Summer Cruisers
August 1st: On Saturday morning Alex, Rod, Larry and Flora parked at Burnaby Lake parking lot and walked along the trail to the nature house, with the discussion topics of the day including computer issues and Windows 10 updates. Rod walked back from the nature house, doing 5.8 km in 1h10. He saw Ivan on the way back. Ivan had parked near the stables on Avalon, and was trying out running after being out for a long time with knee trouble, and when Rod met him he was having a hamstring twinge, so Rod drove him back to his car, and passed the three others on Winston, as Larry, Alex and Flora belatedly recognized Rod’s car after it had just driven by. The three runners had left the trails and ran up Piper to Lougheed, turned left at Phillips and proceeded down to Winston, stopping for a brief time at a garage sale near the corner of Phillips and Winston, but didn’t buy anything although there were some interesting items there, and finished up back at Burnaby Lake, time 1h44, distance 8.5 km. The temperature was actually quite pleasant at that time of the morn, so hope for another pleasant one on Monday morning at Rocky Point!
August 3rd:On Monday morning, a statutory holiday for those with jobs ‘n careers, and of course nuthin’ for the jobless, R. A. Edie with canine April, Darlene, Christina, Alex. Rod, Larry, Rob and Nancy, Jennel who ran from her home in Coquitlam, and Bobtoc, met at Rocky Point 7:30ish for a run/walk to the Ioco side of the inlet and return. The group separated into walk or run groups early on, with some who walked part way onto Alderside, some who walked to April Road, some runners or run/walkers who reached the Ioco former refinery gates fondly known as the pearly gates. Rob, Nancy, Alex, Larry and Bobtoc went to the gates separately. Nancy unfortunately stumbled near the Ioco church at First Avenue and skinned her left knee, with blood apparent. An investiture will be scheduled for award of the Fallers Trophy. Distance covered by them, 12 km and one extra for Alex who bobturned to keep groups together. Jennel ran home. See her comments below. Times ranged from one hour to 2:26 for Alex and Bobtoc. Some Cruisers availed themselves of the ice cream products at the emporium onsite at the Point. The ten enjoyed the weather plus the shade afforded on much of the route. Sharp-eyed Alex noted new knitted garments, sort of, which adorned six trees near the canoe rental building near the covered tables. Only trees with crotches were so adorned. No kidding.
From Jennel: Reporting back my mileage. 22.37km…holy moly! Ran from my house on Sandstone Crescent, down Panorama, down Turner Creek, down David, down Heritage Mountain to Rocky Point, where I met up with the Cruisers and we all ran around Rocky Point to Alderside (I didn’t go quite as far to the “little Church” as I had to go back 7km to home)….so I ran back with Rob and Nancy, then stopped to take a picture of a Cruisers Cottage on Burrard Inlet, lost them but made my way back eating a few blackberries on the return. We all met up at the ice cream shop and enjoyed some ice cream! Then I had to run UP, UP, & UP to get back home!!! Thanks to both Rob & Nancy for the ice cream!!!
The weekend that wuz:
Reports From Jennel and Larry:
Jennel
did a quick 5 km run Thursday morning from her house down Panorama, up
Bramble Lane, Up Wintergreen, up to Salal over to Parkway Blvd, up to
Westwood Plateau Golf Course, then turned around. and down all the way
down the hill back to Panorama, then home. Quick run…but no escaping
those hills:) Friday, running the indoor track while the girls are in
gymnastics at Port Moody Rec. Centre :)
On
Saturday, Jennel went from her home on Sandstone Cres. down Panorama,
to Johnson, down David to Town Centre Park…ran 2 full laps of that, then
ran back, this time stopping at Starbucks for more water on Parkway
Blvd., running into some friends from my Church including our Youth
Pastor (yes, Pastors drink Starbucks!) Had a quick chat. Asked the
Pastor if he’d like to run the next Marathon with Heather & myself,
but he politely declined!!! So, off I went back home….total run
12.21km. Good run….
