Day 13 - Mmmm Cookies!

I am the Cookie Monster

Today started with Breakfast in a small town called Rrrrrrrr… nope I'm not broken just think it begins with R and my almost 50 year old brain cannot remember.   Russell! - thats the one!  Bumped into another couple today at breakfast.  The gent originated from Harrogate some 60 years ago by the looks of him.  An Aussie, so I guess part of the mass exodus in the 50's…  Still good to find that yet again on another day a coincidental 'hello' resulted in a conversation that finds a direct link back to good old North Yorkshire.  The World is definitely a small place and us Brits sure have got about a bit.

Right now I'm staring at my feet, and some 8000 miles in that direction is the soles of people I know.  Some arse soles too!  But not that many :-)  And how far away is home?  I do not miss nor pine for it and feel quite comfortable on my one man jaunt around the planet.  I guess nothing less would be expected of an almost 50 year old. 

The Tenere1200 is a tall bike.  On day one I must have looked like an arse trying to get on and off it, left leg on the floor, right leg cocked as high as that of a Yorkshire Terrier peeing against a tree straight after a Great Dane.  And still I get my boots tangled in the handles on the tail pack.  How people would laugh should the bike topple on top of me as I pull it over with my skyward boot.  How I would groan with approx 1/3 tome of jagged metal, plastic and dirty laundry pressing into my nether regions.  So the new method is :  with the bike in gear and on the side stand, like a horse, left foot on left foot rest, grab the reigns, er handle bars, step up and swing right leg across the saddle.  Works surprisingly well.  Just waiting for the comedy moment as I fall off the other side, or, end up facing backwards.  Note to self, LEFT foot on LEFT foot peg.  OK?  Also when in San Francisco learn't a new knot - the something or other (my brain fails me again) - but the same as used by cowboys when tying their horses to a post outside the bank; in that a pull on the loose end undoes the knot allowing for a quick getaway after the robbery.  I will not be using that on the bike though, security matters else 2500 NZ Dollars will trot unabated from my bank should I lose the bike. 

So why am I the Cookie Monster?  Simple.  Today I have been a child in a cake shop with an unlimited amount of pocket money.  I have gorged myself on all that is sweet, good and bad, depending on your taste.  I have twisted more than Fats Domino on a 24hr dance'athon.  I have eaten from the cookie tree and not stopped until all the fruit has gone.  New Zealand's roads are a Jezebel;  she has had me dancing in the streets, delirious with energy, unable to stop.  Care free on empty roads with mile after thousand mile of left right bends surrounded by a  jewel of a countryside.  What should I do?  Slow down and enjoy the view?  Speed up, concentrate hard on the limit point and scrape my toes in bend after bend?  Who cares?  Got to the stage mid afternoon where the camera was no longer used.  It is engorged, full of memories and images that I will look at later because for sure I could not today.  All attention was on the road for fear of becoming part of the scenery.  

I am this evening sat in the bar at the Harbour View Hotel in Raglan on the west coast.  A lot of bikers here too all similarly enjoying what has been a fantastic day in the saddle satiated with the blood of torn tyres and the sting of dislodged chippings on sore knuckles.  

I am not the Cookie Monster.  I AM Spartacus.  No! I am Spartacus! I hear all the other bikers cry.  For sure we are all heroes of the road today.

I think I'll not have a pudding after dinner today Baby!

Speak soon

Note:  Disappointed with Cooks lookout last night - not cheap and just a motel overlooking the bay.  Not close to shops nor restaurants nor bars - shame really as there are a load of motels and places in the town centre with vacancies.  Next time eh?

Day 12 - I think...

Starting to lose my days now but I think this is the entry for the 31st October.

My eyes and senses drowning in the experience called New Zealand

The video at the end of this monoblogalogue will hopefully support my thoughts which are, that New Zealand is a delight.  I am drowning in it; I am satiated and full up, fit to bust.  I am Mr Creosote and about to eat a wafer thin mint and explode and gush, outpour and guffaw, praise and regale and just generally say lots of good things about the place.   

