2018-11-13 | Biking, Family
My eldest, whom I will refer to as Mr10 for another two and a half months, and I are planning a big ride in in a few years. Probably Euro-late-spring of 2023 at this stage.
I think I first heard of the EuroVelo paths on BoingBoing. Or maybe just in passing on Twitter. Regardless, it’s been consuming quite a bit of my brain-time since then.
Firstly, I find the idea that there are significant stretches of infrastructure spanning several countries dedicated to cycling. Living in Australia, we’re made to feel like we should be grateful for a few square metres of green paint in amongst lanes for long-haul trucks and tradies in white vans.
Secondly, that I could potentially cycle along these paths and lanes, though several countries, together with one (or both?) of my kids, carrying a few bits and pieces that we need for shelter, food, and repairs I find incredibly inspiring. I know that sitting on a bike isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but to me the adventure of it is just so enticing.
Initially I was looking at the EuroVelo 6, the route that goes between Nantes on France’s Atlantic Coast, and Constanța, on the shores of the Black Sea in Romania. Looking at it in more detail, it’s not fully completed as yet. Maybe it will be by 2023 – I suspect it will be. It’s around 4,400 km, but has suprisingly few hills to climb (but a total of about 28,000 m of climbing). Ride at 20 km/h, on average for four hours a day? It’ll take 55 days to complete. Probably a bit excessive (but on the other hand, there’s nothing stopping us from just riding a part of it. But how do you decide where to stop?!)
But there’s also the EuroVelo 15, and here’s where things start to get really appealing. Starting in southern Switzerland, it starts with a pretty brutal 600 m climb in the first 10 km (that’s 6%), but after that it’s mostly down-hill, all the way to Hoek van Holland. Around 1,450 km long, this seems signficiantly more manageable. It’s also a fully developed trail, and based on the guide-book, it looks too good to be true. 20 km/h on this trail seems a little low, so it’s probably a fair estimate. 3 weeks of a casual 4 hours in the saddle a day, and it’ll take just over 18 days. Make it 3 weeks with rest-days, break-downs, and sight-seeing.
From Rotterdam/Hoek van Holland, it’s a comfortable train ride to Malmö and Helsingborg to visit friends and family. I suspect it’d be a good 4-5 week holiday.
Maybe I could bring Mr8 as well….
I better start saving for touring bikes.
2018-09-04 | Mental Health, Photography
Driving home from the Fleurieu Peninsula on Sunday there was a heavy blanket of smoke hanging over the hills and the Adelaide plains. I’d been to see dad, helped him repair his lawn mower and sipped a coffee at Port Elliot. I had spent longer there than anticipated, and was running late for dinner with the kids. The way the setting sun was being coloured by the smoke was too enticing, so I swung off the freeway and went up to Mt. Osmond to take a few photos.
I’m finding the act of being creative is really good for my overall wellbeing, so even though it meant that I only just made it home in time for dinner with the family, it’s a really excellent thing to be able to do.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/karloskar/43703681814/in/dateposted/" title="A very smoky Adelaide"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1853/43703681814_72599cbabb_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="A very smoky Adelaide"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/karloskar/43512755655/in/photostream/" title="Mt Osmond"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1841/43512755655_a62ee94ee2_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Mt Osmond"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
2018-08-11 | Baking, Food
1.1kg plain flour (split 700g and 400g)
770ml luke warm water (split 700ml and 70ml)
2g dry yeast
pinch of salt
20g oil
Roughly combine 700g flour and 700ml water in a bowl with a spoon, and set aside for at least 30 minutes (an hour is better).
Activate 2g of yeast in 70ml of water.
Start the stand mixer, add the salt and the yeast and water mixture, and slowly add remaining flour bit by bit until all flour is added – this process should take about 15 minutes.
Let rise for a long time – a day (from morning to evening) is bare minimum. 24 hours is better.
It’ll be a very wet dough, but it’s not unmanageable. It shouldn’t be too springy when you’re rolling it out.
Bake it hot (really hot), on a hot stone, or ideally in a wood fired oven.
2018-08-11 | Family, Photography
A while ago we went camping in the Flinders Ranges. Winter camping is the outback is good. Days aren’t too hot. The weather is usually fine. But nights are freezing. Literally. The night sky, though, is worth the cold.
The cold weather is excellent for long-exposure photos, because the sensor is nice and cold, so has less noise. I took this photograph of the milky way. Look carefully on the right hand side (you might need to see it at full size) and you can see a streak from a shooting star.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/karloskar/28550081397/in/dateposted/" title="Milky Way with Bonus Shooting Star"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1802/28550081397_27f23304ac_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Milky Way with Bonus Shooting Star"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
28s exposure
f/4.0
ISO 1600
