Training Log Archive: bl

Back to the Y. $42/month, didn't make it there this past month.

At BHS - got the idea to go there on the late side. Got home last night around 9pm. So by 0910, the sun was already warm out of shade. Had to remove shirt after a mile. Right leg worked 5 wks s/p common femoral endarterectomy so that was most pleasing though not surprising. Clearing a 70% blockage has to lead to results. There were some stair climbs etc in France that I could not have done before either. Did 40 sit ups too. The latter is my psychological defense against middle age paunch (along with calorie burning, ice cream discipline etc). I haven't done any sit ups since a week or so pre-op, so some 6 wks. So it seems I can "move forward" :).

Walked to Sacré-Cœur this morning. I thought the Hertz city map would be more than satisfactory. It was wrong on numerous occasions. Picked up a tourist office map at Gard Nord. Google maps on the cell proved backup. It became rainy, even a bit distracting at times. Spent a night by Bassin de la Villette, part of a canal system. Wikipedia said it was the largest fresh water lake in Paris. That surprised. It also said it was first filled December, 1808.

Turned the car in yesterday. That was a sigh of relief. It offered more range & possibility. It extracted some anxiety & frustration. Navigation near drove me insane a few times. The car gps often took us on circuitous (admittedly attractive) routes that seemed idiotic at times. When a destination was chosen, this screen appeared. I took it to mean "abandoned' and 'beach" (plage in Fr.). The gps literally took us to a low-tide beach at the bottom of a concrete ramp in one small town after dark.

In the big cities such as Paris, many intersections were very complicated and it was about impossible to tell which was the desired choice. Over the next few moments, I could see what was what. And it wasn't always a "pretty" result given traffic density and one way streets etc. Give me simplicity or give me... No dents, no scratches, no bruises in 2200 km.

C • Google translate 3

Walk near the airport. Found some woods, a quiet, little-used park with pond for some green.

An early enough morning walk in Rouen. Had hoped to be able to make such walks/jogs a routine but routine isn't easy when traveling. And 4 weeks post-op this Tuesday calls for "no excuses".

Still sleepy, nothing like a Starbucks in sight. Passed by Rouen cathedral and a smaller one that still is most impressive. Then along the Seine briefly. Back to some memory lane, this time ('91) passing thru Rouen on the boat. From Rouen to the Baie de la Seine was increasingly worrisome as the current strengthened and Honfleur, a "port of refuge", didn't seem attainable. So we were spat out into the shallow Baie de la Seine, having been in a "womb" of canals for months. We made our way over to Le Havre, hitting bottom gently twice, stepped the masts and said 'Au Revoir' to wonderful France.

Last few days have been Normandy D-Day beaches, Bayeux cathedral and tapestry, 1584 Chateau St-Germaine-de-Livet and Honfleur at the mouth of the Seine, the port of refuge we missed in '91.

a period of being in-motion, ie, driving more than walking. Taking on the Loire Valley, Brittany and Normandy in about 10 days with 2 days in Paris at either end has proved a project! Not to mention navigation and other travel-related challenges in foreign countries. Have visited or passed thru Nantes, St. Nazaire, Lorient, Brest, St. Malo, Mt. St Michel and so many small towns. St. Nazaire and St. Malo were almost totally destroyed during WWII.

40 yrs ago this summer, I took a photo of Mont St. Michel on our way to the Swiss 5-day, having sailed across the Atlantic, and meeting an old girlfriend, Colleen, at Heathrow. We made our way from the UK to the meet site via MSM, Chartres etc. I’ll never forget that first day of orienteering: a start in a field and abrupt entrance into a forest full of rock formations. I was about lost from the start.

Le temps où êtes-vous allé!

Some memories:
Pont canal, Birare-le-Canal, a bridge over the Loire Rhodora crossed 28 years ago
Chenonceau
Chambord
Mont St. Michel mirage
C'est bon!
Moi aussi?

C • Wonderful trip 3

Villandry grounds & chateau & St. Nazaire city on third day of 3 day holiday weekend. We've certainly been tired by the end of these days. City driving/navigating by auto has considerable stress. We found a really nice, simple, ultramodern and inexpensive motel, much like the one I found in Sweden in 2011.

Chambord today and some Amboise walking. A few months ago had hoped to jog in the Chambord forest but it didn't turn out that way. It's the largest forest preserve inside a wall in Europe. Tours of it were signed up as well. A three day holiday weekend, 'plan ahead' was called for but couldn't find the crystal ball. Nice evening in Amboise, sunset over the Loire. Anniversary dinner, too.

Walking in Briare early, crossed the Loire on the pont canal bridge, birds singing, river humming, everything green & fresh. Returning to Briare after 28 years was special. Later more walking at Chenonceaux. Need to do some jogging but haven't a routine with so much daily change.

