Fog Bank Blues: Thursday, January 23rd

Most people think that shadows follow, precede, or surround beings or objects. The truth is that they also surround words, ideas, desires, deeds, impulses and memories. -Elie Wiesel, writer, Nobel laureate (b. 1928)

 

Hi Patrick/Ray

Thanks for the email  Patrick,including the ride summaries. I did the research to find out where the hell you were, starting from the Tibetan temple I noted that you used Imperial measures about which I was pleased. Did you see any roundabouts on your travels?

[Chloe Alexis Dunn

Post this as your status: This is a game to keep Art alive. Click "like" and I will assign you an artist. It doesn't matter if you do not know his or her work. Search the internet , pick a piece you like the best and publish it on your FB page. Nicole Forest-Smith assigned me Andrew Gareth Young, painter, and I chose to post this piece....]

 

Chris and I have just returned from a few days in the Lake District much of it in the rain. Laura, Ed and William joined us for several days and they are still there as Chris had to return for a couple of work assignments . We managed a small fell which none of us had walked before finishing up even at low altitude in mist and had a problem finding the route down. Chris baby-sat meanwhile. We also did the very pleasant walk between Rydal Village and Grasmere Village on Loughrigg Terrace which overlooks the lakes of the same names- again in wet conditions. A run with Ed which I shortened  and a couple of short walks around Rydal area completed the activity picture.

We enjoyed having William in his new wet suit in the small well heated pool and spa. Picture may follow when I recover my camera from Laura.

Chris and I went to one of the three small cinemas in Ambleside to watch the Railway Man with Colin Firth about a second world war veteran on the River Kwai railway.  Walked back in the rain- fortunately with umbrella.

I have just finished booking for our trip to Australia in late October where we shall be travelling via Dubai, Perth, Sydney and Port Macquarie and hope to see our old friends the Arnolds both in Perth and PM. Surprisingly I have not had as much resistance from Chris to this trip as I had expected. Thanks for helping me prepare the ground on this Ray even if we didn't follow your recommended itinerary.

Had a phone call from Ken (Kimberley)the other week which was unexpected and welcome. I hadn't realized he and Joanne had been walking in the Highlands last year. Seems like climbing has been reduced if not eliminated but Nordic skiing is very active.

After the disastrous Ashes series I have terminated my Sky Sports subscription- not entirely a waste of money as I enjoyed some of the analysis if not the cricket itself - and we now look forward to the Home Rugby internationals and our tea and crumpets by the fireside probably with the Taylors. Pat is not particularly interested in the games themselves so we shall have to turn the volume up.

3.30pm showers stopped temporarily and the sun is out - no wind either but not enough daylight for a bike ride so it will have to be the exercise bike and weights. Do I take it that there has not been much communal riding in Vancouver? Our best wishes to you all for 2014 from Chris and me. Jim

P, hopefully they come thru...? First try was from my cell phone. W

Hi Giorgio! 

Thank you for resending Mark's eulogy and pictures. Gave me a better sense of Aubrey. Can see Mark in his Dad, of course. Hope your match goes/went well! Quite foggy here today so I didn't head out until just before 1:00 pm. Enjoyed chopping kindling for an hour or so and then I gave my steed a thorough wash/cleaning/oiling. Some of Grogg's anaemic porch cleaner worked quite well. What was left Clara will use to make soup. Waste not, want not, our motto here at Madroña Manor! 

Just before I took off I popped next door to invite neighbours, Jim and Diane, for a drink tomorrow evening. I had chatted with Jim over the deck railing a few days ago and found out that they would be available later in week. Seem like a very interesting couple so looking forward to hearing their "backstory"!

Hadn't really decided where I would head and for how far but once I'd done the Rathtrevor, Englishman River Estuary Loop and headed into Parksville I thought I's head towards the Alberni Highway and then turn around, Cotam Point to be my next destination. However, once I'd crossed AH, I continued on towards Springwood Park with the intention of only going as far as Church Rd, a number of dipsy-doodles later. When I reached the intersection of Church Rd and Humphrey Rd I saw a sign, (I'd seen if on earlier rides but paid it little heed as I spit on signs as you well know!), indicating a bike route to Qualicum Beach. Decided to follow it just to see I might end up and to my qualified surprise and certain delight it takes one all the way to Qualicum Beach, basically on residential roads which parallel, more or less, the busy Island Hwy W.
 

