Today in the Life of a Snail

Awake Early

My Wednesday night walkabout (@Johnson and Wellington)

I woke up at 3:45 AM and couldn't get back to sleep because my mind latched onto a couple of ideas that wouldn't let go. I got up and made some decaf. Now I'm reflecting on how the last few days passed in a blur. Drove to Kingston on Tuesday, checked into a pleasant downtown hotel (the rugs could use some work but the continental breakfast saved me a fortune), enjoyed several walkabouts, visited relatives, cruised flea markets and bookstores, took a lot of photos, drove to Lindsay on Friday (via Wilton - for cheese - and Picton) to visit son David and his girls, then arrived back home in London yesterday - none the worse for wear.

 Under cloudy skies (about to spill) I look NW toward Princess 

 The Loyalist Highway (#33) includes a free ferry ride toward Picton

To Jackson I say, "Happy Birthday, Dude!"

I am reflecting now on the thought that I have a good-looking grandson who just turned eighteen. On the trip home yesterday my wife reminded me we could be great-grandparents in a few years. What's it all mean? Days go by one at a time and mine are starting to add up to a big number.

Keep smiling.

Please link to Motorcycle Miles - Port Bruce, August 27 (2)

Photos GH

Carry On Gang 60 "Hey, Who's on First?"

"What's Up Next?"

"The 'Carry On Gang' 

I cut my walk short yesterday because I had a 3 PM appt. As well, the weather was rotten and I wore rubber boots that caused a blister to swell on a big toe. So, No. 60 (out of 60) in the "Carry On Gang" series of brisk, invigorating walks was nothing really special but it got me out the door, and that really is a key factor in making The GREAT Canadian Comeback.

"Monday's weather - wet, wild and windy as I head south on Edward St."

What will I call the next series of walks? How many walks will be in it? Will I start shuffling on a regular basis, even jogging? What will I wear now that my lovely kilts are folded and back in storage? Should I buy new spandex tights to show off my glutes?

Golly, so many questions, so little time to decide.  : )

Photos below: Sunday, March 27, was a brilliant day!

 "Heading south on Cathcart St."

"Looking north on Ridout St."

Please link to Carry On Gang 58 "What Next I Wonder?"

Carry On Gang 58 "What Next I Wonder?"

Carry On Gang Part 2?

"Be careful out there. Don't get swamped!"

I enjoy my (almost) daily walk, oft-times with friend Don, and I don't want to do anything to upset the apple cart. As the 'Carry On Gang' series of walks draws to a close (I completed No. 58 0f 60 yesterday PM), I'm wondering what to do next.

I want to continue the process of making The GREAT Canadian Comeback but do so without lessening the enjoyment level or taking on too much. So, I have some thinking to do. Add jogging once per week? Start with a very slow shuffle? I'm not sure.

But I know I will be doing something!

I will keep walking. I will keep finding new trails. I will have some fun along the way. And I will up my game.... somehow.

Stay tuned.

Please link to Carry On Gang 55 "Put a Bow on It"

Photos by GH

Carry On Gang "More Walkn Photos"

Photos From Along the Long Way

Please link to Carry On Gang "Walkn Photos"

Carry On Gang 55 "Put a Bow on It"

Closing Out the Set

"Another 6-miler on Wednesday"

When two weekday walks are 6 miles in length, instead of the usual four, I record an 'extra' walk on the month's tally sheet. Looks like I've been alternating fours and sixes this week, and I suggest it will continue for a while because I do like collecting 'extras' in order to finish the 'Carry On Gang Set' (of 60 walks) with a BANG, as well as build up my already gigantic, bulging leg muskles. (The kilt hides this growth, unfortunately).

I faced "plenty of drizzle" yesterday but my plaid umbrella (almost matched my kilt and toque) kept all parts dry - 'cept me shoes and matching, woollen socks. (Remember, walkers. Colour co-ordination is important).

 "Yup. I had the place to myself all the way to there and back"

'Twas not an exciting day at the ol' dog park yesterday

Please link to Carry On Gang 51 "About 32 Miles Per Week"

Photos GH

Carry On Gang "Walkn Photos"

More Photos From Along the Way

Yesterday's walk (Carry On Gang 52) took me to the Oxford Book Shop on Piccadilly Street, just east of Richmond. 40 minutes one way. A better name for the shop would be 'Near Oxford Bookstore'.

I bought three copies of Call Me Ma'am by local author Margaret LeBas Howe. $13.50 each and worth every penny so far. Just look at that lovely CWAC uniform she is wearing, from 1940s. I've read up to page 21 and would already "highly recommend" it to all students of WW2 and women's liberation.

"I'm on Richmond, looking NW to Oxford St. rail bridge and beyond"

"This photo is from my six-miler on Monday"

PS Margaret wrote the book at age 100 years. Well done, I say.

Please link to Carry On Gang 51 "About 32 Miles Per Week"

Carry On Gang 51 "About 32 Miles Per Week"

Can I Maintain the Average?

"Keep on walkn," I say

I ended last week with two days off out of four, due to a birdhouse sale I was involved in, deeply (up to my knees in birdhouses), and because I was chief cook and bottle washer for a few days.

