Roadspill

2026!

2026-01-11T17:14:00.000-08:00

Hello from Pender Island, BC.

It's still me and Romeo (down by the schoolyard...)

News:

- Freelance work dead

- Started day trading

- Hip replacement #2 this year, maybe!

- Rented an apartment on the DTES

And so it goes...

Pender Island, BC!

2024-11-25T17:31:00.004-08:00

It's Romeo!

Independence from hip pain Day - 10 Years!

2024-07-04T19:44:00.002-07:00

July 4, 2024
Sechelt, BC Canada

It's hard to believe that I had my left hip replaced 10 years ago. But I did! And over the past decade, there have been zero problems. It was the best thing I ever did!

On August 1st, I start the process of replacing the right hip. The surgery likely won't happen until late 2024 or early 2025, but that's fine. There's no pain, so I'm not in a hurry.

Hurray for science, medicine, and universal healthcare!

And so I goes...

2024-05-22T15:49:00.002-07:00

May 22, 2024
Vancouver, BC
Canadaland

Oh, Roadspill! I haven't forgotten you. While I may not post much, you're still a great repository for my earlier travels. Perhaps providing material for a future book of tales. Or, something funny for my obituary.

The housesitting continues. This year: Pender Island, Halifax, Vancouver x2, Sechelt... And then?

Anyway, here's a picture of Vancouver, taken from Spanish Banks.

Cheers!

Happy Högertrafikomläggningen! 🇸🇪

2023-09-03T06:30:00.000-07:00

Hello! Aug 19, 2023

2023-08-19T19:07:00.000-07:00

I sure haven't been blogging much. But I've been enjoying BC!

Currently on Gabriola Island. Love. It.

Hello!

2022-11-11T07:59:00.004-08:00

Nov 11, 2022: Still ticking.

More soon. Or in a few years!

- Doug

July 4, 2020

2020-07-04T08:04:00.001-07:00

Today marks six years since my hip replacement. All good, except the other hip is definitely starting to go. And, thanks to the coronavirus, there'll be no hip replacement #2 this year.

And so it goes.

2020-03-29T13:32:00.001-07:00

Sunrise over Lake Atitlan

Greetings from Guatemala!

I guess I should be writing more about my experiences here. So, here goes:

I'm currently in a small town on the shores of Lake Atitlan.

Guatemala has taken the situation very seriously. As of this morning (3/29), there are 34 cases in the country. The president (a doctor!) appears on TV at least once a day to give updates.

The country is under lock-down:

- all public transportation banned
- borders closed (you can leave via Mexico or Belize, but can't come back)
- airports closed
- nationwide curfew from 4pm to 4am (just extended to April 12)
- essential shops/markets are open but only until noon

There is no panic. The tiendas (shops) are fully stocked... including toilet paper. There is lots of fresh fruit and veg available around town.

Our elevation is 5000ft, so that means the weather is perfect. Generally 25C during the day and 15C at night. We're in the middle of dry season, so no rain. But the farmers are going great guns with water pumped from the lake.

The power and internet are solid and I have my own small house. I have some emergency supplies, just in case.

In terms of work, I'm doing OK. I've had a couple of out-of-the-blue gigs. But long term? Who knows.

If you're interested, there are lots of photos on my Instagram account.

Cheers!

Poor Roadspill

2019-12-24T08:14:00.003-08:00

December 24, 2019
San Pedro la Laguna, Guatemala

Ho ho ho!

Poor little Roadspill. Here for me (and you) all these years but now pretty much ignored. Blame Facebook and Instagram.

Long story short: still travelling. Still enjoying being a digital nomad. Although more work would be nice!

And finally... my annual Christmas card. Enjoy!

-Doug

THR +5 Years

2019-07-04T12:45:00.002-07:00

Greetings from Antigua, Guatemala!

Antigua from the Roof

It may be Independence Day in America, but for me, I'm marking five years of freedom from hip pain day. Who would have thought five years would fly by like they have?

The sequel (Total Hip Replacement 2) is in pre-production... but I won't be getting a new new hip for while yet. It simply doesn't hurt.

And so it goes!

How time flies...

2019-03-25T17:44:00.003-07:00

Sixteen? Roadspill is 16 years old? Old enough to drive?

Man I feel old.

Cheers! And ¡Feliz Cumpleaños!

Doug
Currently in Sechelt, BC

And... Back!

2019-03-15T18:18:00.000-07:00

March 15, 2019
Sechelt, BC, Canada

Back in Sechelt again! Looking after Henry and waiting for spring!

The West Coast. Delicious!

Henry

A positive sign

And so it goes!

Circled the Sun Again!

2019-01-01T05:57:00.001-08:00

January 1, 2019

I made it through a less than enjoyable 2018, mostly unscathed. Eschewed the big drink-fest last night for a decent sleep and an early morning rise. The reward? No hangover and this:

January 1, 2019 - San Pedro la Laguna, Guatemala

Let the games begin!

