PEI essence

 PEI Essence

What do Auckland, Koblenz, Chippawa, Cozumel, Melk, Albufira, Playa Del Carmen, St. Martin, and Thornbury have in common with Stanhope?  They are some of my favourite rides along water, but except for Cozumel and Stanhope, all the rest were on rented bikes.  Today I cycled along the North Coast on my own green Gecko.  Unfortunately, there was a flat tire, but thanks to a good Samaritan with a pump, I made it back to my car without having to change a tire.  47 km from Robinson Island to Queen's point and back.  And bonus, my car charged while I was out riding.  Thanks PEI National Park for the charge at 40 amps which took half the time it does at home.

Being here in a shoulder season, has its pluses and minuses.  Plus: Not too many people anywhere, Minus: many of the attractions are on limited hours or closed, and the internet still says they are open.  

The other truly Island activity today was a New Glascow Lobster Supper.  They are the original lobster supper since 1958.  I don't eat lobster anywhere in Ontario, it's just so good here.

The most fun in the world

 About 30 years ago, our family was on the East Coast and one of the favourite things to do was play in tidal pools.  Richard, announced that he could not think of anything more fun in the world.  Now, he has probably changed his mind in the ensuing years, but turning over rocks and looking at what the tide brought in is still something I love to do at the seashore.

Today I cycled to the south west of Charlottetown, to the south shore at Canoe Cove -- well actually Lloyd Inman Memorial Park.  There were some school groups there just having a day out, and it was a perfect spot for kids to play and explore.  Being a big kid, I explored too.

The tide was out and so the bottom was exposed to reveal kelp, little barnacles and, of course, everything that the tide had washed in.  Remarkably there was very little human litter, but the ocean deposited shells and rocks and lots of seaweed.  It is always so much fun to poke around.

The ride was hard.  PEI is a lot of up and down and today it seemed even more so than yesterday.  Particularly challenging is going against a 25 km wind up a hill, but coming back, it is so nice to get that little extra push.  I'm happy with the 60 km today.

A new cycling adventure

Ten years ago, for my 60th, I started the ride along the Rhine River.  It was a marvelous trip and I enjoyed it so much, that, as you know, I have now ridden along the whole of the north flowing Rhine, from Basel to the North Sea.  A number of people asked what I was planning for my 70th.

Well, I really hadn't done much planning at all.  With COVID, everything was very much up in the air for the longest time and I had no project that had been poking at me.  But when a friend asked if I would go to PEI with her, I said yes.  At first I had thought to fly, but then it occurred to me that I love to drive and so did the road trip - all 1800 km, by myself.  Well, I did have someone (something) in the car with me -- my lovely green bicycle. Because Jennie had troubles with bikes stolen and car broken into, I put her in the back and covered her with blankets and some other stuff, so it disguised what was there to the casual observer.

Today I got her out and together we headed south (the wind was from the south this morning and preferentially I always ride into the wind on the way out and with the wind on the way back.  Also, I know the northern beaches and coastline much better from former trips here, so this was a new direction.  The lady at the information booth in Borden had said that the Island was very bicycle friendly with lanes being put in all over the place.  Indeed, Kensington, which is one of the main north/south roads had bike lanes and I used them to get to the heritage district where I then accessed the bridge over to Stratford -- also on a new  bike lane.  Then there was a choice to take the Trans Canada or a secondary highway -- the more picturesque East Coast drive which coursed closer to the southern coast.  I chose the latter, partly because I love being close to the water and partly because I didn't want to ride on the Trans Canada!

The countryside is somewhat rolling, so there were challenging ups and downs.  After an hour and a half, I was ready for a stop and a snack, but there was no restaurant, convenience store, or even canteen at the sports center to be found.  The lady at the sports center indicated that there was an Irving gas station a few km back along the Trans Canada and that was about it.  I went, found a cinnamon roll and coffee and also discovered that the Trans Canada was not nearly as scary as I had thought -- it had driveways opening onto it, a 90 km max, and a 2m paved shoulder in most spots.  Yes, I could ride quite happily on that.  The wind was about 30 kph, so going up some of the hills was hard.  All the little places marked on my map were just a few houses together and there was no place to stop for anything for the next 20 km.  I gave up and turned around, cycled back on the Trans Canada till I reached Stratford and lunched at Sobeys.  