I am now worried for New Zealanders.  So where do they go for a holiday?  To Norway to see the Fjords (nah, already have them).  Ok then to Switzerland to see the Alps (Nah, got them too…), All right, how about the Emerald Isle?  No seen lots of green here too…  OK the Caribbean?  Nope no need it is just right here.  OK, then how about the Sahara desert to see the dunes (Nah… ) yeah I get it, got them too maybe?  Yep.  From skiing to sailing, from canoeing, bungee jumping, fishing, just sunning, swimming in turquoise lagoons, the crystal clear air and the, the… sorry I'm starting to gush…

I do not know what God was thinking when he set about this place - somewhere on day 2 I guess he decided to put a cherry on the cake.  How many times did I think 'turn the camera on now', and again, and again and…  In fact got to the point where if I missed a really good view then no worries, just wait 5 minutes and another one will appear.  And probably better than the last.  

Do you like motorcycling?  Do you like twisties?  Do you like good roads and scraping boots and kneepads on smooth tarmac?  Or a bit of 'off road'? Yes?  So why don't you ever ever ever come here?  It is a must do, the only do for bikers.

This was day 2 in NZ.  I still have 8 days to go.  I am full up.  I have gorged my eyes on all shades of green and blue and brown and orange and turquoise and, and…I'm going to be such a bore at future get togethers so watch out and avoid me like the plague.  And please please please do not give me a wafer thin mint after an evening meal...

Randal, thank you for the perfect bike.  Tony Sir, thanks for the suggested detours and you do have a story to tell - hope to read about D block one day!

For day 1 See:  http://youtu.be/GlV_EI2hecE

PS - Twice now I have walked out on a balcony and looked up and seen a bright shooting star.  Both times were in New Zealand.  The first in Queenstown 3 years ago and again this evening.  I feel like I am in the film Contact.  I fear that I am living The Matrix.  I wish for the former but it must be the latter for no place in real life is this good to the eyes and soul.

The UK is so far far away Baby

Speak soon

Day 11 - I love New Zealand

First things first, URL for bike ride on Highway 1 now added, see day 9...

I'm immediately struck again by 2 things - the friendliness if the people and just how bright this country is... It's like moving from watching standard definition TV to high definition, really, is that noticeable for me.

Randal is a star! Right nice guy taking all the time needed to make me welcome and set up the bike.  A nice cuppa, said morning to his family, and after a review of the map to make sure the main bits were covered then points me in the right direction and away we go. Thanks Randal!

Took 5 minutes to gel with the Tenere but all is now good and set up as I like it.  Whilst the suspension on a BMW GS1200 feels a little softer / compliant, the Ten is a hoot in the corners, very sure footed.  And with a sweet note from the exhaust too.  So the first 200 or so miles now done in new Zealand.

Even with the sleep on the aircraft I was still blasted and about halfway into the journey had to stop in a layby and have a lay down and a bit of shut eye.  Would have looked like a motorcycle accident if it wasn't for the fact the bike was up and on the side stand,  A gaggle on cyclists went by and somewhere in the distance I heard a "looks like you've got the right idea fella" ring out.  Oh those poor weary cyclists.  Thank God again for four stroke engines, petrol and a twist grip on a right hand bar end.

That did the trick for the rest of the ride.  Scenery is stunning.  Almosty garden like in all directions (no not my garden which more resembles a small dead section of rain forest).  Thought the roads in the USA were fun did I?  Well have a look at these buggers.  See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMY6x9jZMrg  for what was a great  first day in the saddle..

Here is a version with no music in case blocked for you :  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UQpqO4RRfs

Started this blog at 5am today after at least 9hrs sleep so running a day behind with updates (today is day 12).  Hope to catch up at the end of the day today, with a small beer and a laptop on the table at the next destination, some 250 miles away which includes a jaunt to the very top of New Zealand (Cape Reinga)

It's now 7.30 am.  the clouds are clearing and the Sun is coming out Baby!

Speak soon

Day 10 - I am tired...

