Mind you this buckboard will be a mixed gender undertaking for 3 or so weeks as they must get started on the long trip and only will receive relief when the lighter Singles wagon catches up.
Budget constraints you know. The plan is to meet at Tsawwassen, leave the wagons on the mainland, board the ferry as general passengers and walk on down to Victoria which can't be far since it is on an island.
The pattern of the Women's winners in Ottawa were similar. Both had one game that caused pause for thought and thereafter they bowled with full intent to be at the Medicine Hat stop to sing their campfire selection. Helen Culley and Shirley Ko edged the Laura Seed/ Kelly McKerihen duo in Round Two 13-12. Helen was facing a 2 down situation in the head when she narrowingly drew around the front bowls to trail the jack for the extra end win. Her magic continues, her partner quietly does her quality work and our game of inches survives.
Meanwhile Laila Hassan and Chrystal Shephard were wringing their hands after the Pres and her Vice sent them back to the bench with a loss in Round 1. Elaine Houtby and Arja Nesbitt not only can organize but they can play as well and they edged the ranked favourites 15-13 to catch the attention of the gathered.
But whoa, take a deep breath, focus on the next game and gather ye rosebuds. And that they did. "The Little Engine That Could " would. No one was closer than 9 points final score in the remaining 5 games. Laila, Helen and Shirley are all National Team experienced. Chrystal appears to me to be a budding star peeking through the knothole in the fence at the international field.
Larry McLellan and I have an ongoing ritual every time we cross paths - and it is often, even though we live 2 hours apart. A finger pointed at the other and " I didn't know you were here to-day" comment. We have done it forever and Larry has never failed to have a smile to hand out as well. This consistency for Larry transfers to his game. Always around the jack is a nice trait if you seek success. Front end or back, draw or aggressive, it matters not as he quietly goes about his business. I know for sure he has played in 4 Canadian Championships, 1 Fours and 3 Pairs, three with his son James, but there may be more. But no doubt I'll find out soon.
I joke with his pairs partner, Jurgen Fessler, that he is known around the world but he is a mystery in his home province of Ontario . Jurgen is our resident globe trotting lawn bowler. He has played in Australia and for Australia, he journeys off to the UK to play their best. Every time I look up in Arizona he is either practicing or listening to the pre-tournament rules. He must have a green card as he 'lives' in the USA. He has a special bent for travelling to the state of California and finding a club and a rink to have a match. A bed is not that important. An accomplished lawn bowler far and wide, it is certainly surprising that he will be competing in his first National Championship.
Wayne Wright and Ryan Stadnyk both 'know their way to San Jose' and the highest level of the Canadian medal podium. They will have to turn right to find their new destination but stepping down isn't an option. Wayne has been golden in Pairs with Brad Fleming in 98 and again with Don Caswell in 2003, in Fours back in 1982 and is making his 6th trip to the 'Show'. Ryan was part of the team in 03 but it was as a solo in Regina and he did it on his own winning the top prize in Singles. This will be number 3 on his August trip list. Both have National Team credentials.
So a wagon loaded for bear is ready to hit the dusty trail. Write if you can.
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