If the chill of winter is just around the corner, then fall is determined to send us marching boldly on to meet it in a blaze of glory. Thanks to the late burst of summer in the Pacific Northwest this year, the trees are wearing some truly spectacular colours. As the days grow shorter, greyer, wetter, colder, we’re soaking in any colour and  sunshine we can get, like bears feasting ahead of the winter.

Speaking of feasting, Canada sensibly celebrates  the harvest with Thanksgiving in early October, leaving enough time to recoup before the countdown to the Christmas feasts begins. Unless of course, you’re also celebrating Dussehra, Diwali*, Eid, and let’s not forget that candy crazed holiday, Halloween!

The fragrance of fall has enduring notes of spice and sweetness. The air is scented with cinnamon, cocoa, pumpkin pie, butter tarts. Funny, how, as you walk around downtown Vancouver, the smell of coffee suddenly seems so much more pronounced and alluring, drawing you in out of the cold. And driving home, you just happen to follow a route that takes you past the store with the best samosas around.

The farmers market opened for the winter season last week, and the line-ups at the hot food vendors stalls were longer than ever.

Fall? Looks good, smells great!

*Diwali has a big presence in Vancouver, celebrated citywide in a week of cultural events to mark the occasion. Get a taste of it here. Diwali fireworks merge with those of the Halloween revelries and make for a festive atmosphere that’s second only to Christmas and the Chinese new year celebrations.