Struggling to keep awake right now so a quick note about last night...

For the 2nd time in my life I again missed a day.  

Westward travel means that at some stage you need to give back time accrued. And this is done by crossing the international date line, which I did circa 20 years ago and have just done again and was woken for the pleasure of that I presume cos it was not for the breakfast on board.  This was about 07:00 San Francisco time so the good news is that I must have had at least 5 to 6 hrs sleep.  Not the best sleep but the bed was flat and so now with some shut eye under my belt there should be no unintentional travels into the kiwian scenery.  Still 3am NZ time is still 3am so early doors and so will have a loooong day ahead of me today.  Randal has confirmed all is good and will be picking me up from the Airport around 6am.  

I also think that there is a comedy show developing on the NZ 007 flight from SF to Auk. Travel a little with Air New Zealand and you will see what I mean.  Like a very polite yet slightly not sure Aussie, the antedate to an Aussie red neck if you know what I mean.  Example is the steward who has a gruff mannerism saying - yer gonna have this drink whether you like it or not, whats that you don't want it? Oh OK then Sir!  Or the stewardess's... Give them anything that is 'not normal' and there is a slight fluster, almost as if things like that never happen with a 'er… yes, er not sure, er let me check, er what was it again Sir?'  I'll see if the power adapter turns up later this AM.  God knows what fun and games are happening in cattle class..

More to add to the blog later, hopefully I'll find wireless out there!

p.s. The power adapter never arrived Baby.

Day 9 - Like a Harley? Not like a Harley?

Today is the final run back down State Highway 1 to San Francisco, drop off the bike and taxi to the airport.  So this leg of the journey is coming to an end.  I'll add more thoughts about my time in San Francisco and the area to this blog later cos I have to get a move on now to avoid panic and stresses later in the day.

Thanks for the note Michael, here is the vid of the cheese grater without the music so should not be blocked now..

See:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwhkJ3g0kWo

The visit into the USA is now over, done, dusted, just a figment of my fragile (and becoming moreso as I get older) memory.  Over the last 2 days I have completed the jaunt up highway 1 to Gualala, had the steak and bits, stayed in a flea bag motel and watched the sun set into the pacific.  And then taken the Harley Numb Bum Davidson back to the dealers exactly on time.  Everything has gone like clockwork so far.  The  sailing done and dusted and met and spent time with Michael - thanks Mike for putting up with a Yorkshireman for 5 days!  I've got thoroughly wet on the bike and scraped foot boards up and back down the coast road which truly what a great place to bike for a day or two, especially of you like twisties!

See : (to add later today) for some of the spectacular riding, some of the best I have had in recent years.

So what do I like about a Harley?  The sheer presence of the bike for one and the way it glides around corners, but only when taken at the right speed (slow).  For sure had me thinking again about biking skills and how to ride again with me making noises like the Ooh Ahhh bird (named after the sound it makes; it is the only bird in the World to lay square eggs) during fast moments on the occasional tightening bend.  Fog and damp patches on newly laid tarmac also did not help with the confidence of a fat man and a fat boy getting around hairpins every time.

The run up to Gualala was about 120 miles and like I have said before, for all of the fun of riding a Harley, by Jove!, at the end of the day defo had enough and wanted, nay needed to get off it!  Sore bum, aching lower back and hamstrings stretched to the max.  Its the ridiculous riding position you see… high hands, feet forward means that all weight is on yer rear end and lower spine with your knees stuck out in fresh air taking all of the wind.  Kinda water torture for middle aged middle management types with a mind for expensive fun but bodies made out of blancmange and string.  HD's are made for city cruising or short runs out.  Be warned, for goodness sake do NOT get one if there is any intent in your life to use the bike to do any long distance touring at all.  Unless you are a masochist Yorkshireman or an Ape; Both are similar in mind and stature and both ride Harley's rather well.

Still - it brought a smile to my face on every bend.  It also brought a grimace when the fog descended.  A misted up visor and glasses and sun in my eyes for sure means a puckered arse which makes it difficult to part from the saddle, therefore bike, if you know what I mean...  I was gripping it like a sat nav mount stuck to a car windscreen.

