My Flog for February 28 -Rain? Rain? Start With The Ark, Why Don't You? Trip to Richmond and Love Those Buns!

I don't like the Weather Network. The people there are forecasting 100 mm of rain over the next few days, supposedly starting this evening.

Well, I have news for them. It was pouring rain this morning when my umbrella and I headed to the sky train station for a trip to Richmond. I guess my umbrella was happy, because it spent most of the winter hanging in a dark closet - I only use it when the rain is very heavy. I was unlucky enough to wave bye-bye to the bus as it left 22nd street station, so had to wait almost 15 minutes for the next one, and the rain here was really splittering-splattering down. This view in front of my feet was a road, not a pond. 

When we turned from 7th Avenue in Steveston to Chatham Street, I noticed a whack of Snow Geese grubbing around in the wet field at Gary Park, but since I was too late to pull the Stop Cord on the bus, I had to go all the way to the last bus stop - and walk back to see the birds. I was worried there wouldn't be enough cool stuff to fill up my blog tonight if I didn't.

When they saw me coming, they kept walking away. You'll notice all Snow Geese aren't white - although today a lot of them looked like they needed a bath.

In the summer, there are usually long, long lines at Pajo's - as far as I'm concerned they serve the best fish and chips in Richmond - and their crab cakes are pretty good too. But this gray today? All hatches battened down. I've never had Timothy's frozen yogurt or ice cream - the only time I lined up, on a HOT summer day, I placed my order only to find they don't do the debit thing, and I didn't have any cash.

No one swimming at the beach - on hot summer days parents let their kiddies ignore the No Swimming As There Are Yucky Things In The Water signs, and go splashing around, but today no one was even building a sand castle. I noticed there had been a doggie here though - he left his footprints in the sand.

And for once, the sky was kite-less. Gary Park is home to lots of kite flying enthusiasts, and I suppose it takes a rainy day in February to keep them away.

I walked to the store along a back road, and passing the other side of the cannery on the way, I saw this mural for the Canadian Fishing Company - I captured the front of this building with my camera a couple of days ago. Salmon cakes, anyone?

Yes! Finally a little bit of Spring - I'm not sure kind of bush these branches belong to, but they are getting green leaves!

So, Steveston was the first place on my list of places to go - I had to pick up my check. After a chat with the gals at the store, I jumped on the 401 bus and headed to the Richmond Centre for my second mission - to pick up my Knit Today magazine from Indigo book store. Spring seemed to have hit inside the mall, though - oh wait, that cherry tree is full of origami blossoms. And these daffodils aren't blooming very well yet either.

The Richmond Centre is always renovating, and getting more hoity toity, I think. This huge blue wall is hiding the newest renos - it's filled with sayings, mostly about shopping, but I like this one. It is so true. I like being a little different.

Just a few steps from the Richmond Centre is the Kam Do Bakery, and I couldn't pass by without getting some Chinese buns to take home. Top row: Pineapple Bun, Coconut Bun, Custard Bun. Bottom row: Chinese Donut, and 2 Pineapple Coconut Buns. I think. After dinner, I brought some to Steve and introduced him to the pleasure.

When I left the bakery, Howard called to tell me he was leaving work. Since he was coming into Richmond to gas up the car before driving home, I had arranged to meet him at the gas station and get a ride home - he knows how much I hate bussing, and the rain was pouring, and my feet were wet. However, since he left work half an hour early, I didn't have time to walk to the gas station before he got there - I still had to go to the clinic and pick up my prescription (which my doctor wouldn't fax to the pharmacy.) I thought maybe he would offer to just drive out to the clinic and pick me up.

After I picked up the prescription, I called him back - only for him to say he was almost home. Needless to say I was quite disappointed, quite upset, and royally pissed off. I really thought he would drive that mile or so.

So now I had to slop through the rain and wait at the nearest bus stop. I did feel sorry for the poor guy working on the unfinished balcony on the tower across the street - he was attached to a rope from up above, which was good as there was no railing around the balcony.

So, bus, sky train, and a wet squishy walk home, where I arrived soaked (even with my umbrella) and cold. I'm not talking to him yet.

• Breakfast - Toast and Coffee
• Lunch - Chicken and Veggie Soup and Coffee from Steveston Hotel. Mine is tons better - I had to shake salt into their soup to give the broth some flavour, the only veggies I could see (or at least identify) were carrots, and the chicken was shredded. Shredded pork, yes. Shredded chicken? I think not. You want soup???? I'll give you Soup!
• Dinner - MY soup. Hot, tasty, chock full of veggies, with tasty chunky chicken. YummEEEE. And two slices of days old Sourdough Bread - Steveston Bakery had it on sale for 99c on Monday. Now two days old, it's only good for toast, or dipping in soup. 
• Snacks - Chinese Bun tasting at Steve's place, and a big glass of milk when I got home

My Flog for February 27 - Exploring New Westminster Again - Everything from Garden Beds to French Canadien Winters to Yummy Cookies at the Sky Train Station ....

This morning, my camera and I headed to New Westminster for some uphill walking and exploring. After leaving the sky train, I had to go a bit off route on seeing this amazing building - the Holy Trinity Cathedral, an Anglican Church founded in 1859. This is the back view, but it's still, as I've been teaching Chris to say, spec-tac-u-lar. If you come visit and want to go to church, this is where I will take you. I will probably stay with you, too.

Around the side ...

 ... and to the front. I think the back view is the best, though.

