Day 16 - Tofino

More rain is forecast so what do we wake up to? Yup, brilliant sunshine, not a cloud in the sky. Yippee!! Let's go exploring Tofino and the Pacific Rim coast.

First stop is down on our beach (Chesterman) because I want get some pics in the morning sun. I also spot the resident eagle sitting imperiously on the top of the tallest tree by the restaurant just cawing and watching for food. What a great sight.








Taking our local map, with some recommended beauty spots we head onto Hwy 4. First stop is the ranger station to purchase the park passes, then on to Radar Hill, an old Cold War Missile Early Warning station concrete bunker built on a hill. Now defunct, obviously, you can still go up to see the view and stand on top of the underground bunker. Sadly much of the view is hidden by the ever-growing trees but it's nice in the sunshine and also a pleasant and easy little walkway up there.

Next on to a quick stop to take a picture of Incinerator Rock. Just a rock in the sea on Long Beach. We then drive to the proper car park of Long Beach and take a walk along the beach, looking for flotsam, jetsam, sea shells and that really HIDEOUS seaweed that we found on our last visit. Hard to describe but a bunch of it looks like a giant's entrails. As I said, hideous!

We are feeling a tad peckish and head to Wickaninnish Beach (nowhere near the Wickaninnish Inn just to confuse things) where there is an Interpretive Centre and Cafe, both of which are shut. Not a soul in sight so bugger them, we're going to Ucluelet instead. First we decide to head down one more unexplored (for us) road. Off to Florencia Bay which is famous for a wreck of a ship in the 1800's and an amazing bit of the Temperate Rain Forest which makes up much of the Pacific Rim National Park.

On our way back, something mysterious prompts Carol to get the camera ready. 3 years ago along this stretch of the road almost we saw our very first black bear, only a baby one and too quick to hide in bushes before we could get a proper picture. Now, almost to the very day and time and about 250 metres away we turn the corner and see in the road again, yep a black bear. Larger than the tiddler we saw previously and the minute he sees us, begins to turn away. Carol clicks frantically and hopes she has the zoom at max and auto focus working. We await to see the pics later with everything crossed.

 The excitement is such that we miss the lunch break and head straight to the very end of Ucluelet where we take a 2 km walk along the Wild Pacific Trail and take hundreds of photos of the wild Pacific Ocean.

Glorious views, warm sunshine (it's finally T-shirt weather) and a nice little hike (quite challenging in places) to get back to the car. Takes us around an hour to complete it and we decided to skip any lunch and head back to the Wick Inn for Jim to have his massage with a very hot masseuse named Tara and Carol to soak in the big tub and "beautify" herself.

We dine at the Pointe Restaurant again. A new Spring menu with fabulous new dishes. Carol has smoked Arctic Char to start followed by AAA Alberta fillet steak, Jim the Crab with English Pea Panacotta and Halibut with English Peas and veg. White choc panacotta to follow, wine and coffee and brandy - all very nice.

Early bed for Jim while Carol packs. On the road again tomorrow.

Day 15 - Tofino

Carol wakes at 4.12 a.m., a pattern of early rising that she cannot seem to shake off on this holiday. All attempts to drop off again are thwarted by an overactive brain so she stays up, drinks tea, adds more notes to the blog and generally waits for Jim to wake up, who seems to be having no trouble sleeping in because he was up late due to indigestion from our rather gorgeously over-indulgent dinner the night before.

The rain it still falleth though, but undeterred by this and thanks to the Wickaninnish Inn's supply of free bright yellow waterproof jackets, waterproof trousers and wellington boots we stride out along the sand as the rain gently pitter patters down on us. A really invigorating walk, taking shots of the waves, surfers and boats and saying hello to fellow weatherproofed walkers with their dogs and sticks and all the usual accompaniments to walking along a beach. We then see a sign saying "carving come in" - so we do and meet George who carves the most fantastic feathers out of wood, boxes and other native art. He's a great Canucks fan so we talk about Friday's game and their hopes for future rounds in the playoffs, then depart with a promise to possibly come back and buy one of his stunning feathers.
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Dumping our walking wet weather gear, we don our "shopping" wet weather gear and head into Tofino. First we book at table at the Schooner Inn Bistro for tonight, we've eaten here before and enjoyed it so decided to revisit. Then it's off to the Eagle Aerie Gallery for Carol to drool over the Roy Henry Vickers paintings and prints and where she finally gets to buy a framed repro of her favourite work of his, "Capilano". Jim seems fired with enthusiam for the works of art too and we end up buying two more, hopefully to go up the stairway of the hall when we redecorate. They will contrast nicely to the 3 Bill Reid prints in the newly painted spare bedroom.

