Motorcycle Miles 2019 (4).

Port Bruce Under Sunny Skies

Jonathan Livingstone has one of the best seats in the house.

In spite of the fact I had not been on the Yamaha Virago in three weeks, it started right up. I had a two-pronged ride in mind initially, first to Port Stanley, then onwards to Port Bruce.

Somehow, with my mind wandering - the steady rhythm of the motor and 180-degrees-worth of sharp scenery does that to me - while heading south from London, I made a left turn at the Glanworth curve and found my nose was pointing toward only one target.

They must have seen me coming. The chef at The Corner View handed me the largest BLT I have seen in a long time - if ever - after my first short walkabout for photographs.

Beside the channel, I focus on where the sea meets the sky.

While I checked out the horizon the gulls looked me over. So did the OPP. I think one of the constables said, "Whatch you lookin' at!?", as he passed me by.

 Original size from the GoPro. Beautiful day!

The bike plays lovely tunes while on the road and I admire its reliable, adventurous nature. This 1994 model owes me nothing. 

Another original size photo from the GoPro. 

After lovely rides I park my bike near the back of the house. I let it cool off for an hour or so before I place two bike covers over it. I'm not the type of person who wants it in the living room or who can fix any engine or other mechanical problems that might occur. But I do occasionally stand back and admire its practical nature and think of it in artistic terms.

It's just a machine.

And it's just a whole lot more.  

And so was that BLT!

Please link to Motorcycle Miles 2019 (3).

Photos GH

Motorcycle Miles: Welcome to the Pier. (1)

Destination - Port Bruce, Malahide Township.

 [Photo: My parking spot was empty but the cafe was closed]

All turned out well yesterday on my first ride of 2018 to Port Bruce, my Number 1 pit stop. Not much traffic on the roads and I had a full thermos of coffee.

Found my favourite log on the beach easily. Breeze was warm, Burwell's turbines were turning. Only a few beachcombers with their baskets and bags, and the world seemed still.

Photos from along the way:

WARNING: "Keep Off Ice and Pier!"

However, conditions were not unsafe, so... welcome to the pier.

The view from the end of the pier - just about perfect.

"and the world seemed still"

The chairs are out. I bet the Corner View will be open next weekend.

So, I call this photograph "Be There, Be Square." : )

 Looking south toward Erie's north shore.

Turn left at the bottom of the hill, go east to Sparta

Please link to Port Bruce: Big and Blustery (1).

Photos GH

Motorcycle Monday.

A Gateway to the Sea.

[Photo: Hop over a log and you're there!]

Yesterday morning, the TV said "rain starts at 2 PM for London and area." So, I quickly warmed up the bike, sailed to Port Bruce, and returned by 1:30. Could have stayed longer, but I'd left the workshop door open, with projects - ready for attention - on the workbench.

I stopped to check out mud condos along the way, parked in the shade at Port Bruce by 11:30, sipped coffee on the beach, saw dozens of swallows at play, discovered a gateway to the sea and felt grateful that Lake Erie is only 60 kilometres from my front porch. 

Photos from along the way:

 Swallow nests under a bridge lined w grass. No young birds visible, yet.

 "I keep my eye on the cloud cover"

 The Gateway to the Sea

Pat always offers her cellphone. I prefer rotary-dial!

I didn't have time for my usual BLT. However, on my way to Erie, I did stop at Spicer's Bakery, on Aylmer's main street (near the four corners), and enjoyed date squares, Trilbies, and a thermos of coffee under clear blue skies around noon. Sweeet.

Please link to Port Burwell Wind Turbines.

Photos GH

A Man's Port is His Castle.

"Black and White"

"Bonfire and bourbon, Saturday night"

Though the small - not insignificant - port looks better in colour, I chose black and white in order to highlight a few details, especially the rare view of 'the king of the castle' in the last photograph.

Usually, once the Yamaha is parked, I do a short walk-about with cameras in tow. I snap a few shots of this and that while thinking, "Fries or a BLT?"

Cold shoulder! Lake Erie gives me a chill early in the year if my leather jacket isn't zipped up tightly. When I see all the timber tossed on shore I think, "Bonfire and bourbon, Saturday night."

 "Once the Yamaha is parked"

"I do a short walk-about"

 "This and that"

 "Lake Erie gives me a chill"

"Rare view of the king of the castle"

Please link to Pt. Bruce, April 17, 2017

Photos GH

Motorcycle Miles - October 2, 2016 (2).

Blue Skies Shoved Aside

I won't park for long. No BLT w side of fries on Sunday!

I walked onto the front porch on Sunday morning to check the weather. Dawn did not reveal 'motorcycling conditions', i.e., a sunny, bright, calm sky. Conditions were iffy, dicey, unpredictable. Still.... heavy gray clouds have appeal. And I was due for a ride.

 Port Burwell, west, will be bracing for wind and rain on the way

 Port Stanley is getting hit by rain, about 15 KM west

 One last touch of blue about to be erased

Blue skies are in a vice of stormy weather

I zigzagged home to London under the lightest clouds I could find. Not many.

Please visit Motorcycle Miles - October 2, 2016 (1).

Photos GH

Port Bruce B & W 2

Challenges

"Hmmmm. How many steps back home?"

One challenge we all face as we grow older is keeping track of all the challenges we face.

For example: If my motorcycle doesn't start how long will it take to walk back to London?

: )

Link to Port Bruce in B & W

Photos GH

Motorcycle Miles - Port Bruce 5

Lure of the Motorcycle

It's Sunday. The sun is shining in the trees outside my study window. And my motorcycle is calling.

Last week I fought off millions of mosquitoes as I stood on a high sandy ridge to catch a rare view of Port Bruce, in the haze and beyond thousands of cliff swallows.

The sandy ridge is directly above the first fisherman's head

I look forward to the fresh air and views of Lake Erie. Time to fly.

Link to Port Bruce 4

Photos GH

The Lure of the Motorcycle 1

Coffee on the Beach

In less than an hour I can be sitting beside Lake Erie with a thermos of coffee. 

Fun Fact: The light on Pt. Bruce's pier is smaller than my thermos

Link to Motorcycle Miles - Port Bruce 2

Photo GH

Halifax Trip 6

Busy Weekend

 ["Gord and Paul Harrison at Gathering on the Green"]

On Saturday, June 5, 2010, I sold birdhouses at Gathering on the Green in order to have enough gas money to get me to Canada's East Coast. That was one busy day.

On Sunday I made a wider luggage rack for the back of the motorcycle and on Monday I packed the bike to the rafters. Good thing the Yamaha is sturdy!

On Tuesday I said goodbye to grandson Oliver in the back laneway and hopped aboard.

["Halifax, here I come"]

I got there all safe and sound and life hasn't been the same since. It's been even busier in what I consider a pretty productive way.

Link to Halifax Trip 5

Photos GH and Family

Motorcycle Miles

Second Ride

["Hunter-Crossley Rd., SE of Belmont"]

Yesterday, once the sun warmed my back, thoughts of working in the shop were replaced by thoughts of country roads. So, I took the tarp off my bike - for only the second time since my June ride to Halifax - checked the oil and headed south-east.

["More photos from under this special bridge will follow"]

["South-east rides end in Port Bruce. Hot coffee was welcome"]

I had a quick, cold ride home but look forward to more short jaunts in the near future.

Link to Motorcycle Miles

Photos GH