August 27, 2026

I mentioned in a previous post that we’re currently in rehearsals for our production of Lawrence Station: The Flagship Erie’s Final Flight, written by me, with music composed and led by Fynn Cuthbert. On stage at the end of October.

The original play was staged in 2023 at three locations for audiences totalling about 800 people. But the whole project actually began with a bike ride.

During either the 2020 or 2021 Great Cycle Challenge, I was riding and attempted to go through the Muncey Reserve. I encountered a manned station that wasn’t allowing cyclists through because of COVID restrictions. When I returned to Melbourne Road, I had a choice: head back and take the short way home, or continue in the direction I was already heading.

I chose the latter.

It turned into a very long ride, but it took me through the village of Lawrence Station. And the rest, as they say, is history… and theatre.

A year or two later, I wrote a letter to a man whose father had owned the land where the plane crashed. He had been just five years old at the time and was now 85. He put me in touch with Ross from the Southwold History Committee, who contacted me. And the idea took off from there.

Now, we’re staging this new version in Shedden and Strathroy, with more than 150 tickets already sold. Funny how a bike ride can lead you somewhere you never expected to go. 🚲🎭

PHOTO: Len L. and Ross B. of the History Committee, marketing all things Southwold History, including our production. We have since become very good friends!

August 21, 2026

The doctor has ordered me to take it easy and avoid anything strenuous for the next week. He specifically mentioned things like mowing the lawn—which, quite honestly, I was perfectly happy to hear! 😂 Unfortunately, riding falls into that same category, so that explains the recent lull in my cycling.

I’ve got 85 km to go, which means I’ll probably have to pile on a few extra kilometres toward the end of the month to get there.

Rebecca will have to carry the load … which she's basically always done. ❤️🚴‍♀️ 🫁

August 18, 2026

Yesterday's ride ended sooner than expected. Let's just say, that over the past year, I've known when something ain't right in the body. Long story short, I visited Victoria Hospital emergency last night and after 7.5 hours, 2 blood draws & IV, urine test, Electrocardiogram, Xray, and CT Scan, I came home at 3 am with an appointment today with the hematologist because of pulmonary embolism (fancy for blood clots on the lungs). It wasn't a surprise, because I was in this exact same place a year ago (almost to the day) ... only it was after 17 hours in emergency, same hospital, same room, same bed. So, I accomplished the same, less 10 hours. Tylenol will be my friend until my 3:30 appointment ... back at Victoria in London.

Until then ... avoiding the bike today.

August 17, 2026

I’ve arrived at the 300 km mark and with a recent donation, I’ve now surpassed $1,600 in donations. That’s much, much more than I ever anticipated!

Our first rehearsal for Lawrence Station: The Final Flight of the Flagship Erie happened last night. We’ve turned our living/dining room into a rehearsal space for the next two and a half months, right up until production at the end of October. Our dining table gets moved around each time to make room!

For the actors, who have been preparing their roles in advance, last night was the beginning. But this production actually began about a year ago, when we started applying for funding, securing venues, editing the script, marketing the show, and having Fynn write the music. That was followed by the long process of auditioning actors and singers and finding the right people to bring these characters to life.

Now we’re entering the final stretch, the crunch time when the set, props, costumes, rehearsals, ticket sales, and ultimately the production itself all have to come together. And before we’ve even finished this production, we’re already asking ourselves: What’s next?

Being able to invest in artists, both financially and through experience, is incredibly rewarding. There’s also something very satisfying about telling a new story to a local audience. When a script is completely new, putting it in front of a ticket-paying audience provides some of the best feedback we can get. That audience response helps shape the rewrites, editing, and future development of the show.

It’s Tuesday, and today I’m meeting with the guys from the Southwold History Committee, who have partnered with us on this and other projects to help bring the production to life.

Onward we go!