Arrived: Liverpool

February 4, 2017

The year is FLYING by. Today also marks another monthly hip replacement anniversary. I forget which one.

I arrived in NS late Thur, drove to Liverpool on Friday and here I am. It was a long journey and I'm still knackered.

Since arriving, I've been doing some shopping and setting up house. And I went to a fire hall breakfast in nearby Charleston. And I joined the gym.

The weather is sunny, there's a few inches of snow on the ground but it has been windy and cold. BRR!

And so it goes!

1 Second Everyday

January 15, 2017

On January 1, 2016, I read a New York Times article about an app called '1 Second Everyday'.

The app makes it easy to record a video snippet everyday and then at the end of the year you can mash all the snippets together to create a video of your year -- each day represented as one second.

I started that day and managed to remember to record video (or a still) each day for the entire year. I took the resulting video and added location information and music. The app added the dates.

Here's my 2016. Enjoy!

And so it goes...

2017! New Adventures and Visitors!

January 6, 2017

Happy New Year!

I'm now moving into the last few weeks of my Scottish adventure. Lots of time remains to enjoy this wonderful place, but I feel that the end is on the horizon. Travel plans will be complete in the next few days. Likely straight from the UK to Canada. As much as I'd like to go to Spain for a week, I want to maximize my time here.

I've had a visitor for the last few days. A good pal whom I met in Guatemala. Kathy recently relocated to the UK and made the journey from near London to Mull just to see me. Well, not just me... there is some scenery here. And nice beaches. Even in the winter.

Kathy enjoying a nice day at the beach near Torloisk, Isle of Mull.

The good life continues!

Dec 5, 2016

Scotland is one of the most incredible places I've ever been. The beauty is so mind-blowing that it's hard to believe it's real.

I'd rank the awe-factor on the Isle of Mull up there with taking a ferry across BC's Georgia Strait, sunrise on Lake Atitlan, Guatemala and hiking through the autumn leaves in Nova Scotia.

Here's the sunset from my front yard on Mull on December 5, 2016...

Dec 5, 2016

Dec 5, 2016

And so it goes...

December 4, 2016 (THR +885)

December 4, 2016
THR +885 (2 years, 5 months)

My Mull experience continues. I truly love the ability to explore more of the island (and fetch The Times) thanks to car access. Insurance isn't cheap, but it's so worth it.

885 days post-hip replacement and everything is working as it should. Though I should be walking more, as the ol' belly is growing!


Here are some recent pics:

Tobermory. Nov 28, 2016.

Ben More from across Loch Tuath (I live on the left). Dec 2, 2016.

Calgary Beach. Dec 2, 2016.

Calgary. Dec 2, 2016.

Calgary. Dec 2, 2016.

Loch Tor. Dec 2, 2016.

Loch Frisa. Dec 2, 2016.

Calgary. Dec 2, 2016.

Loch Frisa. Dec 2, 2016.

Sunset from the house. Nov 24, 2016.

Night Sky on Mull. Nov 22, 2016.

Night Sky and 2 Dougs on Mull. Nov 22, 2016.

Night Sky on Mull. Nov 22, 2016.

Ballygown Restaurant. Nov 20, 2016.

Near Ulva Ferry. Nov 20, 2016.

Near Ulva Ferry. Nov 20, 2016.

My Wheels. Nov 20, 2016.

Near Ulva Ferry. Nov 20, 2016.

And that's it for now!

Cheers!

Moar Pix!

Here are some more photos. Mostly self-explanatory. Mostly from Ulva Ferry. Mostly shot early November, 2016. And, enjoy!

Moon Over Ulva. Nov 4, 2016.

Ulva Ferry. Nov 6, 2016.

Ben More. Nov 6, 2016.

Ulva Ferry. Nov 6, 2016.

Ulva Ferry. Nov 6, 2016.

Ulva Ferry. Nov 6, 2016.

Ulva Ferry. Nov 6, 2016.

More to come...

Scotland Pics!

November 4, 2016

Greetings from the Isle of Mull, Scotland!

I've been here a few weeks and I'm settling in nicely. I've got access to a car, so now I can explore! In addition, I've discovered the joys of Amazon Prime. Now I can order all sorts of stuff, from food to camera gear and it arrives a few days later. Awesome!

It's been 854 days since my hip replacement. The other hip is still good. And I tested the operated leg with some long, rugged walks. I also fell on my knee and everything seemed to stay in place, although it took forever to heal.

Meh. Old age.

Rather than prattle on, here's some pictures of Mull, taken over the past couple of weeks. They should be self explanatory.

Enjoy!

 

 

Mull Redux

I'm b-a-a-a-a-a-ck.

After a two-week journey, I've finally made it to Normann's Ruh on Scotland's Isle of Mull. I had a fantastic summer in BC, a great week in Winnipeg, followed by a fantastic week in Halifax. And now, Mull. For the winter.

With Ben the dog no longer with us, it will be much quieter. I won't have anyone to force me out for thrice daily walks. I'll have to motivate myself.

I brought a nice mix of warmer gear, especially for cycling. Now to find a bike!

I've only been on the island for a few hours after spending three nights in Oban, on the mainland. But it already feels like home. The weather is warm and I'm in shorts. But I know it won't last. The cold and rain aren't far off. Still, it's stunningly beautiful. Which is why I'm here.

I'm going to pour a glass of Shiraz and watch the sunset.

So blessed.

And so it goes...

Oct 5, 2016

October 5, 2016 - THR +2 years, 3 months and 1 day

ALL GOOD!

She's flat, byes!

In Winnipeg on an impromptu cross-Canada trip before heading to Scotland. Weight up. Hips good. Happiness factor: 9.

And so I goes...

September 12, 2016

Not a Nuclear Explosion

Hi!

I'm still in Vancouver and enjoying it. Both my hips work exquisitely and I'm enjoying that, too.

The weather is terrific and there has been no sign of any monsoons.

I'm growing attached to this place.

Fancy a drink on The Drive? Give me a buzz!

And so it goes...