I have always loved sitting down in the evening and planning the next day’s route. These recent days have been the most challenging because of there being no one to ask and there being a multitude of possibilities.
I do not want to go the most obvious direct routes but neither do I want to go very far each day because of the heat and my still painful leg. I also have to find a hopefully ac hotel.
The multitude of rivers and ferries can be confusing and timings of course non existent. So far I have been lucky.
That said, I do like the ferries and intend to take the maximum.
I am trying to take the most southerly route possible, eventually to Cox’s Bazaar. It should take me through Noakhali, infamous for the communal riots in early 1940’s.
For all of this I am a true disciple of Google Maps. I love using it and supplement it with a couple of other excellent apps, mapy.cz, pocket earth, and maps.me
A couple of random photos from ferry-

For me Madison has had its ups and downs. I cannot complain about the weather.  It really has been glorious with not a hint of autumn yet.

I have been cycling and swimming with the Kraushaar brothers. Mark is an excellent poet and here is one of his poems from his book The Ring Toss Lady Breaks a Five, published by Bent Paddle Press.

Andy is an extraordinary photographer and here is one of his photos.

Here are a couple of photos from yesterday, a ride along a very nice cycle path from Sauk City on the Wisconsin River to Devil’s Lake, a state park now, but was (according to Andy) a sacred lake of the Ho Chunk Indians who still have a large presence in the area.

The way people casually talk to us, the waitress, and total strangers at neighboring tables is for me anyway, surprising and very fun. I just couldn’t imagine it in France or India.

Went on a cycle ride on Saturday and here are some photos and my Strava activity.

Went to Milwaukee with Deena and Andy intending to go to the State Fair after visiting Ruta’s new restaurant.  We didn’t make it to the State Fair which was ok because Milwaukee was itself so interesting.

Eventhough it is only 1 1/2 hours from Madison we rarely went there as kids. Too bad,  there is much to recommend it.  It used to be more of a working-class town with many of the famous German-American breweries and tanneries.  Most of these have closed or moved since long ago but as Andy pointed out, unlike Madison, Milwaukee didn’t demolish old buildings and it has quite interesting architecture mostly from around 1900 and many buildings featuring a lovely yellow/white brick  Milwaukee, very much like nearby Chicago is on Lake Michigan and has a river running through it.

Milwaukee’s population is around 500,000 (Madison about 175,000) and it feels much more like a proper city.

We couldn’t meet with Ruta who (of course) has a very happening little restaurant as she was busy being interviewed by the BBC following the publication of her recent cookbook.  Meera was there though- I hadn’t seen her for about 10 years and she is a very poised beautiful college student. Food was excellent.

I took a photo of this cool cat trying on a winter coat  in an antique store.  His entire wardrobe, furniture in his flat etc. is all vintage.  Thumbs up.

This hat shop was quite lovely- well worth the trip to Milwaukee on its own,

Groppi Grocery Store in Milwaukee is famous, started by the father of Father Groppi,  a well-known Catholic activist priest from the 1960’s and 70’s I believe.

I had been suffering from a very annoying uncomfortable unbelievably itchy skin rash while in France. I thought it was hives but the usual treatment for that of anti-histamine didn’t really work. I know I should have seen a dermatologist in France, but didn’t. The next morning after my arrival here in Madison I decided to walk over to the Emergency Room. There the doctor on duty examined, took photos and prescribed some other thing that he thought appropriate and gave a referral to a dermatologist. I was anxious but very much looking forward to a solution to the problem. Many things can go through ones mind with crazy itching and insomnia in the middle of the night. Dr. Marsh came in with two interns or residents in tow. I exposed myself- these hideous rashes are mostly all in the groin area and particularly the ass. Sorry friends, but this is not a photos I will share on the blog.

Dr. Marsh, after hearing my recitation of the history of the problem and a cursory examination said “scabies”. I was happy to have a diagnosis and it is curable. It is a sort of microscopic spider that burrows under the skin. I was prescribed 4 tablets of ivermectin (also to be taken 1 1/2 weeks later), and permethrin lotion (5%) to be completely spread over the body from the neck down and left on for 8-9 hours. Thorough washing of clothes and bedding in the hottest water is also necessary. Some itching and the horrible spots can continue for a month but the insects themselves are immediately all killed by this treatment. I guess this is much more than you want to know about my scabies but I do have doctor friends who might be more interested. I should also mention what it cost without any insurance, and with multiple blood and other tests- $900- which I found to be very reasonable.

Madison has a Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings and it is huge. It seems like half the city is out buying fresh produce, mushrooms, meats, and all sorts of things. Oh, and not to forget the most famous Wisconsin product-cheese. Well, after maybe Harley-Davidson motorcycles, but that is in Milwaukee. Hmong people originally from Vietnam also have become farmers in Wisconsin and sell their produce here, as well as Amish who sell bakery items and are distinguished by their 19th century style country clothing and rather stern demeanor. I hope my video captures the festive atmosphere.

Last year I bought a bicycle here in Madison, a not new, not too old “Lemond” that I thought I would be able to sell after using on eBay or Craigslist.  Friend Andy K. would take care of that.  It never sold.  Budget Bicycles didn’t want to buy it back and you will know why when you see the hundreds of bicycles they have in their store.  Very nice store though with some collectors’ bicycles and some of a vintage poster collection adorning the walls.