Aug 15 - bookings

We pulled the trigger on flights to/from Oz.  It's complicated.  Visiting Arlene in San Jacinto; Alice & Peter in Pacific Palisades, time in Sydney, ride to Melbourne, fly to Perth, time in Perth to visit Neil and Kylie, fly back via Sydney and DFW ... back home to Orlando. 

I guarantee that we'll be tired when it's all over.  Interestingly enough, the flight back leaves Perth on Nov 29 and arrives in Orlando later that same day.  We do cross the International Date Line, however, so "same day" is a misnomer !

Anyway, that's done, or at least booked.  Sheryl and Jim intend to come to Florida and stay at our house while we're gone.  They'll no doubt drive us to the airport.  Once we're back, we will reciprocate, as they are going to fly back to Hemmingford for 10 days before returning to take our place over again as we drive to the Cottage for Christmas. 

Ships passing in the night ?  Nope, we'll pass in daylight !

I'm pretty well organized for the Granite Anvil pre-ride that starts tomorrow at 4am or at least I have stuff ready for final review before heading to Oshawa.  Jerry arrived there last night, creating a mini scramble as I lined up a room for him.  There will be five of us doing the ride, supported by Dick's daughter Christine.

Sandy and Lauren kayaked over to the Lodge and back.  It was a great day but the skies did open up late in the afternoon, dumping lots of rain.  I took Lauren out in the Whaler again ... her docking was perfect !  I'm not ready to send her out by herself yet, but she did very well.

I did some more detailed volunteer organizing for the Granite Anvil; I think that's pretty much set or at least nothing's going to be done/changed while I'm riding !

The weather for the next few days looks so-so. I don't think that we'll escape without getting wet so I'll leave my fenders on the bike.  Cleaning rags and oil will come in handy to keep the shifting going. 

This morning I've been loading up my Garmin GPS for the ride, checking out the route.  That was sent to me late last night by our route-meister.  For better or for worse ...  and my iPhone is now downloading maps and route as well.  I wish that I had a better way of keeping it dry !  Time will tell how much I'll be able to use the phone vs the Garmin. 

Onward ?