... Home of the sun?
Frequently not the case. Every day since we arrived home last Friday, the forecast has been for rain at some time of the day or other. But so far we have been lucky. I have managed to stretch my legs a few times, including 3 walks over 20 kms. I have also managed to reduce the elephant grass which masquerades as our lawn (actually, a playground for numerous moles), and Gay has managed to make a start on clearing the unwanted growth from her vegetable gardens and has even planted some tomatoes and other delights.
Today the weather forecast caught up with reality. It was only trying to rain (spitting, as they say in Lancashire) when I set off for a walk. The clouds cunningly waited until I was well away from shelter before they decided to unburden themselves, and the rain has fallen steadily ever since. And the temperature has barely made it into the teens. Can I remind you that we are within walking distance (a sturdy walk, I admit) of the Spanish border. And that it is about 5 weeks until we start winding down towards next winter?
My daughter Nicola tells me that it is 34 degrees where she lives in Italy, on almost exactly the same latitude.
I'm hoping it will improve a bit before tomorrow, when I am scheduled to walk 22 kms from Lavelanet, via the Rail Trail, the Voie Verte, to home.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Near Death Experience
Within three hours of writing the last item, I once again experienced the need for such a rear-view device as I was describing. I had another near-death experience.
I was walking back home from Quillan market, a route I have described before. Lots of climbing, mainly off-road except for about 3 kms. I was on the road section, very close to the left edge, facing the oncoming traffic, of which there was none at this moment. I heard traffic behind me. A campervan went past. As it did so, a big 4WD vehicle overtook the camper, coming between it and me. This was on a narrow road, as they all are around here. The 4WD was inches from me.
What sort of lunatic drives like that? To come so close to an unaware pedestrian, who could stumble or deviate a few inches into the path of death? Instead of waiting a few seconds until the camper had moved on a few yards and the road, and the pedestrian, was safe? Unfortunately there are many of these drivers. The sooner we come up with a device which would help all people who walk along the roads, not just myself, the better. If we could find somebody who manufactures a device like this, or who would be willing to do so, I am sure there would be a market for it, and it would save lives.
I was walking back home from Quillan market, a route I have described before. Lots of climbing, mainly off-road except for about 3 kms. I was on the road section, very close to the left edge, facing the oncoming traffic, of which there was none at this moment. I heard traffic behind me. A campervan went past. As it did so, a big 4WD vehicle overtook the camper, coming between it and me. This was on a narrow road, as they all are around here. The 4WD was inches from me.
What sort of lunatic drives like that? To come so close to an unaware pedestrian, who could stumble or deviate a few inches into the path of death? Instead of waiting a few seconds until the camper had moved on a few yards and the road, and the pedestrian, was safe? Unfortunately there are many of these drivers. The sooner we come up with a device which would help all people who walk along the roads, not just myself, the better. If we could find somebody who manufactures a device like this, or who would be willing to do so, I am sure there would be a market for it, and it would save lives.
Look Out, Behind You!
I am still very concerned by the danger of overtaking cars approaching from behind me, as I walk along the public roads. And I have had an idea on which I would welcome comments and advice.
To recap, in France, I normally walk on the left-hand edge of the road, facing the traffic. Most traffic coming towards me pulls out - if not I can at least see this happening and hopefully take evasive action, then of course wave my fist. Traffic from behind should obviously be on the other side of the road, but sometimes an overtaking car, or worse, a truck, will be on my side. I will not see it coming, and have frequently had a very close shave as one has virtually brushed my shoulder. An error of judgement on the part of the driver, or a slight stumble in my step, or deviation from the straight line (something which, amazingly, is not taken into account by these lunatics) and it would be curtains for yours truly.
I had a bit of a brainwave about this while walking back from Esperaza market on Sunday. You will have seen those harnesses which some performers use (I remember that Bob Dylan had one in his early days - maybe he still does - I would know if only I could bear to listen to him). Some sort of strapping over the shoulders, then a small metal frame which holds up a harmonica in front of the mouth, so that blowing and guitar playing can take place at the same time. These things are not specially made for the Dylans of this world, they are readily available from music suppliers, and on eBay.
I wonder if it would be feasible to attach a bicycle rear-view mirror (or "meer", as some Americans say) to the upright of this thing so that I could see any approaching marauders? It would all look a bit odd, but if it saved my life that would be bearable. Maybe I could even take advantage of it to play the mouth organ as I scamper along?
If it works, it would be useful to others as well, of course.
I would be very interested to hear any comments on this, or other suggestions. If you do not know how to leave a comment on my blog, I explain this in an earlier posting (5th of September 2008), or you could e-mail me at:
vicngay@gmail.com
To recap, in France, I normally walk on the left-hand edge of the road, facing the traffic. Most traffic coming towards me pulls out - if not I can at least see this happening and hopefully take evasive action, then of course wave my fist. Traffic from behind should obviously be on the other side of the road, but sometimes an overtaking car, or worse, a truck, will be on my side. I will not see it coming, and have frequently had a very close shave as one has virtually brushed my shoulder. An error of judgement on the part of the driver, or a slight stumble in my step, or deviation from the straight line (something which, amazingly, is not taken into account by these lunatics) and it would be curtains for yours truly.