It is now midnight 30 on the 2030 overnight flight from San Francisco to Auckland.  I am sat in a darkened cabin looking at, for all the world looks like, deep space hibernation capsules, all white and plasticky with blue backlit buttons eerily adding a flavour of 2001 a Space Odyssey to the cabin and am contemplating just when I should stop messing with this blog and pressing the blue button to get the hibernation capsule into gear for a couple of hours shut eye.  It is a 12 hr flight and arrives into Auckland at 05:30 NZ time.  And then there is a 250 mile ride ahead of me for the day.  So sleep is the number 1 priority for fear chucking me and a Yamaha Tenere 1200 and my dirty laundry at the scenery - now that would be a mess for me, the emergency services and the laundrette to deal with for sure.

Night Night Baby

Speak soon

Day 8 - The Golden Gate

Last night I ate curry.

Not that unusual back home as Indian Restaurants are ten a penny.  But as this was the only one I have seen in 6 days and its a Friday night then why not? It was a bit basic inside but the food more so reminded me of the curries in India rather than the UK.  So somewhat more authentic than the 'tikka massala' kinda stuff back home.  It was good.  No beer though, had to find my way back to another 'pub' to get one of those, and again not able to find a mainstream American or European beer...  So had a 9% IPA, in fact two of them, and at about 11pm (7am UK time) last night I gently wobbled my way back to the digs.

Just another observation about the food.  I do not think I have eaten so healthily in quite a while.  Lots of salads, there are more nuts in the bread than in a squirrel, wholewheat this and that, all very good though!

Ok I'll now bring the tone of this blog down a crotchet or quaver or something.   So whilst thinking about it, why are toilets around the world so different?  In the UK we have little pools of water in the S bend and shuddering flushes.  In The Netherlands a flat dry ledge with the 'bend' at  the front of the toilet.  This is just not right.  Why would anyone want to poo onto a ledge?   Do the Dutch like playing with their food but at the wrong end of the process?  Funny folk them Dutch.  Or India, hole in the floor, er.. nuff said...  Or America with a swimming pool of water in the bowl and a Jet Engine (sounds and works like one I reckon) to, I am sure, thrust the remains of the day direct to the sewerage farm!

It's now 6:55 am and yep, just starting to see lightness developing to the east and it looks like its going to be another b, e, a, utiful day!

So just to wrap up the sailing week, a couple more snippets of me sailing the bike and riding the cheese grater (farewell No 18 in slip 10, you will shred me no more!).  See:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhbqA1YqHsg

I'm hoping that the soreness will subside sometime soon Baby.

Speak soon

Day 7 - Last day on the water

YouTube has let me down, no matter how hard I have tried I have not been able to upload video of me wrestling with a David Harleyson and a cheese grater.  So here they are now on Vimeo:

See: http://vimeo.com/52232580  for me riding the HD out to OCSC

Yay!  This one worked, see:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwaT6ZzMshk for me, Michael and Eric and the cheese grater with man overboard drills...

See:  http://vimeo.com/52236637 for me riding back home on the freeway.

Today was the last day on the boat and was a full day in, what was, a beautiful day.  This morning I looked east and the sky was clear with blues, turquoises, yellows and a ruddy orange on the horizon. I took two things today.  A long sleeve tee shirt to save the arms from further assault by UVand a crash hat (didn't really) because I do seem to have a knack for head butting the boom (ow!)

Overall a grand day with boat control exercises in the marina under sail (no engine) having to deal with other boating traffic.  Good fun manovering the boat in a tighter area and bringing it to the pontoon under sail alone.  Even man overboard drills (I think Orange Bob is now fed up with us) have improved a good bit, and even done sail trimming for speed in light airs by using using the Outhaul, the Cunningham and the Back Stay to 'shape' the sail for more / less power.  This is a lot more complex than I ever remembered from the UK.  However the J24 is a racing yacht so definitely more bits and pieces to pull on and play with.   Good fun!

