Day 20 - Vancouver

Granville Island with Laura, Lauren, Charlie and Adam
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Today we all awoke later than usual after our night out last night - it must have been at least 8.30 before we got up - crazy stuff! We took a walk down to Granville Island (which incidently is not actually an island at all, but that is a mere technicality!) where there are lots of art galleries and a good food market. (However, it does not beat Borough Market, but comes closer than the farmers' market in San Francisco). We looked round some cool homeware stores - got serious interior design itches again, and went to a silk weaving place where they were growing silk worms which was actually pretty interesting. After stopping for some lunch and a drink we returned to Lauren's apartment and discovered that Thelma had been left a love letter.

Downtown from Granville Island
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However, on closer inspection it was not actually a love letter at all but a parking ticket for (and I quote) 'parking other than headed in the direction of traffic'. I would like to point out that Lauren lives in a small residential street which is not one way. Ridiculous. Mulling on this it was time to take Charlie to the airport and say our goodbyes for a few weeks. She should be winging her way back to the UK as I write this.

Distance travelled today - 0 miles

Maple syrup!
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This evening we went to the final country's entry for the firework competition. It was Mexico's turn and the fireworks were really amazing. Much better than the Czech Republic. However, the beach was really packed and we had trouble finding a spot to sit. We ended up sitting next to a large group of people who had a gas barbecue, proper armchairs, a campfire, podiums (yes, proper 5ft plus podiums), thrones and a really annoying guy playing odd songs on the guitar. They were all a bit strange and Laura decided that they were distinctly 'cult-like'. However, we decided that they were preferable to sitting next to a bin. When the fireworks commenced we were rather disappointed to discover that we couldn't actually see a thing which was unfortunate! We managed to move a bit and see them until a small child decided to stand right in front of our view so it appeared that fireworks were coming out of his head. Eventually he moved and our view was restored which was lucky as they were quite spectacular. I have no idea which country has won the competition but I'm sure I'll find out in due course.

Charlie, Lauren and Adam
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Tomorrow is my last day in Canada before returning to the States for another 3 weeks of driving before leaving Thelma and getting flights to places instead. We might be going across to Victoria tomorrow on the ferry but it depends how energetic we are feeling...

Distance travelled today - 0 miles.

Bearwatch - still 0.