Thursday 3rd July
Elmo -
Penny could not resist the temptation of an early morning dip in the river so in she went in her birthday suit. I managed to get the camera so it is all there. Carol was calling from the house to come for breakfast. It never stops. I'll never forget the kind and friendly Canadians. I had been told how friendly they are but this is unbelievable. Just one sad bit - my backpack has never turned up. Maybe it just got misplaced and is waiting for me somewhere. I find it hard to believe anyone over here would actually take it to keep.
Saturday, 5 July 2008
On the road with Penny
Wednesday 2nd July
Becky was leaving us to-day. I was sad as we had such a lot of fun. She is a great girl and I hope she will be back to film again. She gave us a lift out of Winnipeg, did a farewell interview and then she was gone. Penny was cycling well and feeling good and said she felt her health was as good as ever. We arrived at a hamlet called Elme. There was nothing apart from a shop which was closed! We cycled out and I spotted what looked like a golf course. I cycled along a dirt track road hoping to find a club house, instead it was a private house. As I approached, a couple came out. "We were looking for somewhere to stay" I said. "You are very welcome to stay here". "You can put your tents up down by the river which is our garden" Well, what do you know! After we had pitched our tents and made supper John and Carol (owners) called us up to for a coffee and a chat.
Becky was leaving us to-day. I was sad as we had such a lot of fun. She is a great girl and I hope she will be back to film again. She gave us a lift out of Winnipeg, did a farewell interview and then she was gone. Penny was cycling well and feeling good and said she felt her health was as good as ever. We arrived at a hamlet called Elme. There was nothing apart from a shop which was closed! We cycled out and I spotted what looked like a golf course. I cycled along a dirt track road hoping to find a club house, instead it was a private house. As I approached, a couple came out. "We were looking for somewhere to stay" I said. "You are very welcome to stay here". "You can put your tents up down by the river which is our garden" Well, what do you know! After we had pitched our tents and made supper John and Carol (owners) called us up to for a coffee and a chat.
Winnipeg - Canada Day
Tuesday 1st July
Penny said she hadn't slept a wink and she thought she might just take the bus across Canada and to Hell with the bike. She was so tired plus the jet lag. She was shattered. To-day was Canada Day and we thought we might celebrate. So down town we went (Penny on 2nd wind) We bought all the souveniers, Canadian Flag umbrellas on our heads and really joining in the fun!! We were staying in a Backpacker that night and the owner had invited us to a BarBQ in the garden. We went down town again to watch the firework display and then back for a good night's sleep. Penny had gone to bed earlier as she was so tired but happy.
Penny said she hadn't slept a wink and she thought she might just take the bus across Canada and to Hell with the bike. She was so tired plus the jet lag. She was shattered. To-day was Canada Day and we thought we might celebrate. So down town we went (Penny on 2nd wind) We bought all the souveniers, Canadian Flag umbrellas on our heads and really joining in the fun!! We were staying in a Backpacker that night and the owner had invited us to a BarBQ in the garden. We went down town again to watch the firework display and then back for a good night's sleep. Penny had gone to bed earlier as she was so tired but happy.
Winnipeg at last
Monday 30th June
Hayward to Winnipeg
I was up early and had a walk around the cemetry which was beside our tents. There was a cafe that would be opening at 7am so we decided to have breakfast there. A few locals were in and we got chatting as usual. Becky picked up the daily paper and called over to me. "There is very bad news and I don't know whether to tell you or not " I read "Two charity cyclists had been killed on route 1. My God, I think I met them in a place called Carlyle" I was stunned. Later I saw a photograph of them and it wasn't the guys I had met, thank goodness, but dreadful news nevertheless - We would be on that very same route in a couple of days. We had a huge breakfast and when one of the locals left to pay for his coffee he called over "Your breakfast has been paid girls" It just goes on and on, the kindness. We were on our way to Winnipeg. Several days ago in Weyburn I asked how far it was to Winnipeg and was told it was 500miles and here I was, almost there. We were going to the airport to meet Penny off the plane and I was excited about seeing her again. The plane was on time and there was Penny looking as fitter than ever. We had a celebration meal and then it was off to a camp site for the night. Penny was tired. The site was full of noisy RV's and it was difficult to sleep and not just because of the noise....