I had a bit of a brainwave about this while walking back from Esperaza market on Sunday. You will have seen those harnesses which some performers use (I remember that Bob Dylan had one in his early days - maybe he still does - I would know if only I could bear to listen to him). Some sort of strapping over the shoulders, then a small metal frame which holds up a harmonica in front of the mouth, so that blowing and guitar playing can take place at the same time. These things are not specially made for the Dylans of this world, they are readily available from music suppliers, and on eBay.
I wonder if it would be feasible to attach a bicycle rear-view mirror (or "meer", as some Americans say) to the upright of this thing so that I could see any approaching marauders? It would all look a bit odd, but if it saved my life that would be bearable. Maybe I could even take advantage of it to play the mouth organ as I scamper along?
If it works, it would be useful to others as well, of course.
I would be very interested to hear any comments on this, or other suggestions. If you do not know how to leave a comment on my blog, I explain this in an earlier posting (5th of September 2008), or you could e-mail me at:
vicngay@gmail.com
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Things Are Moving Again
I forgot to switch the computer off last night. When I went to do so this morning, I found that it was installing 6 Windows updates. Where had these come from, when my modem does not work? That's what the technician told me yesterday.
So I switched on again and it seems I can access the Internet and send and receive e-mails, albeit rather slowly. I assume the new modem is on its way to me, as promised, and that things will be even better when I have installed it.
I did, as mentioned in "Excuses, excuses", manage to salvage something from the wreckage of last week's walking, by managing a couple of good French walks, of 15 and 22 kms,at the weekend. The total for the week was still only a miserable 58 kms, but I am still well ahead of the plan, with 1522 kms walked this year - an average of 10 kms a day would have added up to 1300. And I am over the forecast 3-week lean period which followed our exit from New Zealand.
So I switched on again and it seems I can access the Internet and send and receive e-mails, albeit rather slowly. I assume the new modem is on its way to me, as promised, and that things will be even better when I have installed it.
I did, as mentioned in "Excuses, excuses", manage to salvage something from the wreckage of last week's walking, by managing a couple of good French walks, of 15 and 22 kms,at the weekend. The total for the week was still only a miserable 58 kms, but I am still well ahead of the plan, with 1522 kms walked this year - an average of 10 kms a day would have added up to 1300. And I am over the forecast 3-week lean period which followed our exit from New Zealand.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Normal Service Will Be Resumed As Soon As Possible
Home in Puivert at last, and finally managed to get a few decent walks under my belt. Amazing how a few easy weeks make your legs unused to it. Even the 13 kms walks (being rather flat) we were managing in Australia were of only limited help in preparing us for the really hilly stuff around here.
The long drive down through France reminded me of what a beautiful country it is, and how much there is to see. A real benefit of VBW will be that, with moving on only 30 kms or so per day, we shall be resting overnight in many places we have not seen before.
Another thing the long drive reminded me of is just how far it is and what a task I have taken on.
Arrived to a bit of a communications problem. While we were away, the servers of our Internet provider were upgraded, necessitating all sorts of adjustments on our computer. Of course we arrived on Friday, a public holiday, to be followed, as usual, by the weekend – all days on which technical support was unavailable. This morning I managed to break through the multiple defences of recorded voices and banal music, to speak to a very helpful man. He supervised me while I typed in all sorts of things, then told me that it was impossible, he would need to send me a new type of modem, after which would I please send back the old one.
This blog posting will be accomplished either from the computer of a friend, or at the local bar, which has recently sprung an Internet service. Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.
The long drive down through France reminded me of what a beautiful country it is, and how much there is to see. A real benefit of VBW will be that, with moving on only 30 kms or so per day, we shall be resting overnight in many places we have not seen before.
Another thing the long drive reminded me of is just how far it is and what a task I have taken on.
Arrived to a bit of a communications problem. While we were away, the servers of our Internet provider were upgraded, necessitating all sorts of adjustments on our computer. Of course we arrived on Friday, a public holiday, to be followed, as usual, by the weekend – all days on which technical support was unavailable. This morning I managed to break through the multiple defences of recorded voices and banal music, to speak to a very helpful man. He supervised me while I typed in all sorts of things, then told me that it was impossible, he would need to send me a new type of modem, after which would I please send back the old one.
This blog posting will be accomplished either from the computer of a friend, or at the local bar, which has recently sprung an Internet service. Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Excuses, excuses ...
Still not getting much walking done while we are in UK, for two reasons:
Our purpose in being here is to visit friends and relatives, so it would seem churlish to accept their hospitality but spend the time off site.
The weather is rather inclement, or, as they say here in Lancashire "It's chucking it down".
