Walking tour of condoville

Yet another crisis in condoville this week. As Roseanne Roseannadanna used to say: it's always something. It's a crisis when related to the pool and once again the heater was down. There were a few cool evenings causing the water temperature to drop substantially. Predictably, this did not go over well with the morning regulars.

"The water was so cold this morning," one of the lap swimmers complained. "It's ridiculous having to swim in an unheated pool," she railed on, placing the blame on the condo association trying to save money. I suppose it's a possibility but not likely. I'm sure the condo pool committee don't appreciate phone calls at all hours and having to listen to pool regulars rant and rave about water temps. Officially, the pool heater was broken but Ms morning swimmer wasn't convinced and believes a plot is afoot. Whatever... Okay - so the water temperature was 74F instead of the usual 83F but there are worse things in life! Things are now back to normal and the water is a comfortable 80F although there is grumbling that it should be at least 82F. Still more complaints about swimmers splashing while doing their strokes. I mean, the only way to avoid getting splashed is to stay out of the pool. Gimme a break!

A familiar voice stopped me in my tracks while passing the pool on my way for a walk. It was the familiar and melodious sound of Ms Aqua Fitness Cruela Deville shouting out instructions to her willing aqua fitness slaves.

"Take your noodles and place them under your arms!" Cruela barked out in addition to yelling out other commands. After 5 minutes of listening to her and the delighted reaction of the participants who actually appeared to enjoy her screeching, the memory of our short and not-so-sweet work-out sessions compelled me to depart.

The river has receded considerably due to the unseasonably hot summer this season with huge boulders jutting out at the shore line. Living in an area near a river with lots of greenery and trees in addition to a walking path, we are partners with wild life that call the area home. Spotted two small pond turtles sunning themselves on a boulder and a huge groundhog ran accross the path in front of me. Ducks are in abundance and most of them seem able to withstand a frigid cold Canadian winter. ,Most likely they manage to survive with the help of human handouts.

Next week is the autumn party in the park accross the street. Gotta remember to bring along tooth picks this time since corn on the cob is on the menu. Not socially acceptance to pick out the kernels with one's finger. Actually, not much better to pick one's teeth with tooth picks either.

Sappy days of summer

This week a tragedy struck the condo-villers. To most people it's a minor inconvenience but for the morning group who swim laps, the break down of the pool heater was intolerable. Being that the temperature was on the cool side having to swim in cool-ish water in cool air temperature did not go over well.

There was a sign posted near the elevator advising everyone of the situation.

"The pool heater is broken" was all it said. So the topic of conversation in the elevator was speculation as to when it would be fixed. For the die-hard morning group, swimming in an unheated pool wasn't a deterrent and in fact it became a badge of courage.

"Did you hear the pool heater is broken?" a member of the group commented, as the elevator ascended to our floors.

"Downer," I commented. "You swim every morning so it must be really bothersome."

"Oh no - that doesn't stop me!" she replied proudly. "I swim anyway. Once you're in - the water is fine."

If you don't mind numb body parts, the water was acceptable, but I told her I would wait until the heater is fixed.

It took a week for the heater to be fixed and now everything is back to normal. The aqua fitness gang do their thing twice per week although I'm not sure if it's Ms Aqua Fitness Cruela de Ville is leading them into sessions of pain, since there is no sign of her melodious voice bouncing off the condo building walls. Have to check that out. During the afternoon some of the "regular" condo-villers drop by for a quick tan and gossip updates and a dip in the pool.

The big topic under discussion these days is the road work going on in the area. They're re-surfacing the access roads and driving is limited to cars having to share one lane on one side of the bridge. As expected, some people end up driving on the wrong side with cars facing each other. Lots of complaints but the job is almost completed at least in one area. Meanwhile, the other bridge is scheduled to be demolished and re-built this fall and winter. Makes for good complaint material for discussions.