Day 18

A slow unhurried start to the day. We were heading for Kitsalano Beach and decided we would first walk to Queen Elizabeth Park about 10 minutes away. Passing a golf course in one corner of the park we headed up the hill (so much for leaving those behind in the Rockies!) into the park. At the high point there was a restaurant with great views out to the city and North Vancouver. The restaurant also looks down on what is called the small quarry garden which is very pretty with seasonal summertime flowers.

We walked up past the conservatory and decorative fountain. At different points around the fountain there were people doing their morning tai chi, meditation and wedding group having photos taken. Continuing on we then looked down into the large quarry garden.

Descending the path we walked through the small quarry garden. Something that would not be planted in Australian garden parks is lantana. Not only do they have it among other ornamental plants they shape it into a topiary in certain places.

We then decided rather than having to change buses to arrive at our destination we would continue our walk. Many of the streets are tree lined with maples, sequoia or other large shade producing trees. On reaching Cambie street and heading down to W16th Ave we discovered a number of the side streets were being set up for a market/ carnival atmosphere.

Two hours or so after leaving home we arrived at Kitsalano beach. At first we saw only a little gravel area but on continuing around the pathway we came to quite a large pool on one side and the grey sand of the beach on the other. As it was quite warm a lot of locals were making use of the pool and the beach. It reminded us more of Redcliffe at home as the beach is in the bay area. It is interesting to see the beach scattered with purposefully placed logs for people to lean against and/or use for shelter.

The 2016 American Masters started this weekend so we were able to see a number of teams participating in Beach Volleyball at this beach.

We then decided we would keep an eye out for a coffee shop. We found one at Granville Island Markets (we had visited here on our previous stay in Vancouver). After our refreshments we walked over the bridge enabling us to get photos of Granville Island in the opposite direction to our first visit. We then had a wonder through downtown Vancouver before finally deciding we would catch the bus. By the time we arrived home we had walked 18km. (Add 2km more for Vince when he walked back to BC Liquor Store to return some wine that was not up to standard - Australian Yellow Tail Shiraz so we knew it did not taste right!! Margaret started the ironing while Vince ran this little errand).

Dinner and pack before heading to bed.