We walk around Tofino in the wet for a while, have a mocha (the coffee choice of the holiday for us both) and eat a pulled pork sandwich (yummy olive bread for Carol, but not so yummy for "olive-hater" Jim!) and then pick up our "wrapped for travel" pictures from nice Aussie in gallery and head back to the hotel for Carol to meet her deadline time for a 2.45 massage. Herein follows a couple of hours of bliss for her. Steam bath first, foot soak and finally a 90 minute deep tissue body, head and face massage from a fantastic guy called Miloz (?). A trained reflexologist he was wonderful!. Carol came away relaxed and glowing. Jim has his tomorrow.

And now for the exciting stuff. I charged the camera batteries, updated the blog, and took some pics on the beach.
At 6.30 it's time for dinner in Tofino, which doesn't disappoint. Jim has very spicy hot prawns to start and Carol grilled oysters with spinach, bacon and lemon hollandaise - still not sold on the oyster thing you know! Then for main course Carol had Halibut Bawden Bay (halibut grilled with brie, mushrooms, prawns and a fabulous sauce) served with veg and rice and Jim had a New York (Sirloin) steak, peppercorn sauce, the creamiest mash ever and veg. Wine and water to drink, but no coffee and dessert tonight. Then back out in slightly less rain than before we head home to drink a coffee in the room.

Carol crashes at just gone 9 p.m. - it's been a looong day for her - and Jim follows pretty soon after her.

Tofino, even in the pouring rain, does not disappoint. It's been well worth coming back here.

Day 14 - Vancouver to Tofino

Get up fairly early for a light breakfast and finish off the packing. Check out at 9 a.m., because we think we'll need a fair amount of time to drive to Horseshoe Bay in the remnants of rush hour traffic and get there 30 mins before our Ferry. Actual result = arriving almost an hour before sailing and having plenty of time to park up and walk into the village and buy the Starbuck's flavour of the month coffee, Dark Cherry Mocha - yum yum!!

 Ferry sailing is smooth and quiet. In fact we're so used to it by now that we don't even move out of our chairs for most of the journey, preferring to get some rest as we both woke up early and have a longish drive ahead of us. Jim buys 2 new books to read and braves the wind to take a couple of photos just as we near Departure Bay, Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.

A bonus is that it is a good few degrees warmer over here than on the mainland, and to celebrate we stop almost immediately for a lunch break at the Cactus Club Cafe for a lightish lunch, just a "light" salmon sandwich and salad and a burger - although we don't eat all the bread and Jim leaves most of his fries. The pint of Coke causes major burping for the next hour of the journey but did go down well with lunch!

 We turn off Hwy 19 and onto Hwy 4 to begin the slower but prettier route - just as the rain begins, and gets worse, and gets worse and gets worse. Apologies for the terrible photos, but it didn't stop the whole way. It hasn't stopped now either. Jim stopped at Tourist Info just outside Tofino and I thought he was going to get blown all the way back to Nanaimo!!





Arrived at The Wickaninnish Inn just before 4 pm to the sight of driving rain, gale force winds and crashing waves from the Pacific Ocean. It reminds us of a stormwatch break in Cornwall but with 10 times the ferocity. Methinks we will be needing the free bright yellow waterproof jackets, matching blue storm trousers and free wellies they give out for walks along the beach while we're here.
If we never have to leave our room again, who cares, it's amazing, with every comfort you could think of, double soaker bath tub, walk-in shower, scented candles, two gas fireplaces with real flames, a KETTLE for tea! The list goes on and so does Carol, taking pictures of all these delights. Oh and there's a "turn down" service so when we get back from our meal at The Pointe Restaurant over in the other part of the hotel, we come back to one of the two CD players on and Michael Buble singing soft jazz to us. Yep they give you free CD's, there's a library of books, mags and DVD's to take out. So it's off with the Buble, on with Sarah McClachlan and fill up that tub for a soak.

