One of those friends is Murray. Murray is a former Ontario Provincial Policeman (OPP) who has survived numerous heart problems, is a regular at the Men's Fitness Class, makes his own wine, has travelled to Australia on numerous occassions and is generally fun to be around. One of Murray's hobbies is bike riding and on hearing that I had no bike he has provided me with first a road bike and then a mountain bike and lots of hints about where to ride.
Now I haven't taken his suggestion to go for a ride with him to Orillia but I must say I've enjoyed riding each of the bikes. On a recent ride I noticed a sign for Ungerman Park and as I was on the Mountain Bike thought I would give what looked like a nice trail a go.
All was going well and I was enjoying riding through the cool deciduous forest. This was made even easier by the fact that the slight ups and downs of the trail were being made easier due to the 15 gears of the Mountain Bike. It was probably also due to the fact that there were more downs than ups but I figured that it would be OK as I would end up at the Lorne Street Beach. The trail (and I) now plunged down a steep slope and although I was shaking I made it down safely only to be confronted by............
Me and stairs have certainly had some issues in past and with shaking legs, a bike over my shoulder and a firm grip on the banister I made it to the top the stairs. I was rewarded with a great view of Muskoka Lake, and of a fairly dodgy path!!!
Wheeling the bike was called for a little while but soon I was back on level ground and found myself looking at Lorne Street Beach
Yes, I know it's not Bondi or even "Washies" at Bendalong but it is water and people do swim in it and what's more I did survive the trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There was still somewhat of a problem to overcome. I was around 5 kilometres (3 miles) from home and getting to this point had taken a fair bit of energy. Oh well, with that great Canadian saying "suck it up Princess" in my mind I headed back to 460 Sarah along reasonably level roads.
Julie's absence is felt by me in many ways and I'm not going to go too far with that but one important thing that she does for me is to keep my thick crop of hair from getting in my eyes. There was nothing else for it but to delve into the bathroom Cabinet and pull out the Walmart special True You hair clippers...........
That view loooks better...................
sort of!!!!!!!!
Following the time on the bike and the stress of looking after my coiffeur relaxation was high on my "to do" list. Outside wasn't really an option as the temperature was hovering around 35C (95F) with very high humidity so I spent the afternoon reading Jacques Poulin's "Blue Volkswagon" in the comfort of the house. Flicking the television onto TSN (The Sports Network) later I was delighted to find that "OUR" Edmonton Eskimos were playing so I put culture on the back burner and settled into an evening of the CFL.
Loud booms and bright lights interrupted my footy fix and on investigation it was obvious that Hank wasn't having a vigorous burnoff but there were fireworks coming from the vicinity of the Gravenhurst Wharf. Checking the "what's on" page in the Gravenhurst Banner I discovered that the fireworks were part of the Pirate Weekend. Now would I head down to the wharf or a nearby lookout, NO WAY!! In the true spirit of laziness I sat on the front porch and watched. They were good too but my camera, wasn't really up to the task but it was OK!
Following the fireworks display (thanks Gravenhurst) I resumed my task of getting the Eskimo's over the line against the Toronto Argonauts. Because the game was played at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium it meant a late night. Oh well not a lot on the next day!
Back on the bike for a slightly less vigorous and stressful A.M. ride through the main part of town which is fairly flat and without STAIRS!!! Arrived home around 9.30 and after a late breakfast and early coffee I decided to walk down to the wharf and have a look at the festivities. Obviously the Pirate Weekend is geared towards families with children but even though I have both family and children they are a little bit far away. Oh well it was fun anyhow.
I was at the wharf before Piratefest really got going but as the day was getting hotter I decided to head for the cool of 460 Sarah and after lunch spent the day starting my latest project, an on-line writing course. So look out "MY secret life of bees will be much better"! A fairly lazy afternoon and evening followed.
The new streamlined look was not only for my appearance it was to reduce the amount of hair (obviously) and was mainly to make me cooler. Not that I need help to be cooool!!
After my morning's ride I decided to tackle our lawns now we don't own a ride on mower here, nor even a push mower but that's where Hank (remember him) comes in. Hank has an almost identical Honda self propelled mower to the one we have at 6 Perkins Parade. And as we only have a small house block I went over the road and borrowed the Honda and started it up and walked home behind it. As I said it is self propelled! Now for the lawns!!!
How good is that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And how did I feel hmmmmmmmmmmm?
I leave that to your imagination, but I must admit to an uninterrupted afternoon of indolence. That is unless you call watching Tea With Mussolini an interruption! If you haven't seen the film, I give it 3 1/2 stars.
A nice finish to another good, albeit, slightly lonely weekend.
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