The ride back up Kensington was easy with the wind at my back and a nice bike lane.  Our apartment is at the edge of the city with fields of shreddies visible just to the north of us.  It was a great ride --81 km.  I don't think I will take on the challenge of riding all around this Island, but it is wonderful to know that there are many rides still waiting for me.

A 'People' adventure

 Most of my posts focus on places I go and things that I do.  Sometimes it includes people that I know, but rarely does it include someone I have not seen in 50 years.

My cousin Karin has always lived out east -- first in Nova Scotia and then in New Brunswick.  There were a few times she visited Ontario with her Mom and siblings, but this was always home.  A few years ago we reconnected via Facebook.  So, when I knew I would be driving through here, I took a chance and contacted her to see if we could meet.  She agreed and even drove way out of her way to meet me at an interchange on the Trans Canada. 

 

We connected at Tim's and caught up on 50 years of each other's lives, the up and downs and sideways motion of existence.  We have lots in common and it was great to catch up.  I don't think it will be 50 years till we meet again.

New Brunswick hasn't change much, but the new 4 lane divided highway down the St. John river valley sure beats the old road which stopped in every little town and took forever.  The same upgrade is currently being done on the Quebec side up to the St. Lawrence.  Visiting will be so easy.

My hotel is literally next door to Magnetic Hill.  I think I will do the magic tomorrow morning.  My drive to Charlottetown is only another 2 hours.

Road Trip

 I started today, on a road trip which I have done a number of times before -- driving to PEI.  I think the first time I did it was in the mid seventies, and not much has changed.  The drive through Toronto is always a challenge, even at 6:30 am, but today there was significant rainfall and stretches where there was grooved pavement with ponding.  Oh, and that was still in the dark.  Hopefully, the worst part of the drive, certainly the rest of the day was much better.  The rain stopped after Kingston and there was no significant traffic volume after Toronto.  There is now a toll road to avoid going through downtown Montreal and that certainly seemed like a good way to spend $2.40.  I stopped 3 times before arriving here in Levis at the Day's Inn just off the TransCanada highway.  Each stop had a snack and a  walk so the 850 km were no problem.  I arrived here about 3:45, found an IGA for some easy supper and plan an early bedtime.  So far, so good.

Alternate realities

 Many sci-fi stores are based on the premise that there are alternate realities, each playing out in the same space and time, but in different dimensions.  I feel that way when I travel:  back home there are choir rehearsals, bicycle rides and beach visits which would be part of my life if I hadn't walked out of that reality into this one where dropping of girls at school, riding to the grocery store and digging in the garden are the norm.  In former times, this kind of change of reality was fraught with danger and involved many weeks and months.  Today it is usually only a day's adventure.

The antigen test here at the airport was perfect for getting the required paperwork to fly.  Doug Ford can resist all he wants, a vaccine passport is the best solution for getting the world moving again.  Checkin was easy and now I am relaxing in the lounge -- benefit of flying Saga class!

Over the weekend, we travelled to the chalet at Kungsberget (35 min!) and then walked to the top of the ski hill.  Even here there was damage due to the rains of a few weeks ago, but luckily, the unit that Richard and Jennie have, suffered no ill effects.  The view from the top was spectacular -- almost made me want to be a downhill skier.  

We were back home on Sunday to finish up the gardening that I had been working on for 2 weeks.  Much of the grass has been pulled out, plants moved, a tree pruned, the walkway adjusted to accommodate a new retaining wall, and some colour added.  It looks great and will flower beautifully all season long.

