Tandem Trauma

Yesterday we decided to try out the city's public transport system - you can only judge a good city by its transport!  We got on the skytrain, which is a bit like an underground except it goes on an elevated track in the sky above the city, as well as underneath. 

We then got on the seabus across to North Vancouver, passing a vast cargo ship on its way out of the bay.  Emma has become a bit of a boat spotter and now knows the difference between different types of cargo ships (I've had to stop her writing down the ship numbers in her anorak!).  When we got across we were able to look back at the really good views of downtown and the sun had come out for the first time in days.  To celebrate Diane got a haircut - which was an experience - a Spanish woman that surely hasn't ever cut a short style before - it could have been worse - at least its level - dead level!!

Today we hired a tandem (!) to cycle round Stanley Park.

  Now before we tell you about our two wheeled exploits we will tell you a little of Stanley Park.  It is the largest urban park in North America and is surrounded by sea on three sides.  It is well used by joggers, cyclists and rollerbladers who follow the sea wall around the park for about 10km.  It's not really the kind of park we have in the UK with lawns etc, most of the interior of the park is rainforest and inpenetrable scrub.

So Emma had the bright idea of getting a tandem because she thought it would be fun.  It has also always looked easy enough when you see tandems gracefully gliding along roads - well it wasn't graceful for us.  First time we set off we promptly fell off.  Many wobbles later we were riding through the park, with Emma behind shouting 'brake, braaaaaaaaaaaaake!'  We got much smoother at setting off but difficulties kept appearing in the form of oncoming pedestrians and overtaking cyclists.

  It was worth it though for the really good views of north Vancouver and the coast.

Today has been our last day in Canada and although we are ready to move on we have enjoyed it here, the Rockies definitely being the highlight of the trip.  It has been good to chill in Vancouver after six weeks of constant travel.  We can imagine Vancouver in the summer must really come alive and it has got a fantastic setting by the mountains and the sea.