Hayward to Winnipeg
I was up early and had a walk around the cemetry which was beside our tents. There was a cafe that would be opening at 7am so we decided to have breakfast there. A few locals were in and we got chatting as usual. Becky picked up the daily paper and called over to me. "There is very bad news and I don't know whether to tell you or not " I read "Two charity cyclists had been killed on route 1. My God, I think I met them in a place called Carlyle" I was stunned. Later I saw a photograph of them and it wasn't the guys I had met, thank goodness, but dreadful news nevertheless - We would be on that very same route in a couple of days. We had a huge breakfast and when one of the locals left to pay for his coffee he called over "Your breakfast has been paid girls" It just goes on and on, the kindness. We were on our way to Winnipeg. Several days ago in Weyburn I asked how far it was to Winnipeg and was told it was 500miles and here I was, almost there. We were going to the airport to meet Penny off the plane and I was excited about seeing her again. The plane was on time and there was Penny looking as fitter than ever. We had a celebration meal and then it was off to a camp site for the night. Penny was tired. The site was full of noisy RV's and it was difficult to sleep and not just because of the noise....
Tail Wind For A Welcome Change
Sunday 29th June
Cypress Hills to Hayward.
We had booked into Jim's for B&B and after a fabulous breakfast we said how much we had enjoyed our visit and asked for the bill. "There will be no bill" said Jim with a smile. What a really great person - hopefully he must have enjoyed having us as much as we enjoyed being there. We were off and, believe it or not, I actually had a tail wind and I was flying. That was only the 2nd tail I had had in all the time I was cycling the praries! Becky said "Slow down, I can't keep up with you" She did a lot of filming and at night we camped in the local park in Hayward. As ever we met lots of people who were offering us all sorts of things from a bed for the night, showers in the morning and a meal.
Cypress Hills to Hayward.
We had booked into Jim's for B&B and after a fabulous breakfast we said how much we had enjoyed our visit and asked for the bill. "There will be no bill" said Jim with a smile. What a really great person - hopefully he must have enjoyed having us as much as we enjoyed being there. We were off and, believe it or not, I actually had a tail wind and I was flying. That was only the 2nd tail I had had in all the time I was cycling the praries! Becky said "Slow down, I can't keep up with you" She did a lot of filming and at night we camped in the local park in Hayward. As ever we met lots of people who were offering us all sorts of things from a bed for the night, showers in the morning and a meal.
Friday, 4 July 2008
Leaving Glenboro
June 28th
It was sad to leave Ian and Carol. They had been so kind to us and it would have been so easy to stay a little longer before finally making the effort to get back in the saddle. After waving good-bye we were off to Kevin's in Glenboro. Kevin is head master at the local school and the school had just closed for the summer holidays. He checked my Dawes Karakum supplied by Dawes Cycles of Birmingham, who contributed to the ride with a very generous discount, and was impressed "This is a very good bike and everthing seems ok--spokes are fine and it is in very good condition. I thanked him very much and off we went. There was a fierce North wind blowing and it was increasingly difficult staying on the bike. I lost my balance several times and eventually decided to push. I was horizontal. Becky was trying to film some of the drama and it was even hard for her to stay upright. We came to a small town called Cypress Hills and I told becky I'd had enough. She understood and we headed for The Cypress Motor Inn. We entered the restaurant and immediately we were made welcome. Jim Cassels, the proprietor, said he had read about me in The Brandon Sun where I had been spread across page three!! "What can I get you girls" he asked " A large brandy would be nice" I joked. "No", I said, "I think a nice pot of tea and a look at the menu, please". "Sure" said Jim and off he went. Next thing a large bottle of brandy appeared at the table" Say when" said Jim. Becky and I giggled like school kids. "I was joking about the brandy, honestly" I said "Say when" said Jim removing the cap from the bottle. I think he realised what hell I had gone through out on the praries so we relented and thoroughly enjoyed the treat. We were then whisked off in Jim's truck to look at a church that had been bought by a couple and moved 7 miles to where they live. It is now a thriving B&B with large function room where the pews were. We admired the church and the amount of work that had gone into moving the church."Want to go horse riding out on the praries, or you can have a ride in a horse drawn wagon" Jim asked "Sounds brilliant " we said. Becky thought she could film me from her horse as I rode along in the wagon. We arrived at the ranch to find two 16 hand horses saddled up. Becky is an experienced horse rider, I am not. "I thought I was going in the wagon" I muttered "Well, no" called Carol, the owner of the ranch "We're not going out in the wagon to-day". So with no further ado Becky and I were up in the saddle. Carol had her horse running along side mine and with one big jump she was up bareback riding. I was nervous at first but began to relax and enjoy the hills we were going up and over. Katy (Eventing daughter) would have been proud to see me up there, or I think or she might have had a fit!! The day ended with a delightful evening chatting with all the locals in the bar allbeit a bit saddle sore in a few different spots!!