Back in Guatemala

2018-09-03T13:40:00.002-07:00

Sept 3, 2018

I've been here for a few weeks already, so I might as well make it official.

I'm back in San Pedro la Laguna, Guatemala for a spell.

It's the rainy season, but it certainly isn't very rainy.

Also, I have an awesome housesit.

Roadside Attraction

Market Day in San Pedro la Laguna, Guatemala

The view of San Pedro (and volcanoes) from San Juan

More to come!

THR + 4 Years! (July 4, 2018)

2018-07-04T21:40:00.002-07:00

July 4, 2018
Sechelt, BC, Canada

Today marks four years since my total hip replacement. Hard to believe it's been that long, but I'm certainly grateful for four years without pain.

The old days sucked!

Weirdly, I was told that the other hip (right) would have to get done. It was showing signs of breaking down (osteoarthritis) way back when.

But even now, there are just a few times when it feels a little off. Not really pain, and certainly nothing like the left hip was pre-surgery.

Anyway, it was the greatest gift to get my mobility back. I take advantage of it every single day. Likewise, I'm thankful every single day.

Hip! Hip! Hurray!

Sunshine Coast

2018-05-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

May 16, 2018
Sechelt, BC, Canada

And... back in BC, this time on the Sunshine Coast. I'm here to dog watch, house sit and get healthy.

Heading to BC's Sunshine Coast

My new pal, Henry

This should be a pleasant summer

Already down 4.2lbs since arrival last week.

I'm here through August.

More to come!

Roadspill is 15

2018-03-25T11:02:00.003-07:00

March 25, 2018
San Pedro la Laguna, Guatemala

It's hard to believe that Roadspill has turned 15. Going back 10-15 years, I'm surprised at how verbose I was. I guess that these days with Facebook, Instagram and Twitter all clamoring for fresh content, the old-skool blog gets forgotten. But it remains as a great diary of my travels.

Speaking of travels, I'm back in San Pedro la Laguna, Guatemala. Rainy season is late, and the town is hazy thanks to numerous forest fires burning up the nearby volcanos. But it's still great to be 'home'!

Here are some pix:

Watching the fires near San Pablo la Laguna.

Sunrise over Lake Atitlan.

Fires on Volcan San Pedro.

Lancha on Lake Atitlan.

Fires on the Indian Nose.

Splash! Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.

Helicopter dumping water on Volcan San Pedro fires.

More fires on Volcan San Pedro.

And that's all for now. Happy Anniversary, Roadspill! May the travelling never end...

Cheers!

Pender Update

2018-02-15T11:37:00.000-08:00

Argh! I haven't been posting or writing about my Pender experience (here, anyway). But... for your viewing, I present two images!

A sunny afternoon near the Port Browning Pub. Feb 14/2018. Pender Island, BC

Morning at Medicine Beach. Feb 15/2018. Pender Island, BC

More to come!

Happy New Year

2018-01-01T12:45:00.001-08:00

January 1, 2018

I was in bed long before midnight (NYE isn't my thing) but that means I was up way before the crack of dawn. And what a dawn!

Port Browning, North Pender Island, BC, Canada

Let the year begin!!

And so we goes....

Back in Canada

2017-12-23T18:29:00.002-08:00

Saturday, December 23, 2017

I'm back in Canada and hanging out on Pender Island.

The view from here. (Pender Island, BC, Canadaland) 🇨🇦️ Looking towards Washington State (Orcas Island, Lummi Island and Bellingham(ish) 🇺🇸️.

And so I goes...

Winter Has Arrived

2017-12-08T10:46:00.004-08:00

Friday, Dec. 8, 2017

Since I arrived on Mull back in November, the weather has been quite mild. Wet, of course, but usually close to 10C/50F.

That changed last night. Winter arrived and brought with it snow (actually hail) and temperatures hovering around zero. I didn't even leave the house today.

But it is pretty:

Hello, Winter!

I won't have to deal with it very long. I'm off to Oban in a week. Then Glasgow, Iceland, Toronto and eventually BC.

And so I goes!

Random Photos - Isle of Mull, Nov 2017

2017-11-28T05:04:00.000-08:00

November 28, 2017

Here are some recent photos from around the Isle of Mull.

Down by Loch Tuath


Calgary Beach

View from the front door. Island of Ulva in the distance.

Near Isle of Mull Cheese (Tobermory)

Loch Tuath

Coos!

Dervaig at dusk... which, in November is 4pm!

The views whilst driving are spectacular!

Stuff on Calgary Beach

Rainbow by Normann's Ruh

Book by a former colleague, that I'm reading!

Kilbrennan

Ben More

Icy Roads!

And so it goes...

Here Comes the Sun

2017-11-19T01:41:00.002-08:00

Sunday, November 19, 2017
Isle of Mull Scotland

What can I say?

Literally right out the front door. Love.

And so it goes...

2017-11-13T08:15:00.000-08:00

November 13, 2017
Isle of Mull, Scotland

Any guesses as to why I like it here?

I'm back! YAY!

More to come...