My last day at Bradford Greenhouses was on Sunday December 19, 2016. I have thoroughly enjoyed working at the greenhouse this season. It has been my first experience of working in retail and I must say it has been interesting.

For the most part I only encountered nice customers. When you enter the Greenhouse and see how beautiful everything is, it lifts your spirits. You would have to be a real grump to be miserable when you enter the Greenhouse. The staff who work on the designs and layout of the entrance to the greenhouse are amazing. Very talented staff – this was one of the many Christmas displays that they put together. The displays are constantly changing and they do an amazing job throughout the year.

They had used this truck only a few days earlier for the Halloween display – full of pumpkins and hay bales.

Working in the Greenhouse could be very physically demanding. There were times when I thought we were playing musical plants. It went hand in hand with the displays. “That looks good over there”, “now we will move them over there”, “they are looking a little sad, move them over there”. When the music stops – put them down and hope you find a place for them.

Then of course there were the plants that moved – I called them “gypsy plants”. The plants would be in their displays or beds and the next time you would check the areas, you would discover plants that had migrated to another bed or area. More often overnight or at the end of the day. I suggested it was management that moved them to see if we could recognize plants that were in the wrong bed. Of course, it was the customer who would pick them up, see something better and put them down somewhere else. I was guilty of doing this before I worked in retail, now I always return the items to the original shelf – it drives Ralf crazy.

I worked with some very hard working people and some lazy people. Working in the nursery, there were lots of places for the lazy ones to hide.

There were two times that the work became boring. The week before Halloween and two weeks before Christmas.

The week before Halloween, everybody had bought their pumpkins and decorations. Most of the perennials had been moved and the nursery was winding down. I spent a lot of time sweeping the beds and pricing Christmas stock.

The week before lay-off, I think I swept the whole of the nursery from front to back and back to front. The weather was cold and snowy. Most of the customers would take a cursory look at the remaining planters and greens that were “outside” and head inside to the warmth of the indoor greenhouse and the indoor Christmas displays.

I got two very pleasant surprises before leaving. We were allowed to have one transaction with 50% off. That means we could buy as many items as we wanted (excluding patio furniture) and get 50% off the whole transaction. I had my eye on a large patio planter, that would give us a little bit of privacy on our small patio but it was over $250.00. Guess what I bought as part of my transaction – a lovely patio planter that is 4 feet long about 2 ½ feet high and about 2 feet wide. It has four containers that I can fill with flowers or herbs.

The funny thing is it is made in Vietnam – it would be a bit difficult to carry on my bike, but probably less expensive. The 50% off coincided with receiving our accumulated vacation pay-out. I wonder how many people handed over their vacation pay!!

The second surprise was a bonus given to us after our last day. Totally unexpected and very much appreciated.

I am pleased to say that I will be hired back next year in the Spring and I am looking forward to working there again. I hope I will be able to work there every summer until I fully retire in six years time.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, and Happy Hanukkah – health, wealth and a safe New Year.

 I am not sure this is the right time or place to confess, but here goes. For the past 31 years I have had an extra-marital relationship that has been very important to me. Ralf introduced me to this character in Calgary.   I am sure he didn’t realize then how important this introduction was going to be to me.

Shortly after Ralf and I were married we were separated due to his posting to Germany. I had to return to England and wait for him to find us an apartment. We were apart for over two months. This character shared my bed for those two months, he comforted me and listened to me talking about my wonderful new husband, as I waited for my reunion with my husband.

Every time Ralf went away I rekindled this relationship. I don’t know what I would have done without him during the first five years. When Ralf was away on exercise, I would share my bed with him.

When Ralf retired from the military and was driving for a transport company in  Ontario, he was away every other night.  I needed comfort and cuddled up to my long standing friend. There were times when I felt bad about my abuse of this relationship, what must he feel when I would use him and then when Ralf was home I would ignore him.

There were times when I didn’t need this relationship and would not have any contact with him. Last December we reunited after two years apart. Again Ralf was working nights and I needed the company.

Meet Flar – Ralf gave him to me in Calgary just before I took the flight back to England. I cuddled him on the flight back to England.

