Audio Postcards

I headed to Garden Works via the Lochside Trail, only to discover that the gate was firmly locked with a padlock. Since I was there anyway, I went around to the store and asked about getting a hibiscus plant for my wife, who enjoys hibiscus tea. They didn’t have any in stock, but they expected to get both indoor and outdoor varieties, preferably in red, and took my phone number so they could call me. I was looking for a small six- to eight-inch plant, which they estimated would cost somewhere around $30 to $45 depending on the size. With the hibiscus reconnaissance successfully completed, I had all the information I needed and headed home for my next adventure.

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Jackal is back on Mount Douglas, revisiting an old hiking route that has changed considerably since he last travelled it. With fallen trees, rerouted trails and Churchill Drive officially closed because of antenna work, he finds himself improvising a slightly different way up the mountain. There’s even a moment of heroic self-control as he manages not to burst into running before eventually taking to the road and making his way downhill. It’s a small Friday adventure, complete with a little rule-bending, route-finding and the familiar Jackal urge to keep moving. A cheerful hello and bye-bye to all his Extra Mile family — and a reminder to get active and enjoy your own particular heart’s desire this weekend.

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Description We are coming to the end of our three-week stay in a quaint little holiday rental in Cordes-sur-Ciel.
This morning, I headed out early for a lovely hike, figuring it was better to get the workout done before the heat really got going.
By lunchtime, the plan was to retreat into our air-conditioned temporary home and let the French afternoon take its usual leisurely course.
The early morning was quiet and fresh, with the village and surrounding countryside slowly waking up around me.
It was a good reminder that, when travelling, the simplest way to see a place was often to put on the shoes and just go wandering.




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From 1996 to 2018—that’s quite a long time. The artist donated three sculptures, which were installed in the garden as a thank-you to the municipality of Cordes. The sign mentions Paul Quilès, who was mayor of Cordes from 1995 to 2020, along with Jean-Gabriel Jeuney. And there’s that morning glory again—or is it hibiscus? Hibiscus. Definitely hibiscus. And look at this one, Norma: it’s almost like a miniature version. Maybe we should try growing hibiscus ourselves. We’ll have to check what it needs, but I’m guessing plenty of sun. Meanwhile, all these merchants seem to be saying, “Look at my house! Look at my house!” And there’s the cupboard—or perhaps the square one—tucked away at the back. I remember seeing that sort of street view from above, looking down over the rooftops. I thought it was one row farther back, but maybe not.

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Point Hope Shipyard has a long and fascinating history dating back to 1873, when Collings and Cook established one of the first shipyards on this site. Their first vessel, the Royal City, was launched in 1875, and the pioneering steamship Beaver was later overhauled here. In 1889, under shipbuilder William Turpel, the Delta was built at this site. Today, its hull is recognized as the oldest operating steamboat hull still afloat in British Columbia. Point Hope Shipyard represents the longest continuously active shipyard site in the province. This commemorative marker was placed here in 1989, celebrating more than a century of shipbuilding history.

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Thanks Everone!

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Another view of Mount Doug, this time from down near the Tim Hortons on Reynolds Road. A few months ago, somebody sprayed this bare patch of earth with seeds, and look at it now — a proper little wildlife meadow, full of wildflowers and buzzing with life. Frankly, it’s a whole lot more interesting than another patch of dried-out summer grass, and it’s only going to get better as the season rolls on. So there you have it — the Running Jackal, out for a Thursday morning cool-down hike, proving once again that you don’t always have to run to have an adventure. Tomorrow, it’s back to the trails. Bye-bye, everyone!

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On a quiet Sunday morning I set out from El Nido Crescent into the Forest of Fun, climbing Harrop Trail to the cave before returning via Glendenning and Whittaker. The steep ascent kept me working hard, but the cooler forest, friendly hikers and curious dogs made the climb enjoyable. I paused along the way to capture a handful of photos, including a different perspective of the cave that better showed its size. During the run I reflected on podcasting, blogging, and how AI has become a useful partner in turning my trail adventures into readable stories while still sounding like me. I finished the 4.6 km outing feeling satisfied, even if I fell a little short of my calorie target, and headed home looking forward to my next midweek adventure.

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