The last leg is upon us - I am waking up in Bellingham, north of Seattle and a two hour Greyhound away from my final stop, Vancouver, BC. It has been a typically busy few days since I last checked in, so busy I've not even taken many pictures. I should have something pretty to use for this blog though, and something that beats pictures of beer bottles or rucksacks.
On Friday in Seattle, I breakfasted with Ryan at Cafe Besalu, a pastry shop where my contact Alec is a chef. It's an incredible little place - very popular locally - and the apricot tart and croissant I had were both out of this world. We agreed to meet later so me and Ryan explored a little, attempting to visit the aquarium but it was shut, eating an incredible slice of pizza, and trying out my new dream guitar in a cool little music shop in Pioneer Square.
Alec picked me up from Ryan's that evening and we were soon on an ale trail. Just like my Eugene experience, I was meeting some ale experts (his girlfriend Rachel is also a huge beer fan), so I got to try some great stuff. We also popped in to Seattle burger institution, 'Dick's,' and ate something beautiful and calorific. Then we headed to meet some of their friends close by and drank some more before a well-earned sleep.
Saturday began in earnest with a beer or two with Rachel, before Alec joined us after work and we had some more. I even tried the legendary 'Pliny the Elder,' a beer first mentioned to me in Eugene and just about living up to the expectations. We had some amazing souvlaki and garlic fries at a Greek place and then stocked up on beerat a very cool beer shop-cum-bar and headed back to Rachel's place via Alec's. The latter took me down to the water to check out the odd fish making the pilgrimage down stream (see picture), before settling down to beers, pizza, 'Archer' and bed.
Sunday morning involved a good breakfast, meeting Rachel's worse-for-wear but funny flatmate and hitting the road for Bellingham. I got some news that Ash was ill which was hard: she's planning to visit and photograph England so I hope this doesn't affect that. We travelled on though and halfway to the 'Ham - as Alec affectionately called it - we were met by Barbara and Bruce, Alec's parents, who took me the scenic way home and pointed out local points of interest. We got back to theirs and I met Phil, a sharp guy like his son indeed, and we went for a brisk stroll around the local woods before tucking into a great bbq.
Soon after we were on our way to local beer institution 'Boundary Bay,' where we met Ramon and Vicky, Rachel's parents. Their daughter Alex also joined us later and we all shared stories and some laughs. They are all such great people, a wonderful family and it has been a fitting end to a trip of meeting and staying with lovely, welcoming folks. From Ben in New York, to Tim in Seattle, to Ibrahim in Portland, to Terry and Jan in Eugene and these guys - it has warmed my old English cockles. I was treated to beer, a pub t-shirt, lavender and raspberry cheesecake ice-cream and more. I then had Alex show me another great pub and shared some of my funnier travel experiences before heading to sleep.
So today I'm off on the bus to Vancouver! It's such a shame that I have to leave these guys so early, just as it was a shame to say goodbye to Alec and Rachel so soon. However, I just accumulated some more good reasons to come and visit the Northwest again. Two brief nights in this hyped-up Canadian city will follow, and then it's all aboard and England bound. I'll speak soon!
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