Walking Group 06 JUNE

The gals on Burrard St posing with one on the many eagles

Initially, my plan was to continue the west beach walk from Locarno to Spanish Banks but, with the heavy cloud blanket overhead, Linda and Deborah agreed that we might be wise to stay in the downtown area. We met Lorna at Howe & Robson Streets then headed north to Burrard & Hastings to get a closeup view of the old Marine Building ... unfortunately, the building was closed but we could see, through the heavy glass revolving doors, the impressive marble floors, wall and ceiling features ... the outside of the building is decorated in relief carvings of famous ships from Europe that reached the west coast during the 1500's and 1700's ... narrow copper and brass panels of various sea creatures surround the double entrance doors ... the doors are set back from the sidewalk inside a 15-20 foot high archway carved in tiered art deco designs. A plaque mounted near the archway outlines the history of the Marine Building ... at the time it was built in 1930, it was the tallest building in the British Empire ... in 1980, it underwent a complete refurbishment to restore the artwork and facade ... the Elephant & Castle Restaurant is located on the main level facing Hastings ... on the Burrard side north of the entrance is a small cafe. We walked up Burrard to Nelson Park at Thurlow street to visit Mole Hill, a heritage site restored in the past 20 years to their 1920's condition ... Mole Hill was settled by seasonal workers brought in during the mining, lumber and gold rush eras ... the West end was the first residential neighborhood of Vancouver separate from the business sector. We were fortunate that today was opening day for the West End Farm Market at Nelson Park ... vendors were selling homegrown vegetables, herbs and flowers ... baked goods, honey, bees wax candles and chocolate were among the available yummies ... I bought a chocolate with pecans and caramel as well as a slice of poppy seed cake ... my walking companions showed considerable restraint and just looked. A broad strip of the south side of Nelson Park is planted in community garden plots ... it is encouraging to see many communities setting up garden plots throughout the city ... when I was growing up in Calgary in the 1950's, everyone had small vegetable/salad gardens in their back yards ... it was a way of life, like hanging clothing on a line to dry, and mowing the lawn with a hand mower, the soft hum of the rotating blades neatly clipping the grass. Have a great week and we'll see you next Saturday.
Contributor Virginia

Gardens in west end near Nole Hill

Bee wax candles & community garden

Old marine building front door & refelection in another building

Oyster mushrooms & pitcher plants

Viginia & her very sweet tooth ;)