I have mentioned in my last blog that my passion is meeting people, listening to their story, feeling the passion and communicating that to the world. I thought I would expand a little on that. 

My last ten years have been involved in doing just that. In my work as a writer, I have met many people who are passionate about something. I would interview them, listen to their story and feel their passion. I would then communicate that to the world through magazine articles, children’s education books and travel guide books. 

In hind sight, this all began in my childhood. My childhood passion was daggy. Really daggy. I loved doing school projects. There was nothing better for me than to have a brand new sketch book, pile of magazines and my World Book Encyclopaedia. This was the days before PowerPoint, Google and Wikipaedia. 

I liked them so much I did them on my school holidays. It turn out I was quite good at them because two were chosen to be put on the shelves of the school library. I was so proud of my achievements back then. I didn’t know how that would effect my life further down the track. 

I recently contact my school to see how many books I had on the school library shelves. I realise that 35 years later, my school projects wouldn’t be there. There were instead 30 books with me as author. I did wonder why, they only had 30 out of 70 of my books. But 30 will do for now. 

I am now fascinated how many people knew what there passion was as a child, lost it and found it again as adults. So what was your childhood passion?

For quite a few years I have been fascinated by people who have a passion in their lives. It all began when I met someone who was passionate about funghi – yes mushrooms. When she was talking, looking or painting her pictures of funghi her face lit up and she was completely absorbed in what she was doing.

Since then I have found energy in talking to people who have that passion and that passion can be anything. And passion is a very personal thing. People may have similar passions but there perspective is completely different.

My passion is meeting people, listening to their story, feeling the passion and communicating that to the world.

So what is your passion? Do you have one? Or do you want to find yours?

Yours passionately

Jane

Today’s run was a journey through my youth. It started with “Daydream Believer” by the Monkees, I love you Davy Jones (or at least I did when I was ten). Later there was “I was made for loving you” by KISS. I love you Paul Stanley (or I did when I was 15, not exactly sure why in hind sight). Now that I have truly embarrassed myself, I need help to find some great running songs. 

My husband, being a tad older, is running to Led Zeppelin and the Doors. I myself am a child of the late 70s and 80s. I do have the complete collection of Abba already, so no need to suggest that. 

My collection is eclectic from Abba and the Monkees to Cold Play and Kings of Leon. So what do you like to exercise to?

I am not a runner. Childhood arthritis means I have crappy joints. Crappy joints means I have some tight muscles in some places and looser ones in other places. I have a good 10 (ok 15) kilos too many for my ideal running weight.  It comes a time in your life when you have to face up to all these beliefs and change you perception of them and yourself. 

So on the 29^th August 2010, I am running down Oceanic Drive towards the beach having completed the City to Surf fun run. That is the picture in my mind anyway. 

I am in week two of my training regime. I am researching websites. Got the programme from one website. I am reading books. The Non-runner’s Marathon  Guide for Women by Dawn Dais and The One – Day Way by Chantel Hobbs. Both of these women were not runners and managed to run marathons. So why can’t I? Strange thing is one lost 80 kg and the other did not loose an ounce. Go figure.

 Everyone seems to talk about the pain. Why does it have to hurt so much? Apparently ice packs will be my best friend. Up until today I have done 6 runs for the regime. At the moment they have all ranged between 30 and 45 minutes. For anyone who doesn’t run, I could run 30 minutes before I started this. Without a goal though, I would stumble along do my Cliff Young shuffle. (By the way Cliff Young was a great ultramarathoning potato farmer who had a particularly distinctive gait. Where as I can shuffle for 30 minutes, Cliff would shuffle for days. We met Cliff once in Darwin. He was soaking his feet in the seawater at Fanny Bay) 

Who would have known I am competitive. With myself only though. Today was a thirty minute run and I gather the point of these, because they happen twice a week for the next 30 weeks, is to increase speed. So I have to beat my turn around spot every time – don’t I? I did that today by 100 metres. Problem was I probably put a bit too much in early and peaked prematurely. Bugger! My back 15 minutes was slower. How can time be slower? What I mean is it took me 17 minutes to get back to the start. 

