Vancouver and a long lost cousin!

For anyone who didn't know my mum or who hasn't already heard the story, we didn't know about  cousin Jack until about 5 years ago.  Mum and her cousin Grace in Toronto were researching the family tree and knew that there was a branch of the family connected with Canada and the Hudson Bay Trading Company.  Between them, with the help of the interenet, the Hudson Bay Company as it is today and a very very helpful Senator from the Yukon Terrotory, they tracked Jack down to Vancouver.  I'm not exactly sure what relation he is to me by title but he is the Granson of my Great Grandmother's sister.  Cousin will do just fine!

In 2006 Mum and Grace met in Vancouver and together met up with Jack for the first time and then took the train back to Toronto, which is really what inspired me to take the train in the first place.  But since that meeting, we have been in regular contact with Jack by email and he has even been to visit Grace in Omemee.

So it seemed fitting that I should meet him while I was in Vancouver and when I told him of my visit, he invited me to stay.  And I am very glad I did.  We had a really fun few days.

After meeting me at the train station, we went back to Jack's condo where I was issued with a map and set of keys as Jack had to go to his voluntary job in the afternoon.  It was such a lovely day that I managed to walk a long way around the city and get my bearings, and with the promise of a sail for the following day, it all looked very promising.

Tuesday morning arrived, I looked out of the window and immediately identified that it was not going to be a day for sailing.  The mountains which were visible clearly behind the high rises the day before had almost disappeared into a cloud, and it was raining quite heavily, so the plans for that day were abandoned and instead we did a bit of shopping followed by a very damp trip to the Aquarium which was lovely, and I saw Beluga whales for the first time which was very interesting.

Luckily the following day was much better and after a walk at the water front in the morning, we were collected by Jack's friend Albert and taken to his boat at a Marina on False Creek for a spot of sailing.  It was a perfect day for it, we left False Creek, headed out into the bay and got excellent views of the city and Stanley Park from the water.  And as Jack said, it was nice to be able to see the city from my favourite medium.

Thursday being my last day, Jack had another afternoon of work to attend so we headed out early for breakfast at the market on Granville Island, followed by a spot of shopping.  Then after the walk back to the city, Jack left me at Spokes Bike rental so I could hire a bike for a couple of hours cycling around Stanley Park which was excellent and great exercise.  After the cyclcing and all the walking around the city, a lot of which was up hill, I felt I had made up for the days on the train where not much exercise took place at all!

My last night in Vanvcouver was maked by dinner at a restaurant in the city which Jack treated me to, and afterwards, the final meeting with the Doggy Social as I call it, and I will fill you in.....!  Outside Jack's building each night, there is a gathering of dog owners who come together so the dogs can have some social time and the owners can have a chat.  The pooches seem to enjoy it and so did I as the dogs are all very friendly, even Benson who is a large mountain dog but who is a little shy when it comes to new people and didn't like to come near me!  I met him one day with his owner, and Benson spent the whole time trying to hide behind his owner so I couldn't pat him, but I was assured it wasn't me, he's like that with all new people!  Phew!!!

And then it was time to say goodbye to Jack and to Vancouver.  There was so much I didn't get a chance to see within the city, even before I think about the mountains and national parks outside the city, I defintiely have to go back again and more time will be required next time to fit it all in.

Jack took me to the airport on the Skytrain, which actually went mainly underground until we got near to the airport and had to cross the river a couple of times.  Luckily, when heading to the US from Canada, you clear US Customs and Immigration IN Canada, so when I reached LA, I didn't have to wait in line, but went straight to the carousel to get my luggage and as I turned to look for my Dad, there he was walking towards me with his luggage all ready to collect the hire car.

California here we come!