Young parents lathered in babies, noisy kids on tiny tricycles with red plastic flares protruding from each handlebar, dogs patiently awaiting the parade along the parkway adjacent the river, proud grandparents talking of dinner with family and intended treats for grandchildren – these are the overnight signals of the coming of springtime. I too re-entered the out-of-doors vernacular for my own tricycle ride up and down the local avenues, precisely 4Km today, Active Calories 75CAL, Total Calories 151CAL, Avg. Speed 6.5KM/H, Avg. Heart Rate 86BPM in all Effort 5 Moderate.

The instant manifestation of warm air and blue sky has ushered other awakenings such as short pants, short-sleeve shirt, Patagonia bomber jacket, sunglasses and dry roads perfect for cycling, walking and running.

We introduced ourselves today to a typical “Sunday drive” on this Good Friday by venturing into the hinterland of Renfrew County where we first visited Bayview Lodge on White Lake. Though we were able to approach the central commercial zone, the gates were closed. So we turned around. I have no doubt the place will soon be popping.

Our bubbling ambition is to rent a pontoon boat and make use of my Pleasure Craft Operator Card issued by the National Boating Safety School. The trick will be to secure a bright, warm day to align with our spare time. I have taken the zealous step of contacting the Lodge by email to enquire whether there is one day or another more suitable to accomplish our goal. Engaging in this proximate diversion is the product of accumulated constriction – primarily the vestige of old age. It is so much easier for us to acquaint ourselves with local material rather than fooling ourselves to imagine that a long drive to places we’ve been before is a necessary enterprise. Indeed a good portion of the weight of the recommendation is the nearness of the destinations. In addition, given my lifelong admiration for things maritime, it is a trifling amusement which I fully propose to address. Scurrilously I thought of buying a boat, then musing about where to park it in the winter, then dissolving away from that preposterous complication.

Nonetheless it all speaks to the inexpressible gusto of the day!