The mention of food ratcheted up my craving for a fat, juicy burger and fries. Forget the calories—and a tall, cold beer. Our destination, St. James’s Well Irish pub, a favorite of the Vancouver hikers. I took little notice of the dark, polished wood surrounds and the long wall of large front windows. Gimme a menu. Please. I must have been more dazed than I imagined as I ordered a grilled sirloin sandwich instead. I never eat sandwiches. Beyond disappointed, I dug in anyway but finished only two-thirds. It was tasty and quieted my hankering for food. The beer, though, arrived tall and warm. Warm after a parched hike. The simple lunch cost $25.00 but the company and camaraderie were priceless. Sigh.
The pub fare scented the air although the breeze outside had dropped. We exchanged warm goodbyes with promises of future meetings. The sun smiled large and benevolent; we moseyed to the SUV and soon a nap—I hoped. Almost 7:00 p.m. Ontario time, I lumbered slow as a turtle in January due to a full tummy and a (warm) beer-buzzed brain.
A nap did not happen. We rested till evening, visiting and catching up on email. My three compadres chose to watch a movie. The day finally ended at an exhausting 2:00 a.m., Ontario time.
The next morning, after a late lumberjack’s breakfast, Jean and Michael suggested a visit to West Vancouver’s Centennial Seawalk for a stroll. The light jacket weather was perfect for the two-kilometer outing (x 2).
At the start:
The paved walkway filled with a brisk and surging crowd yet not congested. I avoided photographing strangers and loved this relaxed walk and scenery.
Along the way:
The end of the line, on the way back to the car park. For a change, I have a zillion pictures, too many to post.
Additional images of the Centennial Seawalk
Another full day, a late supper, and a delightful treat in someone’s front yard around the block from Jean and Michael’s. I want one of these on my lawn, I do. I do. Don’t you? The thought is tempting but I cannot be trusted to not spend all day at the window. When books were exchanged, I’d race out for first scrutiny soon as the bibliophile departed. I had better not entertain the idea. . .
Next on March 2nd: North to Alaska: Vancouver Lookout Tower
© 2018 Tess @ How the Cookie Crumbles
February 23, 2018 at 6:33 pm
I love the free library Tess. It’s odd, the skyscrapers along the marine walk looked like the facades of building like film sets rather than the real 3D deal. The walk itself looked lovely though.
Great to see you writing again.
xxx Humongous Hugs xxx
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March 2, 2018 at 7:06 pm
Hi. Hi. Hi David. Good to wander in now and again. Thanks so much for reading and sticking with bad me. Cannot manage full time just yet. You’re right about the buildings looking like a film set. My impression as well. Lots of construction going on as well as maintenance. Loved the walk. The day sure was pur-tee for it. 🙂
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February 23, 2018 at 7:18 pm
A small village near where I live has converted their public phone box (bought from British Telecom for £1) into a free library. It’s been a huge success.
I’m going to make my first visit to Canada, to Vancouver this year to celebrate my aunt’s 90th birthday and visit a whole tribe of family I don’t know.
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February 24, 2018 at 4:52 pm
You will love Vancouver Mary. I lived there for 25 years. A great city. I too love those Little Free Libraries.
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March 2, 2018 at 7:10 pm
I love Vancouver. It might be because of the people I know and visit there. It truly is God’s country to me and the mountains make you glad to be alive, they’re so majestic but green instead of snow-capped. 😀
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March 2, 2018 at 7:08 pm
The public phone box is a fantastic idea for a library. I want to see it and snoop through the books. 😀 Can’t help it. If I ever get my act together, I just might look into one for my front yard. Gives me goosebumps thinking about it.
You’ll love Vancouver. It’s god’s country to me. The air is so clean and the mountains make me feel like smaller than a flee. Wish you a fabulous time and many happy returns to your aunt on her 90th. ❤
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February 23, 2018 at 8:40 pm
What a super walk, Tess. There were some interesting signs along the way.
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March 2, 2018 at 7:11 pm
Thank you, John. I do enjoy a good walk and it was a perfect day for it. Nothing like throwing away the clock and taking your time. Anytime I’m around water I’m happy. 🙂
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March 3, 2018 at 8:54 am
I am with you. Water is life.
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February 23, 2018 at 9:33 pm
Tess we have these little free libraries near us. Such fun. Also in the schoolyard near us. Love the idea. How disappointing about the warm beer. It’s one of the great rewards of hiking and cycling, that cold ale is the carrot at the end of the stick.
