Chillin' in British Columbia -- on Canada's West Edge

Paradise found on a Full Race Ducati.

Ahhh is was so nice to be back to the sparking waters and awe-inspiring mountain views of Canada's majestic West Coast. A quick tour of Vancouver - Victoria - Nanaimo and Pender Island was in order and clearly the best vehicle for such an adventure would be a Full Race Ducati. Maybe I'm getting a bit old for this mid-life crisis machine hell-bent on destruction..... but as one of my favorite writers (Mr. Hunter S Thompson) so famously said... "it's much better to be shot out of a cannon than squeezed out of a tube".

Pulled over for a third time in 200 kms... Donut time gents..

That said - the police were less than fans of the Full Face Ducati at first and stopped me a number of times to ensure all was in order. Indeed it was all in order - in fact life was grand thank you very much.

I must comment that they were all (3) very pleasant and in the end agreed that a Full Race Ducati was indeed  the best vehicle for such and adventure. One convert at a time.


Riding a Full Race Ducati is not so much riding as it is simply hanging on. It has a mind of it's own shooting off like some wounded animal intent on thrashing itself to it's end. Every ride is a surprise and adventure accompanied by the hope that the angry machine has not finally had enough of the ineptiutude of it's rider. So far our partnership is intact and I have been permitted to remain in the seat.









Following are a couple shots of Canada's Spectacular coast....

The pacific ocean meanders contentedly between North and South Pender Islands

Oak Bay Victoria .. spectacular and surprisingly a  mere 3 kms from downtown

Paradise found on the deck a BC Ferry ... it is not however found in the over-priced gift shop. Jesus!!!

 As much as I enjoyed the sites and sounds of the Canada in late spring - it's my close friends and family that were really the most spectacular part of the tour. Many thanks to all who took turns hosting... like

Kim the Chicken Wing Queen with a formal royal designation in beer drinking. - thanks

 

Rod the professor of single malt Scotch and anything else with alcohol in it - he's not so fussy - thanks

 

Barry a fine student of scotch as evidenced by his choice in formal atire - thanks

Carla whose legendary cooking skills are exceeded only by her commitment to fitness - thanks

 And then a note on how special it was to see Jake and Stevie waiting at the airport as I bounced into the Victoria airport. I have to admit that given my almost complete absence of parenting skills- I never expected then to turn out to be such amazing young adults. 😊  My pride in their accomplishments is hard to describe but leaves me feeling content in a way that few other things can. I had to really think hard to find things to give then hell about. Many thanks to them as well for finding time in their busy lives to share beers, breakfast, burgers and a bit of hilltop sushi. And thanks to both of them for making me cry like a baby when I left. Well played.


Then - last but hardly least - off to spend a bit of time with my parents. How fortunate am I that they are such funny and fun people. Amidst chuckles and fabulous food - I admitted to myself that while gallivanting amongst the sexiest countries of the world - there truly is no place like home. Thanks Mom.

Mom and Dad's patio - as familiar a place as any in my long life.

A bit of Steak and Lobster loving prepared by my Mom - awwwww What a treat!!!

And then there's Dad. We don't talk nearly enough - but whoever talks enough with the people who have committed to a lifetime of guidance and support. It's a debt each of us shares with those who truly make a consistant effort to be there in our lives.

One afternoon over coffee in a little shop we chatted and laughed easily -- comfortable in our familiarity and lifetime of sharing so many things. Baseball practise, learning to ride a bike, cuts and bruises, career decisions  ... and most important guidance on the man I want to be.

You see  -- the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and for that I am grateful as he is a man of character. He doesn't waste a lot of time proving he's a good man. He just is.

I'm proud to be my father's son and love him madly:) Happy Father's day

Thanks for reading ....Layno and a Full Race Ducati!!!