Friday, November 4, 2016 9 Brooklin Town Crier Brad's El Camino By Brad McIlwain Part 2 - On the Road with On the Road BTC Contributor Brad McIlwain began the El Camino de Santiago walk early last month. He's been documenting his 800 km plus journey for us. I walk over a mountain with Graham and Maree from Melbourne. At the top, Graham teaches me how to "coo-weee," a traditional Australian bush call if you're lost in the wilderness. It's fun and we've been "cooweee-ing" all along the Camino. Near the top of the Pyrenees mountains is a white food van where a farmer is selling fruit, coffee, and snacks. Maree, Graham and I have coffee. The farmer has this amazing sheep cheese that came fresh from his mom's farm down the road. I have never had anything so delicious, especially after climbing a long time! From the Spanish village of Najera, I walk 30 km over the Rioja Valley with my friend and walking buddy, Terry J. Hawn, a retired Lieutenant Colonel from Michigan. Terry has been a blast to adventure with. He's always quick with a joke to make the journey brighter and it helps to break up the long sections of the day when we're walking 25 km in the sun, with hunger and fatigue setting in. Sometimes you really need to laugh and let things go. He's been a great motivator and a good friend. You think of a lot of weird things on the trail. One day I pass these slouching trees and wonder what they would look like if I hung Christmas decorations from them. What's that about? I'm still looking forward to Halloween! Washing your clothes by hand has been humbling, as has buying and carrying what you need as you go. Here in Spain, cyclists and villagers have been helpful in pointing us in the right direction of the way, or wishing us a Buen Camino, which is super encouraging. Sometimes you come to a fork in the road, and right when you don't know which way to turn there always seems to be a yellow arrow, or scallop shell, pointing the way. Some of these are hand painted by other pilgrims or villagers. One night, in Logrono, I find a rare Spanish translation of Jack Kerouac's On the Road at an antiquarian book fair in the middle of a town square. Ironically, it's titled El en Camino. It's strange and a little surreal because there are times when it's felt that way, walking on long stretches of highway and changing countrysides. I've been carrying it with me - on the road. Update Oct. 29 Today I made it to Cruz de Ferro where people from all over the world have placed stones and written messages. Today I climbed to the foot of the cross and placed one one of my own. It's a spiritual and special place and I'm glad to leave a small part of myself here. I am in the village of Acebo, just under 222 km from Santiago. It's a surreal feeling to have been on the road for almost a month, crossing countrysides and meeting wonderful people along the way. There is a feeling that while the destination is getting closer, the real journey is only just beginning on the next horizon. Brad McIlwain poses a long way from Brooklin Short Term On-Street Parking Changed Nov. 1 Excerpt from www.whitby.ca/en/residents/ shorttermonstreetparkingregistration.asp The Town of Whitby Traffic By-law permits on-street parking for a maximum of 3 hours unless otherwise prohibited by posted signs (such as "No-Parking" zones, Fire Routes, etc.). This by-law is in effect all year long. In addition to the maximum 3-hour parking limit, vehicles are not permitted to be parked on the street between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. from November 1 to April 15. Vehicles parked in contravention of these regulations may be issued a parking ticket. On occasion, residents have special circumstances that require vehicles to be parked on the street for longer than 3 hours or during the 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. overnight parking period in effect from November 1 to April 15. Special circumstances include out-of-town guests, parties and celebrations, holiday gatherings, family functions, driveway repairs, and home renovations. Parking Services tries to accommodate these special circumstances by allowing on-street parking registration on a temporary basis. Each household in the Town is permitted to make a maximum of 12 requests for on-street parking registration each calendar year. Each request may be for a maximum of 7 days in duration. On-street parking registration is not intended to be a solution for residents who routinely have more vehicles than parking spaces on their property. With a minimum of 2 business days notice, a resident can call or email Parking Services to register vehicles for on-street parking. Alternatively, with a minimum of 2 business days notice, residents can complete the On-Street Parking Online Registration Form. In the event of an unexpected need to park on the street for special circumstances, call or email Parking Services as soon as the need is identified. Voicemail and email systems are open 24 hours a day. For further information, call the Operations Centre: 905-668-3437 Whitby Chief Admin Officer Departs On Oct. 16, Robert Petrie left his position as Chief Administrative Officer at the Town of Whitby. "On behalf of the Town Council Members and staff," said Mayor Don Mitchell, "I would like to thank Mr. Petrie for his more than eight years of service and dedication to the town. He has made a significant impact and together we wish him future success. We are committed to continuing our service excellence during this transition. Fire Chief Dave Speed has been appointed as acting CAO on an interim basis."