The confession is that I still sleep with a teddy bear. !! I grab hold of this furry bear every time Ralf is not home,  and I go to bed without Ralf.  If I wake up on hearing Ralf’s key in the lock, I put Flar back on the side table – sorry Flar I do love you, but not as much as I love Ralf.

For those smart ones among you, you will notice that Flar is Ralf spelt backward 🙂

Finally I have had time to make changes to the Blog. As I looked at the website I realized that if someone wanted to read about our adventures in New Zealand or Cuba or any other of the countries that we visited, they would have to know when we went to those areas or read the blog from the beginning to the end. To make it easier for navigation I have added additional categories of all the countries we visited during the Grand Adventure Part One. Now you can look at the side-panel of the web-site click on the drop-down menu and view the countries we visited. Alternatively, you can always start from the beginning (December 2013) and read each post. The next thing I want to update is the actual routes we took in each country. Hopefully, I can add this before we head out on the Part Two of the Grand Adventure.

I have also added a countdown to the Grand Adventure Part Two. I never thought I would say that “Due to work commitments” we cannot leave on the Grand Adventure Part Two until after Christmas, but we will be leaving in the second week in January. We still have to decide whether to fly into Hanoi and visit Vietnam first or fly in to Thailand.

I am leaning towards flying into Vietnam first, cycling down the coast and across into Cambodia, up to Siem Reap and into Thailand, finishing in Bangkok. Because of our later departure to South East Asia, we are going to add South Korea and Japan into the mix. After Thailand, we will fly to South Korea, cycle from Seoul to Busan then take the ferry into Japan and fly home from Tokyo early May. I will then be hired back at the Greenhouse for the summer.

I have recently read a blog that says the prevailing winds are from north to south in Vietnam, so it would make sense to fly into Hanoi first and cycle down the coast. Plus it is flatter (a few hills) but it would be an easier route to start with before heading to the slightly hillier area of Cambodia and Thailand.

More to follow on the planning and equipment we will be taking on Part Two.

Why am I finding excuses not to ride? When I know I have a day off from work (it is not always the same day each week), I plan my day: go for a ride, clean the condo, do the washing, update the blog, tidy the garden, go shopping and sometimes do some work for my little administrative business. Increasingly I am finding that I am making excuses not to ride. It is too hot, it is too cold, it is too windy, I have work to do blah blah blah.

We have a tiny condo, it takes about an hour to clean. The garden takes me about half an hour. The same with other menial tasks I need to do around the condo, I have plenty of time to ride. Why am I not riding?

I love riding but I think for me I have to be going somewhere. The out and back training rides, head down and go rides are not for me any more. Especially cycling on my own which is more often the case as Ralf and I often are working at different times. Ralf has the week-ends off and I work most week-ends.

I have always loved riding my bike to work, my bike has always been a great mode of transportation for me. It is away to prepare myself for the day and unwind on my way home. However, if I am on the late shift – I do not ride. At closing all the staff wants to do is get out of there. They don’t want too have to wait for me to get changed and load the bike. I think that will have to change, as more of my shifts are on the late shifts. I will cycle home in my work gear so that I can ride to work more often.

Well I have to get my fat arse in gear soon as I am now planning the next part of the Grand Adventure.

My work at the Greenhouse will end the middle of December and Ralf’s contract at The Source, will end the first week in January and then we will be flying away to sunnier climes – Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, S. Korea and Japan. The planning is easier because we will not be taking camping gear, we will be staying in hostels and guest houses and of course warmshowers hosts again.

I need to get on the bike to train to do the distances again, although I have realistically set our distances at 60 kms a day. So much to see in these countries and the roads may not be as good as we experienced on the Grand Adventure Part One.

The weather is changing in Ontario, cooler mornings and more rain-showers. We will soon have to get our bikes set up on the trainers, so that I can stay motivated and train indoors to keep the muscles and body toned.

Finally Ralf and I have a day off together. I was working on the week-end, but had Monday the Labour Day holiday off. I had looked at the weather forecast and knew it was going to be a great day to go for a ride.

My mileage for this summer has been appalling – the lowest since records have been kept. This working really interferes with the cycling!! It has to change.