 The food at the restaurant was sublime. Jim had duck breast with various accompaniments and Carol the most wonderful pork dish ever. Pork loin accompanied by a slow-roasted piece of pork belly wrapped in Proscuittio and served with prunes and vegetables. But it was the desserts that completely won us over. Jim had white chocolate panacotta with blood orange sauce and frappe drink and fresh mandarin and Carol had 4 flavours of home made ice cream and sorbet - coffee and pistachio ice cream and melon and pink lady apple sorbet. To absolutely die for! They make all ice cream, butter and the most amazing flavoured bread themselves. We are so very glad we are going back to dine there on Weds again - Carol wants that panacotta!! Or does she want the ice cream again? Decisions decisions.



But now it's bed, a great big King size one crafted from cedar. Can't beat the Canadians and their love for wood. It's not as if they don't have enough of it - lost count of the amount of logging trucks we passed on the way here!

Sweet dreams everyone!

Day 13 - Vancouver Downtown

Good morning all, I'm feeling a bit more with it today, so let's see what mischief we can get up to.

Braving the overcast skies - more rain predicted - we head on over to Ambleside Park, North Vancouver, where the actors Michael and Lexa Shanks (from Stargate SG-1) are taking part in a charity walk to help the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. We have kindly offered to take pictures for Michael's Official Website and to show our support for such a worthy cause. Michael and Lexa very kindly pose for some pictures and even agree to Carol joining them for a couple of her "holiday snaps". They also spend some time chatting to us about both official website and personal stuff. We watch them depart and then wait in the pouring rain for them to come back. This takes a tad longer than we'd expected but as the progress is slowish and the rain not helping, understandable.

As they round the home straight they spot us and wave, Michael even replying to Jim's shout of "Where'd you go? Whistler???". We say our goodbyes and Jim and I head off to the hotel to dump our wet clothes and decide what to do for the rest of the day.

Hmmm I seem to remember that the Tapenade Bistro in Steveston does a good line in mussels (they come in fresh off the boat on a Tuesday and Saterday) and fritjes, complete with garlic mayonnaise. I wonder if they'll have any in?. Only one way to find out - drive James, drive!!

Yes they do! Quite possibly the best mussels and fritjes outside of Belgium - washed down with a glass of wine they make a great lunch. And the sun has come out here, it's now up to 15 deg C and the town is quite busy with tourists enjoying the warmer weather (when in doubt head south of downtown Van, it's always fairer and drier there).




We don't stop long, we've been to Steveston more times than we can count and know it like the back of our hand, so after a quick coffee and pee break in Starbucks we drive home.

The rest of the afternoon is spent packing (we drive to Tofino tomorrow and need an early departure time) and watching the Canucks finally closing out the first round of the playoffs - there is a god! We watch them beat the LA Kings 4-2 and duly celebrate whooping and a hollering around the room waving our playoff towels. Roll on Round 2 and the next victims!.

I chat to Monica who has arrived home in Aus safely, send her our exclusive to MSOL pics of our stalwart charity walkers and head to bed.

Day 12 - Vancouver Downtown

*******STOP PRESS!!*******

WE FORGOT THE BEAR SIGHTING!!


On the way back from Whistler on Thursday we had only been on the road for about 15 mins when I spotted a gushing waterfall on the right and drew everyone's attention to it. All of a sudden Michael Anne screams BEAR! BEAR! BEAR! and we see a black bear in the field beside the road, no more than 100 metres away, munching on something. WOW awesome. We now continue with the regular programming after this newsflash.

We arrive at the Sutton Place Hotel at 9.45 to pick up Monica and take her to the airport. This feels very strange arriving at YVR but not checking into BA for our flight home. Carol is proud that she does not cry but it is very sad saying goodbye to such a dear friend who lives such a long, long way from us. We cannot wait until we all meet up again.




