Would have loved to have checked out local rock n roller Rich Hope(been a long time fan) at the Alibi Room which has an amazing selection of local craft beers ala Nigel(owner), but alas it is sold out. That’s what you get for being a dilly-dallier.

If I had to pick one fav it would be Driftwood Brewery’s Farmhand Ale, inspired by Belgium farm ale, a bit malty, citrus notes, um very drinkable, hints of banana. And I really like the branding, yes you can sell me a product on good branding, I’m a sucker.

BeerBrats - with Philips Brewing Company beer

Since we are on the subject of beery things to consume, I had bought three different packs of BeerBrats from the Trout Lake Farmers market that opened this last Weekend. Writing this, I couldn’t resist frying some up, mmm, the house smells like sausage! Made with local organic meats, and craft brews from Philips Beer(in pic), Red Truck Beer, R&B Brewing Co and Driftwood Brewery. They were less greasy, less salty and nice and beery, first thing that hits your palate is the beer. There are no preservatives in these sausages so we had to eat them all fast, well I gave away the chorizo for mother’s day.

What other beer wonders are to come this week…

Photograph by Evgeni Chekanov

• Social Media will spoil the opening ceremonies surprise? – ctv.ca
• sneak peak at the fireworks around the fully inflated stadium – straight.com
• volunteers sneak peak at opening ceramonies today – cbc.ca
• Cambie Bridge is closed
• where is Neil Young when you need him?
• flickr search hmmm, line-ups

• google map of opening day torch route
• google map of venues
• Vancouver Sun picks of fun stuff to check out
• Cultural Olympiad features – official games site
• Vancouver 2010 Free Events Guide
• Olympic Drinking Pavilions. Some truths, beware!
• Georgia Straits calendar of free concerts
• off the beaten path – VirtualTourist
• food food food – UrbanDiner
• the dope on Restaurants in VanCity

Coming to Saturna is a great escape for us that is like no other group thing we do, we abandon the city and head back to familiar and gorgeous Gulf Island where happy memories are concieved, delicious food shared, stories and secrets revealed and copius libations toasted. Hurry up and relax!

Day 1
Catching the 7am ferry is no easy feat but it means you arrive there in the morning, you drop off your gear in the cabins and have a whole day of going bamboo again – walking the sandstone cliffs, the windy meadow, now National Park designated, checking out Mr. otter, seals, eagles and downing more than your share from shear excitement. If its your first time I guarantee you’ll think of ways to buy a place there.

Day 2
This years foodie highlight for moi is the Schwartz’s Hebrew Delicatessen smoked meat that Nicholos brought from a recent trip to Montreal! All one can utter is omg, omg, omg after tasting this miracle that was steaming all morning then sliced and served up on rye with mustard. Smoked meat, for all my friends! What could be better while on ‘our’ sunny beach where we planted our butts for most of the 4 days.

Day 3
Saturna has a winery too! We bought our first wines in 2001, those were meant to keep a couple years but now, their wines have really come a long way. They even sell them at the BCLiq. Newbies wanted to check it out so off we went. Saturna Winery is in a somewhat protected part of the island, an especially hot planting area is below the cliffs, its own little micro climate.

Check out this cheese assortment served on slate, an assorted appy platter along with a 2006 Saturna Vintner’s Select Chardonnay (Silver medal – 2008 All Canadian Wine Championships). Sitting outside, we indulge thinking maybe our friends were up on the cliffs behind us looking for wild goats that live on the island but we didn’t see them, ha.

That night fire pit shananigans went on allllll night where the sunrise was met by our two best soldiers.

Day 4
Half the crew head home on the 6am ferry. Crazies. The rest of us? We lounge, we eat, I pull out a forgotten bottle of chilly champagne and its beach time again! We hazily talk about the next time, next year, perhaps hitting the annual lamb bbq in July, coming off season, the fate of this spot and the cabins, buying property, the reality of working remotely…

I take what seems like some very final photos of this lovely spot and the cabins, not knowing if they will be available to us next year.

So we get to Qualicum and Dean heard that you can rent these Stand-up Paddles from and ex-South African surfer dude at the beach. Here is a demonstration on calm waters(freezing cold though). Always something new to try but I gave it a pass, these are not tropical waters!

Then we dilly-dally back to buddy’s cottage to take in the view  from his serious treehouse. Here Jess is harnessed in and climbing, we are armed with Heinies, we climb one by one. When you get to the platform there is a gentle sway, I sit because standing just seems unintuitive. Next pic is the dizzying view from eagle eye height treehouse.

Isn’t that view ridiculous?

Summer is almost here and its time to plan another island getaway to our buddy’s house. We flew last time and let me tell you 1 hour total beats the 5 hour ferry expedition. Don’t get me wrong, I love BC ferries, great scenery, lots of fresh air and ferry food hmmm. But flying is awesome if you are pressed for time.

Look at that wee plane! Its a Chieftan airplane, 6-8 passengers. Orca Air has an ongoing deal of $59 one way to Qualicum, which is 50%+ less than the competition. The experience is very fun, maybe a bit unnerving but totally stunning views are to be had.

Even Dean and Cam fit snugly behind the pilot and co-pilot. 30 high flying minutes later we landed on the small runway in Qualicum, our friend and her dog greeting us with big smiles(yes, dogs smile).

(Canada, 2007, 102 mins)
Canadian Images

Thank you for reminding us that we live in a beautiful, lush and abundant part of the world.

Read review via tasteto.com (i know, Toronto!)