That being said,  and though I finished the week with a total of  24 walking miles, my average for March is still about 32 miles per week. Not bad for this ol' geezer.

"I have started this new week with two six-milers. AOK"

By the Numbers:

Looks like I will complete the 60 walks in the 'Carry On Gang' set by the end of March or early April. So, my new walking goals will soon be set, related to making 'The GREAT Canadian Comeback' after a ten-year hiatus from long distance running and 13 marathons. I'll need to design a new walkn outfit too. My kilts and matching woollen caps - they stood up well against all wintery weather - are due for dry-cleaning and summer storage.

Now, whether this ol' geezer can handle even one mile of steady, fleet-of-foot running remains to be seen.

More miles to follow.

Photo Log - Birdhouses near the dog park on Terry Fox Pathway caught my eye yesterday:

"Solid birdhouses stand up well to wintry weather. But to squirrels?"

Please link to Carry On Gang 45 "Miles Add Up"

Carry On Gang "Photos From Along the Way"

Walkn, Walkn, Walkn

 Seen from Terry Fox Pathway

 Walkn toward Blackfriars Bridge

 Painting on concrete, beside the Thames, under Oxford St.

Thames River, north of Blackfriars Bridge

Please link to Carry On Gang 45 "Miles Add Up"

Carry On Gang 45 "Miles Add Up"

And Every Mile Counts

"I finished the week with a 4.5-miler. Easy kap-easy"

I took a day off last week and still finished the week with seven walks that covered 32 miles total. Not bad for an old geezer making The GREAT Canadian Comeback.

"I am fond of the river route to UWO. Lively memories return"

I began this new week, March 13 - 19, with a seven-miler to the University of Western Ontario. I walked the 'river route' and relived some highlights of my May 2004 marathon, at the end of which I qualified for the Boston Marathon. That was a big BIG day in my running history, and good memories returned when I walked through Gibbons Park and past the swimming pool, the spot that was about 3 kilometres from the 2004 finish line.

"Come on, Gord. Get to the bridge (in view of University College, my old alma mater). You can do this," I said to myself.

And I knew that I could.

In 2004 I reached this spot, one km. from the finish, 3 - 4 minutes

ahead of schedule. I could've walked to the finish line. But I didn't.

Please link to Carry On Gang 41, "Gang-Busters"

Photos GH

Carry On Gang 41, "Gang-Busters"

After a Day Off - Gang-Busters

I enjoyed my day off on Wednesday, moved a few projects farther down the line, and when I walked yesterday I had a bit of pep in my step.  I covered six miles instead of the usual four and will do the same another day soon as well, to make up for the day off.

That's how I roll.

Please link to Carry On Gang "Photos"

Carry On Gang, "Photos From Along the Way"

Wet, Mild, Black and White

"It's one of those days. Medium-miserable, too mild to waste"

I got out the door earlier than usual today, picked a moment when it wasn't raining, took an umbrella just in case. Good calls all the way 'round.

"The bench was too wet for sitting, but the miles passed quickly"

Link to Carry On Gang 40

Photos GH

Carry On Gang 40 "Bird Power"

A Banner Week

"Too mild for me. Feels like April"

The week has just begun and already it's right up there with some of the best when I consider pace, distance and bird-watching. I've walked 15.5 miles from Sun. - Tues., all cylinders are firing, weather has been very mild (overly, for my taste), and a variety of birds have appeared close to my walking route.

The list includes: bald eagles, nuthatches, wrens, robins, a Peregrine falcon (on Bruce Street) and young brown-tailed hawk (yesterday). I wish I had a better camera and was a better photographer sometimes.

 "I say it's a young hawk because it did not fly away when I drew closer"

"Good photo, eh!"

More photos from along the way:

"Nick Paparella, hard at work on Monday" 

Link to Carry On Gang 37

Photos GH

Carry On Gang 37 "Long Walks, I Never Get Lost"

Staying on the Right Path

This is the bridge that sings on a windy day

According to the stats I keep re my 'fun and fitness' walks, I get out the door over 90% of the days in each month. Ain't that amazing?

As well, I have found my way home 100% of the time.

And why are the results so high?

"I walked 39 miles this week. And not one person laughed at my kilt"

Firstly, I have a dedicated walking partner, and we connect each morning via email to ask if the game is on or not (the game has been on over 90% of the time since last September), and my partner will walk into my house and find me if I don't meet him at the pre-arranged spot at the pre-arranged time. And I don't like making him say, "Back away from the computer, Gord. It's time for our walk." So, I'm motivated.

Secondly, we both have an excellent sense of direction.

Photos from along the way:

 "How can we get lost? Paths are clearly defined"

Some will ask, "Gordie Boy, have you never taken a wrong turn?" 

I say, "There's no such thing. All roads lead to Home"

"This sign, on the Singing Bridge, is not to be trusted. E.g., if downtown is

26 minutes east by bike, how can OEV Cultural District (Old East Village) or

Western Fair be closer? Impossible. If you get lost, call me" 

Now you know more stuff.

Link to Carry On Gang 34

Photos GH