Buy my kayak! Avocet LV is perfect for smaller paddlers

The Avocet LV is one of the few boats suitable for smaller paddlers.

There aren't many performance sea kayaks suitable for very small paddlers. Many boats claim to fit kayakers who weigh less than 130 pounds, but few actually do. Most boats are too deep for shorter paddlers (a paddler's hip bones should be just below the cockpit coaming) and too high-volume for lighter paddlers (increasing the amount of boat out of the water and making it more susceptible to the effects of wind).

In the Avocet LV, a 110-pound paddler has proper trim.

The Avocet LV is one of a handful of boats that actually fit Sharon. It's fast and nimble, equally at home on a journey or in surf. It's stable enough for beginners, playful enough for advanced paddlers, and highly responsive.

The Avocet LV loves rough water.

This boat is a with a built-in compass and a fiberglass keel strip. The skeg works, the hatches are dry, and it's in good condition with only cosmetic blemishes. The deck is robin's egg blue; the keel is white; the coaming and trim are quill grey.

So why are we selling it? Because Sharon is now a Valley-sponsored paddler, and she has a new Avocet LV. So this one is for sale for $1900 (firm).

Here are the specs:

• Length: 15'11"


• Width: 20'5"


• Depth: 11.5"


• Weight: 45 pounds

If you're interested, contact us at kayak (dot) bp (at) gmail.com.

Numinbah vs Tweed

Yesterday's ride had something of a "training ride" feel about it. There was no real destination that stood out as somewhere I desperately needed to visit, so I headed out over Hinze Dam toward Numinbah Valley, over the pass, through a circuit of the Tweed Valley, and home. It was yet another disgustingly beautiful day -- a max temperature of 22 degrees C. Summer is just two weeks away, but right now there is absolutely no sign of it. The early part of the ride was dominated by tiny pockets of cloud dotting the surrounding mountains.







Much of the first 100km or so had a sense that it "had been raining somewhere" but was staying away from me. There was also another sense on the stretch toward Tyalgum that I really wanted to ride the old Tweed Valley circuit through Brays Creek and on to Uki. Current time constraints mean that it could be a while before I get to that. As it was, the sealed road between Tyalgum and Murwillumbah is still quite pleasant.



While I seemed to be in much better shape than last weekend's ride (not surprisingly), things still got a little difficult toward the end. A quick check of my altimeter revealed that I finished with over 2,000 metres of climbing in the course of 171km. That's now the second ride in three months or eight days (depending on how you look at it) with over 2,000 metres of climbing in a day.



This weekend I'm planning to head for Jimna in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. This will be a camping trip since I didn't get away over the Gold Coast Show weekend. I've also just found out that it will be the first weekend of the school holidays. That is actually a double-edged sword -- while I don't like a million tourists around on camping trips normally, I'd have to deal with the tourist rush if I stayed here on the Gold Coast anyway. That said, I'm already poring over maps of obscure dirt roads should I feel the need to free camp somewhere.

Relaxing singletrack ride

Wind was starting to kick up this morning. Decided to take a relaxing dirt ride at Manawa. Met Ryon and his sons, asked me about the Manawa trail. Gave them a tour of some of the trails - Both Sidewinders and Wood Chopper. After that, I headed out for my normal route. Construction equipment were removed what I was riding there.
Talked with one of the workers. One area of the trail is soft/muddy from the construction. They will be back in 2 weeks for more work. In the mean time, ride around the taped off area.
After my ride, I headed to the UP Museum to check out the Photo Contest. I don't know how to figure out what they want. True, art is subjective. but I don't know why some of the winners even placed! Some sure don't seen to depict their subject matter. Others look like they were categorized wrong. There were several much better photos ( in my opinion) than the "Best in Show".
I will have to take a hard look whether I want to enter next year.

