Deep Cove, Vancouver

Summer is trying its best to get established-but the locals are complaining that it isn't here yet.
Last weekend the sun shone all day Saturday and it was a beautiful Vancouver day. We finally ventured further than the city. On the advice of a colleague from Perth (there are 4 Perthites at DD), we went to Deep Cove- about 1 hour by bus out of Vancouver city.

Public transport being as efficient as it is, we were able to navigate to our destination by transit bus to Waterfront Station,then on the Seabus across the harbour to Lonsdale Quay (15 mins) in North Vancouver.
Then one bus to Phibbs exchange and boarded straight away on to another bus for Deep Cove. All this on our 1 day travel pass for $9 each.

On the way we were wondering where Woody's colleague was sending us- deep into the northern suburbs of Vancouver. Then we arrived at Deep Cove -a huge expanse of fir and cypress tree forest right up to the mountains surrounding a peaceful inlet-breathtaking.
The cove is part of the Indian Arm inlet and a perfectly protected place to Kayak. Still water and dramatic hills and mountain views.
Deep Cove town centre is one street- a little village really. Quaint and peaceful, not too many tourists.
The "Honey Donut" was the recommended place for lunch-big fat deep fried and honey soaked donuts are what they are famous for-YUM. But to make up for that they make very healthy sandwiches with potato bread and fresh and generous fillings.
Panorama Park is right at the waterfront and this is where they hire kayaks.
We decided to leave that venture for another trip, and to take the Baden Powell trail up to a large viewing rock, about 2km into the forest.
It is not dissimilar to Palm Beach in Sydney and the forest was very rain forest like with filtered light and towering trees. really beutiful. However most of the trail was UP, so we certainly got our exercise.

Reaching the large viewing rock high above Indian Arm was our reward for the hefty trek-breathtaking views right back to the city and up to the mountains.
Many photos later we decided to go back down to the Cove- the trail is actually a rugged 41km hike and we were not intending on killing ourselves in one day...or any other day for that matter.

Back at Panorama Park a most amusing sight-kids tobogganing down a steep hill on large square blocks of ice. They were having a ball. Reminded us of Gerard & Chris's 3 kids, with the Canadian accents and screams and giggles.

It was a lovely way to spend the day out and about in the nature and we decided to return for a kayaking outing next weekend.

Our apartment has a gym, 25m indoor swimming pool and heated spa. After months of hard work packing and moving and neglecting our fitness, we have started back into a routine of exercise making good use of these facilities. The spa is great for tried muscles after a workout. To date we have had the pool and spa to ourselves in the evening.

Woody is home at a civilised 6.30/7pm so we have time for this and then a walk/bike ride along the seawall to English Bay to watch the sunset. Daylight savings and late sunsets mean we don't get dark before 9-9.30pm.

Seals quite often join us as we walky and there is plenty of boating, kayaking, cycling, blading, jogging activity along the walk. Vancouver has many stunning outdoor sculptures positioned in and around the parks and seawall edge. There is one sculpture by a Chinese artist that is a long,large, undulating ribbon of steel-it seems to float above the ground and catches all the light-really striking. In fact the public artwork here is the most impressive we have seen outside of Goodwood Park in Chichester, UK.

There are plenty of interesting eating spots along the harbour-one I am keen to try is the Pirate Pub. It has lots of fishing stuff decorating the ceiling and a cosy atmosphere. Most people sit outside with their big bowls of mussels, fish and chips and pizza-albeit with rugs provided by the restaurant wrapped aound their legs. This is only 5 minutes away from our apartment and I am really keen to try the mussels-maybe this Friday!!