and to sea once more

It is funny that 6 weeks in a beautiful place and not much to write about. After a morning at sea the proper adventures has already started.
Not more than an hour had passed and we spotted our first pod of Orcas, killer whales playing just off the bow of the boat. It was beautiful.

Then shortly after lunch we responded to a May Day radio call. We were fortunately just 7 miles from the small sailing boat that had a medical emergency. We launched one of our fast boats and sent our nurse with two crew who were able to revive the gentleman. The poor bloke was a diabetic and had passed out due to low blood sugar. Anyway he was stabilized and eventually transfered to a coastguard boat and taken ashore, we are now on our way again.

'Bean' there and done it Again!

It is wonderful to be in one place for a while and Vancouver has to be one of the best. I generally like to find a small, quiet place with friendly people, who get to know my name. A place where I can go and relax away from the boat. Here in Vancouver it was the 'Bean' coffee shop, The Bean Around The World was virtually at the top of the boats gangway and the staff and customers made me feel really welcome. This is my new favorite. As if anyone would care about Daren's guide to worlds best coffee shop hangouts.

#1 Bean Around the world, North Vancouver

#2 Sentient Bean, Savannah, USA

#3 Esperanto, West Village New York

The last day in Vancouver started with a coffee at the bean and then we over did it a bit on the exercise. We cycled the 50 minutes to the foot of Grouse mountain and had a final go at the 'Grind'. Powered by Canada's finest Java I made a small improvement on my time... I have managed to climb to the top of Grouse Mountain in just under 54 minutes! Thats it now. I have done that! I can't see me beating that time unless of course one of my friends from home manages to do 53 mins, then I might be tempted back to beat them but for now I'm all ground out.

The Royal Visit

The red carpets were rolled out in Vancouver and everyone was on their best behavior. It is always exciting to have a royal visit! I managed to skive off for the afternoon. I even had a shave, pulled out a clean T shirt and found my best flip flops. This particular guest got the real VIP treatment! She was even treated to an ice cream in the park!

It's always nice to bump into ya mum when you are a long way from home

reflection of Vancouver Skyline

This cool picture of the Vancouver Skyline reflected into the bow of our boat was a by product of having to take pictures of some minor damage. This was caused by a tug boat that had managed rather carlessly to bump into us during the middle of last night. I might just add that we were tied up alongside, just in case anyone starts to point fingers in my direction.

Re ground the grind like a little old lady!

After work on a very rainy Tuesday Christian and I were surprised that the car park at the foot of the Grouse Grind was just as full as it was on a sunny Sunday! Boy these Canadians are a keen bunch but I guess we were there too.
My new time up the steep 2.9 KM path is 56 mins and 3 seconds. I felt that I was really pushing it and have to admit that a mere 3 minute gain was a bit disappointing. Christian pointed out that in fact it was a 5% improvement and he was impressed that I had manage to get there 7 minutes ahead of him. We both sat at the top, soaked through and a bit cold but feeling pretty pleased with ourselves! Until that is, we had been studying the monitor displaying peoples efforts during that day and for the year. It appears that the fastest time for ladies between the age of 70 and 79 is a staggering 63 minutes! It is almost impossible to imagine a little old lady at nearly 80 years old! storming up the side of this mountain in just over an hour but it is also beautiful and very amusing that this is the exact same time that it took my now very demoralised colleague, who is a man in his early 30's.!
As they say here in the Rockies. If you come across a bear in the wild do not run! Unless of course you can run faster than at least one of your friends. I have finally found a friend that I can beat at running and as we are in the Rockies that is a good thing.

North Vancouver

This is North Vancouver which is pretty close to where we are staying! Someone carelessley parked a big yacht in the way.

Sunday Morning Run

This picture of Carl, Emily and myself at the end of our run with Grouse mountain in the background. You can just see the cable car cables. Take 2 on the grind is scheduled for after work on Monday or Tuesday this week.