Fineshade round

Almost 4 miles - with Harry

Begonias in bloom

A coffee afterstocking up on bird food, thena wander round Fineshade.A muntjac crosses the path, then we spend half an hour in the hide, watching dragonflies, tits, chaffinches, squirrels, a green woodpecker and a jay. The trees are beginning to turn from the top down, the sky's blue, magic.

Some kind of 'wood-dolphin'?

From the hide

Low Tide

At lunch I rode around Foster City on the bike path near the canals. There was enough of a head wind that I got a decent work out. And I got lost enough that I felt like I was on a small lunch time adventure.
And it was all mine. I saw maybe 3 or 4 people out there.
Foster City used to be a city dump. It's all landfill and marsh and canals and toxic muck.
When there are earthquakes, the earth feels like a ship swaying in the sea.
I don't like earthquakes. I instinctively grab the nearest person and hold on tight. It startles people more then the earthquake I think - that this wide eyed, crazed redheaded woman is squeezing them. But If I get buried in this building, I want someone with me so we can help each other dig out.
Anyway, I rode around on the bike path in the wind not really seeing anyone and enjoying my freedom from corporate america for just a little bit. Singing and smiling to myself, I came upon this scene: Marshlands with pretty birds and kitty cats and low tide and a sign about how important the marshlands are and how they're restoring them to their original state and the kinds of animals that live in the marshlands and it made me feel nice.
And then I counted 9 shopping carts stuck in the muck behind the sign.

Back in business

Sunday's ride was memorable for several reasons. The flood conditions, the stunning scenery, the downpour that cooled me as I was riding over the last climb of the day, the fact that it was the first 200km day I've managed since October (a statistic I wasn't proud of), but most of all, it was just good to be back on the bike riding long distances again. I've missed it, the physical challenge, the psychological battle of both planning the ride and staying motivated to complete it, and the treat to the senses that comes from the changes in scenery over the course of 207km.

I stared by heading south along the now customary route via Urliup to Murwillumbah. That dirt road is one of the great survivors at a time when every other road in the vicinity has been sealed, yet it was almost washed away by the previous day's downpour, although the flood waters had receded considerably since the rain ceased -- this time the road was only submerged in two places. South of Murwillumbah I headed over the relentless hills toward Burringbar, where the wisdom of my route choice became apparent.

I was headed for Mullumbimby to ride a loop of the Coolomon Scenic Drive, terrain I hadn't covered in almost nine months. I passed more floodwaters along the way, before the long climb out of Mullum, which was greeted with sweeping views over Cape Byron and surrounds. There was a sadder aspect of the ride. True Wheel Cycles, the iconic little bike shop in Mullumbimby appears to have closed it's doors and cleared it's shelves. It was here that last year I found a touring bike that I wanted to buy, it was also here that I obtained some valuable information about rides in the Byron Hinterland. I'd like to think they've merely relocated, but I'm not sure.


I really started to hit the wall at the top of the Coolomon ridge, probably a result of going too fast early in the ride. Either way, I had to seriously ease back the pace for the return to Mullumbimby and the ride home, including the climb over Mt Jerusalem National Park on dirt roads. I actually started to recover a little, but the main obstacle here was the fact that the road between Mullumbimby and Uki was flooded in EIGHT places.

I negotiated the flooding, and continued on my way. Actually, the climb into the National Park once I hit the dirt wasn't terribly cut up. However, the ride across the ridge and the descent on the other side more than made up for that. I was actually here a couple of weeks ago for a weekend "tour" in the rain, but this downpour appears to have absolutely overpowered what happened that weekend. On the other hand, the fact that the sun was actually shining on this day gave it a much different perspective.


After Uki it was a simple 55km ride home -- simple if I could negotiate the final climb of Tomewin. It was actually made slightly more complicated in another respect. The wind, which had been from the South all day, decided to blow from the North for the next 20km, meaning I would be against it for the balance of the ride home. This could have been a problem, but on this occasion, it had a reason. Just as I started to climb the 11% section of Tomewin, the heavens opened up and provided a stunning downpour. All of a sudden my concerns about the heat were washed away as clouds and rainbows came out to play.

