GASTOWN, VANCOUVER, BC

Lets not talk about how long its been. Instead lets talk about Gastown, Vancouver a bustling hub of everything Hannah and I love. We enjoyed a month on the West Coast last Christmas (I said lets not talk about how long its been) and got to explore Vancouver and Seattle to our hearts content.

We knew Gastown was a must after a huge cluster of interesting finds centred in this tiny little area and we made it our first outing there, wondering around making sure to drop into a few of our must-see spots, the first was Old Faithful Shop a space stocking plenty of quality items. They even had a frenchie to snuggle as we had to leave Eggs with my parents!

After browsing and buying a few select items that would fit in our cramped suitcases we headed for a caffeine fix at Revolver Coffee, I ordered an AeroPress with beans from Bows & Arrows based in Victoria, BC. I think about this coffee a lot as it was delicious and I've tasked Hannah to bring me some back when she takes Oak to meet the extended family before Christmas.

I loved Revolver, it was a very chilled atmosphere with perfectly finished details that scream attention to detail, like the plywood shelving cut at precisely 45° angles to match with the uprights in two angles! I found myself taking photos of the shelves in their toilets (yep, I'm that guy) for inspiration on unique storage solutions. I'll be glad to go back there one day, to drink their coffee and enjoy their space.

We strolled around Gastown for a little while longer, dropping in and out of shops we liked the look of, some honourable mentions include One of a Few, East Van Roasters, Nelson the Seagull, Neighbour and countless others I've failed to recall!

Our final stop of the day was Bestie, while its technically in Chinatown it is a must visit! Hannah's sister Sophie's friend started this little spot, serving high quality, well sourced Currywurst at insanely reasonable prices and their space is AMAZING.

I don't think the photos quite do it justice but this is everything I look for in a quality restaurant and the food was superb, I enjoyed a standard currywurst and a hardcider from Left Field Cider Co. again sourced from BC. Gah I love this place, I think we went back at least twice more before we left and it will be top of the list when we get back in the future!




 It seems Gastown is crammed with small businesses run by people that really care about their brand, and give all the attention they can to fellow creators based in BC, be that roasters or designers or wood workers. I feel this is how our world should be, good people helping good people do even better work.

Next up is our few days in Seattle!

EGGS BENEDICT

Eggs Benedict Charles Meyer.

How has it been 7 weeks since we collected this little Gremlin? I don't quite know but I've certainly enjoyed the ride! Now that he isn't waking up every two hours at night, relieving himself anywhere he pleases and attempting to commit suicide via stamping I can safely say he is part of our little team! Hannah has been planning to get a Frenchie since our trip to Vancouver last year when she fell in love with one we met at Bark & Fritz. (Note: Just thinking about Vancouver makes me miss is dearly. It's almost a year to the day)

Hannah has spent the last year researching the breed, engrossing herself almost completely in everything French Bulldog, talking to countless breeders to find one she is happy with, going to meet ups in London to see how they are in a 'pack', making sure she knows anything and everything about diet, training, etiquette, veterinary surgeries, insurance, health problems, crate training and learning how to spot a well bred Frenchie. She was like a women possessed and I've loved watching her passion and experience grow before we finally took the plunge on 5th May when we collected him from Charlotte who happens to be one of the most genuinely lovely and supportive women I have ever met. Seriously, her passion for these puppies was palpable as even today she texts Hannah to check everything is ok.