The Scotia Half was the theme for Saturday's Run
On
Saturday morning, René, Larry, Alex, Rod, Christina, Laura, Flora, Rick
and Edie met at Cameron Centre, with four of us sporting T shirts from
the Scotiabank Half from various years, by coincidence. The group
ran/walked down the trails to Joe’s Trail, with René, Rick and Larry
taking the lead and the others moving along at various speeds. Laura
and Rod then returned to Cameron Centre while the rest continued on to
the Burnaby Lake trail to the nature house, then returning to the
Centre. It was a cooler temperature than the norm this summer and
better for running. Time for René, Rick and Larry was 1h 20, distance
11 km, and more time for the others. Most of us hurried home to clean
up for Rod’s birthday party at Bobtoc and Marie’s.
From Bobtoc:
plus, being the ability to use the patio, due to the weather being without showers which were predicted. The main course was followed by would you believe, a birthday cake, a couple of candles (taking the present emergency situation regarding raging fires into account, no permit issued by the BFD). A great time was had by all; no cops had to be called. Again, our congratulations and best wishes to Rod.

Alex,
Flora, Larry, Laura and hubby Eoin, Rod and Bobtoc met at the Centre to
walk south to the north trail leading to the nature house at the Piper
Spit intersection, with Eoin returning solo before reaching Government
Street. Enroute the group met Louise Rusch who was running solo, at the
dam. Greetings were exchanged and the parties continued their own
routes. Blackberries were checked out on the Government Street portion
of the route, heeding Nancy Stagg’s advice not to pick the low hanging
fruit in case dogs off leash had irrigated the berry bushes... The
route provide some shade which kept the temperature bearable. Time and
distance, a leisurely 1:46, 7:4 km.
August 10th: Flora,
Larry, Laura and Eoin, Rod and Bobtoc walked from the Centre Wednesday
on a hot, steamy evening south to Joe’s Trail as far as North Road and
return, with Eoin turning back at Government Street. On the route at
Government Street and on the trail itself, blackberries were tested and
tasted, some being sweet, some not. Care was taken not to pick the
low-hanging fruit, abiding as always with Nancy’s admonition. Time and
distance, 1:43 to 1:46, 7:3 km. The six debriefed as always at the
rustic fence outside the west entrance to the gymnasium level.
August 15th: On Saturday
morning, Alex, Larry, Laura, Flora, Edie and furry friend April walked
and ran the Burnaby Lake trail to the nature house and returned by
travelling along the pathway behind the grass fields, adding some
distance and allowing Alex and Larry to do a bit of speed work along the
south trail. It was such a relief from the heat and we actually hoped
it would rain more because the land really needs it. Distance about 5.5
km, time about 1h 15m. After our run, Laura, Flora and Larry stopped
in at the farmers’ market at the Burnaby City Hall parking lot. Lots of
organic meat and vegetables there at very reasonable prices, mostly
below supermarket prices! The Jennel report: On Friday Jennel went for an 11.32km run (and a bit of walking too)….I ran from my house down to Town Centre Park. Ran the perimeter of the Park…..as I was running home, I past by Anamaria’s grade 1 teacher who was walking her dog. So I had to talk with her…so we were walking and talking and of course my husband, Tony & children drive by seeing me talking!!! (Heather say’s I’m sure getting a reputation)!!! LOL Every time Tony drives by, he sees me & Heather stopped and talking or me walking….So I got teased when I got home! They wanted to know if I had a good “RUN”!
August 17th: Five
Cruisers: Alex, Laura, Rachel, Rod and Bobtoc met at the Centre Monday
evening and opted to go west and south to Joe’s Trail. Alex and Laura
walked-ran, and went through to Hume Park, continued onto Larry’s Hill,
put in some mileage before returning across North Road back to Joe’s
Trail to meet up with Rachel, who ran at least as far as the gate at
North Road, plus Septo and Octo, getting over getting over the hill.
The five sampled blackberries both at Government Street and Joe’s
Trail. Time for the five, 1:35; distance for Alex and Laura, 10+ km;
for Rachel, 7:5 km, and for Septo and Octo, 7.17. Septo is still
hampered by his torn quad.
From Coquitlam:
On
Sunday afternoon Heather ran from her home to Jennel’s, 5 km, to check
out the girls’ garage sale, dropped a coupla loonies, then Jennel
changed to running gear, ran back with Heather to her house, then
returned home, 10 km total.
On Monday evening Heather and Jennel hiked the Coquitlam Crunch.