This morning we went for a nice run in the Capilano Valley. These Canadians make you feel bad because they are all so trim and athletic! As a result most of the crew have been making time to do some excersise. It definitely helps that the natural beauty of the place is incredible! All the pictures I have shared are within 5 minutes of the city. Vancouver has to go down as a world wide winner for places to be held up for a month or so.

Grouse Grind take 2

After work on Thursday we decided to go to the mountain again. I was keen to beat my 59 minute time and Christian and I thought it might be best to bring Emily the nurse (just in case)

A passer bye was roped into taking this picture our 'before', You will see that we have done so much running that our legs have been worn out, almost to the knees!
Unfortunately we found the Grouse Grind path, was closed for maintenance so we were a little disappointed but soon found a trail going down the valley that was so beautiful the mountain was almost forgotten. Pictures of that trail will follow tomorrow.

Grouse Grind

We have been in Vancouver for some time now and as some folks may know, my mum tends to visit Vancouver quite a bit. She has been asking me virtually every day if I have been up Grouse mountain yet. I guess she knew that I would enjoy it. Contrary to popular belief I have been busy at work so hiking up the local mountains, although high on the wish list has to be fitted in on precious time off.

Eventually we decided to go for it. Grouse mountain has two routes up, the cable car and the 'Grouse Grind' As the sign says, it is a climb 933 meters over 2.9 km, so it is quite steep. Nothing very high or very far, just a nice walk up a pretty mountain with a fantastic view! However. For some reason this is no walk. The 'Grouse Grind' is a Challenge! Something that the Sussex men's fitness league (all divisions) would LOVE! There is even a cleaver way to time yourself by obtaining a swipe card you can start your timer at the bottom and by swiping it again at the top, your time will be displayed for all to see in the cafe at the top. Probably on the Internet somewhere there are pie charts and graphs to show you how strong you are compared to others, that you could then gloat at in the pub.

I had heard about it (repeatedly) from my mum but it took me 4 weeks to find time to go and see for myself. I turned up in the car park on Sunday morning with a friend, wearing good walking shoes and with a small back pack containing a rain jacket and a picnic. The car park looked more like it was the start of the local half marathon than the foot of a mountain trail, with people everywhere in shorts and running gear. In my sensible walking attire I stuck out like Mary Poppins would at a Fat Boy Slim concert!

Anyway my first attempt (yes, I will have to go again) took me 59 minutes. Elite runners can do it in 35 mins and the average walk will take about 90 mins. So next weekend we will be up early in the car park in running gear like the rest of Canada and we are going to try and do it as fast as we can!

As this is the new bench mark for determining your position in the Sussex Men's fitness league and I currently have the fastest time up the Grouse Grind, this must put me firmly at the top of division one!? Luckily non of you have any holidays booked in Vancouver this year.

W.O.W

On Thursday Carl and I decided that we would rent some kayaks and go for a paddle at a place that is about a 10 minute drive from where the boat is parked.

I called at lunch time to book two boats and was told to arrive as early as possible as it was going to be very busy that evening. Without asking too many questions Carl and I left work as quickly as we could and by 545 we were picking up our paddles and getting ready to go onto the water. As we were adjusting our gear, one of the young centre employees came over, looked at us confused and said, "You guys are obviously not with W.O.W are you?" We were now as puzzled as he was, so at least we were even.

He continued to explain, that Thursdays is Women on the Water day 'W.O.W' and that there was about 100 ladies due to arrive at any moment for said activities. Carl and I looked at each other, thought how horrible it would be to be in the middle of 100 female, Canadian out door types and continued to prepare for our paddle. We were ready to go but suddenly Carl was having all sorts of trouble with his foot rests and then his seat and had to pop to change his buoyancy aid and then again to use the toilet. Luckily we managed to get away before the tide of girl power arrived. We paddled for 2 hours stopping on a quiet island to enjoy a cold beer that we had brought along. It was a fun evening. Carl wants to go back next Thursday but says that he has a meeting that might delay his departure from work.