Vancouver and Kelowna

We decided to catch public transport to our family in North Vancouver.  After buying a compass cards we caught the train, ferry and bus to North Vancouver.  It is always an enjoyable trip - with a driverless train (if you can get a seat at the front - it is a bit like being on a roller coaster), seabus, (which runs every 15 minutes and takes about the same time to cross the harbour providing a great view) and then the bus that takes us up and down hills and through suburbs.  This time there was a traffic jam along the Grand Boulevard and the bus didn't move - so we asked the driver to let us off and we walked the last 2 or so kilometres. It was hot, but we had water and some shade and the walk probably did us some good though it didn't feel like it at the time.  

And then the next month was family time - and what a wonderful time it was - here are some highlights:

• Kelowna - its a four hour drive at the best of times but with three children it took a lot longer with a long stop at a playground for play and lunch and Nannie turning into a kid eating monster.  I got to know our little 7 month grandson well as I spent a good proportion of the time singing to him to distract him from the boredom of sitting in a car seat. Twinkle twinkle little star was a hit. The older two had their tablets - making car trips far more bearable for everyone.  At Kelowna we stayed at a hotel with a huge outdoor courtyard, pool and hot tub.  While there we visited a kangaroo park (felt a bit surreal in the northern hemisphere), cherry picking (more surreal since we do that for a month over Christmas in New Zealand), built sandcastles on the beach on the shores of Lake Okanagan and spent many hours swimming in the pool and sitting in the hot tub. 
• Walking, bike riding and scootering into the local forest - where we cooled off during many a warm day, or on our way to the local shopping centre for a scone and coffee (I have taken to decaf, caramel, iced lattes).  The kids have their favourite tree which is a rotting stump of a once grand pine (I think) and is home to slaters, snails and spiders.  Our grandson has created a home for some of the slaters and snails and was delighted one day to discover the snail has hatched some eggs (two weeks to hatch with a number of snails per egg - and we are all hoping they will - well most of us!).  When I cheekily asked him whether he was more excited about his birthday party the next day, or the possibility of having baby snails - he couldn't decide!
• Visiting major Vancouver attractions eg Science World, Maplewood Farm and the Aquarium.  I continue to be impressed with Science World, and wish that I could have learnt about science in a playful way when I was young.  
• Enjoying catching up with family friends Ambleside Beach - a long beach with a wide strip of grass and play grounds.  Unfortunately Canada seems to have the same issues of polluted beaches just like in New Zealand. 
• Sitting outside in the evening - relaxing over dinner - talking about our highs and lows (peaks and pits) of the day - and in particular hearing what the children thought of their day.  Just like when my kids were young we made up stories where we took turns to add a few sentences hence creating a master piece for the evening that always included a bear going up a mountain. We also played charades - acting out animals and occasionally making noises to give clues.  
• Going to restaurants to celebrate our arrival and birthdays and to say goodbye to grandparents.  Macaroni Cheese is a favourite amongst the kids and colouring in always passes the time well.  
• Enjoying a seven year olds birthday party - complete with water pistols, balloon making, face painting and magic - and a Nannie and Poppa inspired scavenger hunt.  It was a sunny and hot day, and the party was set up in the shade.  Some parents stayed and everyone enjoyed themselves - especially the party boy!
• Visiting the Kelowna and Langley aviation museums.  The museums seemed to cater reasonably well for kids with ride on planes and hopping into cockpits. Harry wandered around the planes, taking many photos and enjoying the opportunity of seeing some Canadian planes for the first time.

It is terribly hard to say goodbye.  There is an overwhelming desire not to leave and a wish that they lived closer  but also a feeling of  privilege that we can see them annually. A year seems a long time with little ones growing and changing all the time.  In the days before the internet living apart must have been so difficult.   

Fiji Air flew us home, and the trip was smooth and we felt safe.  The queue for the transit lounge was long - there were 11 flights leaving for Australia and New Zealand destinations that morning.  We spent over 30 minutes in the queue before someone took pity on "parents with young children" and "those with grey hair" and opened another desk. It's funny, though I enjoy the privilege of not waiting in queues I don't feel old and am grateful I can still stand for some