Monday, April 13, 2009

Roses from Kenya

Thought for the day, six days from the start...
I was supermarket shopping today in England with my father, and spotted a huge display of roses. "They're probably from Kenya", he suggested ... and he was quite correct. I was amazed - roses grown in Kenya, then shipped and sold in UK suburbia. Now, I'm sure that Kenya could use the export trade...but...how surreally ungreen is all that? Trucks at both ends, cargo ship in the middle, and all for perishable items which last a week. Maybe not the biggest contributor to global warming, but crazy wasteful nonetheless. And last time I checked, roses do actually grow prettty well in England!

I've had 3 comfortable runs each day since I got here, just to keep everything flexible, and to remind my legs of what's to come. Today Claire joined me along the towpath of our local canal, and we chatted for 6 easy miles. Miraculously at this stage, nothing hurts. I fly to Rome and then on to Bari on Thursday. I'm ready - or at least as ready as I'll ever be!

5 comments:

JohnF said...

It is similar in the US, most flowers are imported, mainly from Columbia and Ecuador.

Jon Buss said...

Hey Russ. You must have been around the corner from me today. Trust all is good and if you're still about and haven't yet headed off for Rome drop me a line. Best wishes again - be keeping track via your blog. Jon.

Unknown said...

Hey, just wanted to say Good luck, have a great trip and all that fun stuff. - Andy - Neely's husband :)

kirsten said...

Good luck!! I'll be thinking of you while I trot out my measly 26.2 at Boston!
Kirsten

Unknown said...

Good luck to you. Your task ahead will be on my mind tomorrow as I buy running shoes. Sorry, just one pair.