VANCOUVER

After disembarking from the cruise we spent a fantastic day at Grouse Mountain, just a few minutes from downtown Vancouver. In winter it's a ski resort but in summer it is a mountain biking/parasailing/hiking centre. Our highlight though was meeting Grinder and Koola, a pair of 7 year old, orphaned grizzly bears. Usually orphaned grizzlies are destroyed but these lucky 2 were spared to study and give some insights into the lives of grizzlies. They live in a 5 acre compound that replicates their natural habitat. They are fed but are forced to forage for the food they are given so they live as naturally as possible. The 2 bears put on a great show for us - wrestling in the snow, then cooling off in their pond while eating pond weed and continuing their wrestling bout.

We also saw an entertaining display of birds of prey including owls, eagles, vultures and peregrine falcons. Bill almost hit an eagle as he dived for cover as it swooped low over his head .

After farewlling Tracy's mum and dad at the airport, we caught up with the Daniels ( John's cousins) clan for a few days rest at their beautiful home Abbey Mead in West Vancouver. Luckily it was Margie's birthday so we were joined by about 25 more cousins, their partners and children. A Special guest was Simone, Paul and Margies first great grand child. A fun night was had by all.