Because of my low mileage and shorter distances that I had ridden this summer, I was realistic in how far I could or should ride.

I decided that heading out on one of our favorite routes would be perfect – Carthew Bay and Oro-Medonte. It is relatively flat and a lovely route.

We headed out down the hill to Kempenfelt Bay, it was fairly busy with people enjoying the beach and the warm weather. We followed Kempenfelt Drive and then onto Ridge Road.

Oro-Medonte is one of our favorite areas to cycle and is very popular with other cyclists. The roads are fairly narrow but the speed limit is lower (supposedly). For the most part the car drivers are used to seeing cyclists on this road and are very patient and respectful. We saw a lot of cyclists out enjoying the day, everyone giving us a little wave and a big smile.

When we got to Carthew Bay, we stopped for an ice-cream and then headed home. On the return trip we usually hug the lakeshore as much as we can and check out the expensive houses along the Lakeshore to see how many are for sale at the end of the season. If we win the lottery this would be a nice place to buy.

Of course, our ride now always finishes with us coming up one of three hills. Although I have to cycle up the hill to get home and I have got better at it, Ralf is still a lot faster than I am. I told Ralf to go and he took of as if he hadn’t just finished cycling 70 kms. I puffed my way up the hill but still had a big grin on my face when I turned into the driveway of our condo block. It feels so good to be out on the bike. I really have to start planning the Grand Adventure Part Two

A lovely ride and great to ride with Ralf.

August 24, 2016

Other than cycling to work, I don’t often ride on my own anymore. Before we left on our Grand Adventure I would often add kilometres after my days work. Now I am working at the Greenhouse, I am physically tired at the end of the day. Consequently, I ride straight home – uphill admittedly, but no extra kilometres.

Ralf has started his new job and is working Monday to Friday and I am working most week-ends, we don’t get to ride together very often.

Ralf is far more dedicated and focussed than I am when it comes to getting out on his own and going for a ride. I knew I had to get out and do some distances. However, I often have things that I want to get done on my days off. I created a hill training ride, which is short but incorporated three hills.  This enables me to get out for a ride, but still get the other \”stuff\” done.

The ride is only 17 ks but the three hills have a total elevation gain of 365 metres.

Today, I was really enjoying my ride and after I had finished my second hill and heading down again ready to the third hill, I realized I was really enjoying being on the bike.

I decided not to head back up the last hill and carried along the beautiful Kempenfelt Bay. It was a relaxing ride for this section. After I had cycled through the downtown and along Kempenfelt Drive I turned around and headed back along the lakeshore and followed the cycle path to the end at Minets Point. This used to be my ride home and it was always a great way to unwind at the end of the day.

I headed up Hurst Drive and decided to carry on down the hill on Big Bay Point Road and with the momentum from the downhill I got to the top without too much effort. I was really enjoying this ride, then a stupid car drive spoiled it for me. We were coming to a set of traffic lights and the lights were on green, we were within 10 yards of the intersection, I was going straight through. She came along side of me with her right indicator flashing, I looked at her and her passenger and indicated that I was going straight through. She had to stop to let me carry on through the intersection, why did she even come along side me – what was she thinking?

The rest of the ride was uneventful and enjoyable. There were road-works on Mapleview and I kept up with the slowing car drivers, the big pick-up behind me stayed behind me and gave me a little wave as he passed me when the road widened out. There are always idiots on the road, but there are also good considerate car drivers, the good drivers far out weight the idiots.

It was a lovely ride that was supposed to be 17 kms but ended up at 42 kms – lovely.

July 31, 2016

Over the years we have had some great neighbours.

I remember Frau Devan in Germany at our first apartment. Frau Devan knew Ralf’s work schedule and was commonly referred to as a Café Clatcher or a net twitcher. Frau Devan knew the comings and goings of the apartment block that we lived in. Some people saw her as annoying old lady, but when it was raining and she knew we were out for the day, our laundry would be taken off the communal washing line and folded neatly in a laundry basket in front of our door.