I'll add some more (and the final) vid of sailing later today / tomorrow.  Has been great fun with Michael sailing together and one never knows, maybe in the future we will meet again again at OCSC and take a boat out together.  Thanks for your patience Michael and good luck with your practical and written tests when they come around.

Tomorrow, time to ride across the Golden Gate and up the coast.  The Harley is fuelled and ready to go so am now moving into the motorcycling section of the holiday and take a trip north on Highway 1

Time to kick back and cruise baby!

Speak soon

Wayne.

Day 6 - Bad News Today...

It is enough for me to say today that a work colleague has this week been diagnosed with terminal cancer.  There just are not enough words... My most sincere and best wishes to him and his family over the coming weeks and months.

Wayne

Day 5 - I need a holiday

Just a quick note this evening cos I'm going to bed in a mo.  Am tired, worn out, dehydrated, achy, and realising now a lot has been missed in my previous training on the smaller and larger boats.  - this is really good training, a great refresher and I'm learning lots more and tired, worn out...

More to follow and a bit more vid in the AM but time now for sleep...

Sailing is hard work Baby.. (for me anyway...)

Back on line at 6am today (Day 6) so will finish this post.  I have video to share but am having problems, due to connectivity, in loading to YouTube, but give me a little time and I will get it done.  Maybe trying to do too much so tonight I will split the video into smaller bits and try again.

I would like to some more of the same sailing today so that I get more practice as some manoeuvres defo need work.  And remembering to sail the boat when the engine failed and get the crew to fix it - now there's a thought - bit like work really...  So today is back out with more marina practice using a Genoa (a fore sail that replaces the jib at the bow) as well as reefing whilst at sea.  I feel the aches starting to subside now, still a little stiff but starting to feel stronger again.  Just shows how far a human being can let their body deteriorate when working at a desk - so a thought - maybe I should go back to the gym.  Really think that would make a difference for future sailing / life / health etc..

The house is still swaying though.  I am sat here typing with a gentle feeling of the waves around me.  I'm sure that is just a retained sense... unless there is an earthquake developing today?  Wonder if that is how dogs know in advance of a quake that something's afoot; in that they feel sea sick?

I'm going to leave the house earlier today and find some brekkie nearby - Jenny's cafe is in the sat nav so that is my first and nearest destination to start with.  If anything like the evening food, which has so far all been excellent and more than slightly on the large side (ordered soup starter on Tuesday and I got a bucket of the stuff.  Very nice with crusty bread, yum).  But I need to avoid stuff like that because whilst I need a few more calories to sail the boat... or... maybe not - keep the same calories because now I'm starting to make use of 'em instead of storing the damn things.

Hands are starting to feel a little harder too, just curled the fingers and for sure they feel 'tougher' .  Seawater and skin and all that I'm sure.

Anyway I will persevere with the video and get some loaded, and again, will try later today.

Speak soon

Wayne

Day 4 - David Harleyson and Sailing

Ow ow ow!  This 50 year old body is aching enough to let me know that today, this week, I am not sat behind a desk on a laptop.  The broken pinkie (i've decided its broken because I am a wuss) has settled somewhat and I am now sufficiently wrapped up so that the 24 foot cheese grater we are sailing in the bay will shred me no more.  There is now a pattern to the weather in that most nights it rains, so is a dampish start, but predominantly is sunny and as Baby Bear might say, just right in the afternoon.

I want to go on, nay need to go on a diet.  I'm sure that my family fret over my weight but are a little too polite to say "hey Fatty!, time to give birth to that teenager isn't it?"  So true.  So this is a short blog today so that I can give you enough time to see a fat man wrestling with a David Harleyson; a cheese grater; and, his trousers in the bay.  See day 7 for links...

Today is the first day of a full sail across the bay so all day out on the water.  I will say more about the excellent food but will do that tomorrow as I need go get a move on today!

Be careful those sharks Baby!

Speak soon
Wayne

Day 3 - Wet Wet Wet!