This is the first of many blogs for the 30 week. I will be written straight after my run when the sweat if fresh. For those who are anally retentive about spelling and grammer, please excuse any mistakes or confused rantings. I am either in some post run endorphin bliss or so exhausted, can’t keep my brain and typing fingers coordinated.

Cheers from

Pelusey’s Pounding the Pavement

We have arrived in the Okanagan Valley with many reports on the great wineries in this region of Canada. Before we left we had heard that Canadian wine wasn’t the best. So therefore we have been surprised by their quality.

The most famous style of Canadian wine is ice wine. This occurs when grapes are left on the vine and they freeze. Hardy souls pick the grapes in the middle of the night. They must be hardy because for the grapes to freeze the temperature has to be -5 to -1 degrees Celsius.  The wine is very sweet and syrupy, and perfect as a dessert wine. We got to try is in the Banff Grapes Wine Bar and Mission Hill Winery in Kelowna. It goes well with lemon deserts and blue cheeses.

The Wine Bar at Banff is called Grapes and was the old writing room. It is a small room with timber lined walls and cosy tables. The knowledgeable waiter was Australian. There seems to be many working at Banff Springs Hotel.

Banff is in Alberta, but British Columbia is the place for wine. The Okanagan Valley is lined with many small wineries, some with cellar doors and restaurants. Lake Okanagan is 135 kilometres long and 5 kilometres wide. It is 250 metres deep but apparently is home to the Ogopogo, a serpent like creature. Reward money has been offered for proof of existence but the shire hasn’t had to cough up the money as yet.

Today’s wineries were Mission Hill and Quails Gate. We were going to attempt more but our tasting time dragged out as we chatted to the staff. At Mission Hill, the guy with the long white hair and long beard name tag said Santa. Strangely enough he was actually a professional Santa. We even have his business card. He is a keen photographer, so he and Mike had lots to chat about. And he knew his wine. We struggled out of there with a box of two of Mission Hill wine.

Lunch was at Quails Gate, famous for their chardonnay. The food was fantastic especially the Carpaccio with truffle oil. With bottles loaded in the car we head back to the Lake Okanagan Resort.

Well not yet there isn’t. We have been in the Rocky Mountains for six days and we have seen some wildlife. Small mammals are quite common, particularly squirrels. The Golden Mantled Ground Squirrels  are pretty much tame and very used to people. Other creatures such as marmots, mountain goats and elk are a bit shyer. All these animals are great but they are not the one we are really after – the Grizzly Bear.

We have lots of stories of bear encounters, bears chasing bike riders, one bear that wouldn’t move off the trail and bers eating grain on the railway line. But as yet there is no bear in there.

Lake Louise

Everyone has seen photos of Lake Louise – a glacial lake in the milky aqua colouring surrounded by tall mountains and a large hotel on the edge of the lake. That’s where we are, in the Chateaux Lake Louise. 16,000 people come here every day. The average stay is only twenty minutes. We are lucky with our two night stay.

Today we went on a guided hike to Agnes Tearooms with the Fairmont hike guide, Michael. Michael was travelling through the Rocky Mountains twenty five years ago and has never left. He was a font of knowledge about the area which was great since we are in such foreign terrain.

A group of about ten followed Michael slowly up the steep gradient of the mountain to the Agnes Tearooms. Along the way we learnt about that elusive Grizzly Bear. Rocky Mountain Grizzlies are the smallest of all the grizzlies because they don’t have access to salmon like their coastal cousins.

We also learnt the special claims to fame for Lake Louise. It is the highest community in Canada. Glad to hear that because it has been a bit harder to breathe the last couple of days. Lake Louise is also the day walking capital of North America, with more trails than anywhere else. It also has some incredible downhill ski runs.