After walking through the churchyard, and coming out on another street, I find the Academic Distribution Services , a teachers' store - however since the opening hours are 9 to 5, and they are closed on Saturdays and Sundays I don't see how teachers can drop in and browse. They do on-line shopping though, which as far as I'm concerned isn't nearly as exciting as hands-on ... but if you know a teacher, please pass it on!

Come on, Daffodils- get blooming! This loooong winter would have William Wordsworth anxious for spring too.

As I walked uphill I passed this sign on a nightclub door. There are lots of TV series being filmed in the lower mainland - The Killing is on its way to its third season - I've never seen it, though.

Also on the door is the Status' dress code. I probably won't be going in but it looks like a lot of other people won't be either.

However - checking their  web site and finding this kind of stuff going on Saturday nights, my arm could be twisted.

I'm not sure why anyone who lives in New Westminster would pay money to join a gym - with 2.2 km of uphill to walk, run or bike several times a day, you should get pretty fit pretty fast for free - unless of course you dropped dead of a heart attack.

 Oh oh, looks like someone else's daugher-out-law got her learner's licence ...

New Westminster has a lot of history - this is one of two 24 pounder field Howitzers which arrived in New Westminster in 1866 on board the HMS Sparrowhawk. They were used for training and local defense until 1873 by the Seymour Artillery Company, a predecessor of The Royal Westminster Regiment.

 A city that honours its ancestors is tops in my book - this memorial is in a field of crocuses.

What a beautiful setting - if you look closely you can see the little purple crocuses (croci?) popping from the grass.

 No this tree isn't holding Christmas or Chinese New Year decorations - these are seed pods still hanging since fall. Isn't it (Aren't they) amazing?

 This plaque is on the side of The Royal Westminster Regiment -

- a massive building on the corner of Queens Avenue and 6th Street.

 A beautiful display of heather. Isn`t it pure dead brilliant?

 Lots of downhill means lots of uphill.

 Another beautiful old house - it's been converted to a catering company and an Italian restaurant.

 Or if you're more into Schnitzel - try the Old Bavaria Haus Restaurant - they offer 16 different varieties of it.

 My lunch-time tummy craved something a bit more .... Canadian, shall we say? Or should I say Canadien ...

Any little cafe that offers Poutine and Montreal Smoked Meat would do just fine, and across the street was Anny's, just waiting.

Anny was on her own, dishing out her Special Steamie Hot Dogs and Poutine - if you want to chat in French to a lovely lady, go visit.

I decided to go with the Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich and Fries. The meal was the perfect size for lunch - the bread looks white here, but actually was whole wheat (I think), and the two slices held a very generous amount of meat, seasoned with mustard. The fries were home-made, fried twice I do believe, for a nice crunch. The meal, complete with drink, came to about $9.

The restaurant was quite small, but cozy and welcoming. The murals on the walls were a very nice touch - it brought a touch of Quebec into this west coast city.

If I wasn't so full, if it wasn't so cold, and if I wasn't poured into my jeans, I would have tried one of Anny's famous Maple Twist soft serve cones. But that will have to wait for a warmer, thinner day.

The Golden Coin dollar store was huge, and had some really cute merchandise. The fellow behind the counter was very friendly, but when I bought a lottery ticket at his suggestion, he told me it was a winner. He lied.

My first impression when looking across the street was that someone had stolen the house, but on closer investigation, I realized that this was indeed a garden bed. How cool is that? Now if only they had a flower pottie they'd be all set.

I came across another old church - this one had a Thrift Store in the basement, which I visited. (I got me a fine new old stock pot.) (If the sign looks blurry, take a minute to wipe your glasses - if my blog had emoticons, I would insert a smiley face here.)

This church isn't as mighty as the Holy Trinity Cathedral, but it has a lot of character -

 - and a community garden in front. Hmmm - garden bottles attached to a pole. The avid gardener would think No drainage, but I think they're pretty neat.

Seems like some apartment dwellers can't wait for spring to bring an abundance of colour to their lives.

 This downhill section of older townhouses is a whole lot nicer -

 -than these dwellings will ever be -

Nice use of an old stump - although if there are any cats around the birds might not appreciate it. Oh well, at least you'd save money on cat food.

These seed pods are quite pretty. I don't know what plant this is, but it looks like tiny black spiders are nestled inside. I don't however believe they are spider plants.

Back to the sky train station - thank goodness there's an escalator here. I usually don't use them, but skip up the steps joyfully - however, after travelling over 2 km uphill, then over 2 km downhill, my leg muscles refused to head for the stairs. Besides, my stock pot was getting heavier.

And here near the top of the stairs - Nestle Toll House Cafe. My feet just strolled right in.

 KC (the owner, I believe) was very welcoming, and poured me a cup of really fine coffee - beans from Brazil, roasted locally. I chose a Peanut Butter Chocolate cookie bar, as the coffee cup seemed lonely all by itself.

I loved the decor - one wall of cookie love, and bright yellow, soft red, and glistening tile. It's a very warm, welcoming place, much different from the concrete skytrain decor outside it's window. KC and I had a great chat about this, that and everything.

If you want a sweet snack, a or just a great cup of coffee after you get off the skytrain at Wesminster Station, then go visit KC. Tell him I sent you.

• Breakfast - Toast and Coffee
• Lunch - Montreal Smoked Meat sandwich, Fries and Orange Pop
• Dinner - Sorta Kinda Sloppy Joes on Kaiser Bun
• Snacks - Cookie, Coffee, Strawberries