GREETINGS FROM VANCOUVER!

OMG what a journey! I could have been to the North Pole, and back, in the time it took us to get to Vancouver today. Claudia and I were at the terminal in good time only to discover that the 1 p.m. sailing was full. We had to wait a whole two hours for the 3 o'clock sailing - drat!! A further two hours on the ferry, and then out of the frying pan - bang into the fire of Vancouver rush hour traffic!

There is a radio station dedicated to it. Bumper to bumper of boredom. Nothing for it but to sit it out for the hour and a half it took us to navigate the unusually thick traffic. An accident or two caused the pile up. Thank God we don't have to do this every day in Victoria. In fact, our commute to work is only 3 minutes each way - seriously! Think of all the petrol you save, and time!! One gets lazy.

Finally, we hit Robson Street - Heaven!! The Champs Elysee of Vancouver was like London, Paris, New York, and Milan, all holding hands together in one magnificent welcome. Yay! Twinkling fairy lights, Ornate shop windows, Festive trees dripping in silver and blue, Stars, Bling, Buzz. Thank you Vancouver - you were worth the wait! Soon - very soon, I forgot about the journey, as our destination beckoned us in.

I have a rather industrious to-do list for the weekend. Plant daffodils on the patio for the Spring, do some Christmas shopping, have some quality time with Ali and Victoria, dig out the Christmas tree and decorations from #13, our allotted storage space in the basement, and see what other bits and bobs are stuck in there. I like going down there because it is cozy, and reminiscent of a chicken coop. I enjoy the challenge of using our tiny storage place to its fullest potential, like an Ikea kitchen, or Kevin working out how to squeeze all our fat holiday suitcases into the trunk of the car - same fun!! The chicken coop is a trial run for when we downsize some day - hopefully never!!

I have a lot of friends who have downsized, including our new neighbours, and are finding it really challenging. We're certainly not in the groove for it yet. On the plus side, a smaller space means less housework! Our view from the 7th floor, overlooking Robson Street is especially beautiful around Christmas time. A smaller home means bigger time for other things...hmm more restful too. Nay! by the time Sunday arrives, I'm ready for Victoria, my house full of memories, my animals, my mess, my refuge.

BFN

Love from Vancouver!

Hugs,

Polly P xxx