One particular rainbow came out on the mountain and stayed with me all the way back to the suburb of Palm Beach in the urban area. By the time I was back in suburbia, the wind was blowing from the South again, so I managed to mop up the last few kilometres relatively quickly. This had been a long day by the time I got home, but it was worth it. After the last couple of weeks, it was a fitting day to return to form, and the downpour at the end capped off a remarkable day. The hardest part now is going to be trying to pick from the many places I have to ride.

The Great Wall: Few tips that it would be certainly important to know before to plan your trip - the China Project #2

Welcome back to Our China Exploring Project!
After having visited the wonderful Forbidden City in Beijing is time to visit one of the most iconic places in china: the Great Wall.
The most famous sections are easy to be visited in a day trip from Beijing,
There are hundreds of things that can be said and maybe should be said about the Great Wall.
The main facts are that is long 8.850 Km and that it has been built between the 3rd and the 8th Century BC to protect the borders of the Chinese Empire from the Barbarians coming from the North (Although the famous Mongolian leader Genghis Khan passed the Great Wall no problem just bribing the guards at the gate! :-)).



The size of this opera and the age of its building make of the Great Wall a wonderful achievement for all the humanity. It is difficult to think to something that can be compared with the Great Wall.
Even the Pyramids or the Adrian Wall disappear in front of the huge architectural and military opera the Great Wall represent.



At the end of the post you will find more interesting facts about the Great Wall. But let's start from practical things you have to bear in mind before your plan your visit to the Great Wall:
I. Not all the Great Wall is open to the public.
II. Not all the Great Wall is possible to walk on, as huge part of the Wall is in ruin and it has crumbled making the passage impossible.
III. Some sections of the Great Wall are particularly steep and they become particularly slippery when wet.
IV. Because not all the Great Wall is open to the public, the sections open are usually amazingly crowded, so much that sometimes is difficult to walk.




V. The most popular sections of the Great Wall are near Beijing. These sections are the easiest to get to, but also the most touristy and busy.

VI. Organized day trips from Beijing are most of the time are a scam. You pay a cheap ticket for a bus trip to the Walls, but most of the time you will be obliged to spend a lot of the day (and a lot of your money) in cheap souvenir places and just maybe an hour or two to the Walls. If you really want an organized trip ask your hostel / hotel for a reliable tour company (some of them are), but also consider visiting with public transport (read below).

VII. The most popular and most touristy section of the Wall is in Badaling. It is the easiest place to reach and it is also the most crowded. The photos you see in this post are taken in Badaling and as you can see it is quiet and nearly deserted. Which leads to advise number VIII...

VIII. Visit Badaling in a misty / rainy day. It is particularly scenic to see the Great Wall appearing and disappearing to the clouds and most of the Chinese would not visit in a rainy day, so it will be as a quiet and enjoyable as you see in the photos!



IX. Although not legal many tourists pass the night on the Great Wall. It is certainly a great experience but you would need to ask locally which areas are left open at night and not patrolled as fines can be high if police decide to enforce them (some local "tour companies" also organize this kind of trip, but you do the trip at your own risk knowing is not legal to camp on the walls or enter the area open to tourists). Alternatively you can sleep in a B&B near the Wall, wake up early and visit the Walls before the horde of tourists arrives as the Great Wall open usually at sunrise. Be aware that B&B /hostels prices near the Wall are extortionate and cleanness is a faded memory there.

X. (That's my humble opinion:) The Great Wall is a wonderful and unmissable part of China, but if you are based in Beijing don't allow more than one day and a reasonable budget to the Wall and spend your time and money to explore the hidden treasures of the Chinese Capital instead!



From Wikipedia:

"The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials, generally built along an east-to-west line across the historical northern borders of China in part to protect the Chinese Empire against intrusions by various nomadic groups or military incursions by various warlike peoples or forces. Several walls were being built as early as the 7th century BC.