05:30 and.. its raining.  Today is reportedly the end of a very long period of dry weather.  Same happened when I went to India.  India was suffering with a water shortage because the monsoon was 1 month late.  I arrived and the heavens opened up.  I think I have a new found talent and is great timing Wayne for biking and sailing.  Am gonna get wet  wet wet :-)

And I did.  Left the house at 7.30 thinking rain has stopped - looks OK ish.  So with the Harley loaded up set off to go 7 miles or so north to OCSC.  And God did he havens open.  About halfway there I felt like I'd peed myself (but that ugh cold feeling not the mmm warm feeling).  I should have put on my waterproof trouser liners.  Too late and so thought, well I'll just have wet legs when I get to OCSC and I'll soon dry out after I get there .

I didn't account though for the poor drainage and great sheets of water being thrown up by passing vehicles.  That and the fact that the road must have been 3-6 inches deep with water in places meant that I soon learn't something else - that waterproof boots are : 1. good at keeping water out, and are : 2. also very good at keeping water in.  Ugh.  Obvious really.  Listen, I was now prepared to do the man overboard drill and could have just jumped in the bay fully clothed as really I could not get any wetter.  Arrived at OCSC and poured water out of boots and wrung out my socks.  Peeled biking trousers from my legs and let everything drip dry in the wet room.  See :  http://youtu.be/UfI9NcFpxjc

So why do boats hurt so much?  I now have a sore knee, ankle bone (God knows how) as I managed to hit it with something edgy on the boat (sss aaah, sss ahhh, sss aaah!) and the middle pinky on right foot, well, feels very sore too but God again knows how I did that one.  I need to have a chat with God.  Also the finish on the boat is like a cheese grater so after 5 minutes of losing bits of knuckle skin I now have my gloves on.  Really yes, this is what I call fun!

Will have some vid of sailing and the bike tomorrow - today a bit too wet and have too much to learn so didn't have time to think about using the camera.  But was great fun sailing out into the bay for the first time.

Just back in from the restaurant.  And thank that man, again, cos I've just got back to the digs and the rain has started, again, and is bucketing it down. Hammering on the roof.  Anyway what is with American restaurants?  The goddam starter was the size of the main meal.  Also I think the restaurant has a magic oven cos I ordered a Calzone and got Pizza and the waiter apologising with a "sorry, it came out that way...".  Sorry but I'd be pretty sure it did go in that way too.  Can't complain, food excellent and good value - so much better that the Aurora.

Soon time to get wet again Baby!  I do not want to sound like a McD but I'm loving it!

And will someone please stop the house from swaying.  I wanna sleep!!

Speak soon

Day 2 - Fat Man on a Fat Boy!

Sunday 21st October

Up at 06:00 as expected, sore back from carrying heavy bags yesterday - that is not a good sign being that for the next 5 days I'm riding a Harley and hauling on sheets and winches and other bits of boat whilst sailing.  It has settled and I hope that it stays that way for the next 3 weeks.  A bit of vid here of me travelling over the last day up to the point of arriving on the aircraft.  See:  http://youtu.be/SCkdHMR5zGc

The urge for me to look at work emails this morning was palpable - physically has to stop myself.  This is what in the trade is called a conditioned response.  Like Pavlov's dogs.  Unlike the dogs I do not salivate nor get a food reward when I look at emails.  Mmmm ideas - maybe I can convince BT to pay me per mail read in bacon sarnies a la Man vs Food!

Anyway the phone is now off and away for 3 weeks.  Unlike last night the walk to the bus stop was easy as it was just outside the hotel.  Last night I could have shot the bus driver because even though 3 people said please stop at the Aurora hotel he did not.  So a blubbering sweaty fat wreck of a man turned up in the hotel foyer 10 minutes later with a young american woman who took pity and was courteous enough to walk with me (note to self: pull belly in again and try not to gasp Wayne!).  Oh how I think now of my 20's when I was not quite so large.  

