Vancouver - part 1

New tree growing out of old stump

     For our summer vacation, CC and I flew out to Vancouver for a week where he has family and we both have friends. I had only been there once before and was looking forward to seeing it through CC's eyes, who has been there many times before.  I managed to use all of my Airmiles points to get us both there and back and we stayed at his Aunt J's house in Kerrisdale, so it was a cheap holiday.
     We arrived in Vancouver (courtesy of Air Crapada) mid-afternoon on a Friday and took a cab to his Aunt's place.  She's an animal lover and there are many trees and shrubs on the property and many birds at her bird feeder.  Saw my first Stellar Jay ever - looks like a punk Blue Jay!  We unpacked and walked to downtown Kerrisdale to pick up some much-needed supplies (Scotch) and walked back through Maplegrove Park where there are remnants of some giant trees.  It was an early night for all of us as we were cream-crackered.

The Kitsilano Beach on English Bay

     On the Saturday, we walked from Kerrisdale to downtown, a three hour hike through lots of interesting neighbourhoods with tremendous gardens.  It was spectacular seeing the view to the harbour with the mountains in the background.

     In Kitsilano, everyone was enjoying the sun and the water and I loved the air and the smell of the water.  We continued through Vanier Park, past the Museum of Vancouver and across the very Art Deco Burrard Street Bridge.

     We ended up on Robson Street and stopped for a much-deserved lunch at a Korean restaurant, ApGuJung, and had a seafood and chive pancake, small pork dumplings, shrimp skewers and vegetarian BiBimBop - all very tasty and filling!  We then walked some more and took the bus back to Kerrisdale as our dogs were barking.  After a rest, a chat with Auntie J with some scotch, we walked into downtown Kerrisdale and had dinner at a neighbourhood pizza place, George's.  It was then back home and another early night.

Ready for dinner

     Sunday was our day for making dinner for CC's family, so we went to the grocery store in Dunbar, got our supplies, then headed back after a detour along the coast and past UBC.  CC prepared dessert while I prepped the vegetables during which Aunty J and her friend, I, came in.  Being ladies of a certain generation, they had lots of comments for  CC on his pastry and then talk turned to what the best apples are for apple pie - Northern Spy apparently!  I made a leek and cauliflower gratin with bacon and prepared the mushroom, sun-dried tomato and prosciutto filling for the chicken breasts.  It was a team effort cutting, stuffing and tying up the chicken breasts.  CC set the table while I prepared the fresh apricots with blue cheese, which were to be broiled.  I also folded origami cranes for the table settings, and threw together a quick cucumber and yoghurt salad and a simple green salad.  Auntie J came upstairs and then CC's niece, brother, sister-in-law and friend, GS, arrived.  We had a nice bottle of champagne with the appetizers and wine with the dinner, which went very well.  The family stories were very entertaining and CC's cake was a hit!  After everyone left, we cleaned up and hit the hay.