To St. Chapelle and Notre Dame, then to the Port du Plaisance. Metro back to Eiffel and walk to Hertz for car, exiting Paris on a Friday rush hour.... Hard to escape the gravitational pull of the city. Finally to quiet Briare by the Loire where were found a hostel at 8:45 and dinner served if ordered before 9p. It was 8:57. The countryside is where one resusitates, regroups, regains strength and mental clarity to go forward! Data on the smart phone is essential as well, if not very detailed maps. The latter begins today.

Thursday walking

Lots of walking, pretty tired well before over. G-maps says 6 miles. To Place de la Concorde, Tuileries Garden, Louvre, Museum d'Orsay and back thru Place du Trocadero for a cold beer. Additionally walked at least a mile in the museum. Out about 11hours, long time standing and perhaps as interesting a city day as one can have.

in Paris. Beth & I came here for a 25+ yr followup, long overdue. Flew via
Keflavik which was under low cloud, chill, rain, grim. Flew on to Paris to the return of May. Made our way to the city and first walk was to the Eiffel Tower. Later walked to the Arc de Triomphe and sampled Champs-Elysees, one mighty boulevard. Returned to our flat and that was the end of that - arrival day after the usual challenge to "sleep" on a Trans-At flight as economy. Best of day was watching Les Parisiennes pass by from a sidewalk cafe.

C • Welcome to Europe 5

Went to Boucher easement for a sampling. Logged in first part so thickish & unattractive, better further back.

Around Kimball Pond with Beth, Mel & Peter & the kids. A really fine day.
Quite flooded at the beaver dam which caused some consternation among the adults. I was OK having done it flooded before & most determined to not retrace our route. Mothers Day & 40th BG.

Bear Brook after work. Needed to get to a forest after being inside most of the day. Did first 4 points of a green course from 2013 USOC. Spring green woods.

Hayes Field looking about as good as it can

Last visit to MEEI for awhile. Left for Boston at 0700. Still a lot of traffic most of the way. Spent 90' reading about Brittany in two MGH buildings with a view or atrium. After the eye doctor appointment, went for a walk on part of the Charles Basin banks - over the Longfellow and back on the Museum of Science bridge. A fine May day in Boston. Storrow on the Boston side does detract. I wanted to cross west bound directly from my parked car in the MEEI lot but the frequency of cars was such that it could be considered "ill advised". Cambridge was quieter and w/o so much construction. Happened upon CambridgeSide, a "galleria" and a place I'd never seen. Didn't stress the right leg but it's probably close to time to see if the claudication is gone - it should be. The walking time gave the dilated pupils time to regain normal function. Needed a nap on the drive home. This fellow joined me at the very end.

OLLI class. Disappointing turn out. Supposed to have 12, 6 came, one had to leave. Great weather day. Interesting/insightful/helpful to see adults struggle with compass concepts, map orientation, advantageous folding etc. When time to try a course, I'd planned to let them go in teams. A few points were orange level but when I saw their struggles, we walked the white course together - most of it anyway. They had a good time. At least one person could not find the locale inspite of clear directions. Another set out w/o such and, not surprisingly, didn't arrive either.

Evening ride with Beth to Weare. May a bloom in rural countryside.

Helped with Ernst's meet at College Woods & then picked up white controls.
Pretty much rainy/dreary day. Made the fresh green seem all the greener.
Had not been to CW in quite awhile. Picked up compasses, flags and map cases for Tuesday.

Went to Bear Brook with a 40 y/o map. Went to the right hand trail/SVT first up from Hayes Field. A tree had fallen across Podunk Rd. not 20' from the trail head parking.

I certainly had to work on hunches with the occasional definite fix, incl. some old, preserved trail/road bends. Looked at the 2013 version when home, a whole lot like turning the lights on. Unfortunately, I really could not get far enough afield for easily perceivable contours and elevation. I think there is more hardwood higher. The slopes of Bear Hill looked promising but I thought too bland. In retrospect, it would have been better. Certainly, hemlock and other dense tree over predominated where I was. An MtB would serve well for father access. No more days of running to the far corners of BB. It was a really splendid May day.

OLLI O course walk. A few legs that leave the trail & will call for compass bearing and use of contours for adult beginners. More challenge, more fun with appropriate coaching prior. One interesting sighting.

With the leg quieting down, I'm needing to get to a local place like Bear Brook for a map walk. Have numerous old BB maps, the current one on hand has this old clue sheet. Trying a portion of this 10k course on this particular map (1/15, mid-70s field work) is much more adventurous than with appropriate detail. A leg or two would do. I can "mostly walk and strive for accuracy...". PG had it figured out way back.

Not doing much of anything physical, letting leg heal. I did revisit Nottingcook briefly with M earlier to look at some terrain that I will show the OLLI people to learn about direction, contours, rock features etc. Had to rekindle my brain re OCAD on Parallels with all the dead ends there were for me until I printed a partial map at proper scale with the beginner course overprinted. "Map file not found", usually background, and "shared on psf" etc etc resulted in much trial and error frustration. But finally an acceptable copy. A few of the legs are above beginner level but students are adults and I think I'll point out options. 7>8 is about faith in sticking to a compass course as the terrain-vegetation are difficult.