World Cup Summer
And just like that, the World Cup is over.
Everyone I know in Vancouver, to a person, was ambivalent about being a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. And everyone I know in Vancouver (well, almost everyone) got caught up in the excitement once the party started.
I mean, let’s face it. When Sports Illustrated rates you as the No. 1 host city, you take notice. We must be doing something right.
It’s been a wild few weeks. Not without controversy, yes, and I won’t get into all that. But it’s been so much fun to see Vancouver come alive.
We’ve shown in the past that we can do big events. Expo 86 was Vancouver’s coming-out party, and the 2010 Winter Olympics were widely regarded at the time as the most successful Games to date.
The World Cup of association football (soccer) seems to be on another level, however. The entire world was invested in the tournament. And even though exorbitant ticket prices kept most of us away from BC Place (where the matches were held), there was plenty of opportunity to take part in free public watch parties across the region and cheer for your team — whatever colour that might be.
Canada’s team marked several firsts: first-ever goal, first-ever win, first-ever advancement to the knockout stage, and first-ever knockout win. In the end, we placed 14th. Not bad for our third appearance at the World Cup.
Expectations will be high for next time. Until then, we can bask in the memory of our first-ever World Cup summer.
Prairie Spring
I haven’t posted about the Vancouver blossoms this spring. It seemed a bit cruel, given the long, hard winter that much of Canada has endured this year.
I also haven’t written about how disappointed I’ve been about our lack of snow — the first time in 43 years that Vancouver hasn’t registered any snow accumulation. (We had some flurries, enough to get me excited, but nothing stuck to the ground.) I really, really enjoy the limited snow we get as it helps to break up the monotony of the winter rains. But it seemed selfish to complain about our too-mild winter when so many people are wondering if theirs will ever end.
And so, when I flew to Edmonton last weekend for some family time, I hardly expected to see snow. But that’s a prairie spring for you. This photo was taken from the plane as we descended into Edmonton International Airport.
After spending a weekend bundled up against the wind and slipping and sliding along icy sidewalks or on icy roads while a passenger in my brother’s car, it’s funny how quickly you adjust. I was full on in winter mode and forgot all about what spring felt like.
Which meant that on my return to Vancouver on Sunday evening, I emerged from the Canada Line at Yaletown Station and was shocked to be surrounded by people wearing shorts and T-shirts.
That’s Canada for you. Diversity of all sorts, including the weather.
Merry Christmas!
Shipyards Christmas Market, North Vancouver
Through My Lens: Shipyards Christmas Market
There’s a new Christmas market in town and I, for one, am beyond happy about it. Located at the Shipyards District in North Vancouver, it’s already two years old and this year’s market is even bigger and better than last year’s. In fact, it’s become so popular, they’ve put on extra sailings of the SeaBus to get you there.
And, bonus: that view of downtown Vancouver.
Vancouver Goldeneyes Home Opener
Vancouver gets behind its professional sports teams in a pretty big way. And now there’s a new team in town to cheer on. That would be the PWHL’s Vancouver Goldeneyes.
I was one of 14,958 lucky fans sitting in the Pacific Coliseum last night who got to watch the season home opener and the first game in franchise history. The atmosphere was electric.
The Goldeneyes are the first Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) team to be an anchor tenant in their arena. Which means they are the only PWHL team that gets to play on ice branded with their team logo. It may seem like a small thing, but if you listen to the media interviews the players gave after the game, you realize, for them, it is huge.
These photos aren’t the greatest as I was shooting with a four-year old iPhone that’s pretty bad with distances. Even so, it was fun documenting a series of franchise “firsts” and I’m so glad I was there.
First sell-out game
First warm-up
First ceremonial puck drop
First national anthem
First game puck drop
First penalty
First win
Through My Lens: September Flowers
It’s raining today. And I can’t believe I’m saying this, but after a long, hot summer, it’s a relief to have some cooler temperatures again.
The flowers planted along English Bay are looking rather autumnal as well.
Through My Lens: Ships and Foliage at Sunset
I’ve been a bit neglectful about posting lately. Because summer. (Who wants to be sitting at their computer when you can be outdoors?)
This is a favourite photo of mine; I took it as I walked along the seawall one warm August evening some years ago.
The Erickson
A year ago today, I started a series of posts on Vancouver buildings designed by Arthur Erickson. I have one last photo to post, and that’s this building, named, appropriately enough, The Erickson.
This condo was built on the former Expo Lands, on the north side of False Creek. It was finished in 2010, a year after Erickson died, and is one of the last projects he was involved with.
I remember when it went up. My walks along the seawall involved a detour to get around the construction, but now, the building looks like it’s been there forever.
Happy Easter!
The Chancel Windows, Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver, March 2025
Through My Lens: Christ Church Cathedral
Walk a few blocks down Burrard Street from First Baptist and St. Andrew’s-Wesley and you find yourself at the doors of Christ Church Cathedral. I’ve written about Vancouver’s Anglican cathedral before, on the occasion of its 125th birthday.
In the dozen years since, the Cathedral has put on a new roof with seismic upgrades; built a bell tower to house the four bronze bells that were cast for the Cathedral in Annecy, France; and upgraded and expanded the kitchen to better meet the needs of the Cathedral’s food ministry.
The new roof is nicely visible from this angle; the bell tower, not so much as it blends in completely with the building behind it.
Christ Church Cathedral is my photo choice for today, Palm Sunday.
There and Back Again 