Vancouver from perspective of Granville Market

Still shaking down into a routine in the RV, especially trying to remember in which of the numerous storage cupboards and drawers we'd put items. Morning ablutions took place in the shower block which entailed decisions about what to wear and what to take and if we'd got everything when we stepped out of the door. We could, of course, used the shower and toilet in the vehicle but that means you have to look out at how much waste there is in the tank.

Eventually we were ready and took the SkyTrain back into Vancouver, the first destination being a bus ride from WaterFront station (which was at one time the terminus for Canadian Pacific and is in a lovely old building) to Granville Island Public Market.

This is the number 1 attraction in Vancouver according to the guidebooks, and it certainly is a fascinating place. It's a covered market in the true sense of the phrase; a cornucopia of produce and crafts from BC and Canada. Being traditionalists we enjoyed soup and scones for lunch but there was a bewildering variety of food on offer; I was tempted to try lots more stuff. We did buy some pasta stuffed with various fillings, a sauce and some vegetables and fruit for dinner, deciding to eat in rather than trawl around looking for somewhere to eat.

A good view of False Creek and the city apartments from the terraces which led to today's blip, people eating that delicious food looking out over the Creek to the city. It was a busy, happening place, hustle and bustle, musicians playing with endless opportunities to browse and absorb the atmosphere.

Granville Island was one on of the waterside walks, so after we'd had our fill of the Market we strolled the boardwalks under blue skies to Vanier Park, catching a water bus across the Creek to hook up with the walk around Vancouver's number 3 attraction, Stanley Park which is billed as the No 1 seaside walkway in the world. And having done a few of these in our time, its a valid claim. Bright sunshine, great views, the ocean, mountains, people, shipping all combined to lift spirits. We finished the walk through the middle of the park stoping at Beaver Lake and enjoying all the Redwoods and other plants and animals that live in the forested part of the Park.

We caught another bus back to the station and were quickly back to the campground, tired, having covered some 8 miles all in. The pasta went down a treat. Tomorrow we're meeting blipped HarryJ in Chilliwack, then to see a friend I've not seen for 35 years, also in Chilliwack but before all that the waste tanks need emptying!

We received some very upsetting news from the Allotment Committee overnight in that 8 sheds were completely destroyed by fire, one of which was ours. All our stuff has been lost apart from the metal bits of tools. Might well be sparks from a bonfire, we don't know.