Our first neighbour\’s in our new house in Barrie were Norman and Edith again a lovely old couple who often stopped for a chat. They would always look out for me when Ralf was on the road. When I had to fly to England when my Dad was sick they came around with supper for Ralf and plenty of cake to make sure he would survive without me.

Cindy and Randy in Shanty Bay looked after our cat while we were on holiday even though they were allergic to cats.

Cathy and Eric and Charlotte who looked after the cat while we were on holiday. Mark who would snow blow the drive-way if he knew I was on my own.

I could go on with the great neighbours and people we have met over the years. We now live in a condo townhouse complex and most people keep themselves to themselves. We (o.k. mostly me) will chat to anyone and I guess I am becoming quite the curtain twitcher. However, being the nosy neighbour and the chatty one came in very handy for Walter this week-end.

Sandra and Walter live next door, I have chatted to them as I passed on my way to the mail-box and noticed Walter had some medical issues (Parkinsons).

On Friday morning we were up early ready for Ralf to ride out with our warmshowers guest. We noticed the fire department and the ambulance arrive at our neighbours. The Fire Chief knocked at our door and asked if we knew our neighbours. I said that we had chatted occasionally. Sandra was being transported to hospital after a fall in the night and someone needed to stay with Walter until family could come up from Bolton. Of course I would sit with him.

Of all the good neighbours that we have had in the past – thank-you for your kindness.

Get to know your neighbours, you might even like them. The best neighbours are those that say Hi have a quick chat and then leave you to your own devices, but . . . you know they are there for you when you need them.

End of July, 2016

My ride to work takes me about 15 minutes – depending on the traffic lights. It is all down hill and is a very easy ride, I often hit over 50kms an hour going down the hill. I get to see some wildlife, deer, turtles and lots of gold finches. It is a pleasant ride to work. However, my ride home is all uphill, a short, steep hill. After working on your feet for 7.5 hours it can be a bit of a grind going home, but it does exercise different muscles and I am working on the hill training!.

I work with a great bunch of people, we all have a laugh when we are on our breaks. Most often we comment on members of the public and some of the questions they ask us. The initial interaction with members of the public almost always starts with, “I don’t know the name of this plant/flower but …..” and next follows a description of a plant. Some of the descriptions can be very funny – it looks like a Spanish lady with a hula hoop! – Guess what that one was – a canna lily.

My first interaction with a lady told me she was looking for a green plant with white flowers!! I took her to every white flowered plant we had – she eventually pointed to one of the hanging baskets and said that is it – Euphorbia!

However, one of my colleagues (Meagan) had the funniest story. A lady came in and described a plant – “green and purple leaves, quite big, with a thick stem and has small purple flowers, my neighbour has one”.  I recognized the description as Meagan was telling the story – “Wandering Jew”

Meagan was taking the lady to the plant when the lady exclaimed “I remember what it is called now – Escaping Jews”!! Meagan took her to the Wandering Jew and told her the correct name.

Ralf came to pick me up from work and surprised me while I was working in the indoor greenhouse.

Before my vacation I was asked by the store manager (Kevin) if I would like to move to the perennial section. The annual section starts to slow down by the end of June and they start letting people go. I guess they like the work I do and want me to stay until the end of the season. I told him I would be happy to move into the perennial section, but I know nothing about trees and shrubs.

On returning to work after my week in Ohio, I had been “traded” to the perennial section. I was really surprised to see how empty the ‘annual’ greenhouses were.

I asked what my trade fee would be. I got a pair of gardening gloves and a walkie-talkie. I treated myself to a pair of pruners as I tend to do more deadheading and pruning in this area than I did in the annual section.

They must like the work I do as I was nominated for Employee of the Month in July!  It was noted that \”Jacqueline always work hard and keeps a positive attitude (Yes, you have fooled us all!!)\”

I enjoy working at the greenhouse, I do not have much of a garden at the condo. I keep seeing plants that I would have added to my old garden, but at the condo there is not enough room. I bought a couple of roses – one of them is called Garden Party, in memory of my Mum and Dad. Mum liked gardening and Dad went to the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace a few years ago.

