This coming Tuesday, Cynthia celebrates! Let’s send her our best wishes.
Weekly Walks
The forecast is calling for some rain Saturday, although hopefully tapering off by the time we meet. Given how this past week revealed that the precipitation will sometimes pause for us, might it be worth the risk? TBD closer to showtime. Usual time and place. It would be fun to see the group work its way back to the numbers pre-pandemic. Cherry blossoms might even be out in Woodbine Park.
Subset of ST meeting up at Ashbridges Bay
Hot Docs
A few people in the group are booked in for Hot Docs, so this may mean a few missed walks, but excellent viewing. Enjoy!
We thought we had lost her to the rainy climes of Devon, but our gal Lynne is back. Fingers crossed she will be out Saturday (and the forecast rain never materializes) so we can all welcome her back to the fray in person. If the rain holds off or you are impermeable, Loblaw’s at 8. Sunday looks more agreeable if you prefer. Please let the group know your choice.
Weekly Walks
A reminder there are walks almost every day to fit your schedule. Most are in the morning – 8 on Tuesday and Thursday, 9 on Monday and Wednesday. Friday and Sunday are rest/cross training days for some, the latter also our swing day in case Saturday is rained out. If you are not yet joining any of these walks but would like to, just sign in and you can be brought into the fold. There is also a desire to shift some walks to evenings to help include those of us with day jobs and morning obligations. Watch for a post once that is confirmed.
Birthdays
Belated best birthday to Nishe last week! Upcoming is this blogger’s own b’day on Monday and the prodigal one’s on Friday. Yay!
Urban Jungle
Seeing wildlife when out is a great side benefit of walking. This creature was spotted this past week on a walk from the hardware store in the doorway of the Camino Bistro on Danforth and Dawes. Did it get lost on its way to Compostela?
This is not the dreaded orange dot. Although if you squint….
Weekly Walks
Saturday will be lovely for a walk, and no excuse (except if one is isolating 😖. Loblaw’s at 8, direction tbd.
WhatsApp Changes
For the sake of clarity and efficiency, it has been suggested to rename the Shore Things Lite WhatsApp group to “Weekly Walks” and purpose it specifically for coordinating who, when and where for walks excluding Saturdays. That is essentially what it’s been used for anyway but this would make it official. The group is of course open to all Shore Things. Let Jan know to add you in if you are not already.
The original Shore Things group would remain and dedicated to more social interchanges, birthday wishes, announcements, and any news that should reach everyone.
Saturday looks to be sunny for a great start to the Easter weekend. A bit chilly to start but warming up nicely through the morning. Loblaw’s at 8 as usual, direction tbd.
Off-site Walks
Now that better walking conditions are back, perhaps it’s time to consider occasional Saturday walks in other areas of the city. Please let the group know if you have suggestions for good spots (High Park for the cherry blossoms perhaps?). Just add your thoughts to the comments. Yes, it should be working now.
That special day of April may make fools of us as it looks like rain on Saturday. Let’s hope it’s a prank and we can meet at Loblaw’s at the usual time. If not, Sunday looks much nicer. Sign in and declare your intent.
HMSTWC
Her Majesty’s Shore Things Walking Club! Yes we have a royal appointment. The race outlined below comes with a royal jewel-like medal but only 200 available. Don’t dally!
There was no one else like her.
The medal had to be one-of-a-kind too!
(We have only 200 of these medals left.)
Get this royally amazing finisher medal, a Paddington Bear, a post-race lunch featuring marmalade sandwiches with tea, and more!
Register now for Her Majesty’s Royal Races.
Register before midnight tonight to save $10 on this great race or any of the following races when you register using promo code: ATB2023
(Just click on any of the races below to register.)
Next Monday, we can look forwards to the days being longer than the nights—yay! One can already see daytime temperatures creeping above zero most days, and if the forecast is to be believed, perhaps even a few nights.
Weekly Walks
Saturday looks to be gusty and slightly below zero. However, following rain on Thursday and Friday, then freezing overnight, it may be hazardous.
Let’s play this one by ear.
If it’s a go, perhaps open roads with no puddling are better, rather than streets and sidewalks with driveway runoff. We can confer on the best route at Loblaw’s in the morning. Sunday is similar for temperature but less windy. Otherwise, there is still the PATH (not as nice but better than nothing).
It’s that time of year again, no not Roll Up the Rim (although that too) but time for the Winter Stations on Woodbine Beach. Some of us have already been there, but for those who’ve been away for any number of pleasant or accidental reasons, this Saturday may be a good opportunity to see them. More info on each installation can be found on the official website linked above.
Afterwards, we are convening here for coffee and cookies.
Nah, just kidding!
Weekly Walks
Besides Saturday (same time, same place as usual), here is a reminder that there are weekday walks that you can join.
Monday morning 10 am (could change to 9:30) from various locations–Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Times 2) so you’ll have to check WhatsApp to know where.
Tuesday morning at 8 am, often from Tim’s 2, sometimes from the Shoppers on Kingston Road. Check WhatsApp Shore Things Lite (ask Jan if you are not on this group).
Wednesday at 9, Tim’s 2 again
Thursday morning at 8, same as Tuesday
If in doubt, leave a comment on this site and someone from the groups will reach out.
Thank You…
To all for the kind words and sympathy for what has been a tough week on a personal level. As many of us have likely been through similar experiences, I know you get it. Being out on the streets with you is a welcome and wholesome way to put aside the sadness for a while.
The forecast for Friday is predicting a significant accumulation—10 to 15 cm, perhaps even up to 30—which might make walking Saturday morning rough, particularly if the streets and sidewalks are not fully cleared. Another PATH walk? Or you can fly away to somewhere warmer as a number of us have done. Witness the following report from Margy and Rainer.
With the type of weather we are having in Florida we decided to get back into doing a few races. My concern was whether my knees would be able to handle the stress. We have just finished our second 5km (the Gaspirella Classic in Tampa) big event with over 20,000 participants doing 5km, 8km, 15km, half and full marathon. A hot, hot, hot day and the course was so crowded it was tough trying to get any speed up. The good news is my knees managed the course and Margy beat me to the finish line …. again.
We had fun doing the race and the beer at the finish line was just perfect to cool down. Nice medal, wild t-shirt and the postrace party went well. Will try to do a few more races to see if I can get the knees better.
Thinking of all you training in the cold, wet snowy conditions … Stay healthy
Weekly Walks
As mentioned above, Saturday could be a trudge fest, so options are:
Get out there with a spunky attitude, good clothing and footwear;
Defer to Sunday hoping the roads have been cleared;
Walk indoors;
Stay home and drink coffee or tea in a comfy chair.
For option 3, car pooling could either be from our place (you know where) or Loblaw’s. Share your preference.
Busy days for this writer so this week’s post will be brief.
Despite seeing the back end of February, which turned out milder than expected, winter roared back for one final 🤞🏻 hit. The possible freezing drizzle announced at the time of writing, along with cold temperatures, may make walking Saturday morning challenging.
With that in mind, and as Helen is champing at the bit to get walking in safe conditions again after a break (literary), at least two of us will do the PATH this Saturday. Granted not the most exciting walk but better than nada. Let us know which way you lean.
We are the Shore Things 