This week’s small pleasures is coming to you from Vancouver, where I am on a family visit. It is the first time I have been out of New Zealand since September 2019, so the long flight over the Pacific Ocean was almost….almost a small pleasure in itself!
Of course, the switch from Southern to Northern hemisphere has also meant a switch from winter to summer. The west coast of Canada is 20 hours behind New Zealand time, so I arrived before I left….anyway, the journey went fine and I got here.
This is a family visit, not just a holiday, so there are meals at home and few chances to eat out. We did have pre-dinner cocktails one evening, an interesting watermelon Campari spritz, and I tried this very locally brewed peach wheat beer.
I’ve also had some time to say hello to the A-maze-ing Laughter sculpture, which cannot help but bring a smile to the face.
There has been time to enjoy conversation, watch flamenco at Granville Island and spot a dedication to Margot Fonteyn and these ‘floral’ waste bins in the Van Dusen Botanic Gardens.
So that’s it from me this week I am typing this on my iPad which is not so easy…hence a rather abbreviated post. Anyway, there have been some magnificent sunsets such as the one below that have proved wonderful small pleasure.
So, what were your small pleasures this week? Here are some other blog posts from a few fellow bloggers looking at the good things in life. Apologies for no links this week…the iPad is not so friendly when trying to add links?
Thistles and Kiwis is a Wellington, New Zealand based blog written by Barbara, who likes cats, summer, good food and pretends to garden.
You can find Thistles and Kiwis on Facebook, and also on Instagram @thistlesandkiwis. As for Twitter….am totally inactive these days. If you want to get in touch, email me on thistlesandkiwis@gmail.com
Thistles and Kiwis 
You are enjoying some beautiful weather there! ‘Time travel’ is amazing in terms of you arriving before actually leaving … you know what I mean. Some of my pleasures include listening to nightjars calling during the night, slightly warmer temperatures early in the morning, and getting ready to drive 1 000km to see my daughter later this week 🙂
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Safe travels and hope you have a lovely time with your daughter.
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Canada is looking lovely and sunny, it is still rather dull here!
I loved the park’s A-maze-ing Laughter, that would appeal to adults and children.
Enjoy your holiday, it must be great to catch up with family after Covid lockdowns.
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Thanks! Yes its has been good to see family.
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Hi, Barbara – I am so glad that Vancouver is treating you well.
(Although I am still sad about our timing. I was in Vancouver just days ago!)
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Well, I think it likely I’ll be back sooner rather than later given my brother’s health, but we will see.
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I’m so sorry to hear about your brother’s health. Sending warm thoughts your way.
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Enjoy your time with your family
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Thank you!
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My small pleasures were a lot of butterflies in the garden. Not really a match for a trans pacific flight and peach wheat beer.
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But butterflies are lovely…
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Dear Barbara — I do understand how a long plane ride can be a small pleasure! I enjoyed your selections very much, especially the Margot Fonteyn plaque (this reminds me that I saw her in an outdoor ballet in a castle in Milan in 1974 — !!) and the flower litter bins. Why not? I send you warm loving energy to you and your family.
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Oh how wonderful to have seen Fonteyn! I did too actually in Edinburgh with Scottish Ballet. She just moved really, but held the stage with her presence. Thank you Carole Anne…it hasn’t been an easy visit.
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We’re here for you.
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Air travel! Visiting family! Summer temperatures! all 2-edged propositions …
Thank you for sharing your highlights and lovely sights from your week in Vancouver. I love A-mazing-Laughter – thank you for the long shot & closeups.
I chuckle that you managed to find time for a dance performance and a walk through a Botanic Garden all the way across the world; I like that you know what you enjoy!!! Wishing you a fab rest of your visit!
P/S Kudos to you working this post up on an iPad – I’m not sure I could cope.
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