Walking to Chatham with Derek/Getting Picked up by Cal of Hospice Windsor: September 23, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Derek Will Keep Me Company Most of the Day!
It was 7:40 am as Derek and I set off down the road. The plan was for Kelly to meet us at 4:30 to pickup Derek, and then I would carry on by myself, as usual. She took my pack in the trunk of her car and Derek carried a small day sack.
Derek started with a fast pace and I was worried I'd not be able to keep up. After a while, though, we settled into an easy pace of about 6 kilometers per hour, or maybe slightly less.
As we walked we talked away and the time flew by. By 9:30 we reached Thamesville.
We stopped at a diner and Derek bought breakfast. I had pancakes and maple syrup, whilst Derek had eggs, bacon, home fries and toast. My pancakes were huge. I managed to eat one and a half pancakes but had to admit defeat.
A Reminder of 1988
We kept up our pace and reached Kent Bridge. I recognized the store there as one I had stopped at back in 1988. I think it was one where a bakery van had stopped and I had eaten cakes with the bakery van man. I bought a pint of chocolate milk and a Gatorade for Derek. Outside the store was a strange green stripy squash. Derek posed for a photo next to it. We sat on an old bench. The wooden slats bent under our combined weight.
With our drinks done we walked on.
Chatham
By about 2:30 Chatham came into sight. A Tim Horton's was on the edge of town. Inside it was cold. We ordered two iced cappuccinos. It was good to cool down. Derek got brain freeze. I did too, but it was good.
By 3 pm we headed out through Chatham. Derek took me through the town.
I was glad he knew where he was going. We crossed a bridge over the Thames. It was broad and green with trees and looked like the Thames in England.
We had just reached a sign directing us back to Route 2 when Kelly phoned Derek. She had finished in Windsor early and had driven through Chatham, missed us and ended up in Thamesville. She was going to head back and meet us.
Derek Had Done Well—and It Was Fun
We reached Route 2. It was now about 4:30. Derek had a GPS strapped to his arm that told us we had walked about 45 kilometers. Derek had done well. Our feet were both sore.
As we had walked Derek had called himself Super Sherpa. He had also dubbed me the White Ninja. It was a good day. It was good to have some company, and be just two guys out for a walk.
Kelly pulled up. She gave me an iced tea. I got my pack and took photos of Derek and Kelly. I shook hands with Derek and Kelly gave me a hug.
I Walk On Alone – To Meet Cal from Hospice Windsor
It was sad to see them go. Their car disappeared and I had about 2 1/2 hours more walking.
My left foot was sore from the gravel.
At 6 pm I phoned Cal Little from Hospice Windsor. He said he would pick me up at around 7:00.
As 7:00 came around, a red Dodge Van pulled over. Cal climbed out of the van. He had a beard and a great smile on his face. In the van with Cal was his 13-year-old daughter Olivia. I was glad to see him.
We headed off for Windsor. As we drove Cal talked about the plans for the next few days. We also talked about Olivia's cross country running. She is a good runner.
Cal measured the distance from my pick up spot to the hospice on his odometer. He reckoned it was about 60 km.
Arrival at Hospice Windsor
When we reached the hospice residence I was taken inside and introduced to a volunteer called Laura Galvin. Laura was a keen walker, who speed walked and did charity walks. Laura got me a Tim Horton's chicken noodle soup and some chili. And then she had to go.
Cal took me down to see one of the hospice residents called Mark. I had his autobiography printed out. This was a new program where patients dictated their life stories.
We entered Mark's room and Cal introduced me to Mark, but Mark was feeling tired. We arranged for me to meet Mark on Thursday night at about 8 pm.
I said goodbye to Mark, Cal and Olivia and headed downstairs to the doctor's residence room. After a shower and eating two jelly puddings I got ready for bed and was soon asleep. The next day I needed to walk around 50 kilometers to make sure I could reach Windsor by 11:30 am on Friday. I just hoped I could make it.
