Europe on a Boot-string

No visit to Vancouver would be complete without a circuit of the scenic Stanley Park. It is almost fully surrounded by the sea and harbour, and is about half an hour walk from our hotel. The park, with its coyote warnings, green areas and forest is a welcome retreat from the frantic city streets, where Porsche Panamerica's are cruising past dope shops and homeless people living in shop doorways. We passed by a sad group of wasted druggies openly smoking meth from bongs on a busy footpath. Although our problems are minor in comparison, the subject of housing the disadvantaged has cropped up in Oamaru recently too.  A cannabis shop on every block. The Totem Pole The walk around the perimeter of the park is about 8km, the cool sea breeze soothing sweaty brows as the day heated up to 28 degrees C. We had a great lunch in the Teahouse restaurant at the half way mark, before passing the beaches full of sun bathers, paddlers and guy with a metal detector looking for riches.The harbou...

  It's warm, but not too hot. A mild smokey haze from the wild fires hangs over the city. The streets are filled with people in their summer gear. Some very interesting outfits. It's different from Oamaru, with Sunday drivers showing off their latest model shiny sports cars from Jaguar and Porsche It's easy to sit outside in the evening and watch the world go by while sipping one of the many craft beers on offer. o