Ok, so last night took place our first group preparation meeting for our upcoming West Coast Trail venture. Attendance was successful with the exception of Mr. Misquith who let us down gravely.
The Agenda was as follows; 1. Research Discussion2. Equipment (/ sharezies potential)3. Agenda / What to expect on the trial (plan per day)4. Tent Fitting (this will be an outdoor exercise where Raf, Rich,D and Adr play tetris to see if they will be able to fit into one 4-person tent.
I'm going to do some thinking out loud now, and combine some of the sources discussed to make a preliminary equipment list. Since we still have about two months we have time to be creative with this equipment and get some of these items used. Everyone should be as self sufficient as possible
Tent - still gotta figure that one out Sleeping Bag - I think I already have a synthetic one Sleeping Pad - more research required, could get a used one. Hiking Boots - rubber soles preferred, water proof - $120 Gaiters - for your boots - only about $15 at MEC Pack - need to do more research - probably looking into a 60 ltr for myself. Stove - we have two stoves in the group Fuel - have to look into situation closer to date Food - need to do more research Alcohol - mickey of spiced rum!! to keep me warm at night! Water Canteen Water Purifying tables - cheaper alternative than water purifiers Head Lamp Hiking Pole - getting more feedback that its a must for the trip, not willing to spend $70 on a stick, have to see other alternatives Clothes - gotta stay dry Options; Rain jacket Merino wool sweater Sh-pants - unzippy ones Wool Socks - many of them Swim suits / sport undergarment for laaaadies Other items; Vaseline/Baby powder for feet Tarp (for the group) Rope (for the group) Lighter Garbage bags Watch - required for tide tables West Coast Trail Map -still to be provided First Aid Kit - still need one more for the group Degradable toilet paper ?
Other business on the Agenda;
Camp Reservations - Matt to let us know closer to the date
4-Ppl Tent Trail - Attempted to pitch the tent in our living, but almost killed each other with the tent poles. Rich and Raf did a fitting using spooning position butt to butt, seems like there will be enough room, but a second trial is required.
Also, we all now know that Raf's pack can carry 90 pounds no proooblem!
Just this weekend Polignano a Mer, Puglia, Southern Italy, held its annual RedBull Cliff Diving competition. I want to show you thevideo presenting some testimonials and overall what the competition is about as well as to give you the general picture of how beautiful and inviting is the small town of Polignano. Just last year during our 2.5 week - Mediterranean-Euro Trip, Dina and I had the privilege of visiting this little exposed (from our perspective) town, and not only that, had the chance to stay with Nico and his family, who then was considered a stranger and now an amazing friend. Getting to know Nico, his family and his friends Angelo and Frankieee was one of the most interesting part of our trip. Never in my life have I ever been treated better and with more hospitality then by these people who we didn't even know.
This is actually quite difficult because no matter what I write about this visit to Polignano A Mer, I don't think I will ever be able to portray through words the incredible experience we have had there and the people we met. I will probably leave the details of the itenerary for another post and today just leave you with some of my fond memories. All I will add is, for anyone planning to enjoy a real Italian experience during their upcoming Euro-trip, you must make Polignano part of your itinerary. It is located in the very southern 'heal' part of the country, in a province called Puglia, along the Adriatic sea. The Beaches are beautiful, fields of olive trees extend between the towns, people are extremely friendly (although, it may have been because we were with the locals), prices are not exagurrated, and the location is not yet overflowed with english-speaking tourists. And of course, I can't forget to mention for all you party animals, that their night clubs, are actually located ON the beach! I still wish I could have stuck around there to see the cliff diving competition. Nico did tell us tho, that there was a crazy man who lived in the town, and if you paid him $20, he would jump as high as you asked him to! - At the time we chose to refuse the offer.
Polignano a Mer, Foreber!
Pictures TopLeft: Standing against balcony, admiring the town edge against the sea. MiddleCentre: Dina,Nico and me, walking through the streets of Polignano BottomLeft: Dina and Me on the Adriatic Sea. BottomRight: Paddling into shore.
