Back in April the Grampies were spinning around Austria, Czech Republic, and Germany, on the track of  - they proclaimed - the best Tortes. The blog was Grampies Track the Tortes. Then suddenly, in Prague and only 33 days into the tour - they suddenly pulled up stakes, stashed the bikes in Leipzig, and made for home.

What happened? We weren't very specific then because the problem involved not us directly but our daughter - Joni. Now we can explain, that Joni had received a terminal brain cancer diagnosis. We went back to look after her.

The months that followed had many ups and downs - with Joni's condition and treatment and with the family's reaction to everything. There was a lot of conflict, even with Joni herself. More than once we repacked our gear in frustration, and were ready to fly back to Leipzig. But we have hung in, never fully willing to leave our daughter behind.

Amazingly, to the surprise of all the doctors, Joni has also hung in. Though she is in Hospice now, she has been strong enough that they want to move her to a less acute care home. Through this we have stayed nearby, helping to cope with doctors' appointments, and visiting regularly. This, of course, puts a crimp in cycling, though the 85 km return  ride from our house to the Hospice has given us a focus for at least some pedaling.

In the past months, we have managed to slip in a trip along the Willamette River, a survey of cycling on the Saanich Peninsula, and a spin around Saltspring Island. But for now, more distant destinations in Europe, Mexico, Cuba, - all on our current  list - must be left to wait.

With this blog, you find us once more straying from home - but not so far. It will just be about a week and 350 km. But maybe in that time and distance there can still be something of interest. After all, we live in a part of the world that others will travel long distances to reach. Let's go out and have a look!