I was not alone. The waterfront was heaving, and the Canadian armed forces (all of them?) had a big display in the convention centre and some naval ships moored up outside. Then there were lumberjacks, of course, displaying all manner of woodcutting talent with chainsaws and axes, and stages for music and buskers, and all the best overpriced unhealthy food. Everyone was wearing red and white, everyone was waving a flag, no one could believe the weather was this good. It all finished late at night with a firework display out on the water.
Unfortunately, Canada Day will also forever be remembered as the day that Sue and Justin had to leave. Their grandparenting skills, honed on their own four, have been in massive demand from Pete (and fully taken advantage of by his father) and it was wonderful to converse in the language of the old country (Somerset). Actually, Somerset should declare independence from Britain. That's a move I could celebrate.
This is the day before Canada Day, when we walked the entire Stanley Park sea wall from our front door and back again - about 10k! And it's also proof that Vancouver can string together two days of sunshine.
The far end of the park.
Sue finishes off with a paddle with Pete at English Bay (so I don't have to).
July 1st.
Lots of our independent, Canadian friends.
Showing support for another English colony that desperately needs independence.
Pete decides a career in bomb disposal is the right one for him. "Let's just blow it up!"
Lumberjacks lumbering.
Sue meets a mountie.
Both boats of the Canadian navy came along, and you could go on board.
Selfie on the HMCS Grizzly.
Final holiday lunch out...until the next time.
Pete enjoys cooling off in the fountains on the way home.
And away we go!
Boom! It was pretty huge.
Every vantage point was packed. Apparently, in the city centre, the waterfront "reached capacity" and was shut!
More fireworks pictures because, you know, fireworks!
Whizz! Yes - huge.
