The days seem quite short here at the moment, as we get aboot (sic.) 5 hours of sunshine. For anyone reading this in the UK, you'll be pleased to know the weather SUCKS, so I am looking forward to some sun in Rio!
We met Brian for lunch today at one of the restaurants he works in and it was great. It has a spectacular view overlooking the city and is set in pretty surroundings. All his work colleagues were very friendly and funny to talk to and we had good times chatting over dinner, which, incidentally, was delicious! Nice bottle of Canadian Riesling to wash it down with too.
Cressy and I had our first journey on Canadian public transport to head back to the apartment, which was AMAZING. It was a metal tube-shaped object balanced upon wheels which travelled at close to the speed of sound UNDER THE GROUND. What next?
We had our first tiff over selecting a bottle of wine to give to Brian as a thankyou gift. I would have preferred to discuss which colour, what variety, why we're buying it, but it seemed the missus had already made her mind up, which led to a set-to! Going forward, conversation between the two warring factions has been limited but a UN peacekeeper is being flown in to resolve the dispute. Watch this space!
Rio here we come...
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Vancouver Day 2
Stanley Park inline skating yeah?! Nope. Autumnal weather put a stop to that.
Mole and I walked a good few miles again, crossing over into southern parts of Vancouver to get some camping gear and buy Brian a gift for being so hospitable. We decided on Howard Zinn's book called 'People's History of America - from 1492 to Present' as Brian and I had discussed it for a wee while and he seemed keen on it. I loved it and got the impression he shared my leftist 'let's stick it to the man' attitude so thought it would be ideal!
The weather absolutely sucked today, so we were just desperate to get in, get warm and have a cup of tea. Of course I am now sitting here typing in my boxers, as my jeans were soaked through and I haven't summoned the energy to put anything else on. Cressy is hardcore and has been asleep on the sofa for approx. 1 h 30 mins, and it's only just after 8 p.m.. I may be adventurous and walk around the corner later to buy some beer, but that is yet to be confirmed.
Tomorrow we're going to meet Brian for lunch at the Queen Elizabeth Park and then who knows what may happen. For a change, I may eat some pizza and drink some beer. Hard life!
Mole and I walked a good few miles again, crossing over into southern parts of Vancouver to get some camping gear and buy Brian a gift for being so hospitable. We decided on Howard Zinn's book called 'People's History of America - from 1492 to Present' as Brian and I had discussed it for a wee while and he seemed keen on it. I loved it and got the impression he shared my leftist 'let's stick it to the man' attitude so thought it would be ideal!
The weather absolutely sucked today, so we were just desperate to get in, get warm and have a cup of tea. Of course I am now sitting here typing in my boxers, as my jeans were soaked through and I haven't summoned the energy to put anything else on. Cressy is hardcore and has been asleep on the sofa for approx. 1 h 30 mins, and it's only just after 8 p.m.. I may be adventurous and walk around the corner later to buy some beer, but that is yet to be confirmed.
Tomorrow we're going to meet Brian for lunch at the Queen Elizabeth Park and then who knows what may happen. For a change, I may eat some pizza and drink some beer. Hard life!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Vancouver
So, not sure how to start this. As it's my blog, do I say hello? Well, anyway, this will suffice.
Me & the missus are in Vancouver! Flight was nice and easy and flew by (excuse the pun). Cressy's friend Brian picked us up from the airport and is putting us up in his flat. What a legend! Really nice guy, funny, friendly and very hospitable. His place is slap bang in the city centre and is really nice. A wicked batchelor pad, complete with frosted screen on the outside wall of the shower, which means we're all getting to know each others' silhouettes!!
First night we were jet(s)lagged so just went for a few beers (14) then went to bed at about 8 p.m. . Brian came in from work at 2 a.m. ish so we stayed up talking and putting the world right for a couple of hours. I think Obama will be on the phone any day now.
Today, on our second day the corned beef (Cressy) and I had our orientation meeting in the city and then followed it with loads of walking, puncuated by regular stops for pizza, falafel, hash browns, tea and coffee. So we're sticking to the 'healthy eating' target religiously so far. We took a trip up the skytower and I coped magnificently with both the glass fronted lift and at the top of it. I even struck up the courage to walk towards the windows and look out.
Vancouver feels like a sober version of California to me - people are down to earth, friendly, have funny accents, say 'aboot' and the men generally have goatee beards, which is of course a sign that they shouldn't be trusted. There are lots of trendy small dogs with jackets on, generally accompanied by owners who also have jackets, incidentally.
Tonight we intend to walk into the city, have a few bevvies and go up the skytower to see the night lights.
Day count: 2.
Argument count: 0
Me being right count: 475,000
Me being excellent with directions: as above.
Tomorrow we plan to hire roller blades, explore Stanley Park and visit the aquarium.
More to follow.
Me & the missus are in Vancouver! Flight was nice and easy and flew by (excuse the pun). Cressy's friend Brian picked us up from the airport and is putting us up in his flat. What a legend! Really nice guy, funny, friendly and very hospitable. His place is slap bang in the city centre and is really nice. A wicked batchelor pad, complete with frosted screen on the outside wall of the shower, which means we're all getting to know each others' silhouettes!!
First night we were jet(s)lagged so just went for a few beers (14) then went to bed at about 8 p.m. . Brian came in from work at 2 a.m. ish so we stayed up talking and putting the world right for a couple of hours. I think Obama will be on the phone any day now.
Today, on our second day the corned beef (Cressy) and I had our orientation meeting in the city and then followed it with loads of walking, puncuated by regular stops for pizza, falafel, hash browns, tea and coffee. So we're sticking to the 'healthy eating' target religiously so far. We took a trip up the skytower and I coped magnificently with both the glass fronted lift and at the top of it. I even struck up the courage to walk towards the windows and look out.
Vancouver feels like a sober version of California to me - people are down to earth, friendly, have funny accents, say 'aboot' and the men generally have goatee beards, which is of course a sign that they shouldn't be trusted. There are lots of trendy small dogs with jackets on, generally accompanied by owners who also have jackets, incidentally.
Tonight we intend to walk into the city, have a few bevvies and go up the skytower to see the night lights.
Day count: 2.
Argument count: 0
Me being right count: 475,000
Me being excellent with directions: as above.
Tomorrow we plan to hire roller blades, explore Stanley Park and visit the aquarium.
More to follow.
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