Category: Outings

I still haven’t gotten over the novelty of living in Vancouver and being able to enjoy outings like this. Just a short 35-minute drive from my condo, Locarno Beach and Spanish Banks offer the perfect escape. Beach, mountains, soft sand, and a concession stand serving fish and chips—what’s not to love?

I moved here in 1979 after visiting my sister and her family over the years, and I knew immediately it was where I wanted to live and raise my own. The weather alone felt like a gift compared to Montreal: gentler winters, no heavy humidity in the summer, and no need for window screens because mosquitos were practically nonexistent. For a girl from back East, that felt like luxury.

Decades later, I still return to this stretch of shoreline whenever I need a reset. A few deep breaths, the sound of the waves, and a moment of gratitude for where I get to call home.

Do you have a favourite beach-day memory? I’d love to hear it—share yours at info@themobilesenior.ca

Brentwood Mall has taken about a year to evolve into a destination shopping center, accessible directly from Brentwood Skytrain Station, and with ample reasonable parking underground. Now they have added a Sunday feature. The farmers market. The day I went, the weather wasn’t great but there were stalls set up in the outdoor area, not too many but enough to have a wander around and shop if you are looking for some fresh fruit from the Fraser Valley, meat products, aromatherapy oils, a few arts and crafts, and fresh, raw honey. I bought some fresh blueberries, and a small frozen braised beef shepherds pie which was delicious but not cheap ($16 but did me for two meals) .It looks like its developing into a market and is definitely a pleasant walk through You can stop for a nice coffee afterwards at Starbucks or Small Victory Bakery which everyone is raving about. Sundays only through the summer.#theamazing brentwood

So I had a great outing (afternoon) to Cultus Lake, Sunnyside Campground. to visit my granddaughter and boyfriend and his family and friends. We sat around in club chairs on the beach, right next to the water, we people watched, played with the dogs, frolicked in the water and had a lovely beach day.

On my way home, I took advantage of being in the Fraser Valley and stopped at Lepp’s Farm Market in Abbotsford. Lepp Farm Market I have heard about this place for years and had to see it. I was shopping for corn which I know is plentiful at this time of year. Well, as usual, I ended up picking up a few groceries at their gorgeous market, including their home made smokies (to die for!), some local corn, and a few other yummies. Yes, its a bit of a trek from Burnaby and Vancouver but a fun outing if you have the time and inclination. Oh, yes, treated myself to one of their home made ice creams, a strawberry kids cone, yummy, yummy.

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So, an Instagram ad for salmon and berries one day special caught my attention, and I looked up locations. I was going to be downtown anyway so decided to check out the one near the bottom of the Granville St. Bridge across Pacific. But then I remembered the parking is horrible down there, so picked the Kitsilano location instead. Nothing to the east or in my neighbourhood (hopefully that is a yet!). 4th and Macdonald, I slipped into easy parking in front (Pay by Phone) and explored this new-ish to me market. Very nice, the produce and meat look top quality, I picked up one of their roasted garlic tomato soups for lunch (it was delicious and not salty like most supermarket soups), and stocked up on berries and sockeye salmon to take home. The salmon is from Haida Gwai (I asked). It looked amazing and was very reasonably priced. Alas, only a one day sale, but introduced me to a lovely new market and if I want to make trek to the West side, it is totally worth it. No rewards club though. https://www.freshstmarket.com/