On our way into Vancouver last Saturday we stopped off at Gardenworks for a trellis and a few more plants. I was able to get some planted on Sunday but since then it has rained continuously so the last two plants are having to wait. We’re told that this June is shaping up to be a record for rain and cold.

So I’m glad we took advantage of sunny Saturday. Dropping off the 6 artists’ plates at the Western Front en route I was amused to see that Paul Mathieu had walked over from his nearby house to be there for the unveiling at Eric Metcalfe’s home. He was just as excited as we all are when there are new pots out of the kiln! And yes, he promises to send me photos of how his two platters look when he has finished them with silver and gold lustre outlines around the bold colours.

Eric suggested we should take a look at the painting he’s been working on for Chris Dikeakos’ ‘Sophie’s Restaurant’. So after we’d visited the ‘Table Salt’ show at the Gallery of BC Ceramics we walked around the Armoury district where we’d parked. I’m always impressed by the Arthur Erickson Waterfall Building on W 2nd. Ave. with the gallery that has a 45 degree wall (lower right in my photo) and the vertiginous staircases to the top floor of the apartments.

Then we drove further up 4th Avenue to Arbutus. Sentimental memory.. we parked on 5th Avenue right across from where the apartment we rented, the upstairs of an old house, used to be. That was 1970/71! We still miss Kitsilano.

We were given a table in the outdoor patio of Sophie’s where we couldn’t miss the astonishing Metcalfe artwork all over the Western wall of the restaurant.

There’s a large half cup and saucer included in the mural.

It all enhances the retro Sophie’s sign and is yet another joyful addition to the eclectic array of knickknacks adorning the interior.

We’re sorry not to have had the chance to talk to Chris D but we did enjoy excellent salmon burgers and complimentary dessert and drinks. Thank you for making our supper visit to Sophie’s just great Chris!