A sad Jim and I drive back to Vancouver and decide to treat ourselves to a slap-up lunch at Joe Fortes. We leave the car at the hotel and walk up to Thurlow Street and tuck into a wonderful meal. Clam chowder and crab cakes to start, a duo of fish with Sockeye Salmon and Halibut, veggies, creamed spinach and sweet potato fries, washed down with chilled white wine. We go the whole hog and have dessert and coffee too.

Little surprise that we spend the rest of the afternoon sleeping and recovering! AND don't eat anything in the evening. Boy I'm stuffed. In fact it is a very quiet day all round, but much needed after all our sightseeing and gallivanting everywhere. I ring my auntie and let her know when we plan to visit her in the Okanagan and then ring my cousin in Vancouver too. Then it really is bed and another early night.

Day 11 - Vancouver Downtown

Another packed day with an early start. We pick up our friends and head along Highway 1 to Langley where we visit Paul Brown of Legends Memorabilia to do some MSOL business and catch up with a fellow ex-pat Brit. We also get the chance to look around his warehouse at some of the Stargate memorabilia he has for sale and the most excellent replica work that he does.

It's a bit of a short visit because we have to be back at the Harbour Air offices by 2 pm for our 2.30 pm Floatplane flight over Vancouver and the North Shore mountains.

It's not the best day (no sun) for it but thank goodness we picked that time as no sooner have we landed than the clouds come in and down comes the rain.

 It is a larger plane than we are used to, this one holds 10 passengers, oh yes and the pilot, I nearly forgot him.






 It was a bit bumpy over the mountains but Carol loves every minute of it, thank goodness for hypnotherapy. Michael Anne is a bit edgy as she has never been up in small plane before, but hey she is a real trooper and absolutely loves it.

 

 



The trip is wonderful, the view over Downtown Vancouver stunning and the mountains, still with some snow, fantastic. We all enjoy it immensely.






 We have a 2 hour window to "relax" per se before we head towards GM Place with all the other Canuck fans to watch the 5th game in the first round Playoffs against the LA Kings. Ice Hockey of course! We hope for a win, but are not over confident. The atmosphere is noisy, fun and when we find our seats right at the very back, really really exciting!

And boy, did we strike gold!...Canucks 7, LA Kings 2!! Our towels waving constantly (a Playoff tradition) and yelling ourselves hoarse with GO CANUCKS GO!!. A simply wonderful evening enjoyed by us all, but especially Monica as it was her very first EVER hockey game and what a way to go!

Tired but happy with all the other fans on the street we walk back to our hotels where I say goodbye to one friend who will be leaving early Saturday a.m. and arrange transport for Monica who will leave a little later the same day.

Bed and two very happy Canuck fans asleep.

Day 10 - Vancouver Downtown

An early start for breakfast and then drive to the Sutton Place Hotel to pick up Mon and Cats for a drive out to Whistler. First stop, Cypress Provincial Park to see the magnificent view of Downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park from the viewing platform and then a short drive further on up to the Olympic venue for all the "cool" winter sports - snowboarding, freestyle and that lunatic event the ski/snowboard cross, where 4 guys/gals hurtle themselves down the mountain, negotiating jumps and turns and trying not to crash out! When you see steepness of the slope you get to thinking that anyone who chooses to hurtle down that can't have both paddles in the water........MAD.

A few photo ops and a snowball fight between Mon and Cats (poor luvs haven't seen much snow in their lives coming from Melbourne and Florida respectively) and it is back on the road. The first thing we do is drive through a cloud (spooky). You just don't get to do that much in Maidstone.





 
We continue along the Sea to Sky Highway in glorious sunshine until we come to Shannon Falls. The 3rd highest waterfall in BC, it is stunning at this time of year and in full glorious flow. Greatly appreciated by our companions and always a pleasure for us to revisit. And a worthwhile loo break too!

Another hour along and we reach Whistler, which is still busy with a few skiers and snowboarders enjoying the last few days of the season and the usual Snowboard Festival stuff - cool free stuff being given out, loud music and lots of guys in board gear. Could be Newquay with snow!

