These are the days
Published March 13, 2007 | 
These are days that you’ll remember
When May is rushing over you
With desire to be part of the miracles
You see in every hour
You’ll know it’s true
That you are blessed and lucky
It’s true that you are touched
By something that will grow and bloom in you
-10,000 maniacs
So tonight I booked my flight to the UK. All the while on the side bar of the website I could see Peurto Rico listed under the heading of “more trips”. Very, very strange indeed. Life is good and weird all at the same time. A dream state that a good hard pinch won’t resolve.
Now here’s the sad part. Being a kid from Wisconsin suddenly faced with international travel I can find giddy joy in the silliest of things. I booked a flight to Manchester UK with a 4 hour layover in London. Layover!?? Well, yeah, I did save some cash doing that, but really I’m quite happy to hang out at Heathrow Airport for a time. What could be cooler than that? I’m sure to major globe hoppers that may sound like a drag but to me it sounds great. I just wonder that 4 hours is enough time to run around and explore.
This will be a great trip. I will get to hang out again with Justine, Alun, Greg & Freya for a time. I’m excited to see Simon again and to meet Jeff Allen for the first time. Then there’s Rowland. . Oh NO!!!! Then off I go to get myself beat up on the legendary races around Anglesey. A dream come true. The only thing I’ll ask is that they do what they can to help me catch up! I will do everything in my power to earn their time. In addition I’ll pick up my new Rockpool Alaw Bach that Mike has graciously offered to build for my Peurto Rico trip in August. Wonderful!
These are exciting and heady days that will of course never last. Days to grab onto and soak in. Days where I’ll be afraid to blink for fear of missing something, where I’ll breath through my nose to take in every scent. Am I nervous? Am I scared? Well of course I am. But I’m also blessed and lucky. An adventure awaits me, and I can’t wait to slip into the sea.
* photo by teadybare
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11 Responses to These are the days
celosa yo! you had too much fun this week Derrick. great blogs, you left the rest of us wishing we were there.-kqp
That sounds amazing Derrick. Hope your passport is up to date! Hey, you better have someone taking pictures/video from the eddy as you take on the tidal races.
As a friend, it’s cool to watch you live out your dreams like this. I’ll be living vicariously through you via this website for the next six months or so.
This is your time, my friend. You go for it all and store up those wonderful memories. Then, come home and share them with us over some Irish Whiskey.
Derrick,
Thanks for being so helpful while I was in your corner of the world. I really appreciate it and am sorry I had to dash off so quickly to my next scheduled event.
Have fun in Wales with a great group of kayakers!
Wendy:-)
I second that Silbs!!!
A couple of things to remember:
1. Look to the right when stepping off the curb!
))
2. Though it we both speak “English” it’s not all the same! So, when someone asks you “When do you want knocked up?” Don’t say, “Give me five minutes.”, and then come out of the wc (wash closet) naked as the day you were born! (Does make for a good story though, like the time while living in London I answered the door in my bathroom, and it was my Lieutenant. Still half asleep I saluted, and my robe fell open with just the robe now partially covering my naked body! — yep, true story
3. Try to sleep on the way over, even take some drugs to sleep–jet lag going that way can be a real drag–I used to fly back and forth 4 or 5 times a year and I quickly learned that.
4. Get a really large bag with wheels to carry all your stuff (aka kit). Patagonia has agreat one (Freightliner Max.
Have fun and think about all your buds back here wondering how you’re doing.
When are you over here?
Yeah, thanks all. the summer reschedule is just starting to set in. Certainly I’ll be writing and such as much as I can.
Hey Mark,
May 2nd to the 16th.
Hey Wendy,
Thanks for the card too. Now who was that on the front in that strange looking kayak??
I assume you already have an itinerary in mind, but if you have either of the weekends free, you’re welcome to come down to the south (2.5 hours from Heathrow) and enjoy some of our local coast with us…
http://www.jurassiccoast.com/
Hi Derrick,
Are you coming over for the Anglesey Symposium?
thanks mark, there are so many places to go and see. doubt I’ll get a chance this time round. but I’m sure I’ll get back.
Yes, I’m going to the Anglesey symposium to get a proper thrashing.
Derrick– I am curious about your new boat. I think you stated your are getting the three piece. Assume you will have to lug and pay for it on the airline, too. I don’t envy that part.
But, how much does that Alaw Bach weight, and more specifically, how much does the three pice design add to the basic weight. I have heard horror stories and been dissuaded from some inate inner calling in my life to get a three piece kayak for the back of my conversion van (how neat not to have to cartop) yet everyone from current owners of three piecers, to Peter Orton from Valley, all warn me about the added weight. How much weight could it be?