It's still a little too early to celebrate the official 30th anniversary of this event (so comically captured here on super 8 film). But not MUCH too early. If I don't upload this video onto Bloggerville now, it'll probably slip my mind in 6 months when the proper date pops up next Spring.The event I refer to is the 'Grand Return To Canada' series of films featuring our dear departed high school friend Jonny (and his newish wife Maureen) back in 1979 after he'd dun spent the previous 8 years on the lamb living the British life over there in Cornwall, UK.
Our trans-Atlantic communication since 1971 had been almost exclusively via the spoken word on cassette tapes, so I must admit I found it a bewildering experience at first to chat with him face to face again. But this was also one of the highlights of my first 30 years on the planet, no doubt partly due to that 'celebrity' impression the talkie tapes had created.
As is evident in the footage provided below, fellow Tupperoonian, Bill would often join us for a day trip during the two week period, which included a boat cruise to Victoria, an evening at Playland, a stroll thru Queen Elizabeth Park and dining at the finest cafes in town. And for those viewers that might remember an ultra boring 25 minute section of film that was shot by both Jon and me (and then spliced together) going up (and then down) Grouse Mountain on the Skyride - you'll be pleased to learn that the offending footage has been expunged.
4 comments:
Nice feel to this video. Vancouver certainly is one of the prettiest places on earth when the sun shines. What is or was the Yukon Queen? Have John and his wife revisited?
I'm puzzled????
You state - "this was also one of the highlights of my first 30 years on the planet."
You wouldn't be 30 years of age until 5 years later.
Was there some sort of time-traveling involved or a problem with the space-time continuum in 1979?
Sorry Mr. Down Under; looks like the Yukon Queen has been retired from service. (I see no mention of it online or in the phone book.) It gave tourists a jolly tour of Vancouver's Harbour for a cheap fare. Used to dock down by the Bayshore Hotel.
And yes, Jon's visit was a highlight of my first 25 years. But it 'reads' better to say 30. Less syllables.
It was a memorable time, returning to Vancouver and revisiting the basement!
Again, thanks for the hospitality, thrice over.
The ciné film transferred well!
For the record, Jon visited again solo in 88 and in 96, accompanied by wife & kids, after which, Dale aged 30 years!
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