Gastown, Meat Galore and Help

Wednesday August 10th.

We haven't been to Gastown now for a few years. The last time if I remember right was 2005 and we went to an exhibition aimed at telling tourists the story of Vancouver from its beginnings It was called Storyem .We enjoyed the show them and was saddened to hear it was unable to make sufficient funds to carry on and so closed. Gastown though has survived and continued to develop. All the buildings here are heritage status and many new businesses are high end Home Furnishings and Boutiques 

The worlds only steam clock built in 1977 based on a 1875 design.

There are still a good amount of tourist 'tack' shops and many many tourists that come to see  this unique area of Vancouver. Most though are all to the in the stretch north of this unique steam clock.  It's developed into a really attractive place for locals to come and eat as well.

The Lamplighters Pub one of the many good eating places in Gastown.

A neatly filled in Ally way becomes a design studio and shop.

selling designer shoes.....

....with an unusual take on statuary.

The original Old |Spaghetti factory. Nancylee favorite eating place as a Kid!

Gassy Jack Deighton and 'Pals'

Captain 'Gassy' Jack Deighton was a River Pilot turned Inn Keeper who liked to tell long winded stories. The site of his statue wad the site of a great Maple tree where the Town notables met to decide the Name for the City.

renovated building with space to live

Close to the Docks.

if the boot fits?!

The Duke and Dave.

 We met up with John again after his Yaletown meeting and he takes us to a newish Sandwich shop in a street off the main tourist stretch. It's called Meat and Bread. An unassuming shop, but with a great local  following. The queues for food never abated Non looked tourists, all looked like local workers.

Sandwich assembly line.

The only drink was a selection of bottled soft drinks. I wish they had Fentimans ginger beer though.

The sandwiches are served on a simple wooden platter. Soon emptied

 After a delicious light lunch we head back to Richmond. An afternoon nap time was called for before the cinema at Silver City in Richmond.

 Before the cinema though we eat at the The Old Spaghetti Factory at Silver City. Eating here gets us vouchers for money off the cinema tickets.

Across the road then to the 19 screen multiplex cinema. We're going to see 'The Help' based on the book by Katherine Stockett. It's the first night of showing and the cinema's packed. It's a great film enjoyed by all.