Last night was really cold and today's temperature have been -7 with a wind chill of -14. Just a tad nippy! Nancylee and John had to drive to Abbotsbury this morning where it was even colder. After they returned and we had lunch we went off to our favorite place in Vancouver, Granville Island.
Driving into Vancouver the snow covered mountains surrounding the city show up clearly today. Surprisingly we found a good parking spot on Granville Island quite easily considering it's Christmas week.
The island is really a peninsular that jute's out into False Creek. It's an eclectic mix of heavy industry, upmarket arts and crafts studios and a large busy public market
We walked through the indoor market to the Blue Parrot cafe for coffee and donuts to set us up for a trek around the Island. Mmmmm.........these donuts are mega size and extremely moreish!
The Island still has a considerable amount of snow especially on the riverside decks where the snow is still compacted, crisp and white. The air and light is so good today and the sun belies the coldness of the day. I'm glad of my warm coat the non elegant but very warm and dry shoes and my cosy fur hat. The Canadians say it's never like this here! Vancouver is renown for its rain and mild temperatures normally it's weather mirrors ours in England. Not this year! Must be us, as in 2005 we had nonstop warm and sunny weather which was equally unusual
The airs so clear today.
and the snow is crisp and even.
We separate, Dave and John head towards the Island Brewery. Nancylee and I wander back through the market. I love the warm, cheerful and noisy atmosphere in this market. It's called 'The Net Loft'. There's always so much to see and such a variety of stalls. They're are several buskers in the market singing or playing Christmas music.
We stop at a couple of jewelery stalls with some really beautiful hand made silver pieces, designed by the stall holder. Sadly, I resist the urge to buy some gorgeous silver earrings and a necklace. If I have any money left before I leave I'll try to go back and get one of the pieces. There's a new shop on the outside of the Net loft Its a Yarn and Fabric craft shop. The crafts are fabric and silk printing, dyeing, felting, and everything to do with fabrics. 
The fruit and produce here is always so fresh and piled high. Oranges always reminds me of Christmas . When I was a child we only ever had oranges at Christmas time but when we lived at the 'Land Settlement' the Lorry driver who use to take the Settlements produce to Convent Garden in London would bring back a case of oranges as a gift to every family living on the Settlement at Christmastime.
Over at the Brewery......... Dave and John have cut short their tour of the market and the shops and have sort the warmth of the Island brewery to sample the breweries wares from the gleaming on site brewery.
He approves,
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