At the airport, waiting for our midnight flight to Toronto. They always seem like a good idea when booking them but when the time comes, you wonder what in the hell you did. Anyway, not much we can do about it. Have had a fabulous time in Vancouver although way too short. It's been 14 years since I've been back here and it was so good to catch up with 2 really good friends from my time living here.

On Tuesday morning, we spent the morning re-sorting our bags once again, this time with summer clothes on top. We also managed to send a small box home with some of our winter gear....to make space for the souvenirs and gifts. Then it was time to head to the airport and get our flight to Vancouver. They were about 30mins behind schedule. So, even though we have paid pretty much full fare airfares, you still have to pay for checked bags and on the plane, if you don't have headphones, you have to buy them too. They did give you one complimentary soda / juice (in the smallest cup possible). I was able to watch The Zookeepers Wife which was an excellent movie. Unfortunately, mum's system wasn't co-operating. It was a touch screen and the arrow on the screen never matched up with where you were pointing so she gave up and read a book instead. Just before landing we were warned about some turbulence. I must admit, I've never been in a plane that has been given a jolt like that before, we did a serious dip but it only lasted a few seconds. I said to mum "and you were worried about the small planes".

Taxi to the hotel and after a quick bite to eat and something to drink, time to call it a night. Yesterday morning we met up with Heather and Martha. I met these two lovely ladies when I worked here in Vancouver back in 2002 / 2003 at Citizens Bank. We had some great times back then and it was like time had not passed at all when we saw each other once again.

After meeting at a coffee shop and passing 2 hours way too quickly, we headed to Granville Island where there are lots of food stalls and other shops to wander through. It was a favourite of mine when I used to live here. You can get little boats across the water to get back and forth. We met up with Martha's partner Geoff for a drink before going for a drive around Stanley Park. This park is huge, at the edge of the city and lots of people walk or bike around it. Heather had thought we could hire tandem bikes and ride around, but mum wasn't too keen on that idea. We did a quick stop at Third Beach and had a quick view of a racoon as it ran away. Needless to say, the Canadians weren't too fussed by it.

For dinner we headed to Gastown, an area full of bars and restaurants. Heather had been told she must try a new Vegan restaurant that had opened up called Meet. While living here, Heather introduced me to a few vegan dishes / restaurants and we always enjoyed them. This restaurant is rather popular and we had a 2hr wait for a table so we went to a pub for a drink. It was late by the time a table was available but it was worth it. Those of you who know mum will wonder how in the hell did she manage a vegan restaurant when she doesn't like her vegies but she did OK. She was open to trying new things and managed to get enough to eat. Can see why it is so busy.

All too soon (or rather late) it was time to say goodbye to my dear friends. I can only hope it won't be another 14years between catch ups. This morning was sleep in day. I ended up having to wake mum up about 10.30am otherwise she could still be asleep. After checking out, we walked down to where I used to live and I think I got the right apartment building. Then walked around Lost Lagoon which is at the start of Stanley Park and just at the end of the street where I used to live. Was nice taking a quiet stroll around in the sunshine and enjoying the wildlife around - geese, ducks, dragonflies, heron and then eventually racoons. First there was one and then around the next corner was a mum and bub and a few moments later another mum and bub appeared. We were rather excited.

We then walked up Robson St and then down to the Waterfront and on to Gastown for a bite to eat. Lots of walking today but was good to see places I remembered and it bought back lots of memories. I really enjoyed living in Vancouver. It is a lovely, vibrant city. Unfortunately it was time to get back to the hotel and collect our bags so we could head here to the airport. Lets hope we get some sleep on the plane but looking forward to tomorrow when I get to meet up with some more old friends.