Especially famous is the wall built between 220–206 BC by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. Little of that wall remains. Since then, the Great Wall has on and off been rebuilt, maintained, and enhanced; the majority of the existing wall was reconstructed during the Ming Dynasty.



Other purposes of the Great Wall have included border controls, allowing the imposition of duties on goods transported along the Silk Road.



The Great Wall stretches from Shanhaiguan in the east, to Lop Lake in the west, along an arc that roughly delineates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia. A comprehensive archaeological survey, using advanced technologies, has concluded that the Ming walls measure 8,850 km (5,500 mi).This is made up of 6,259 km (3,889 mi) sections of actual wall, 359 km (223 mi) of trenches and 2,232 km (1,387 mi) of natural defensive barriers such as hills and rivers. Another archaeological survey found that the entire wall with all of its branches measure out to be 21,196 km (13,171 mi)"



Next 2 weeks we will visit The Summer Palace in Beijing, an amazing and relaxing destination in China away from the noise and with a great and unique charm!

Read more about Our China Project.

Autumn Rainbow

Near Greenwood Lake - Cook County, MN. The other day I was driving the back roads from the Gunflint Trail back to Grand Portage. Along the way there were a few rain showers and at one point the sun came out and I saw this beautiful, full rainbow. Luckily I was in a place where the trees weren't as tall so I was able to get a good view of it!

The Moray Firth

We are temporarily up on Speyside, as my father is in hospital and quite seriously ill. This is where our attention is concentrated at the moment, but at the end of a weekend of hospital visiting we headed for the coast to breathe deeply of the sea air.

Looking north, above, as the waves crash onto the shingle. Below, the coast curves east towards Buckie.



Looking west now, to where the River Spey meets the sea.





And south-west, back up the course of the river and into the sunset.





Oystercatchers were calling, a curlew piped, and all the while the waves broke on the shore. It was what we needed.

Coq au Vin - Finished

Coq au Vin, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Here's the completed coq au vin, with pearl onions, mushrooms, and little pieces of bacon. The chicken became unbelievably tender, and so did the pearl onions. Coq au vin is fairly easy to make, and a great dish for a cold winter night.

Canyons

Was planning to write this posting last evening, but had big issues with the wi-fi here in my motel. I hope it stays connected enough that I can get it done this morning.

Sunday was the time to start heading towards home. Early up and mostly packed in the room in Jackson, Since I had not eaten any solid food Saturday, I started with a full breakfast at the Virginian. Good food, so=so service. The server could not understand that I wanted my "go-cup" filled with ice and then topped with water - NOT filled with water with some ice in it. Oh, well, there was some king of "local resident" discount. I looked like an tourist, but was there when the restaurant opened. Many she thought only locals would be in at 6:30.

Checking out of the motel, I stopped in downtown Jackson - scoped out goods for sale and stopped in at the visitors center. Mostly had to use the rest room! Headed North for Moran Junction. Did my final "Good-bye" to Grand Teton, heading for Buffalo.

My route took me (on purpose) through Wind River Canyon (upper photo), Had discovered this canyon during a trip to Yellowstone in the early 80s, The canyon ends near Thermopolis, WY. Did not remember the large hot spring at a state park there.

Up to Worland then East to Ten Sleep. This was my second scenic drive of the day. US 16 through Ten Sleep Canyon was called the "Cloud Peak Skyway" (see lower photo).

Found my motel in Buffalo (stopped in a convenience store for directions - they said they did not have a Days Inn in Buffalo!) The motel had changed name in May. Anyway - the frustrating evening started.

Could not get a reliable wi-fi connection from the room, The staff at the motel was mostly worthless. One person came to the room and verified the problem and rebooted the router. Never saw him later.



Waiting the router to re-boot, I was going to head to dinner at Winchesters (recommended by the desk clerk). Winchester's Steakhouse was closed for 5 days - over Labor Day weekend! Saw Bozeman Trail Steakhouse. Like breakfast, the food was good but the service was lacking.

