11th May 2025

Today we both headed over to the Sheraton Wall Centre, to register with the Rocky Mountaineer. We came away with luggage tags to ensure our stuff arrived in the correct hotels, and importantly instructions as to where we had to be and by when for tomorrow’s trip. R was still feeling the effects of her illness so decided to go back to our hotel for the day. I was full of life and wanted to see the markets on Granville Island. I walked down to the Aquatic Centre Ferry Dock and caught one of the ferries to take me to the island. This area is low lying and lies under highway 99 bridge, which is also known as the Granville Bridge. The area contains marinas, small shops, restaurants and food halls, Oh and a cement works with cement mixers and silos lovingly painted. I did pick up something to eat from one of the stalls.

Walking around, I did spy the Granville Island brewery, where they had a bar. One thing about Canadian and American culture is that you have to meet the receptionist, who then seats you at your table, or bar seat. This was the case everywhere we ate and drank, except for one case later in our trip when we were staying at Banff. In the brewery, I asked to sit at the bar, where I was seated between two females who were each drinking alone. The day was looking up. This was a brew bar, and here was the taproom, with an excellent choice of craft ales. I started with a Hazy IPA. and then a darker beer. I should have gone for a tasting selection where you get a full selection of beers. I so like these NEIPAs and WCIPAs, with the occasional stout, they are a revelation in taste. (I do have a monthly beer subscription which is themed. Selina introduced me to this 18 months ago. When I arrive home, hopefully there will be a case of Italian craft beers waiting by the door.)

My companion on my right, was waiting for a flight home, and was idling away a few hours in the bar. She appeared to work in the brewing industry, making the malt from the barley. The barley is wetted, and laid out on a long tray, and she would go around turning it.

As well as the markets, there were some sideshows, such as this ball run.

Afterwards I walked around the food hall, looking at the tremendous array of produce, both cooked and raw. Then it was home to the hotel to commiserate with R.