In light of the weekend, I feel like dedicating a post to the best and most celebrated time (for me anyways) of any weekend - breakfast time. The weather this summer has really been disappointing, but whenever it decides to get nice again I would recommend a visit for a Sunday morning breakfast in the country and the place to do so in my opinion is the Dutchmill Country Market, located about 45min from Toronto in Milgrove. Just like their simple website proclaims its a unique and inviting atmosphere where you can enjoy a hearty breakfast or a delicious lunch.
When we went it was sometime in Winter, so it was still a little chilly outside but it was nice to enjoy a breakfast away from the rush of the city. The french toast was superb, and served with some berries and fresh fruit on the side. Apparently there's some real good waffles, which I chose not to have from the menu. The Dutchmill Country Market not only has the most pleasant atmosphere in the little tea room where you can enjoy your meal, but you can also take a walk around the large vscinity which also offers some garden stuff, amish furniture and other unique arts and crafts for sale. So now for the best part...the lamas, in addition there is a small petty zoo right outside the place where you can also find a little pond. In the winter they had the lamas! "Dude.. its a lama!" So awesome, I know I get very easily amazed by some of this stuff, but I can't help it, when was the last time you saw a lama right in front of you. There were little babies too! I'm not sure what their 'lama-rotation' is like in the summer, but I'm sure you will be able to find plenty more animals hanging out there in the summer to help you enjoy your stay. After all the website seems to guarantee some goats, rabbits, chicken and lambs, like I said we only went in winter, so we only got to meet the lamas.
Pictures: TopCentre: Lama MiddleRight: Mike enjoying his hearty breakfast in the Tea Room BottomLeft: Me and lamas BottomRight: Map-click on it for directions
Last weekend, at a short weekend getaway I have discovered what seems to be like Southern Ontario's little hidden gem, that really, isn't so hidden. The only reason I'm saying this is because I had no idea this little town had so much to it. Stratford, is a home of the Shakespeare Festival, that proudly stands on the list of the Major Shakespeare Festivals in the World. It's atmosphere and welcoming feeling can be closely compared to Niagra-on-the-Lake but it's a lot bigger and has a fair-sized lake in the centre filled with many beautiful, yet agressive/ hissing sawns. Although my so-wonderfull girlfriends forced me against my will to make this weekend a triple-date weekend, it ended up being an awesome experience and I would recommend for anyone to pay at least one visit this summer to this great tourist destination.
Thanks to Geoff- our little actor/stuntman friend (which i still have to link to IMDBwhere he can be found), we got a chance to learn a little more about the behind the scenes. I even managed to sneak into one of the plays at the Festival Theater, something I would not recommend for anyone to attempt in the future, 1. you will probably get kicked out 2. it's actually really rude because it distracts the actors. The experience was topped-off with a late night five minute lesson on sword fighting (using real swords, pretty cool) and finished of by an amazing breakfast prepared by our wonderfull hosts that consisted of croissants, scrambled eggs with feta and a beautifull bouquet of flowers on the breakfast table.
Other activities I would recommend while you're there is to drop by the Chocolate Factory where you can get some amazing tasting overpriced ice cream, candy apples or just look at the amazing fountain of chocolate (picture below). Or you can spend your time taking a walk around the lake or renting a paddleboat to relax amongs the swans and duckies around you. The little purple welcoming door is where you can spend a few hours with your companion or family painting some pottery. Yes, I know sounds a little corny, but they actually have some really cool and usefull items in there, like plates or porcelin take-to-work mugs (imagine paiting one youreself...mine would probably bare some text, along the lines of "I don't want to be here", with a picture of a Jail-cell windows and bricks..ok, a little exagurated!) Anyhow, have fun and enjoy, don't foget to bring a picnic blanket, there's plenty of pleasant spots you can enjoy for a relaxing Sunday afternoon, afterall its only about one hour away from Toronto.
Just remember on your journey:
This above all: to thine own self be true. - Hamlet (Act I, Scene III)
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