It was sad to leave Ian and Carol. They had been so kind to us and it would have been so easy to stay a little longer before finally making the effort to get back in the saddle. After waving good-bye we were off to Kevin's in Glenboro. Kevin is head master at the local school and the school had just closed for the summer holidays. He checked my Dawes Karakum supplied by Dawes Cycles of Birmingham, who contributed to the ride with a very generous discount, and was impressed "This is a very good bike and everthing seems ok--spokes are fine and it is in very good condition. I thanked him very much and off we went. There was a fierce North wind blowing and it was increasingly difficult staying on the bike. I lost my balance several times and eventually decided to push. I was horizontal. Becky was trying to film some of the drama and it was even hard for her to stay upright. We came to a small town called Cypress Hills and I told becky I'd had enough. She understood and we headed for The Cypress Motor Inn. We entered the restaurant and immediately we were made welcome. Jim Cassels, the proprietor, said he had read about me in The Brandon Sun where I had been spread across page three!! "What can I get you girls" he asked " A large brandy would be nice" I joked. "No", I said, "I think a nice pot of tea and a look at the menu, please". "Sure" said Jim and off he went. Next thing a large bottle of brandy appeared at the table" Say when" said Jim. Becky and I giggled like school kids. "I was joking about the brandy, honestly" I said "Say when" said Jim removing the cap from the bottle. I think he realised what hell I had gone through out on the praries so we relented and thoroughly enjoyed the treat. We were then whisked off in Jim's truck to look at a church that had been bought by a couple and moved 7 miles to where they live. It is now a thriving B&B with large function room where the pews were. We admired the church and the amount of work that had gone into moving the church."Want to go horse riding out on the praries, or you can have a ride in a horse drawn wagon" Jim asked "Sounds brilliant " we said. Becky thought she could film me from her horse as I rode along in the wagon. We arrived at the ranch to find two 16 hand horses saddled up. Becky is an experienced horse rider, I am not. "I thought I was going in the wagon" I muttered "Well, no" called Carol, the owner of the ranch "We're not going out in the wagon to-day". So with no further ado Becky and I were up in the saddle. Carol had her horse running along side mine and with one big jump she was up bareback riding. I was nervous at first but began to relax and enjoy the hills we were going up and over. Katy (Eventing daughter) would have been proud to see me up there, or I think or she might have had a fit!! The day ended with a delightful evening chatting with all the locals in the bar allbeit a bit saddle sore in a few different spots!!
Exta Day at Glen Abbey
June 27th June
Glen Abbey
Ian and Carol decided that Becky and I must spend another day with them. We didn't need much persuasion as they have such a fabulous place and we felt so much at home with them. Carol went off to work at the Glenboro newspaper office and later Ian took us in to meet the staff there. Carol had organised an interview with the paper and after that she took us to meet most of the people who work in Glenboro. Becky did some filming and more of me cycling back to Glen Abbey. At night we went into town for a meal and Carol and Ian took us for a run to show us the countryside. Later Carol phoned Kevin, a friend who is a bike fanatic to ask if he would give my bike a quick service in the am before moving on. It is such a lovely community with everyone doing little turns for each other.
Glen Abbey
Ian and Carol decided that Becky and I must spend another day with them. We didn't need much persuasion as they have such a fabulous place and we felt so much at home with them. Carol went off to work at the Glenboro newspaper office and later Ian took us in to meet the staff there. Carol had organised an interview with the paper and after that she took us to meet most of the people who work in Glenboro. Becky did some filming and more of me cycling back to Glen Abbey. At night we went into town for a meal and Carol and Ian took us for a run to show us the countryside. Later Carol phoned Kevin, a friend who is a bike fanatic to ask if he would give my bike a quick service in the am before moving on. It is such a lovely community with everyone doing little turns for each other.
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