Day 4 and Day 5 (August 2nd & 3rd) - First Rain and Bowen Island Adventures

On Day 4 we got the first precipitation of our adventure, but luckily for us we don't melt in the rain. So, after a slow morning of blogging and a late breakfast we grabbed a brolly and went for a walk along the ocean in West Vancouver. Where we walked, known by the Canadians as a Seawall (hopefully pretty self explanatory) has a dog only lane - I can only assume they are sick of walking around with humans all day. We walked through the flower lined streets of West Vancouver and had our first pecan pies (know where near as good as Carly and Jo's). On our way back the Harmony Arts Festival had just been set up. Tents full of juried art work and food stalls lined the path. We found ourselves scoffing down a Montreal smoked meat sandwich.

Smoke meat sandwich

Beautiful community edible gardens along the seawall

Tonight we cooked dinner for Tobi and her family and on the menu was; (delicious drumroll)

Appetizers;

Roast Mushrooms w/Dill and Goats Cheese on Sourdough
Tomato Brushetta on Sourdough
Lamb Cutlets

Main;

Prawn Spaghetti w/ Garlic Baguette

Everyone was as full as a centipedes sock draw after our delicious feast and after a few glasses of Hunter Valley Red Wine the conversation was flowing like the Capilano river.

Sous chef Tobi

Mitch having a laugh with Shirley

Post dinner Tobi's Aunty and Uncle, Michelle and Michael came around for a meet, greet and a laugh.  We eventually decided to swap some YouTube favourites. If you want a break from the boring touristy blog check these out;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AMpugNjTKk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI4yoXyb1_M

Tobi teaches a weekly Spin Class (indoor bicycle class) and being such a fitness fanatic I decided to head along, Jo being a little wiser than myself decided to come along also, but instead of doing the spin class she chose to do some nice relaxing pilates. So early the next morning we got up and at em' early and headed off to the classes. Jo will describe her Canadian pilates experience as being a great way to start the day, energising and relaxing. Myself on the other hand could on describe the Spin Class with Tobi as Sweaty.

After our morning of exercise we rushed back home for a quick shower as we were heading to Bowen Island with Tobi and her family. Bowen Island was a 15 min ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal in West Vancouver.

Deer eating blackberries on Bowen Island

Snug Cover - Bowen Island 

Tobi's late grandfather lived on Bowen Island and today was a very significant occasion for Tobi and her family. Tobi's Grandfather owned a 17th century spanish cannon and would fire this cannon on a range of special occasions - BC day, Christmas Day, Birthdays, New Years and alternate wednesdays.... Before he passed last year he requested his ashes to be loaded into his much-beloved cannon and to be fired into the neighbouring islands. It was a very special occasion that Jo and I feel very privileged to be apart of.

17th century cannon

Tobi's grandfather

Michelle playing golf

The view from Tobi's Grandfathers property

After returning from Bowen Island we headed home to 'regroup' then we headed to a local pub/restaurant for a couple of drinks and some Appie's (Canadian for Appetiser's) with Tobi's brother, Luke. Jo & Tobi got stuck into the Mojito's and I had a couple of beers. We shared a Pizza and Spicy Chicken bites. After another big day we hit the hay.

Mojitos

Mitch chilling by the fire after a big day

Yours in cannon firing

Mitch & Jo

xo