Its amazing what you can do...

...When the sun's out. Vancouver is currently enjoying some glorious weather. The sun has been out every day. Its been warm enough for shorts and no jackets in the evening but being by the sea and mountains means we usually get a nice cool breeze as well. Simply put, the weather's perfect.

So come the weekend we were all determined to enjoy this weather. On Friday Andy and myself went straight from work to the liquor Store, picked up some beers then went straight to the beach. It was wonderful just sitting on a log, having a couple of beers and looking out to sea. Sigh. In the evening we went down to Jericho Beach and made a very small fire. Check Paul's blog for lots and lots of photos of the sunset. And him.

On Saturday our resident Scots found out a Highland Games event was taking place in Coquitlam, in the distant suburbs of Vancouver. There seems to be quite a strong connection between Scotland and Canada. Maybe its something to do with the mountains...

Ahhhh, the sound of the pipes

Alan and Gav enjoying a cool can of Irn-Bru each, their first in 9 months.

It was good fun and something a bit different. The flag of St Andrew fluttered in the breeze. No St George's flags anywhere, strange seeing as we're such good neighbours and all. If there was only a flag that combined the Scottish and English flags in some way. I'm sure that would lead to us getting on much better. We can but dream, we can but dream...

By the end of the event I had gained a true appreciation of Scottish culture. Sadly all that good work was undone by the fact I got food poisoning from a pie I ate there. So I spent the rest of the evening throwing up and feeling sorry for myself. Thanks for nothing Scotland.

Andy cooling off after the excitement of caber tossing.

Thankfully I was feeling much better Sunday morning so was able to get up early and celebrate some English culture by watching the England - Ecuador game. We had everyone over to watch the game which led to things being a bit cramped. Afterwards we had sausage's and eggs. Well other people did, I decided not to risk it with my stomach. Afterwards we went along 4th Ave to watch a soapbox race. Sadly I missed most of the action but they had closed the roads and everything. Then it was back to the beach for a few hours.

The wind was strong so I nipped back and got my kite. I'm now trying tricks, which I mostly fail. I'm getting better though.

After lunch at the Kings Head it was on to Broadway (this Sunday is a busy one isn't it?) for a Greek Festival. I must say I think this celebration of Greek culture had the edge over the celebration of Scottish culture the day before. Mainly because I didn't get food poisoning.

Paul, Gav, Liz, Keenie and Alan. Not smashing plates.

Typically Greek

We were there for an hour or so then it was on to Jericho Beach to enjoy the evening sunshine and watch the sunset.

A tiny Gav on a hill.

'Live from Jericho: Homoerotic wrestling with Paul and Keenie'

Over the course of the evening we found some interesting artifacts on the beach. A small shovel and a plastic diver...

A tooth which we think maybe from a shark. Or a necklace. And finally a house boat. Yes, a house boat.

'Hello? Anyone in there?'

Apparently a house boat had fallen off a barge when it was being transported. So bits of it washed up on the beach. It even made the news. I wonder if the person who owns it has anywhere else to live?

So yeah, it was a busy Sunday. It finished with a small fire and a salmon burger. Perfect end to a pretty perfect day.