Cycling

We’ve done a bit of cycling on this holiday. This trend has continued when staying with my relatives. You would ordinarily think… ah with relatives perfect time for a slow relaxing cycle and a chat. However, this was not the case for us on Sunday. We managed a 93km cycle from Masion Pompidou in Peterborough to Bowmanville.

We had driven the route a couple of days before, so we knew the conditions… not to mention the couple of steep hills we would encounter.

We set off around 9:30 and began the slow climb.

Beginning of the ride
Ride - Peterborough to Bowmanville

Chris on the ride
Ride - Peterborough to Bowmanville

We stopped around 38km in at a little place called Millbrook. Originally we had planned to stop at the Pastry Pedler – but it is closed every Sunday and Monday. But we previously bought our provisions on the scouting ride, so we sat back and enjoyed the pastries.

Morning tea stop in Millbrook
Ride - Peterborough to Bowmanville

After the short stop was one very steep climb (on a chocolate-coconut-peanut butter slice)…. And a number of undulating hills as we headed towards lunch.

On the road
Ride - Peterborough to Bowmanville

Lunch
Ride - Peterborough to Bowmanville

After lunch we road near Lake Ontario towards Port Hope, where we then headed inwards back to Bowmanville, where we arrived just after 4pm.

Kym’s unacceptable bridge
Ride - Peterborough to Bowmanville

Road near Bowmanville
Ride - Peterborough to Bowmanville

It was a great ride, through lovely scenery – with a few unexpected hills at the end (thanks Ed) However, we were glad to get back to base, and slept well that night. Thanks to both Ed and Chris for taking us.

We made it!
Ride - Peterborough to Bowmanville

Maison Pompidou

You may have seen the modern masterpiece in Paris – the Centre Pompidou. But did you know that a similar masterpiece is in the making in Peterborough, Ontario Canada. H’s cousin, C, has spent much of his recent life restoring a 1940s house. But, this is not just brining it back to original condition. It is art. Where else can you see plumbing work that looks like this.

Red for Hot and Blue for Cold
Maison Pompidou
Each line gets its own shut off valve
Maison Pompidou
If anyone wants similar work, I am sure C is available for consulting. Just drop us a note on the comments page.

C king of the concrete pile
King of the castle

Chips?

Okay what is the deal with getting a packet of potato chips when you order a sandwich in the USA?

A few times we ordered a sandwich (even in middle of Orwell and the sandwich was $4.59), and were told “you get a packet of chips with that, choose from the end”. The sandwich as you can see was large enough and perfect for a hungry cyclist battling wind and rain. I have to say the sandwich was fabulous!

If you’re going to ask – did I eat the chips? Absolutely.

Sandwich
Vermont

Journey continues

Our holiday continues, as we now find ourselves speeding away from Montreal via rail to Oshawa.

We had 24 hours in Montreal where we wandered around with no specific plan and caught a couple of trains. Given we had been there a couple of times we had no list and nothing to achieve. Which in retrospect was quite relaxing an enjoyable.

I personally love train travel and prefer it to all other forms (bike is not included). It’s great to watch the world go by – and traffic jams in freeway nearby.

View from the train

20130516-173407.jpg

Arts Precinct

We’ve finished riding around Addison County in Vermont. Our arrival in Quebec was greeted with by a storm with limited visibility. Helen had white knuckles to be sure – and she wasn’t driving. Our friends in Montreal are the most “assertive” drivers we have encountered.

We’re currently lost in the underground labyrinth. Found the contemporary art museum, mais c’etait fermé.

Some art outside of the gallery
20130516-101804.jpg

What’s a State Library for

Sitting in the Brandon Free Public Library catching up on local news. The are a couple articles about libraries, one about asbestos removal in Rockingham, and value of State Libraries in the Wall Street Journal. I swear I’m not looking for these articles! The Wall Street one is worth a read – as it talks about the radical changes to the New York Public Library as it is made more user friendly and accessible to change with the needs of the time. With this in mind what is our State Library in SA for…?

Wall Street Journal

20130514-164941.jpg

Rockingham Free Library

20130514-165058.jpg

Spicy Cowboy

I am about to have me a spicy cowboy and half grilled cheese sandwich in downtown Bristol.

View from me window
20130513-123155.jpgUpdate it has just arrived.

Yes H ordered PB&J
20130513-123346.jpg

Weather in Vermont

Around these parts it hasn’t rained for 17 days – at least until we arrived. This seems to be a record in these parts – whichis understandable given the green landscape. On the first day it was a little overcast, and threatened rained. Rain it did around lunch time, heavy enough to require rain jackets well before we got to Orwell to eat.

Today we set out from Middlebury, and it is 54F – which is darn cold. Fingers crossed no rain.

Heavy cloud
Vermont

Lunch view from Orwell through the rain
Vermont