Would you like this seat?

Another great sleep was followed by a full and healthy breakfast had Mr and Mrs Verno feeling far younger than our real age. Mr Vancouver Verno left us at the SkyTrain. This would deliver us directly to the Olympic Village. A lovely square with all sorts of statues that leads to the wee ferries that we were to use. On leaving the station we stopped to get our bearings. A lady with a dog in the front part of her cargo bike offered assistance and quickly detected where our accents were from. She was from Holland, both her accent and her cargo bike gave this away. Her instructions were quite detailed but yours’ truly thought he knew best and lead us in the completely wrong direction. By the time I accepted my error we were feeling the cold. Retreat into the warm was needed and coffee and a great hot chocolate were before us in no time.

We boarded the False Creek ferry at the terminal nearby purchasing day tickets for the duration. I asked the young fella driving the boat - I know, not the right way to put it - was he living his best life at the moment. He responded wonderfully that he had just reflected on how content he was right now. He was on a three week break from his first semester training to be a nurse. We meet him again at the end of the day and he was chuffed we wished him the best with his studies.

We arrived at BC Place which was in the throes of preparations for the upcoming World Cup. I made sure to get a picture of myself there.

We were on the hunt for an ATM to get some cash but stopped off at a 7/11 for some sweets for the plane. Such a range of nuts and drinks that I was compelled to photograph them. The Vancouver Mr Vernos are fond of a nut. As for the ATM, turned out it was in the 7/11. Took a while to work it out and we were one try away from being locked out With the PIN number. No panic.

THere’s not much more to be said other than we toured the bay, going back and forth across about 8 times. Granville Market got another walk around - good toilets and then we hit our final stop at the Maritime Museum which had a great lookout point.

Back to Olympic Village by boat and we were on the SkyTrain. Very, very busy. A young lady sitting in the seats for the elderly had the timerity to offer me her seat. I declined. Preferring to cling whiteknuckled to the bar hanging from the roof. It seemed to take ages.

At last we were back at base camp and a great dinner of mash, broccoli and sausages wrapped in the good bacon with onion gravy. Lovely. Then came a surprise day after your birthday cake that went down brilliantly. Could not beat it.

Mr Vancouver Verno had made use of his day’s freedom from Belfast Vernos and had bought yet another chariot for quality refurbishment. I even had a try cycling with the chariot behind me. Quality refurbishment at a reasonable price. Thankfully no evidence of that exists as the bike seat was not fixed properly and swivelled around on its own free will making for an undignified look.

We had to say goodbye to young Mr Vancouver Verno as he had to head off to his digs. Hugs aplenty and off he went with frying pan in hand and god knows how many toilet rolls on his person. Who wouldn’t.

We are passing a quiet night in chatting and sharing memories. Cases are packed for the morning. It has been excellent And always great to meet up. We have been treated like royalty. Until the next time. Bound to be tears in the morning.