May 18 - bugs

It's bug season, already.  The black flies are swarming and biting.  Ugh.

They were a nuisance on my bike ride.  There was no stopping.  Luckily when I had to wait for a freight train the breeze from the train going by mostly kept them at bay, otherwise I'd have ridden back in the other direction until I could return.  A few went in through my helmet vents while riding.  I'll have to consider putting the shower cap over the helmet when returning along 522.  It's that late afternoon return which is always the most problem.

I headed north into a supposed 3kph N wind that really wasn't.  By the time I headed south, it had turned.  I really wasn't feeling very motivated but felt better as the ride wore on and even better when it was over !

As usual, I threw the bike in the back of the SUV, drove to the Narrows and rode from there.  Outside activities -- house to car, load bike, unload bike, load bike, unload bike, car to house -- all have to be performed quickly and in a very organized fashion as the black flies find you very quickly, especially with the heat of the car attracting them.

By the time I got home, Jason, Lorraine and Kim had arrived and were busy opening up their place.  It looks like everything has survived another winter - everything other than my wine, that is.  I told Jason not to bring anything up, we'd work at consuming mine.  So far the bottles of Bordeaux that I've opened have been drinkable.  We got together in the gazebo and consumed, laughing at the bugs outside.

We had the second half of the Tarini's pickerel for dinner; excellent again.  This time it was paired with fiddleheads, even better.

Apparently Cassie went crazy when our neighbours arrived, running around and around and getting Chili upset.  Sandy dragged her home.  She was calmer later.

It's warmer this morning, 45F, and will be even warmer today.  It's bug jacket time !  I've got to get the batteries into the ATC's.  They've been in the basement all winter.

Onward ?