I am not a dedicated walker or cyclist persé, just for the fun of it.There must be a deeper purpose to it :

On my Camino walk two years ago I experienced its great historic significance.

My Black Forest walks always draw me closer to my (forester) ancestors, and this year's

Dolmens bicycle tour drew me into the spiritual world of the Neolithic people from 5,000 years ago.

Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 Otober, 2014 (diary)

Previously I have made several attempts in my Blog to formulate a clear definition as to what sets "literature" apart from other novels.
About two weeks ago I read the following from Charles Scribner, friend and longtime editor of Ernest Hemingway's work (in Scribner's Preface to "The Garden of Eden") :

"In contrast to other novels, literature has both an 'outside' and an 'inside'."

The "outside" is the yarn, the story line, that moves us along.
The "inside" is the underlying (sometimes hidden) communication that speaks to our emotions, our intelligent perception or to our spiritual nature.

I find this definition absolutely "spot on"!
Besides, I believe, it applies to other things as well, like for example the events I mentioned in my previous Blog entry.

The three walking and cycling events I mentioned had both an outside and a inside, and that was precisely the reason why those events were so special.

Being at this late reflective phase of my life, these sort of events have a high priority for me, and I will try to find more of these in the future.
Alternatively I will re-experience again those I have done in the past. This is also the reason why I have done the same Black Forest walks several times, whenever I am back there, without getting bored or frustrated with them.

Meanwhile I am back in Australia, although still with considerable Jet lag effects. Come 2pm I find it very hard to keep my eyes open and get into bed as quickly as I can. I sleep as a log, but then wake up at around 11pm and start doing things, like writing email to everyone and updating my Blog as right now.

However coming back home this time has been very different compared to other years. I have always very much been a loner, and once back home it always took some time for me to re-adjust and settle in on my own.
This time I came back to my Bridge Club which truly feels like a family.   And it has been a happy "home coming" with a welcome lunch at the Hibiscus Tavern's Dolly's Bar and some bridge afterwards. And I am right back into the swing of things.

Monday 27 & Friday 31 Otober, 2014 (diary)

After overcoming my Jet lag for a few days I am back to normal and full on with the bridge again. Preparing lessons and making plans for our social program next year.
Our main event will perhaps be a long weekend playing bridge on Bali. Having never been there I am reading up on the place and with over 2,000 hotels and resorts it will be difficult to make a choice.
My interest however is drawn to Ubud, the proclaimed cultural heart of Bali, and hopefully well away from the overcrowded tourist region along Kuta beach.

Before I left for Europe I offered to become a Committee member on the Trailer Boat Club Committee, and since only two members have nominated for the four available positions I have been elected automatically.
The AGM is this Sunday, November 2, and perhaps we will be able to elect a second bridge player from our club. It will be good to be on the "inside" of what is going on in the Trailer Boat Club and I look very much forward to work with the other members of the Committee.

Sadly this week Petal, Lisa and Jeroen's dog, has passed away. Just 10 years old she suddenly developed very serious breathing problems.
Despite several emergency operations Petal died on the Thursday and will be cremated this weekend.
Petal's ashes will be thrown over Casuarina Beach, the place she loved most, where she could run and swim.
Both Lisa and Jeroen are much grieved by the event and Petal will be sorely missed by the whole family.