A lunch break at the Old Spaghetti Factory is welcomed. It's chilly in Whistler and French Onion Soup, Clam Chowder, pasta and veal goes down well. As does the Coke and free fill ups (something I LOVE in North America)





We go up the mountain and play in the snow, freeze our arses off because it's still damn cold and windy up there and take many photo ops again. Then it's back down the mountain again in the gondola and a short stroll around the shops before we get in the car and head back. Jim didn't go visit the bobsleigh site, but saw it from the mountain - somehow it's not quite the same as when it's covered in snow and ice, it just looked like a long, swirly, concrete tube.

A lovely drive back in the evening sun gave us some great photo ops along the Highway and, tired after a long day, we said goodbye to the ladies and came back to the hotel for a quiet night in. No evening meal tonight, just a few snacks, a bit of TV and an early night.

Tomorrow is another busy day. We've scored tickets for the Canucks game and a ride in a floatplane. We need our energy levels on high!

Day 9 - Vancouver Downtown

Morning all. Got up and had a tasty breakfast in the Pacific Club lounge, the best cup of tea I have had over here for ages, cereal, fruit, toast, french bread and smoked salmon with a killer view really sets you off nicely for the day.

We go pick the ladies up at the Sutton Place hotel and head off to Granville Island market for a spot of tourism and to drown in the sight of the cake stall.

 As usual the massive selection of fruit, veg, meat etc is worthy of a few photos, a couple of which you can see here. This place is a cross between Billingsgate, Covent Garden, Smithfields, and a top-class food and crafts fair.

We venture outside to stroll around the myriad of clothing and other units where Monica decides it is time to purchase some surfy style winter-wear as they are just approaching that season back in Australia.

 We go to the Blue Parrot cafe for lunch overlooking False Creek and Yaletown.





We find a really strange coloured tulip on one of the flower stalls, check this out.

 This is no joke, it is a real flower.

So next we drive off to find the University of British Columbia, where we
have to find the book shop which sells UBC bears apparently.



Whilst waiting for the ladies to finish their shopping I see a strange animal, well strange for a Brit, it is a dark brown squirrell.

 We really are doing a whole bunch of tourist stuff today, next we head for Stanley Park which is always pleasant if a little chilly today. We spot a heron so it is a good day for spotting local wildlife. They have added another totem pole to the collection since we were here last year.



 Back to our hotel room where we find a bottle of wine on ice and a couple of glasses courtesy of our concierge who is rising by the day in the concierge popularity stakes. We discuss what to do for the rest of the week and decide to try for Canuck's ice hockey tickets for Friday evening, and hey presto, Ticketmaster have just recently opened a block for sale, so we buy four. We think they have become available because there is a lot of disquiet with the Canucks after going 2-1 down in the series and not playing at their best. But hey presto, tonight they come from behind with a blinding third period to win 6-4. So all the locals think we were lucky and clever to get the tickets. We are all really looking forward to it.

The ladies take their leave and Carol and I get ready for our 7 p.m. meal at The Bluewater Cafe.  A short taxi ride and we're there.  Dinner was delicious, a cocktail and G&T to start, Dungeness Crab Cakes for Jim, Smoked Sockeye Salmon Terrine for Carol.  We both choose identical mains - Halibut, new season, fresh off the boat at 3 pm, on the table 4 and a half hours later - cannot be beaten!.  A mix of great green veg and potatoes to go with followed by a lovely hot chocolate pudding with a melted chocolate inside and vanilla bean ice cream.  Coffee and brandy afterwards and then we're poured into a taxi to come home for an early night. Somehow I fear indigestion and strange dreams may occur!

Day 8 - Vancouver Downtown

Absolutely nothing happened today so see you tomorrow.

No really, I just spent 40 minutes typing up the blog for today and got some weird error message and lost the lot, so bum holes to blogger. Having said that, the weather was damp so we just mooched around the shops buying useful items like handbags and shoes. I asserted my manly presence and bought some underwear and socks. We had a great Thai meal in the evening.

Goodnight all.