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March 2, 2018 at 7:13 pm
I love the free library idea. If I ever get my act together, I’d like to look into having one in my front yard. Probably meet some interesting bibliophiles since I’ll most likely keep an eye on those precious books.
Indeed, the warm beer was a disappointment. Sigh. Oh well, I lived to tell the tale after that jetlag walk. 😀 😀
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February 23, 2018 at 10:33 pm
We have quite a few Little Free Libraries near us. They’re such a wonderful idea.
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March 2, 2018 at 7:15 pm
I’ve heard of them and seen pictures online but this was my first up-close-and-personal experience. I shiver with excitement thinking about the cute little things and want one too. Maybe one day.
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February 24, 2018 at 2:57 am
Love the photos. Warm beer. Yuck!
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March 2, 2018 at 7:16 pm
Thanks, granny1947, for stopping by and reading. You’re right about the warm beer. I wonder why we lucked out on this special day. 😉
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February 24, 2018 at 10:24 am
I’m surprised how many like warm beer. Not for me, either, Tess! And I love the free lending library.
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March 2, 2018 at 7:17 pm
Golly, there’s nothing like a cool one when you’re parched after a l.o.n.g. walk. I’m all agog over the free lending libraries. My first closeup experience with one. 🙂
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February 24, 2018 at 4:53 pm
I love the pictures of North Vancouver. Such a lovely place. Too bad about the warm beer. I thought that only happened in the UK.
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March 2, 2018 at 7:18 pm
There was warm beer at my wedding because it was the hottest day of the year and everyone was thirsty. The darn fridge wasn’t helping cool them off fast enough. Yuck to warm beer. 😉
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February 24, 2018 at 4:59 pm
So great to be on your with again, welcome back Tess, yes I want a library for my lawn , great idea 💜
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March 2, 2018 at 7:20 pm
Hi, Willow. Have to visit when I get a chance. Love to talk with you all. This is truly a community. Miss you. Still have to steal time to visit. 😦 Darn great to see you. Thanks
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March 3, 2018 at 2:18 am
Hi Tess, predictive text strikes again, I meant to say, ‘Its great to be on your travels, with you again! ‘ but managed to write gobeldegook! Good to see you back 💜
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February 24, 2018 at 8:08 pm
That felt amazing, to go along with you. 🙂
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March 2, 2018 at 7:21 pm
You’re always so sweet, Colleen. Nice to know I don’t go it alone. Love having you along. ❤ 🙂
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March 3, 2018 at 7:49 am
Thank you! 😉
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February 25, 2018 at 2:40 am
Your photos area nice insight into everyday Vancouver Tess 🙂
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March 2, 2018 at 7:22 pm
Aren’t you sweet, Gilly. I love Vancouver. Thank you for popping in. Miss you. 😉
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February 25, 2018 at 7:35 am
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Another of my regular stopovers at the weekend is at Tess Karlinski who has guided me through China, Newfoundland and Alaska.. this week Tess has joined friends in Vancouver… and shares the sights with us before continuing on her Alaskan adventure.
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March 2, 2018 at 7:23 pm
Thank you, Sally. You are wonderful to reblog this. I DO appreciate it. XXX
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March 3, 2018 at 4:50 am
Delighted to share your adventures Tess.. hugs… xxxxxx
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February 25, 2018 at 12:41 pm
You do take lovely pictures, Tess. I enjoyed learning a bit more about Vancouver.
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March 2, 2018 at 7:24 pm
Love Vancouver. Of course, I don’t do downtown as I hate lots of traffic and congestion anywhere. The air and the green covered mountains do it for me. A piece of heaven to me. 🙂 Thanks for the visit. Lovely to see you.
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February 27, 2018 at 5:35 am
Hi Tess! Came over to see what you have been up to (after your lovely comment on my blog) and found you in Vancouver! One of my favourite cities, though you are exploring a part I have not been to. So is this just a stopover on the way to Alaska? Can’t wait…
Hope all is well, have missed you around blogland ❤ ❤
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March 2, 2018 at 7:26 pm
Hi Jude. Yes, this is a stopover on the way to Alaska. We flew in early to spend time with one of our other sisters, which made three of us, leaving two others in Ontario. 🙂
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March 3, 2018 at 9:44 am
Wow! Five sisters! I can’t imagine what that must have been like growing up. My daughter has two girls and they drive me bonkers with their noise!
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