Last night I met my friend Michael McNamara (who’s in Builders of the Pacific Coast) for dinner at this lively place on Hamilton Street. Good local beers on tap, oyster paradise.

Through my BC publicity angel Kim Herter, I got a tour (+ lunch) of the harbor in West Vancouver on Drew and Deb McVittie’s 60-foot “steel coastal tug” today. Drew bought the tug (built in 1962) in 1997 and has been working on it since. It was an amazing couple of hours: the boat and all the work Drew has done on it, including installing a new engine, and all the activity and boats in the water and at dock. Piles of salt, sulfur, and wood chips; grain and oil tankers; lumber. Tugboats of varying sizes all over.

  They love the boat and it shows. “She’s a real sweetheart,” says Drew. “She’s just so much fun.” I’ll post a few photos when I get time. Jeez, am I loaded with “content.”

  After the boat ride, Kim and I went into downtown Vancouver, where I did a half-hour interview on the tiny homes book with Sheryl Mackay for CBC radio. It will air next weekend on the show North by Northwest..

I’m at Blenz Coffee in Yaletown. It wasn’t until I set my latte down that I noticed the barista art. How witty! I went over and gave the barista lady a mini book.

   Last time in Vancouver I stayed at the Best Western Hotel on Drake St. Turned out to be right across street from The Yale Hotel, one of the best blues venues anywhere. New bands every night. A person could — if person wanted to — sit through a set, then at intermission retire to room across street, smoke a joint,and watch out window until band members went back in for the next set.

   Again this year I lucked out in getting a room (out of 4 possible street orientations) facing the Yale. But to no avail, boo-hoo, as the Yale is closed for a year of repairs.

   Here are a few photos. Cute little harbor tour boat, looks like the little boat that thought it could.

   In an hour I’m going out with friends on a vintage tugboat for a harbor tour (in the rain).