Day 7 - Vancouver Downtown

Woke up at 5 something, made Carol a cup of tea and did usual routine, washing and breakfast in the Opal Lounge.  Then returned to room to begin packing for our departure around noon.  Packing was a breeze but, oh no!!  Serious depletion of Hawkins Cheezies supplies.  So we dash over to Save On Foods to restock.  Phew! culinary disaster averted.

Use the efficient "zip check out" (which basically means that if you agree with the bill which miraculously appears under the door sometime in the night, you leave the keys on the table, ring up an automated number and walk out the room.

After a short taxi ride we find ourselves at the Pan Pacific.  We both heave a great sigh of contentment as we are "home" again.  Phil the doorman takes one look at our baggage ticket (given by young greenhorn who doesn't know the Walls) and says "You don't need that!", takes our bags away and promises delivery on registration.

Registration happens on the Concierge level, 23rd floor and is handled in the usual efficient way by Housman, ex-Stargate extra and all round decent guy.  Our first instruction to him is to book a table at Carderos for that evening.  We leave unpacking and go meet up with Mon and Cats to take the Skytrain to GM Place where Canuck memorabilia await our purchase.  This consists of a hockey shirt for Mon, a hoodie for Carol and 2010 Playoff towels for all.  Jim and Cats threaten to bring theirs to the restaurant that night.  Back on the skytrain to Waterfront and onto the Sea Bus to take us across the Burrard Inlet to the North Shore and Lonsdale Quay Market.

After an hour of mooching around and purchase of strange stuffed raccoons (don't ask!) we return to our respective hotels for a rest and unpacking before meeting up at 7 for our meal at Carderos.  This is a great success as it's location is right slap bang in the middle of the yacht basin, we get a window seat, great view and all are happy.  Food is excellent, atmosphere vibrant - shame about the hockey (Canucks lose 5-3).  So much for waving our Towels.

We take a leisurely stroll back along the Seawall past the Olympic flame (not lit of course now) and say our goodnights.  Early bed after a great day and night.

Day 6 - Vancouver

Up at 5 something, still gnashing teeth over silly Canucks last night, but it does mean they have a least one more game back here in Vancouver on the 23rd, so maybe there is still a chance of getting a ticket.

The usual breakfast up in the Opal lounge then back to the room for a morning of photo copying, no wait I'm tired again so go back to bed for an hour. Why does my portable hard drive only play up when I'm in north America? Still, copying all done and Carol has deleted all the blurred ones.

Not much going on convention-wise today. Carol and the other web-site ladies are sorting through and cataloging all the stuff the actors have signed for the charity auction, they really are a kind bunch. I get bored and lonely around 11.30 so pop off to metrotown mall for a coffee and a spot of people watching.

Popped in to see a bit Rachel Luttrell then the Stargate Universe four-actor panel, which was  really good, I must give it another go when we get home. Back to the room for a rest with crosswords and my book, Chris Kuzneski's latest - The Prophecy, which is pretty good. I am already over half way through it so it looks like I will be taking a trip to Borders or such to get some more reading material.

It looks like we are off out to Earl's eatery tonight, no wait, change of plan, we are meeting Didier (whoever the hell he is) for dinner in the hotel restaurant as they have some charity stuff to discuss. The usual really good buffet and a bottle of 'Black widow' pinot gris, which was excellent. Oh yes, we think the waiter fancied me, he was very attentive, gave us free Remy Martin cognacs, and a code to use to get a big discount when we go the Fairmont Pacific Rim!! Spooky stuff.

Goodnight all.

Day 5 - Vancouver

This is getting to be a habit, we are up at 5.30 am and both hungry. At least I scared the crap out of myself - literally - I bought some pills for cement bowels and hey presto did the business - again literally and didn't have to take anything. So its back to the eat everything in site approach to holidaying. It is probably a chemical reaction to being relaxed and having fun. Enough about my bowels, where was I, ah yes, off to the Opal lounge for brekkie and run through the schedule for today.

As I am not required until 12.40 I decide to see if the camera manual and my camera savvy brother-in-law can shed any light (pun intended) on the crappy picture debacle. I get a few ideas and try them out with some moderate success. I suppose the positive thing is I have learned a load more about camera settings and operation.