Though the trap has regularly been set, there have been no other predators trapped, so the hens are safe for the time being.  The trees have been harvested and the applesauce preserved.  

And today the Swedes go back to school and work and violin lessons, and I go back to Hamilton.

Time with the girls

 There are many reasons to visit Sweden:  beautiful nature, excellent cycling on trails everywhere, nice gardening weather, great places to have lunch, and while I am enjoying all those aspects of the country, the real reason I am here is to spend time with family, specifically two little girls.  With adults whom you have known for a long time, video chats are OK to keep in touch, but with little kids, they need a physical presence to really get to know you.  Tova and Rowan are 8 and 6 respectively and it has been 21 months since we were last together.  My what a change!

So tonight Richard and Jennie are off at a country inn for mountain biking, dinner, overnight and breakfast.  The two of them have not had a night away together since 2017 and I was delighted when they accepted my offer to take care of the girls for an evening.  We had frozen quiche for supper, chatted with their Toronto cousins then made cookies together, and decorated them.  It was a wonderful time, enjoyed by all, especially the sampling!

In addition, I am taking each of the girls by themselves for an afternoon with Oma.  We go for a snack of their choice  and then shop for some clothing -- their choice.  Rowan picked her favourite chocolate and marzipan confection and then a 2 piece bunny outfit.  I take Tova tomorrow and she has already indicated that what she needs are black pants.  It is so nice to be able to concentrate on each one individually as they have very different personalities and so my relationship with each is very different.  For me that is very important to get to know each one better.

Never a dull moment

 So the excitement of the morning was the badger in the trap.  The hens had been safe in the garage, but the badger, came for the third night in a row and this time was lured with honey, dead chicks and plums, into the trap supplied by the city.  And the city's VildVard officer came with his handgun, dispatched the beast with two shots and took away the carcass.  The trap remains here, baited again this evening, lest any other badgers have heard about the chicken dinners available here.

After lunch we scooted out to the cottage.  Very handy to have your cottage on an island and it takes less than half and hour to get there.  Some went in the motorboat while Jennie and I paddled the new canoe out to the island.  It is a lovely place to sit on the dock and do Soduko puzzles.  The sauna was on and everyone, including me, did the sauna cycle of hot and then into the cold lake.  Eventually after about 4 cycles, even I swam around off the end of the dock, but it was a very short swim and then back into warm, dry, clothes.  Pizza on the deck for supper meant no one had to cook and we were back to Gavle in good time for the girls to head to bed.

There is a lovely community event which has been going on for 20 years, where the town puts out candles along the water in the evening and people stroll.  Jennie and I followed the lights along the river, thoroughly enjoying the lovely evening.

It was a day with lots going on -- never a dull moment.

Cleaning

 I hate cleaning.  Perhaps I should clarify:  I hate cleaning my own space.  When I clean in someone else's space, it is, for me, no longer cleaning which is the main focus, but doing something with or for someone else.  And that makes all the difference.  Also, cleaning at home is a never-ending chore.  When I clean somewhere else, it is a task which can be completed and is appreciated -- win/win.

This last few days, I have been here in Gavle.  The garden needs weeding and I have been tackling the grass.  Gardening is something I love intrinsically, so it is a delight to see how this garden is developing, having worked in it for many years.  Unfortunately, with Jennie laid up due to the snake bite, it has received less attention than usual, and so working even a short time, makes a big difference.  There is, fortunately, a very large garden waste bin available, so the cleanup is easy.

But the focus of yesterday and this morning, was clearing out the garage and the workroom into a 6m x 2m storage container.  No one I know has as many bikes or skis as Rich and Jenn.  And, then there are also all the accessories to go with them.  Thankfully, the unit has lots of shelves and we had lots of boxes and bags.  The only thing left to move now is the upright freezer and that will come out into the carport at the last moment.  The walls need to be removed as there is water in the plasterboard to a height of 1m -- mold potential -- and the floor sanded and sanitized.  Once that is done, the freezer can go back in to the garage and wait for probably 3 months before the reconstruction is done.  It will be a long fall, but the camping stuff is at the very back of the storage unit, while Christmas stuff is closer to the front -- have to be organized.  Going through all the stuff is a great thing to do, but I don't really want a flood to be the impetus for doing it at my house.