After dinner, the internet was in the same condition. Keep telling me there was not problem - even though I was having the same problem on my tablet and laptop. Finally I gave up the internet and just processed my photos.

Calmed down and got some sleep. Should get ready for the day, soon. Devils' Tower and Black Hills today.

Some random castle

...somewhere in Lochaber. My daughter took this shot of a 'random' castle on a school sea kayaking trip a few weeks ago off the coast of Lochaber, on the west coast of Scotland. She had a waterproof, disposable camera, but was disappointed with the quality of the photos. The best shot was actually one taken underwater. Which I suppose is what waterproof cameras are for.

Warmth and music

Over the past couple of weeks we've attended our children's respective university orchestra concerts. First was St Andrews - an after-work dash from the city up through the Fife countryside. It felt as if we'd travelled hundreds of miles rather than fifty, so great was the contrast between rush hour Edinburgh and the university town on the edge of the winter darkness of the North Sea.




The following week was Glasgow, on a night of 'bitter chill'. It was rather wonderful to go into the Students' Union and find a large fireplace on the main landing, with a glowing coal fire. Of course I had to take a photo - somewhat blurred because of the desperate uncoolness of being a mother taking a photo - of anything really - but most of all of a coal fire.

Here we go again

For some reason (which I haven't quite figured out yet), the home page whenever I access the Internet from work seems to be that ninemsn page, which is usually a complete waste of pixels on any monitor anywhere in the world. However, the big headline they were running there today which I saw for the second or two it took to upload the next page I visited was another whine about fuel prices. They seem to be claiming it's going to hit $1.30/litre. Given that I'm not likely to have any reason to verify this, I suppose I'll have to take their word for it, even if the source is somewhat questionable.
What I want to know is why all the whining? Well, we all know the answer to that one I suppose (i.e. the media just whines about what everyone else is whining about so they can sell newspapers). However, this doesn't explain the obvious contradiction here. I don't need to read their article to know that at least somewhere on the page, someone is going to be calling for government intervention to peg the price increases. Now this is where I have a problem.
Virtually from the time we're born these days, we're constantly being told that capitalism is wonderful, and communism is inherently "bad". I don't seek to take any position on that particular argument here, it's just what we're told. After all, market forces are supposed to take care of everything, supposed to determine the equilibrium price that will provide the greatest benefit to society, those who can't afford it will just have to work harder, which will in turn benefit society, right? Either that, or they'll just have to go without, which means more for everyone else, which also benefits society, right?
So why then, are so many people whining about this? Essentially all that is happening is that market forces (i.e. supply and demand) are simply having a global effect on the world price of crude oil, which is in turn pushing up the price of petrol. We've known it was coming ever since the US started selling it's industrial revolution to countries like China. This, ladies and gentlemen, is just capitalism doing what capitalism does. So basically, the message is this: quit whining. Either start looking for alternatives (something strangely absent from these media whines most of the time), or just pay the costs, and long live capitalism!

Pretty poison

Poison Ivy flowers
Toxicodendron radicans
I like the former Latin name Rhus toxicodendron better, because there was always the possibility of referring to urushiol - the oil in Poison Ivy that makes you itch - as Rhus juice.*
This FDA site on Poison Ivy isn't bad, but it should really emphasize the fact that many suburban yards are full of Poison Ivy roots, as my sister rediscovers every spring. Poison Ivy: not just in the woods!
Plus, the more you are exposed to it, the more sensitized you seem to become. (Soon my poor sister will break out just thinking about the plant.)
And any site on Poison Ivy should point out that you should never, ever, ever burn it. Tiny urushiol oil droplets are carried in the smoke, and as much as you don't want that smoke blanketing your skin, you really don't want it slithering into your lungs.
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*Most people use that term for the "lemonade" made from Staghorn Sumac, I know, but it's not nearly as funny.