Last Saturday my back had recovered enough for us to plan a day in Vancouver to celebrate 45 years since Alan and I were married. Al knows I’ve been wanting to visit the Bloedel Conservatory for a while, mainly because there are some beautiful tropical birds there, plus some exotic plants as well. We did wander through Queen Elizabeth Park and the gardens too and encountered lots of happy Grads being photographed in the iconic Vancouver setting.

I took photos of course, and then assembled the best into one of my usual Picasa albums. Next day a new google format appeared in my email and it’s quite a good way to share photos, with no bother about captions, just colourful birds to enjoy. Take a look. https://plus.google.com/u/0/112208740085943894765/stories/eb3b9147-6989-3156-8004-dc8efcc1307214daf3affe9?cfem=1

We enjoyed a glass of wine on the East Vancouver patio of friends Michael and Eleanore and walked to a trendy French restaurant nearby,  for dinner. It’s in an eclectic neighbourhood of heritage houses, breweries, film sets and artist studios.

http://www.yelp.ca/biz/bistro-wagon-rouge-vancouver

On Sunday very-busy-with-newborn-twins Jennifer and Steve invited Al, me and Mike to come over for supper to mark our anniversary and my birthday next day. Blowing out sparklers with sons Steve and Mike and grandson Caleb, while holding one of two baby grandsons has to be the best birthday present! Jen was occupied, as she will be for the next little while, with the other little fellow, and Al took the photo.

I wish there was more we could do to help out but at this stage the little guys just want to be fed, changed and cuddled and the parents want sleep.