Mother Nature's wild side

 Tomorrow it will be two weeks since Mother Nature dumped 17 cm on Gavle Sweden overnight.  Not everywhere flooded, but Richard and Jennie got 1.5m of flood and waste water in their basement.  Walking around the town today, the evidence of the devastation was still visible.  The normally quiet river is still roaring in rapids, the erosion under the bridge has not been fixed, and new waterfalls into the river are still draining the grass by the Konserthus.  

More personal damage was, of course, at Rich and Jenn's house.  The basement has been cleared of all items.  The dehumidifiers (3 of them), have been working non-stop for almost 2 weeks, and tomorrow the construction company comes to tear out all the interior walls in order to disinfect.  The garage and workroom are also on tap to be completely redone inside, so there is a big storage container coming tomorrow and we will empty those two rooms in the next few days.  Gardening and applesauce on hold!

And just when you thought you had seen everything

 There was a sudden severe thunderstorm about 8 pm EDT last evening.  No problems with a light show, except that airplanes don't fly through them.  Our Icelandair flight was rerouted to Ottawa and there it stayed till about 10 pm.  Yes, we were supposed to leave Pearson at 9, but as it happened, we didn't leave till after midnight.  It was a great flight, especially since I was in Saga class with a very comfortable seat with no one beside me.  The only problem, with the long delay, I missed the connecting flight to Stockholm.

Icelandair takes care of its passengers.  We got hotel for the night, all meals, and all transfers to and from the hotel, and seats on tomorrow's flight to Sweden.  It took about 1.25 hr to get from the airport to downtown -- there was a need to change buses at a station.  The countryside is bleak, rocky and very black.  The volcanic action of the past is evident everywhere.

Downtown is a strange mix of new and old buildings and there is huge variety in both types.  On the bus into town I met a Canadian lady who now lives in Sweden and in the same situation as me.  We ended up at the same hotel, and so decided to go to lunch together.  She needed another COVID test as her first had expired, so we wandered and finally came to a clinic which was doing the rapid tests this afternoon.  She got her negative result and we had a nice (but chilly 11 degree) walk back to the hotel.  

I wandered down to the waterfront and was amazed by both the natural landscape and the designed skyline.  We are headed to supper early as we are exhausted -- I did get about 1.5 hr of sleep last night-- and the wake-up call is for 3:30 am to catch the 4 am bus back to the airport.  I truly hope to be on the 7:35 flight tomorrow.  I have been waiting for this visit for a long time.

Trying to think of everything

 So I am sitting here at Terminal 3, with my mask on, waiting for the counters for Icelandair to open for my 21:00 flight to Reykjavik.  I  have two huge suitcases, a small backpack, and a piece of art 24 x 30 inches.  I have my passport, my ticket information, my COVID vaccination certificate (hard and soft copies), my Results of Antigen test from this morning, and my health card.  I have done my online checkin but not printing of baggage tags.  I have registered for arriving in Iceland.  I think, I have thought of everything.

It has been 18 months since my last trip -- when we got back from the Azores in February 2020, we were asked if we had been to China.  That seems a lifetime ago, and it is a world-changing pandemic ago.  Only passengers are allowed here in the terminal.  Everyone is masked and seats are kept open to ensure social distancing.  But, I must admit, I have not been severely impacted by COVID.  It has kept me home for more than a year, but I have been healthy, financially secure, and not very inconvenienced by the safety measures.  Mostly, the problems have been in not being able to see other people -- specifically the little people who are so important.  There were two multiple month stretches where we did not see the Toronto kids, and of course, it has now been 20 months since we saw the Swedes.  

Getting back to what we have missed!