Saturday June 25, 2016

We said our farewells before leaving the school on the last days ride. Sometimes we see people at the end of the ride other times we don’t. The last day and it was a head down and go ride. It was a hilly ride but the wind was good to us. The last couple of hills were brutal. I thought I wasn’t going to make it up the last one – a 15% grade. I was about to clip out of my pedals, I looked to my right and a young woman was getting off her bike, I had someone right behind me and someone else was passing on my left, I had no opportunity to clip out. I put my head down and pressed down hard on the pedals. I made it, thighs burning, heart pounding and with a big grin on my face, another hill I conquered. Ralf, of course, was waiting for me at the top. Well done he said you are getting better and not far behind me on that one.

It was a good last days ride.

We had a shower and left Ohio at about 12:30. We stopped once on the way home for lunch and got to Ralf’s Dads place at about 8:00 p.m.

We had a nice visit with them and a good nights sleep. The end of another GOBA.

Final Words on GOBA

We really enjoy riding GOBA and joining the Dayton Cycling Club.

Why do we pay extra for joining the Dayton Cycling Club to transport our bags when we have already paid through GOBA?

Well. . .   on this years GOBA there were approximately 1,500 participants. Each participant can bring two bags, which means at the end of the days ride you could be searching for your two bags out of 3,000 bags.

Dayton allows us to bring two bags and two chairs and we only have approximately 100 bags to find ours.

We always meet lots of interesting people to talk to at the end of day, while sitting under a canopy drinking cold drinks and eating snacks, that are provided for by the Dayton Cycling Club. They provide chargers for us to charge our electronics

and occasionally entertain us with music.

Thanks Dayton Cycling Club and especially the Minardi’s who organize the SAG.

Friday June 24, 2016

The alarm went off for Ralf at 5:15. “I came here to ride”. I heard other people moving around at 6:30 and the sun was warming the tent, I got up at 7:00 and headed for the shower trucks.

I picked up a coffee and Mark (Minardi) told me about the Brexit vote. The Brits have voted out of being in the EU – 52 to 48. OMG. What changes will happen to the pound and Euro and the financial situation in Europe. France and Germany cannot financially support the rest of Europe. I wonder how this will affect expats living and working in Europe. As far as Schengen and ease of travel for British Passport holders, I guess it will mean more restrictions. I can see there being a huge backlash from the main European countries on this vote. Interesting times.

I met Deb and Sue and Sue’s sister Pat and we headed out for breakfast. While we were having breakfast, Anne and Barry (the two people who introduced us to GOBA and the Dayton Cycling Club) were at the school hoping to see us. We headed back to the school to meet them, but they had already headed home. It’s a shame we couldn’t have got to see them again, as we really appreciate them telling us about GOBA. We have met some really nice people on this ride.

We headed out once again to the Indian Mound. The Mound is 65 feet tall and 800 feet in circumference. It rests atop a 100 foot ridge above the Great Miami River. The Mound is a reminder of the American Indians who once lived in Ohio over 2,000 years ago. The Mound was a burial mound and had been excavated in the late 1800s.

After climbing the steps to the top of the mound and chatting to one of the historians from Ohio History Connection we headed downtown. Deb hadn’t heard of Merino wool before and the excellent ‘no stink’ properties of the wool. Both Deb and Sue bought a couple of t.shirts that were on sale.

Ralf enjoyed his ride, although he got two flat tires and had to buy a new tire.  The ride took him along the river trail towards Dayton.

He passed the Dayton Air Force Base Museum and stopped to take some photos of the planes that were on display.

Later in the day after Ralf had an afternoon ‘nap’ we headed downtown with Dick.

The angel wings are painted on the wall next to the Art Downtown shop. All of us had our photos taken.

As you can see my wings are a little too big, Dick’s halo is a little off-kilter and surprisingly Ralf’s wings seem to fit perfectly.

Dick told us about the flood of 1913, he wasn\’t here to witness it!

We had a beer and a big sandwich with fries for a late lunch/early dinner – thanks Dick.

On the last night of GOBA there is a song contest where participants write their own lyrics to popular tunes. The songs are about GOBA and can be quite funny. We opted to stay at the school and have an early night.