Here I am, on a plane from Alaska sad to be saying see you later as it really is a special and wild place I would love to return to but as I look out the window I feel like I'm returning 'home'. There aren't many places in this world I've felt like this but BC, Canada is one of them.
I had a place lined up to move into straight away upon my return which allowed me to unpack and feel settled, I moved to North Vancouver to be close to the mountains yet I still have the ocean on my doorstep, next task to find a job. Sue is a great housemate, alternative and has positive quotes all around the apartment, self help books, gemstones and generally a really good energy so I think I was meant to find a place to help me keep healing and grow. Though still technically on holidays it doesn't always feel like that when your sending out dozens of resumes and physically handing them out to every physio practise and health care facility you can think of on a daily basis.
Still of course there is downtime, which means I get to go out and explore more of Vancover and start to widen my friendship circle. I went on a day hike with Sandra and Hilde to the Diez Vista, Buntzen Lakes where we were supposed to get gorgeous views as the name of the hike suggests '10 views', unfortunately summer in Vancouver isn't always summery and we were completely clouded in, booo still a great day out with the girls.
 |
| where is the view???? |
 |
| jump jump!!!! |
In my first few weeks finally back living in Vancouver I went with a group to hike the flint and feather trail a great short hike with small scramble section on a bright sunny day with lovely views of Vancouver and the surrounds. I checked out my local indoor climbing wall, though most people are outdoors climbing at this time of year, I chatted to 2 girls and made some contacts to head out climbing with them, I even got offered a belaying job at the gym on a casual basis which I accepted. I got myself a good second hand hybrid bike and felt the freedom again of powering on my own two legs, in Summer time this is such a great way to get around the city.
 |
| Flint and Feather |
  |
 |
| Cooling off at top of Grouse m |
I wanted to get back into cross country mountain biking so I joined the local group and got asked to go along to Pemberton on a Saturday with them. I explained what my bike was like and my fairly beginnerish skills and the organiser thought I would cope well. Pemberton was great, I managed all the uphill sections fairly well, more physical fitness mixed with skill required then it came to the down hill sections.
I was told there would be 2 groups split one doing easier the other harder, yes the groups split but there was no easy group. I suddenly found myself going down black single track runs with my hybrid bike, front suspension only and I had the wrong type of brakes to be on such difficult terrain. I went slowly and at the back and when we came to steep rock jumps etc, I did get off and walk my bike, but I am happy to report I did manage to ride sections I didn't know I or my bike was capable of. Having said that, I will not be putting my comuter bike through that sort of stuff again, I will need to get myself a dual suspension mountain bike to continue to enjoy and improve my skills. BC is really known for its mountain biking and the group I met were really supportive of a newbie and willing to teach me which is great.
 |
| What sort of helmet do I need for black run!!! |
On the Sunday I went with Paul, Sandra and Raphael to hike Sigurd Creek. It is a fairly long day drive out from Vancouver but we had a gorgeous sunny day. The hike was fairly easy but long and we got to the upper crooked waterfall which was spectacular. We could get really close to it, getting a nice cool off from its powerful spray and views below. Paul was having some pain problems in his legs and Raphael just hikes really fast, so we didn't quite make the summit due to lack of time and honestly as there are so many great hikes to get on, this won't be on the top of my list to come back and reach the summit of, though still a fun day out with friends.
Just to continue with my usual happy self, I had got a groupon for a sailing lesson over on Jerico. Usually they get up to 15 in the class but as it rained most of the day, stopping literally half an hour before our class all but 2 others cancelled, so we had 2 instructors, and 3 of us to learn on these small sailing boats. A short theory lesson it was then straight on the water, each with our own boat this was going to be fun yeeha. The guys were great at teaching and told me I picked up the technique quickly. The wind wasn't too harsh on us making it a good learning environment but I certainly laughed out loud and smiled more and more the faster I went :-) BC is also such a marine hub and there are sailing boats everywhere so is something I'd like to get into more, there is something so appealing about being out on the water under the power of mother nature and learning how to use the boat to maximise the wind power. Lots to learn and as I'm told navigation and chart reading becomes a very important part.
Next up is the Juan De Fuca trail a hike on Vancouver Island over 4 days on Canada Days long weekend......