August 19th: Seven
Cruisers; Alex, RA Edie, Larry, Laura and Eoin, Rod and Bobtoc opted to
proceed west and south toward Joe’s Trail in search of shade and to
test blackberries. Alex, Larry and Laura ran the usual route to Joe’s
Trail and continued across North Road to Hume Park and Larry’s Hill
before returning. Eoin walked past the trailer park about 500 feet
before his return, a farther distance than he managed Monday night,
crediting his time in the Poirier Street swim pool in Coquitlam. Bobtoc
walked with Eoin across the Cariboo Road railroad track, after their
having to cool their heels for several minutes waiting for a CP train
heading west, then Bobtoc ran to the North Road gate before returning
with Edue who had walked much of the distance. Time out for all, 1:35,
distances ranging from sub 7 km to 7:20 to 9.5 km. The group
“debriefed” at the rustic fence at the Centre before heading home.
August 22nd: Seven
Cruisers, then an eighth being Rachel who showed up late at the Centre
and walked with Rod and Eoin, moved from the Centre on a superb morning,
not too hot at the outset. The seven, then eight, commenced their runs
or walks using the Stoney Creek trail to North Road, from which Rod,
Eoin and Rachel returned. Runners Larry, Laura and Rene’, followed
well to the rear by Alex and Bobtoc, ran to Chapman Avenue east to
Robinson, east to Como Lake Ave., south to Guiltner St., east to Cornell
Ave. to Como Lake, then east onto Regan Avenue to Mundy Park via Wilmot
and Hillcrest Sts.; their returns south to Winslow Avenue to Blue
Mountain to Ebert or Foster, the faster runners Larry, Laura and Rene-
using Ebert Ave., and Alex and Bobtoc, well to the rear, using Foster
and Smith to return to North Road and Sullivan Heights to the Centre.
Speaking for Alex and Bobtoc, time was spent petting a couple of
malemute dogs, inspecting the new houses under construction west of the
Park, and critically examining a what turned out to be a walnut which
fell from a tree. Times for the walkers to North Road and back, less
than an hour; for the LLR threesome, 2:15, for the two mature chaps,
who managed to squeeze a 2:15 into 3:11. Distance to and from Mundy
Park, approx. 15 km.
August 24th: runners : Flora Shiraz and Alex
Route : Stony Creek trail, North Road, Chapman, Robinson, Appiandistance : 6.9 Km
time : 1:14
note : met Valerie Roy on Chapman (close to her home). She ran with us along Chapman to Robinson then return home on same route.
Rod walked the Stony Creek trail with Eoin. He will report their time separately
On Wednesday Rod,
Laura and Alex were there at 6:30PM. No other Cruisers showed up at
6:45 (not even Flora), the three walked to North Road via the Stoney
Creek trail. Rod returned to the Centre alone. Distance,~4KM ; Laura and
Alex then ran back to the Centre using the Chapman, Robinson and Appian
Way route. Distance 6.3KM, total time 1:03. Weather was just right for
an evening run, or walk.
Jennel
reported Heather and Jennel’s Thursday evening run: Wow!!!! That
Kintec 5km run that Heather & I signed up for was SUPER fun! Way
more than we expected. We were split into teams and were on THE AMAZING
RACE!!! Our group was team #4 and we first had to RUN from Kintec at
Sutterbrook Village to Rocky Point dog park and get a picture on our
cell phone with all of the members on our team with a dog. Then we had
to run into Rocky Point Park…find “a Kintec leader” (who knows where
they would be) and complete a challenge. This was a Paper Puzzle
numbered and cut up..then we as a team had to complete it in the proper
order and have it checked and stamped. After this, our next challenge
was to RUN as a team to Moody Middle School, find the Kintec people and
recite the ABC’s of Running and demonstrate them together as a team.
Good grief, that was a challenge in itself….but we completed it. From
there, we had to SPRINT back to Sutterbrook Village to Kintec and our
team #4 won FIRST PLACE!!! YAHOO!!! Everyone on our team won a MEDAL
that say’s “Run Happy” and we each won a $50 Footwear Voucher!!!
Awesome event!!!
From
Edie a few days ago: Hi Bob, spending our second night in Liverpool
(sleepless) at 3:10 am. Great city to visit - we are staying in a
central location across from the train station, close to Albert Docks.