Michael gave us the rundown on why it is unlikely to be attacked by a bear. Bears are no longer fed by people (via the public which ended in 1930s and via the rubbish tip which ended in 1979). Bears have never attacked a group of five or more. Hundreds of people are walking in this area. They are essentially vegetarians in the Rocky Mountains and we are not a berry. Above all they are frightened of us as a top predator.  We didn’t get to test the theories as no bear sightings for us as yet.

After the Agnes Tearooms, the guide suggested we go further on and so we did. We really enjoyed leaving the crowds behind.  We climbed the switchback to Big Beehive – not for the people with a fear of heights. The breathing was deep with the altitude factor.  The view of the lake was magnificent from the height of the mountain. The glacial silt reflects only blue light giving that milky look.

Lake Louise is a true outdoor lover’s paradise. While hiking we came across or saw from a distance rock climbers, ice climbers, horse riders and many people in canoes on the lake. Lake Louise has outdoor activities ranging from sedate to extreme.

There is also nothing better after a good hike to retire to you room to relax or have a beer in the pub in the sun. It doesn’t get much better than this.

For the last twenty years, the Rocky Mountaineer has wound its way from Vancouver to Jasper or Banff. It follows the Fraser River and then the Thompson River up to the Rocky Mountains. Yesterday’s trip brought us to Jasper. We decided to throw caution to the wind and get the gold leaf class, for photographic reasons of course. The glass dome allows for great viewing. It wouldn’t have been for the fine dining in the dining car or complimentary drinks for two days – of course not.

Day one is very much about getting out of the metropolitan area, then travelling through the Fraser Valley, probably the food basket of British Columbia. Then we reached what they called the mountain deserts. A dry desolate area with steep sided mountains and glacial fed rivers passing through. Many were spotting ospreys and bald eagles.

The overnight stop is Kamloops, the tournament centre of British Columbia. Kamloops is considered the geographical centre of BC so they hold most state sporting competitions here. It is also the major junction of all the Canadian Railway. This is where the fifteen carriage train splits into smaller trains destined for Jasper, Banff and Calgary.

The second day of the train journey is Rocky Mountain day. As luck has it, our carriage is the last caboose. That means our viewing platform is not obstructed by having a carriage behind. While watching the scenery on the upper glass dome carriage, the lower level is being prepared for our breakfast and then lunch.  Breakfast included croissants, fresh fruit and freshly cooked eggs or pancakes. Each gold class carriage has its own fully equipped kitchen and chefs.

Lunch was a three course extravaganza with red and white wine. The lunch menu changes each day. Between us we had the salmon, chicken and pork.  But enough of the food. We are really here for the scenery.

The first sign of the Rocky Mountains was a peak with some remnant snow and ice on the top. Most of the snow has melted due to the hot summer experienced in Western Canada.  Mount Robson is the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains and is visible only for sixteen days a year. Well today was one of them – not a cloud in the sky. The train slowed to “Kodak speed” and hundreds of shots were taken. Other highlights were Moose Lake (without the moose unfortunately). 

Once arriving in Jasper we farewelled our carriage crew of two days and headed for the Jasper Park Lodge. The next stage begins.

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Being on the Western Coast of Canada and so close to the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver has a spectacular array of seafood available. The specialty of course is Salmon. For those in Australia, we have two sorts of fish called salmon. Australian Salmon which is not the same species and in my opinion suitable for cat food. The other sort is Atlantic Salmon farmed in Tasmania.

Vancouver however has so many types of salmon, I can’t begin to name them here. Some interesting ones are the sockeye salmon and white salmon. We saw many different types in the Granville Markets. Last night we decided on a taste test. We headed for The Fish House in Stanley Markets, a beautiful setting for dinner. Our choices were Sockeye Salmon in maple syrup (how Canadian), Wild Salmon, prawns and scallops and Prawns flambayed in ouzo.  Mike, being a fish connoisseur (or so he thinks so) thought it was the best fish he had ever tasted. My wild salmon was spectacular. Deb’s prawns were not only tasty but quite the performance.

 We were thankfully talked into a Okanagan Buttermilk Pie for desert – yum. Thanks to the staff at the Fish House. We had a great time.