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Local BC

April - May 2023
Sabbatical year! Aka, 344 Saturdays.
Two guys, a rough plan, some savings plus a smidge of frugality, a dash of moderation, even of moderation! Read more
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  • Local BC
    Day 9

    Long Run and Motorcycle day

    April 21, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    The winds ended and a bright but overcast day. We decided on the golf course trail for our run. We did a few loops. A very friendly elderly walker chatted us up about the beautiful day. The third pass around she also commented "you guys are sure on a mission!"

    The condo building was getting water repairs so we relaxed before a shower and heading off on the bikes.

    Popped over to motorcycle store to get J some gloves. Found some great roads! Delicious donuts at RoyalBaybakery.Com The housing delevopment on Bear Mountain is crazy!

    Whipped up a delicious baked Garofalo Fusilli Bucati Corti for dinner that I found at the grocery store. Sauce from our preserved tomatoes imported from the north!

    We Finished the second half of Top Gun Maverick. Totally cheesy, but incredible flight cinematography!    Read more

  • Local BC
    Day 10

    Fish'n chips & coffee

    April 22, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Restful morning and some yoga while waiting for the rain to pass. Our initial plan to zip up island for lunch was postponed until Monday.

    Jumped on the bikes and took the long route to the best fish&chips! We shared the Chef's plate with halibut. Then onwards along the sea shore road. We eventually found some Serious Coffee in Sooke. It's fun how many folks are extra smiles and friendly when we're either on our bikes or in riding gear. I suppose it's a commonality for a connection that would otherwise be awkward.

    Wrapped up our 142km ride as the sprinkles were starting again. Thank goodness for delicious pasta planned-overs for dinner!    Read more

  • Local BC
    Day 11

    Shirley. The chicken crossed the road.

    April 23, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    A wonderful sleep. Coffee to start the day off right as usual. Mt.Doug was calling our name so we did a 6km run loop around it.

    Today's 140km ride took us out to Shirley, BC to the famous Shirley Delicious! Amazing art on their walls. Staff were loving their jobs and rocking the tunes almost too loud! At least it was good "real" music, not that crap the teens are into these days 😱

    We noticed a sign for a lighthouse and popped by. On our way out a chicken surprised me by crossing very close in front of me.

    Upon returning home we made a delicious dinner for my brother's family. He caught the halibut and we were tasked with cooking it.    Read more

  • Local BC
    1
    Day 12

    In the Doghouse.

    April 24, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Up island trip today. More highway riding than ideal, but got to do all fun side-roads after the Malahat. Both sides of Shawnigan Lake and Cowichan Bay.

    We visited with J's great Aunt and uncle West of Duncan. Then we met up with friends at the Doghouse Restaurant in Duncan for lunch. They road their bike from Nanaimo, so we ducked up to Chemainus with them before heading back south. The skies were partly cloudy and a few sprinkles. Then around Shawnigan it was real rain with a cool chill. Brrr.

    Another great few hours of riding and 250km more under J's boots!    Read more

  • Local BC
    Day 13

    Toasty Dump? No, roasted house.

    April 25, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    Morning training run at Beaver Lake in bright sunshine and fresh air. We freshened up zipped off on the bikes. Met up with J's cousin&mini for a sea wall walk. He's at the stage of tasting everything, including dandelions!

    The afternoon ride took us up to the Highlands again, as I didn't believe the road we saw the other day was "closed." the sign today indicated power utility work. I thought we'd just turn around if it was. There was hardly any traffic on this single lane rollercoaster ride. Alas we found the construction section. They were trimming large trees right next to the road. Oncoming traffic had been stopped. No wonder it was such a car free ride! We waited for the traffic to pass and scooted ahead of the one vehicle in front of us. Then the aroma of burning hit us, and smoke in the air. I knew we were close to the Dump and thought they had a fire. Pretty crappy for the residents out there to have to endure that! We did see a fire truck later on the ride. A wee bit of internet searching determined that it was a house fire which made all the smoke km's away, not a fire at the dump. It was a lovely 77km ride.

