Falling asleep hasn’t been a problem this week.  Yesterday morning began with my bookmark stuck to my arm having slept on it all night the night before.  Day off or not, the heat and activity has certainly had all Princesses and their support staff feeling quite exhausted but happy by the end of the day.  The result: coma-like sleep-states most nights.  I think the bed time record this week was 8:35pm but some held in there – tonight of all nights, until 9pm.  Not bad after a very long day in the heat.

A glorious morning of riding in the relative cool of the day (25C) progressed to oven-like temperatures (35C) found in little protected micro-climates along the way.  It became apparent that this was exactly the weather that Princess Wendy P had been looking for and that her new nickname would be Princess Cricket.  The hotter it got – the better she liked it!

A quick trip to Oliver and beyond along Black Sage Road where we saw orchards, more vineyards and an intimidating-bike-chasing-wolf-like-dog that got Princess Vicki’s heart a poundin’.  I’m not sure where she found the phone booth to change into her Wonder Woman outfit – but Princess Wendy S came to the rescue and ran the dog off.  Whew.  That was close.

We were greeted at lunch by Gord and a cool lake to stand in at Rotary Park in Oliver.  The lunch AND the lake were equally welcome.  A pace-line from Oliver back to OK Falls had us moving at a great rate but we all agreed that the final stretch after our stop at the ice cream shop – was to be a little less push and a little more ‘tourist’.  With 92km and a little over 4hrs of pedalling time – the week was complete.

It’s been a wonderful week.  Old friendships renewed.  New friendships forged.  Some cool surprises (and some funny ones too!).  Some sweat poured.  Some learning uncovered.  A few laughs – and poof!  The week is over.  Thank you Princesses for a terrific week.  We wish you safe travels home and hope you join us again.

LiveSplendidly!