This is an example of one of the better ones, so not to bad I think. The rest of the day is taken up with convention stuff, the highlight being these two in the picture. What a scream, I haven't laughed so much for ages, Hewlett is worth the cost of the ticket on his own, brilliant.

So the second Canucks play-off game is on at 7 pm which means I get to rest on the bed and watch it. All we have to do is get up to the Opal lounge for some food at some point.

Good selection tonight. Rice, pork, beef skewers, spring rolls with sweet & sour, sandwiches, two yummy sweets, crudities, mixed nuts, crisps, and the usual selection of hot and cold drinks. Really good value as it is free with the executive floor rooms. Hockey is going well, Canucks 2 LA Kings 0 after the fist period. GO CANUCKS GO. I didn't mean go missing in defence and let in two goals. So overtime it is then, and lost 3-2 after conceding a powerplay. W***ers.

Goodnight all.

Day 4 - Vancouver

Morning all, made it through to 5.13 am this morning, things are improving, but it is nice to get a full day in with no wastage. Met the crew up in the Opal lounge for breakfast as usual and discussed the plans for the day. Michael Anne and I walk over to Metrotown mall to get a nosepad and screw replaced on her specs then a spot of retail therapy. Whilst Carol isn't around I take the opportunity to buy the orange swatch watch I wanted the other day.

 My excuse is that it goes with the R on my t-shirt.

So back to the hotel and go see Andee Frizzell who as usual is good value for money. There seems to be a caucus of disappointment with the lighting in the auditorium, they have decided to turn the house lights off during most of the performance with just the high-intensity spots on the person on stage. Bad news, the actors are complaining that they can't see anything or anybody except the first couple of rows, and the punters can't take any pics as they nearly all come out blurred with poor exposure. Complaints have been lodged with the organisers so we will have to wait and see if they customer focused or not.
Apart from seeing Colin Cunningham in the afternoon and Carol having some photo ops it is a quiet day. Pop down to the bar for a pre-dinner snifter then into the restaurant for the evening buffet and a bottle of wine with Michael Anne and Carol. Three courses as-much-as-you-can-eat for $20 something.

We meet Monica and Dana out front and help carry a load of stuff up to their room, they have been to see Mr. Shanks to get things signed for the web-site auction in support of MS (multiple sclerosis not Michael Shanks).

Back to the bar for a nightcap and more natter then bed.

Goodnight all.

Day 3 - Vancouver

Managed a lie-in today until 4.45 am so mess about on the laptop until 6 am and go up to the Opal lounge for the complimentary brekkie. Yum, I must stop eating. Meet the crowd and decide to take the Skytrain into downtown for some tourist retail therapy and sightseeing. Paul manages to break one of the touchscreen ticket machines (I'm not letting him near my Windows 7 pc). Arrive at Waterfront station and weather is glorious, wall-to-wall sun and NO WIND or volcanic ash, by the way how are things in Pompei II or Sidcup as most people know it?



Photo op at Canada Place for the ladies. I am getting that 'I belong below stairs' feeling again milady.

 As we wander past the Pan Pacific Randal and Phil two of our friends from the Pan P valet squad come running out ' Hey Mr & Mrs Wall, what are you doing here?' So we all have an entertaining 5 mins catching up with things. Still we will be with them for a week from next Tuesday so plenty of time for chatting etc.

A slow wander down towards Gastown and the tourist souvenir shops, it seems everyone wants to get something they have in mind so lots of fun milling about trying on funny hats etc.



Bladder break for most of us, so we pop in to Starbucks for a leak and immediately start replacing fluids with a selection of teas and coffees, except Carol who is still protecting her new white teeth. 11.45 and time to head back as some of us want to see Peter Williams at 12.55. Hey I've just realised we didn't buy anything when we were out, that must be a first. Maybe Carol still has jet lag.

Rush down to the bar because we are both hungry again. Shrimp caesar and my first pint of Guiness, yum. Carol has something to do with houmus and roasted vegetables. Carol shoots off for an autograph signing with Peter Williams and I retire for the rest of the day as my exertions of the morning seem to be catching up with me. Carol is chilling out with her friends for the rest of day. I woke up and watched the Canucks beat the LA Kings 3-2 in overtime then went back to sleep again.