    Dinner was in Esquimalt with Aunt and Uncle. Victoria Sushi was very tasty and not loud or busy. Last call for the kitchen was at 730pm. Both us and another table were there past 8pm closing and we got the boot shortly after. I think that was a first, staying until close time for a restaurant.    Read more

  • Local BC
    11
    Day 14

    Fulford

    April 26, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Amazing sleep! It must be the heavy run training 🏃. We woke to a very drizzly day ☔, and postponed our early ride departure to see a friend on Saltspring Island.

    The rain let up enough for a run around the golf course trail. We passed the elderly babushka again. She greeted us with her big friendly smile and a hello.

    The sunshine came out and we jumped on the bikes for a leisurely ride to Swartz Bay ferry. We encountered some road construction delays which made our timing a little tight for the 1pm sailing. We popped onto the highway and made up a little time. Thankfully we were doing the correct speed as we passed a police vehicle on the side of the road monitoring for speeding. We pulled up to the ferry ticketing window and were told that the boat was already loading! Zipping down the instructed lane we were the last two vehicles on the boat! It was warm enough to sit on the outside deck. A friendly guy Steve, from Sydney, chatted us up about riding on the ferry. He is also a motorcycle rider, so we exchanged stories about travels, riding and our sabbatical plans.

    Upon arrival at Fulford Harbour we were the last off the boat. We did a little ride to Ruckle Park before getting to our friend's property. Signage on the island roads isn't the best, so we did make a wrong turn and got to double back.

    A lovely visit on the farm. A walk to the garden, and hike to the stream. Lamb dinner from the farm and a lovely sunset to cap off the day.    Read more

  • Local BC
    Day 15

    Walk your parrot

    April 27, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    We had a lovely sleep and woke up to fresh dew. Down to the garden we headed. Four flats of onion starters needed to find their homes in a bed. J and I got to it, assisted by canine supervion. The sun breams were hotter than expected and we got our first post-winter kiss.

    Lunch was in Ganges at the Food Truck park. The Japanese noodles were scrumptious. We hit the road on the bikes and covered 90% of the island before arriving at the Vesuvius terminal. We traced the route south which we had done a few days earlier. This time there was some cool air and rain in Shawnigan Lake.

    In Maple Bay we passed a couple, they had their parrot on arm for their walk!    Read more

  • Local BC
    Day 16

    Hot day = ice cream!

    April 28, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Garmin trainer said it was a long run day. So off to Elk Lake for a fun hour.

    Another motorcycle ride in the mid 20s sunshine. We found ourselves in Sydney and J thought, "ice cream!" We spotted the small business hiding in plain sight on the main drag. We know it wasn't just us, as a lady saw me holding the cone in front of the store and asked, "where'd you get that?" So, I pointed right beside us. She laughed! 🤣

    Homeward we went to prepare a delicious meal for our good friends P&G. It was scrumptious and we enjoyed some board games afterwards. J was great with his acting for air quotes 😂! It will be memorable forever.    Read more

  • Local BC
    2
    Day 17

    Cascade Falls

    April 29, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    W&A picked us up for a hike out at Cascade Falls. It was a prefect day for a walk in the woods; not too hot or busy. Afterwards they treated us to lunch at a pub. The sun beams were toasty, so we took advantage of the umbrella on the patio. J's seafood crepes were "unique": baked in a dish covered with cheese. Delicious and lots of calories to replenish energy expended during the hiking.

    We set up our new motorcycle communications headset which arrived in the mail. Off we went for another ride out to East Sooke and a Bear Mountain. We even zipped by the William Head "institution". Probably the most luxurious ocean side prison in Canada!    Read more

  • Local BC
    Day 18

    R & R Sunday (run and Ritual)

    April 30, 2023 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    A nice sleep-in Sunday 🛌💤
    Cappuccino success ☕
    A easy run around the golf course🏃💨
    Babushka, "my flying birds," was her greeting. 🧓

    J remembered about Ritual Nordic Spa and we squeezed in a last minute booking for today: massage and the circuit! ♨️🧖 www.ritualnordicspa.com

    We relaxed for the afternoon and prepared for hosting my cousin L and her guy S. A little bit of house tidy too.

    The last of the Ranch Lamb. It was tender and delicious! The instant pot is magic 👍. We enjoyed a couple rounds of the board game, Blokus, and dessert.    Read more

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