August 28, 2026

Sunday 28th of August

Happy Birthday Chris

Again 2 dizzy spells during the night and 1 when I got up this morning. Trying to keep an eye on this! The Qupqugiaq Inn actually have complimentary breakfast or something like it! There was bread and jam but no butter, there was cornflakes but no oats. Chris had a small yogurt. And the floor in the kitchen area was sticky. I am not impressed with this place but It will be okay for the time we are here. Chris had a Skype with the parents.

We went to REI and again bought a bit. Lunch at Taco Bell. We were going to go to the cinema but I still am not to well so Chris went on his own and saw Jason Bourne!

When he came back we took stuff to the laundry but actually forgot the tea towel and the towels that all needed washing. Afterwards we walked to Walmart and bought breakfast and lunch for the next few days on the boat. Put the mattress on the floor to sleep again as we do not trust the bed.

Now, here’s where I have yet another confession. I love movies. That’s more of a fact. The confession is that we had planned to go and see the latest Star Trek movie, which would have been good, because Jane likes Star Trek. She doesn’t like Bourne movies, which was unfortunate, because the latest was running in the movie theatre. I could think of nothing better to do on my birthday than see a Bourne movie in Anchorage! But I was ready to sacrifice that experience, and I would have, if Jane hadn’t felt unwell.

This is where I come off as heartless, I know, but when Jane persuaded me to go to the movies alone - something I often do - I will admit to doing little to resist.

The ticket stub for this movie is still in my wallet, and once I had it, I grabbed a coffee, and chatted with the guy serving.

‘What are you going to see?’ he asked.

‘Jason Bourne.’

The rolling of the eyes said it all, but the guy followed up with, ‘Wait, Bourne reluctantly gets pulled back in from wherever the hell he’s hiding by a contact from his past. It’s a girl, of course. The girl gets killed, and Bourne goes all Jason Bourne, and gets revenge, taking down the CIA in the process. That ‘Jason Bourne’?’

‘Ah, maybe,’ I said, wondering if he had seen it, and I asked.

‘Nah, but, the plot ain’t rocket science, pal,’ he said, and I paid for my coffee.

I may have added some dramatic license to the exchange, but when I watched the movie, and noted all the plot points the coffee guy had mentioned, I realised he’d nailed it. I went to tell him afterward, but his shift had ended.

Plot spoiler or not, I enjoyed the movie and walked back to our somewhat dilapidated hotel and spent the rest of our last night in Anchorage with Jane. Tomorrow we would embark on a career-changing ‘cruise’.

It’s tradition to treat others on your birthday, but while I can’t give you one of the 180 pieces of flapjack (granola bars) I baked for my colleagues and kids, I can give you a free copy of End of the Line (with the Denali cover). Grab it quick, folks! One day only!