Sep 24 - perhaps I'm missing something

I'll get to the title line in a bit.

I was forwarding the link to my PBP blog to Ken Bonner and it occurred to me as I read my own blog that there is so much more to the story.  This time, unlike PBP 2011, I was constantly in the company of Randonneur Ontario members, it seems.  On and off with Vaune Davis, Vytas Janusauskas, Dick Felton, Martin Cooper and some RUSA members -- Jerry and Hamid, of course, but also Mike Wali, Art Fuocco at the end and probably others.  In 2011, other than riding with Hamid, it seemed that we were moving up the field, and we were, so we saw people that we knew, said hello and didn't see them again.  This time I seemed to be riding at a similar pace -- actually that's not quite true -- I was often riding with and then riding on -- but my time off the bike meant that I'd catch up to them again and repeat.

Ok, back to the title line ...
 
While I was in Sudbury yesterday, the propane man came and filled our tank.  It took less to fill this time, since we'd filled it in December and the price was 75 cents vs the $1.00 per liter that we paid in December.  I subsequently received an email from Superior offering to "lock in" the price for the upcoming winter, vs going with market fluctuations.  There are several conditions attached, including the amount of propane used (must be between 500 liters and 10,000 liters), and an auto-renew at some future price if not cancelled.  The amount of propane that we use varies quite a bit, from about 1200-1500 liters.

This kind of thing is more appropriate for people with multiple deliveries per year, but what the heck.  If Superior is offering this, they probably are expecting prices to go down.   On the other hand, I don't have much to lose.  If the price has dropped by next year, I won't get more propane delivered until October, after the fixed price period ends; if it's higher, I'll do my fill-up in August or September.  Typically propane prices are lower during the summer, as demand is lower.  If I use less than 500 liters, there won't be an auto renew, and of course the only way that I'd use less than 500 is if I don't call for a fill-up.  

It will be one more thing to which I have to pay attention; mark on my calendar to check.  Come to think of it, I should do that now ... ok, just did it.

I did go into Sudbury, dropping stuff off at the recycling depot, getting fuel, visiting Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Princess Auto, Costco.  I was back mid afternoon.

At CT, I checked to see if they had my Mobil 1 ESP oil, thinking of course, not likely.  Well, they had it, so I bought 4 liters to complement the 4 liters that I have on hand, as I need to do an oil change on the X5.  I'll get David to pickup a filter for me at Georgian BMW in Barrie.  It's interesting that they carry this oil as the auto stores in the US don't; I order it online.  It's quite a bit cheaper than buying the BMW oil.

At HD, I was looking for hose clamps but they didn't have any the size I wanted; neither did Princess Auto.  I also checked Rona, since I was going by, and they had some individual clamps but no bulk packs.  I'll pick them up in the U.S., probably cheaper anyway.

At Costco I was shopping for a number of items that will go south with us.  Why buy grocery items here to take south ?  Well, for one thing, you never know what Costco stocks as it varies by time and location.  For another thing, I don't believe that the prices in Canada have caught up with the CAD/USD exchange rate, so I'm paying with 75 cent dollars at this point (using USD as my base).  With some stores, I could check online for prices; but not with Costco.   They do have some major items listed online, but not groceries.

I also picked up Tuna, Pickerel and Rainbow Trout.  All had been packed that day. We had the Tuna for dinner and were pleasantly surprised at how good it was.  

Jason and Lo arrived in time for a glass or two of wine; we sat outside and chatted.  Gavin is coming up as well (last night ?  tonight ?).  Kim has a wedding this weekend, so she was not along for the ride.  We also talked about plans for close-up, seeing them in Brantford when we come back from Reading to pick up the puppy, etc. etc.

Speaking of the puppy, Sandy has this long list of names from various sources (me, Sandy, Lauren, Sara) and a short list.  We've discarded many names on the basis that one of us "definitely" doesn't like that name.   We had an easier time naming Vickie and Abby ... and Jeffrey, for that matter !

It's Fall.  6:49 a.m. and it's still dark.

Onward.