Goodnight all.


 

Day 2 - Vancouver

So it's up raring to go for the real day one, oh it's only 2.45am, what shall we do now dear? We mess about on the internet, shower, do a crossword, then pile up to the complimentary breakfast at 6.00am, which was most welcome as I seem to be permanently hungry. It is a good spread and we leave replete. So off to the Saverstore hypermarket across the road to get some goodies which for me means Hawkins cheezies, two industrial size packs should do for now. It is 7.30am and I am getting tired, it's time for my mid-day doze, aren't time zones wonderful. Awake again and time for a bucketload of cheezies with a cup of tea, god I love these things, long live Hawkins. Got a gut ache now so time for an ant-acid then off to Metrotown mall for 10.00am opening.

How does she do it, by 10.30am we have only been to a handful of shops, my arms are full of bags, and I haven't got anything yet, moan moan, there's a nice watch, maybe later dear is the reply, still the little love is enjoying herself. Yep I'm hungry again and there's the food court, that was good timing, we don't want to ruin our appetites (ha ha I think we have done enough damage to that already) so we share a plate of noodles and beef stir-fry, yummy. I hope I don't need the 'you-know-what' pills this time, they do tend to make going anywhere gravitational to a lavatory. Still not to be out-done, or determined to come away with something, we head into Sears for gander at the socks and underwear, highly exciting stuff eh. Well as usual they don't have what I want or they have gone bust so have to make do with another brand which look ok.

Back at the hotel we check up the flight status for Monica and Michael-Anne. Monica has landed early and texted that she is in a cab on her way. Michael-Anne's flight was cancelled from Dallas so she won't be here until 7.30pm, poor love and stand by for a volcanic eruption in the vicinity of American Airlines.

I spend a couple of hours sorting out Carol's mail problem, as she can't send stuff, while the girls catch up with things, what things I'm not sure, but girl 'things'. The ladies go over to Metrotown mall for more shopping and I have another munch of cheezies and another doze, life is good (apart from the gut cramps).

Change of reporter: Carol...expert on the art of shopping....

Monica and myself spent a pleasant couple of hours in the mall browsing, buying (Monica) and gossiping (both of us) and then returned to prepare for a nice quiet evening meal in the hotel dining room whilst awaiting the arrival of Michael-Anne..Soup, scallops, roast chicken, stir fry asian chicken and wine/drinks were enjoyed and finished just in time to greet the weary traveller...after a snack for her in the Opal Lounge and a meet up with fellow friends and convention-goers, Paul and Michelle, we adjourned to our room and prepared to queue for pre-registration for the Con.. ..luckily there was NO queue by this late hour so we got our funky plastic purple wristbands, scoped out auditorium and then retired to the bar, all apart from Jim who was tired again (must be all those Cheezies!) and went to bed....not that a riotous evening was in store for 4 very weary ladies....one soft and coffee later we all joined Jim in the land of nod...

Day 1 - UK to Vancouver

O'Briens airport taxi service delivers us to Heathrow terminal 5 in plenty of time. It is pretty empty so we whizz through bag-drop and security. Then bliss time, a slap up meal at Gordon Ramsey's with a decent Vigonier and a welcome gin and tonic. It always seems the holiday starts here every time we do this.

Steak and chips for me and fish for Carol followed by a scrummy chocolate mousse.

Plane takes off 40 mins late but we only arrive 10 mins late in Vancouver after a very smooth flight. Whizz through customs, small delay at baggage collection, into a cab and check in to the Hilton Metrotown just 1hr 10 mins after landing. The suite is great with a good view of the mountains. We dump the cases and head for the Opal lounge on our executive floor for complimentary food and drink, very welcome. Getting tired now as it is 9.30 pm here, 5.30 am in the UK, so off to bed.

A good stress free start to the holiday. It is about 12 degrees centigrade here, at least we are away from           that horrible cold wind back in the UK.

   Goodnight all.