Liam and Stephen are here!

Well its been an action packed couple of weeks so what have the 3 of us been upto? Well, stephen and liam have mainly being doing the touristy things. Infact Liam has taken about 400 pictures, most of the identical ones of Kits Beach (it keeps him busy though).

We rented a car and went down to Seattle for a couple of days. The trip mostly consisted of the same old tourist things (including a very interesting tour of underground seattle), and the occasional beer and burger.

Seattle Public market as seen by night The first ever starbucks, a magical place
Me driving our boatsized car

Right at the start of the week we attempted the "grouse grind". This bascially involves climbing a mountain (i think you climb 2.9km). Myself and Liam completed it in a very respectable time of 53minutes, the fastest out of any BUNAC member so far although Paul claims that his time of 1 hour 10 minutes was slowed because he had to look after Stephen. Thats rubbish though, because as everyone knows Stephen is quite the athlete. Anyhow 1 hour 10 is a pretty good time too.

The gang at the bottom, doesnt look too steep from here...

...Until you get to the top that is Me and Liam filling in the time waiting for the others to show up ;)

Aside from Liam and Stephen coming the most important event this month is of course the world cup. We all went over to token Scotsman Gavins house to watch it and gloat after our magnificent victory. Unfortunately that didnt happen, but it was fun all the same.

Off to the park to make our own funAll of us sitting on a rally car that Gav happened to find in his garage! (really!!)

One last night out was in order at the end of the trip, and to make sure the journey home was a safe one, myself and Kayla decided to borrow some hard hats for the journey.

Poor Keeny...

We were all enjoying the evening sun in Vancouver yesterday when your friend and mine Mr. Andrew Keen was savagely stung by a wasp on his ear. Some would say this was a one off event but I think something more serious is at play here. I think that the animals have formed a secret pact to injure Andrew Keen.
Just 2 weeks ago Keeny was walking to work when out of no where a crow descended from the heavens and savagely attacked him. Keeny walked away uninjured but its only a matter of time before the crow comes back for him.And most shockingly, mans best friend and perhaps not the most savage breed, the sausage dog attacked him in full view of a shocked beach this week. So far however, he has lived to tell the tale.

Summer Challenge

In an attempt to get in some sort of reasonable shape im going to set myself a series of challenges for the number.

1. To swim 30 lengths of kits pool. Thats 4,110 metres or 164.4 lengths of a British swimming pool.
2. To do the Grouse Grind 5 times.
3. Thats all I can think of right now but im open to suggestions, maybe we could have a BUNAC decathalon.

Kits Pool!

I used to think of myself as a good swimmer back in the day, and with this in mind I headed to Kits Pool down the road. Not any old pool though, but Canada's biggest pool! The beast is 137 metres long which is over 5 times the length of a standard British pool. Its wierd in that its half sea water but its heated to a reasonable degree (as long as its warm outside). Its pretty tiring getting from one side to the other. Because I got bored (and yes ok, a little tired) I only managed 14 lengths but im going to get myself a 10 passes for $35 ticket and start going a couple times a week. Anyone want to join me?

Another night at the Kingshead?

On Friday we had another night out at what is fast becoming our local, the Kingshead. Located within staggering distance home (or not quite staggering distance), the place really comes alive on the weekend and I decided to suggest a starbucks staff night out there...Of course my gang of English accompanied me so that I wouldnt feel lost around so many Canadians although the way it worked out, we sat in opposite tables staring at each other all night. The turn out was pretty good as I remember and after kicking out time, someone had the idea to go for a swim. Brilliant I thought! I love swimming in freezing cold sea water at 1am (well, ok actually I do). Good fun and sore heads were had by all involved especially myself.

On another note, I've been half heartedly trying to grow a beard in the last 2 weeks but alas, after no compliments whatsoever I decided it had to go. The very next day, it gets it first compliment but by that its too late! Pah! You know who you are

Simon