessie's where I could trade some of our surplus goods for a few tea bags, a couple of eggs and a small amount of milk to see us through this evening and the morning.

My knee is very painful at times, so I have just started on some ibuprofen, hope it works so that I can explore Vancouver.

Km today 192