Went on the Magical Mystery Tour Friday. Had French beer with my dinner
tonight after spending the day in Knutsford, a beautiful village where
Maureen's Grandma's people came from. Rained most of Friday, was good
during the day Saturday but thunder and lightning with heavy rain
tonight. Train to Stirling tomorrow - too much luggage.
. Need a porter! Meeting up with 6 of my Scottish cousins in Stirling and Aberdeen. NB. Edie no doubt was looking for a Redcap.
August 29th: Four
Cruisers: Alex, Laura, Rod and Bobtoc met at the Centre Saturday
morning with rain piddling down, sufficiently so to answer the call for a
strategy meeting at Timmie’s. The four repaired to said establishment,
enjoyed coffee etal plus discussion before returning to the Centre. In
the meantime the weather improved, therefore the four resolved to walk
the Stoney Creek trail to North Road. They then continued their walk by
moving south on North, continued along to Sullivan Heights, turned
onto Lyndhurst Street to Willoughby Avenue, then south to Cameron
Street and the Centre; time and distance, 1:03, approx. 5 km.
Minnesota Rachel and Flora sent reasons for not appearing; working or
still on vacation.
We
are in Chipping Campden and ready to start our walk tomorrow. Hope the
direction angels are up and about and that they stay with us. 
We
went to Stirling where we had dinner with 3 of my cousins and one of
them stayed overnight so we had breakfast with her as well. Visited
Stirling Castle and toured the old jail. No need to send bail money
though as they didn't detain me. Guess they didn't get Harper's lists
of protesters yet. Had a 3 Hop Scottish beer at the Kangaroo Pub -
between a lager and a pale ale - very good. Craft beer is very popular
here.
We
spent two days in Aberdeen with my 3 cousins and their spouses and a
friend. They looked after us very well and we had lots of fun. My
cousin said they can shoot dogs off leash where it's prohibited. We
won't be moving there anytime soon. We had a 9 hour train ride from
Aberdeen to Moreton-In-Marsh then a taxi to here.
Tomorrow is the shortest distance and rain is predicted but we've had good weather so far. Tried to have dinner at a place where Neil Hargreaves was Proprietor but they were fully booked. Don't have to take our own luggage until we come home so am happy about that. Checking out potential club houses…
Tomorrow is the shortest distance and rain is predicted but we've had good weather so far. Tried to have dinner at a place where Neil Hargreaves was Proprietor but they were fully booked. Don't have to take our own luggage until we come home so am happy about that. Checking out potential club houses…
Ta Ta for now. Cheerio. Pip pip and all that. Keep calm and run on. R A Edie
August 31st: Four
stalwarts: Larry, Laura, Eoin and Bobtoc met at the Centre Monday on a
cloudy but no precip evening. The foursome elected to walk, using the
Stoney Creek trail, then north on North to Chapman Ave before retracing
their steps back to the Centre. The four were surprised and dismayed at
the damage from the windstorms and rain; trees down or uprooted,
branches over the trail. Time and distance, 82 minutes, approx. 5 km.
From Jennel:
Heather
& Jennel ran (or shall we say swam) in the rain Monday morning! We
are getting “back on track”, as we have to prep for that Half we’re
registered for Oct. 4th. So, we met at David & Pinetree (ran from
our homes - approx 2.5 each) then ran 2 laps of Town Centre Park and
back to our homes….total run: between 11-12km. for both of us.
From RA Edie in dear old Blighty:
We
started off from Chipping Campden on Sunday morning and managed to
reach our destination after one slight detour where we visited a village
that wasn't on the map. It had been downhill so the trek back was up a
little Eden hill for quite a ways.
. It started to rain early in the walk but was not penetrating.
Yesterday
it poured all day and we got soaked. We couldn't see much of the view
and when on a hill in a sheep pasture it was eerie. There was sheep
tracks going off in different directions so luckily we were on the right
path. We had mud up to our knees and sticking to our boots so we
called a cab for the last part. There were lots of way marks but some
hard to see. It's beautiful here and in sunshine the views would be
spectacular.
The
B&Bs and people have been wonderful. We're going to Cheltenham on
the bus today as the weather is socked in and boots are still wet.
Hope the power is back on. What a mess the storm made. Edie










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