Of course it is much more enjoyable, not to mention the safety aspect, wending its way, as it does, through wooded areas and quiet subdivisions. At one point one has to cross a tiny pedestrian/bike bridge over a creek but the majority of the route is quite flat or has but slight grades, (The roads follow the ridges of the hills which drop down to the water so much easier to negotiate than the main thoroughfare which is closer to the ocean.), and only a few four way stops signs. Closer to Qualicum Beach itself there is a dedicated bike/pedestrian path which connects a number of surface roads which lead right into QB, terminating right next tot he building which houses the weekly Saturday Farmer's Market. felt badly that I didn't know about this route when Big Al and I cycled there last Saturday. It would have been an easier ride for him. I know he was suffering on return leg.
 

 Anyway, I turned around and made for home, saying hello, once again, to the three llamas munching grass in the large open field bisected by the path. Reminded me of being in the Berkeley Hills with friends Cactus and Donna Florida whose neighbour keeps three of these creatures as well! When I reached the bridge, another rider in a recumbent kindly waited for me to cross as the bridge deck is really too narrow to allow two regular bikes, let alone a larger recumbent, to cross at the same time. Shortly after bridge one has a very small hill to climb but even this rise is not much. From then on, downhill, more or less, until one leaves Parksville behind.

Anyway, I was absolutely delighted to have followed my nose and discovered this wonderful alternative. Plan to use this route when I make for Fanny Bay, either tomorrow or Saturday. The Sisterhood is calling for me to make a salad. They are putting together pizzas for dinner so must away! Cheers, Il Conduttore, Esploratore Intrepido!
 

Pics: Fog bank coming in around 5:00 pm. Not sure if my shots capture the all enveloping white mist but it makes fire seem even cosier!

Ordered a few, including the Basket Press Shiraz-will save for your next visit!
Cheers, Grog 

Hi Groggage!

Will look forward to the Basket Press! Quite foggy here today so I didn't head out until just before 1:00 pm. (Gang drove into Nanaimo to do a bit of shopping and Cimcky wouldn't leave Cora Lee's side when they were back!.) Stats for ride: 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/434717837#.UuHDd4jQDlw.email
 
Fondestos to Lurch from everyone here, as well as to you Grog. Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Hi James!

Enjoyed hearing about your fell walks in the rain! Australia will make all the precipitation a vague memory. Sounds like a grand junket but am sorry you won't be passing through Vancouver en route. Super Bowl Fever is gripping this side of the Atlantic but I'm not much for NFL. However, I would like to see Seahawks win if only because Clan Sutherland and Co. are such devoted fans!
I gather that Giorgio and Robo Man were out for their first ride togehter, in over a month, a day or so ago, around UBC, I believe. I've had to make do with solo outings here but am enjoying them immensely. Today was no exception. Fondestos to Christine from Cora Lee, as well as to you, James. Cheers, Il Esploratore Intrepido!

Pics: Fire and Feline with Pet Human!

Congratulations Morana! Hip Hip Hooray! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Little White!

Glad you made 3:00 pm ferry but sorry to learn that Ricardo was coming down with something. So far, all well here. Cimcky misses Jazz so you'll have to return! We'll bring cards to the Islay Inn and get them to you, one way or another. Fondestos to you both from everyone here, as well as to Jazz! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Stevealimo!

Whirlygig sent along Mark's eulogy and pictures. Gave me a better sense of Aubrey. Can see Mark in his Dad, of course. Perhaps you as well! No poetry to date but "poetry in motion" as you say! Your "glimmer of a notion" of a trip sounds pretty exciting! I did understand that you were in the Canadian Memorial UC Choir and congratulate you for it! Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!                                                                            Hi Big Al!

Still putting things back together! Top of handle was loose so we had to tighten screws. Noticed it last night but had to wait until this morning to do work as we enjoyed another fire in the evening.

Thanks for all the kind words, especially about Clara and Dusty. Yes, they are wonderful individuals and we certainly appreciate having them in our lives.
Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!