This past weekend we made our annual trip into the city for the long weekend. On Friday Dale drove to work and he took our luggage with him. I took the SkyTrain into the city, getting off at the Granville Station. It was a leisurely walk from there to our hotel. I got into the lobby and checked my phone. There was a text from Dale. He was involved with a situation at work and would be a little late. No problem. I walked to a nearby coffee shop and had a cup of tea and a slice of lemon loaf. I sat in the window and did a little people watching and read my Kindle. It was a pleasant way to waste an hour. My tea was almost gone when Dale texted again to say he was still hung up at work and would be a while. I called the restaurant we had planned to visit and cancelled our reservation, then I walked back to the hotel. I checked in and went up to the room. Later I walked to a grocery store to get some milk so I could make my own cup of tea, the room had a kitchen area. When Dale finally arrived our second choice for dinner was closed so we hit the hotel restaurant and had some appies and a drink. Dale vented about work while we ate.

The next morning we went to a little cafe, le Petit Belge, I had passed on my way to the grocery store the night before. We had to wait about 10 minutes but we were soon sitting inside at a little table. Dale had a chai latte and I got my usual cup of tea. It came in a beautifully decorated little metal teapot. Our breakfasts were amazing. I had a plain waffle with maple syrup with side of bacon and potatoes and Dale had the salmon Benny, on waffles! We will definitely have breakfast there again.

Later in the day we took a little ferry to Granville Island. It was very busy. We walked through the public market but didn’t buy anything. After a while we went to the Net Loft where it was less busy. We found a table and had lunch. Dale had a very hot curry and I had a delicious pad Thai. On our way back to the little ferry dock we stopped and bought some chocolates. We had to wait quite a while for the ferry. It was hot but not unbearably so. There was a lot to see on the water – paddle boarders and kayakers and boats, so the wait didn’t seem too long.

This year we decided to do something different for the fireworks. Dale booked us on a dinner cruise. We walked to the site of the old casino and boarded “The Queen of Diamonds”. We had a table by the window. The people at the table beside us were already seated. We introduced ourselves and chatted a little before Dale went to get us a drink. The cruise started at 7:30 and dinner was served once we were out of the busy part of English Bay. After dinner we went out onto the bow of the boat to enjoy the evening air. The scenery was spectacular. As night fell we headed back towards the city. We had dessert while standing at our spot on the port side of the bow. It was chocolate fondue, with fruit and little cream puffs, delicious. Just before 10:00 the boat stopped opposite English Bay. A few test fireworks went up, and then the show started. There was a slight problem with the sound system on the boat and we missed a bit of simulcast music. But it was soon remedied and we were able to enjoy the full effect of the fireworks set to music. It was a great way to see the fireworks. Not too crowded and no one standing in front of us. We had a great time.

In the morning we had a quick breakfast at our hotel before we went to find a spot on the Pride parade route. We got set up behind some barricades at the corner of Nicola and Robson. We played Scrabble while we waited. Just as the parade started two women pushed their way between my chair and the post I was up against. They effectively blocked the view of everyone else who was already there. When there was a break in the parade, I told one of the women she was in the way. She moved but her friend didn’t. As the parade went on her friend found it very uncomfortable and awkward to stand there, but as the crowd grew she couldn’t move. She seemed irritated. Then when someone stood in front of her, she complained. I know how she felt.

The parade was wonderful, as always. I was very pleased to see our Prime Minister walking in it. He was well protected but was able to stop and pose for photos. Every year I am amazed by the indefatigable Hedy Fry, the Liberal MLA for Vancouver Centre. She dresses up and dances the whole parade route. She’s an amazing woman, google her.

The Honourable Hedy Fry

We had a great time in the city. As I’ve said before, I’d live there if we could, but we can’t. So we’ll be happy living here, with the option of hopping on the SkyTrain to be there in less than an hour when we want.