West End Guest House Blog: Lawn Bowling and Currywurst

I have owned and operated 4 bed and breakfasts. Each one had it's own theme, one was about world travel and exotic places, the other was olde worlde (picked that term up in England many years ago), the West End Guest House is about the Edwards family and early Vancouver. Somewhere along the way I picked up a set of bowls - not cereal bowls but bowling bowls - yup that's what they are called. Bowls not Balls. Anyway, today was the first time I've ever Lawn Bowled...I didn't think to bring my bowls, so I used the bowls at the Granville Lawn Club on Fir and 15th Avenue. I've known it for years but it took my SSAG group to properly introduce me. We were met by Shirley a retired insurance broker - 40 years! Makes my 23 years with the West End Guest House seem a little insignificant. She went over the basics of the game and then introduced us to Pat who tutored us further, coached us further and applauded our efforts and improvements. It was quite fun, I would definitely do it again and I know their members range from young to old so it isn't a game for old codgers like so many think.

It was a hot afternoon and the beer they had available went down well. Only one beer and then back to two more Ends - it didn't necessarily improve things but we went from being behind at 5 to 7 to winning at 8 to 7. Yay PECs. Too Bad RRRs. It is an inexpensive way to spend sometime with friends or colleagues - I noticed all the businesses that have their own tournaments. I'm sure it would be good for morale.

What is also good for morale is good EATS. After the Lawn Bowling we were pretty hungry but fortunately our SSAG captain arranged for us to go to Bestie in Chinatown. Last October we were in Berlin on a tour being told at every turn about the Currywurst which Berlin is known for. That was an expensive trip....to get all the way to Berlin but if you are in Vancouver and want to experience great - yummy - delish Berlin current cuisine go to Bestie at 105 W Pender Street. My duck sausage with red cabbage pickle, potato and fennel salad for $12 was excellent. I was driving so I had a lemonade which went down well since we were still pretty warm from having been outside in the sun all afternoon. I finished off with a Gingerbread Cookie! The two owners, Clinton and Dane have only been open a few months but are definitely a hit on the culinary scene. They are open every day but Sunday and open for lunch, afternoon, dinner, afternoon dinner till 10 and 12 on weekends. They even convert the table we were sitting at to a take out window! That is clever. I wonder how I could do something like that at the Guest House? Probably not but that's okay.

The day was good all around AND on the way up the street in downtown Chinatown I found some bamboo blinds I have been looking for. ACE!