Books & Bikes

The Old Spaghetti Factory restaurant is decorated in a way that seems to fit New West's pseudo-Victorian image. This is but a portion of the books, bikes, lamps, stained glass windows and even streetcar (yes! filled with tables and chairs!) that fill the restaurant.

The food is also very good - I myself ate the Spaghetti with Mizrithi cheese a la Homer, a dish that legend serves Homer lived off of whilst writing 'Iliad'. Whether or not its true is immaterial; it was delicious!

Up!

The view up Begbie Street from the staircase leading up to the 3-storey outdoor parkade. To the right is the Scotia Bank building - it's one of the few still being used as a bank, harking back to the era when all banks were housed in grand buildings such as this one.

School's out!

In honour of the end of the school year, a post taken outside New Westminster's only high school. As you may be able to see, students were writing provincial exams as late as this morning! The final day of school is tomorrow, and is usually a half day where students receive their report cards and best wishes for the next school year.

Saintly Sunday

Although this began as a Ukrainian Orthodox church, the congregation waned to a point where it couldn't sustain the building any longer. It now also houses an Ethiopian Orthodox congregation as well!

St Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 8th Street

Feelin' Blue

Along Front Street many of the buildings are the backsides of the shops on Columbia Street. This is one of the few that have been painted. It's also fenced off from the street; this photo was taken through the chain link fence.

Front Street near Begbie Street

Pilot House

Back on the New West Quay this sunny evening for a walk. Facing the World's Largest Tin Soldier (arm and leg at right of photo) is a play structure for the kids, the M.V. Expo Tugger (1986). Based on the year, I assume it was installed the year of the World's Expo in Vancouver. There were no kids playing on it tonight, so I did just after taking this photo.

Spindle

Queen Anne homes are a popular design in New Westminster, and most of them have been restored beautifully.

Near 9th Street and Queens

Alphabet

Sculpture behind the New Westminster Public Library at 6th Avenue and 6th Street.

Flyover

One way over a railyard.

Quayside Drive from Columbia to Quay West.

Planter

Inscribed planter boxes full of native plants behind Douglas College.

Trainspotting

Amtrak runs a route between Seattle and Vancouver. (The SkyTrain tracks are in the background.) It's one of the few locations to where a train runs. Unfortunately Canada isn't big on using train travel between cities.

Reach for the Top

Two of New Westminster's newest tower blocks near New Westminster SkyTrain station. They are part of the Plaza88 complex that has taken over this corner.

Sleeping Policeman

These signs always remind me of the book "The Little Prince". Actually, they signify a speed bump and are a warning to slow down.

Playing Captain

Nautical themed children's play park at New Westminster Quay. If you've ever dreamt of being a submarine captain, this is your opportunity.

Weatherbeaten

View of the backside of the former Columbia Famous Players theatre on Columbia Street.

Although this sign is at the top of the building, I was able to get this near to it by climbing to the top of the Downtown Parkade. The parkade is a three-story structure that was built over Front Street.

Big Red

Sapperton Landing Park, the Wharf.

This building - the Wharf - is located 180 degrees from yesterday's tugboat photo. It dates from the 1930s.

The Wharf was a transfer point for food, wood, coal, supplies and prisoners as this landing point on the Brunette River (and its confluence with the Fraser River) was once the location of a First Nations' village, a Royal Engineers' camp, the first colonial legislature of BC and a federal penitentiary.

This Little Tug Could

A typical sight in New Westminster - a tugboat and its people, towing logs up and down the river. Perhaps if you squint you can see the people atop the logs.

Brunette River, Sapperton Landing

Tranquility

Courtyard in front of City Hall.

Barefoot on the Grass

Walking past Moody Park, I heard music and to my surprise found the Royal City Youth Ballet doing a performance at a community festival. This was part of their Hopak - great job!

Tree's Eye View

A few of New Westminster's lovely homes.

Adjacent to Queen's Park.

Leaving the platform

Awful weather we're having this June: cold, rainy sweater weather.

New Westminster SkyTrain Station.

Verandah

It's too bad that homes today are rarely built with a verandah.

This Victorian house holds the Galbraith Conference Centre and a wellness spa.

On yer bike!

Or...off, since this is where you'd lock up your two-wheeler along Columbia Street.

Falling Water

The peacefulness of falling water and rustling leaves.

Begbie Square, behind the Law Courts.

Fitness Circuit

Need a new exercise idea? Head to Queen's Park and follow the directions.

Mock Tudor

Edward Kourt is an apartment complex near the intersection of Royal and 8th. If I'm not mistaken, it used to be much more mock Tudor than it currently is. The suites are lovely, with wood floors and rounded archways within.

Hart Block

Interesting doorway on a small walkway known as Lorne Mews. It runs between Columbia and Carnarvon streets in downtown.

Puddle Jumper

A cute little puddle jumper at the corner of Royal and 8th. The park was renamed Toronto Place Park a couple of years back when this little sculpture appeared. Until recently, I'd only ever seen it from the street, never having gone up the steps to see it from above. Imagine my surprise!

Knox

There are some rather clever sign writers at the local churches. This one, Knox Presbyterian on Columbia Street in Sapperton, said, "Under same management for over 2000 years".

Donation

Mural on the side of the former Salvation Army store next to New Westminster Skytrain Station. The buildings above and to the right are new, and it would appear that this old building is going to be somehow incorporated into the building complex that is soon to include shops and cinemas. If I am remembering correctly, construction of this megalith has been ongoing since 2006.