Yesterday I walked the least daily distance since I acquired the pedometer. It was a measly 1.75 kms. Most of that was spent going up and down stairs while loading the car as we left Karen's house, and scurrying through the wind and rain in Lytham, from the car to Cafe Nero and back.
We are staying with Peter and Ruth Labrow in Stockport. Their stairs must be much higher, because I have already exceeded yesterday's record (how could I not), despite there being little improvement in the weather. Tomorrow we drive down the country to Portsmouth for the overnight ferry to Caen, in France.
We then have a drive of approaching 1000 kms, so will probably stop overnight somewhere, arriving home on Friday.
I shall probably then cover more walking distance at the weekend than in the previous five days.
Our purpose in being here is to visit friends and relatives, so it would seem churlish to accept their hospitality but spend the time off site.
The weather is rather inclement, or, as they say here in Lancashire "It's chucking it down".
Yesterday I walked the least daily distance since I acquired the pedometer. It was a measly 1.75 kms. Most of that was spent going up and down stairs while loading the car as we left Karen's house, and scurrying through the wind and rain in Lytham, from the car to Cafe Nero and back.
We are staying with Peter and Ruth Labrow in Stockport. Their stairs must be much higher, because I have already exceeded yesterday's record (how could I not), despite there being little improvement in the weather. Tomorrow we drive down the country to Portsmouth for the overnight ferry to Caen, in France.
We then have a drive of approaching 1000 kms, so will probably stop overnight somewhere, arriving home on Friday.
I shall probably then cover more walking distance at the weekend than in the previous five days.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
House Zero
VBW will finish on 23 July 2010 at the house in which I was born 70 years earlier to the day, in Blackpool. Presumably somebody lives in that house now. It would seem polite to let them know my intentions.
When we flew into Manchester on Friday we picked up Spot, our Toyota RAV4, which had been waiting patiently for us since January, in the care of Shenton's, of Handforth, who provide a most excellent and impressive service.
We then drove to Freckleton. My daughter Karen popped out of her office in British Aerospace to give us a key to her house nearby. At this stage we had been awake for almost two days so had a brief 2 hours sleep in order to remain civilised until the evening. This is our normal policy when changing time zones, to adjust our body clocks, so to speak. We then have no problems with jet lag.
Freckleton is very near Blackpool, so I took the opportunity to drive over to have a word with the current occupants of what was my mother's house. The street, which when I was a lad contained one car belonging to the newsagent, had cars parked nose to tail on both sides, with few gaps. It would have been impossible for my backup motor caravan, to be driven by Gay, to park. Lesson one, I must make a point of arriving during working hours on a weekday, when presumably some of these cars will be elsewhere.
As you can imagine, I have entered that gate countless times. I lived in the house until I was 17. It continued to be my mother's home into this century, so of course I made many visits. It felt strange to enter the gate and approach the door, knowing that if my knock was answered it would by by a stranger. Maybe they would be interested, maybe they would be aggressive. Perhaps they would even set the dogs on me.
I did not find out. There was nobody at home. I will try again this morning. Tomorrow we shall be moving South so if I fail to make contact today, it will have to wait until my next visit to UK.
(Later). Been there. Done that. Bit of a damp squib, reallly. I'm not sure the lady absorbed what I was telling her. I'll drop her a line.
I can understand that. It's not every day that someone knocks on your door and says "I was born in this house and next year I am involved in a mad escapade which will end at your gate."
When we flew into Manchester on Friday we picked up Spot, our Toyota RAV4, which had been waiting patiently for us since January, in the care of Shenton's, of Handforth, who provide a most excellent and impressive service.
We then drove to Freckleton. My daughter Karen popped out of her office in British Aerospace to give us a key to her house nearby. At this stage we had been awake for almost two days so had a brief 2 hours sleep in order to remain civilised until the evening. This is our normal policy when changing time zones, to adjust our body clocks, so to speak. We then have no problems with jet lag.
Freckleton is very near Blackpool, so I took the opportunity to drive over to have a word with the current occupants of what was my mother's house. The street, which when I was a lad contained one car belonging to the newsagent, had cars parked nose to tail on both sides, with few gaps. It would have been impossible for my backup motor caravan, to be driven by Gay, to park. Lesson one, I must make a point of arriving during working hours on a weekday, when presumably some of these cars will be elsewhere.
As you can imagine, I have entered that gate countless times. I lived in the house until I was 17. It continued to be my mother's home into this century, so of course I made many visits. It felt strange to enter the gate and approach the door, knowing that if my knock was answered it would by by a stranger. Maybe they would be interested, maybe they would be aggressive. Perhaps they would even set the dogs on me.
I did not find out. There was nobody at home. I will try again this morning. Tomorrow we shall be moving South so if I fail to make contact today, it will have to wait until my next visit to UK.
(Later). Been there. Done that. Bit of a damp squib, reallly. I'm not sure the lady absorbed what I was telling her. I'll drop her a line.
I can understand that. It's not every day that someone knocks on your door and says "I was born in this house and next year I am involved in a mad escapade which will end at your gate."
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