Cue the “Chariots of Fire” theme…

Today I took a long walk. My poor camera — the little one that has taken the lovely pictures you’ve all admired — is now “in the shop”. The guy at the service centre said: “it looks pretty well-traveled.” Indeed it is. Good grief, now that I think about it…I bought it in May 2004, and in the 20 months since then it has been in:

Recently it started showing dark splotches that seem to be inside the lens or on the CCD. They’re apparent in photos with a relatively constant colour (sky, snow, …). Probably dust or sand (or salt water) got blasted inside by some of the fierce winds I’ve been in! Anyhow, I miss my baby already — I’m going to try really hard not to go out and buy another camera (what kind of person would that make me?). I hope they get it estimated (a week for that alone) and fixed before my next trip…

I once made the claim that I could walk from Dieu du Ciel to the U of M in thirty minutes. Of course, it would depend where in the University, but as an example I suggested to the HEC building. A particular blog reader (hefting a pint at said brew pub with me) was skeptical — I dare say even mocking — of my claim.

An ardent city-walker, I went on to bellicosely claim I could walk almost anywhere “interesting” in Montréal in less than an hour. This further raised eyebrows and guffaws…but that is, as they say, another battle…

Anyhow, today I made the “Plateau to U of M” walk (and much more). I kept careful track of time, and indeed it only took me 35 minutes to walk from the plateau (coin Mont-Royal et St-Denis) to near the U of M (coin Wilderton et Côte-Ste-Catherine). Wilderton’s not so far from the HEC, and since Dieu du Ciel is already part-way there…my half-hour claim stands (in my own mind, at least). Today’s entire journey, including time spent dealing with the service centre, was three hours (for 15.5km). Obviously I’m a fast walker — even slipping through snowy intersections — so your own results may vary.

Note: I wouldn’t recommend the particular hike I did today. Once you’re around Jean-Talon and head west (past Côte-des-Neiges) you’re in a commercial/industrial wasteland. You know what I mean: car dealerships; tire shops to fix the dented rims you get just leaving the car dealership; crappy restaurants to eat at while you wait for them to finish the repairs. I’d rather walk up Mont Royal any day. And — dare I admit — today’s trek was a bit long! (-; Thank goodness for podcasts.