Things I got for my 37th Birthday

... Boarded onto a plane that got me to Vancouver by 11 pm last night.

... Free food and drink on said plane; I spent most of the trip very slowly drinking weak G and T and eating salted nuts while listening to Holly Cole and Reading Sense and Sensibility, and this was extremely satisfactory.

... Finding Ian already there when I landed.

... a hike through Lynn Canyon Park with two of my favourite men; iclysdale and my dad, with the sun lighting up the fog through the trees Just Like That.

... a truly astonishingly wonderful dinner at The Salmon House, with Dad, Ian, and my stepmother Eve.

Alder-smoked oysters. Alder-grilled salmon. Chai Tea creme brulee. Incredible sherry, wine, and dessert wine. Wonderful conversation. Breathtaking view.

Also, I looked damned good. In fact, we were a generally handsome lot.

... a nice wander around downtown Vancouver to get a few groceries for our hotel room.

On the downside, my shoulder is STILL borked. Ah well, can't have everything.

Love you all, more later. Flying again on Monday, this time to the interior.

Vancouver , Day 2

*loves and hugs all the birthday wishes*

Long lazy funny fascinating chatty brunch with Jonathan Tammuz from noon til 4, and then a walk.

And by 'a walk' I mean we walked our of the Sylvia, turned right, and went ALL THE WAY AROUND STANLEY PARK.

And then back to the hotel, via supper.

Now I am going to go have a drink and a bath and pack for Rossland, and then we shall watch the Mercer report.

Shoulder improves slowly; today it was mostly okay until just now, and that's probably cause I am tired.