Absolutely no problems at the airport this morning - straight though the express check in and into the upper class lounge.  Tried to eat £4000 of sausages and bacon (I'm damn sure I'll get my money's worth on this trip) and sat in a reclining chair feeling as tightly wrapped as ever.  For sure I need to loosen up over the next few days as the adrenaline settles and I "chillax" (I think that's what I heard Brucie say last night on Strictly...). 

Sat comfortably on the 11hr flight.  Lunch was about 1pm UK time so 5am San Fran time.  Watched the movie Battleship with any number of people wandering around the aircraft.  Watched Prometheus too - crap film - like a watered down version of Alien.  Wonder if the Wright Brothers ever envisaged this?  No not Aliens!  Being at 35,000 feet somewhere over the North Atlantic watching movies, drinking beers, eating good food (small potions though) travelling 1/3 of the way around the planet.

Its the Mile High Club for me Baby!  Really?  Need more than one 'member' for that club do I? (fnar fnar eh Brian :-P).

Arrived at San Fran airport into the longest queue ever for passport / immigration.  Reminded me of the 80's and the problems with the Greek airports!  Taxi to downtown and jeez!, yer man driving didn't know where 8th street was so was trying to navigate using hand held sat nav and almost went up the chuff of a stationary car (queueing traffic on the freeway).  Thank  God for a space in the lane to the right - very very close to a prang for sure.  Seatbelt was now firmly on with apology from driver who was dressed like Michael Jackson (red leather jacket and perm - you know - Thriller stuff!)

So different were the boys at the Harley rentals, could not do enough for me.  AND they did fit a power supply to the bike - I'm now on a Fat Boy!  See:  http://youtu.be/xObOOO0Lf-c

Just coming up to 6pm (2am UK time and I'm good - bit stingy in the eyeballs but hopefully a good night's sleep tonight.. Sailing tomorrow

Shiver my timbers Baby!  Note to self:  shouldn't that have happened in the mile high club?

Speak soon

Day 1 - Don't Panic!

Saturday 20th October and I'm busy...

Its a bright warm and sunny start.  Was a good night again last night at the Ryther arms with our kid, Elaine and Brad, Carol and Sharon with Alana and Con and Margaret.  I am now [today] on a self imposed diet after eating 20oz fillet steak, cooked to perfection, with more trimmings than I could have shaken a stick at.  Burp!  So today is orange juice, and not a lot else.  I think I've got enough beef inside of me for the rest of the week. 

A bit 'mad' this morning is an understatement.  Up at 06:30, Started washing.  Out at 07:30 to Alcuin and cleared another load of garden rubbish to the tip.  Van was back at Enterprise for 9am and I'm back home for 09:30 and… more washing.  Got a haircut and some stationary bits from the post office and back home.  More washing.  And finally started to pack.  And then… yep...

I'm beginning to learn, in that : 1. Do the washing before the day you go on holiday and 2. Do a pre pack to make sure no problems before you go on holiday.  But all done for 12ish and I think I have everything - I have my credit card and passport so if something does occur then well, I have a credit card and passport.

12 till some time just before the taxi arrived at 2pm I did the worlds quickest email handover update for Colin (manager) and the team.  Work for sure grabs you by the balls if you let it - and I do.  But all work is turned off now for 3 weeks with emergency contact only via another mobile number if needed.  I intend to stay out of 'normal' contact for the duration except for this blog.

Just passing through Doncaster (again) on the train.  And It's just struck me..

I'm on HOLIDAY BABY!  :-)))

Some adventurers ahead… the first probably US customs tomorrow evening.

ps, Staying at the Aurora hotel.  Room rate was good but food is crap and expensive.  35 quid for a couple of beers and a chicken salad.  Oh dear, captive customer and all that…

6am Sunday I'll be up and on the move ...

Speak soon

Disappointed Puppy

This is the second time I have complained about Eaglerider in this blog and I've not even started the hire with them.

So I ask them is there a power outlet on the bike.  No.  So I ask can they add a power outlet on the bike.  No - and not only that they tell me I can try myself but if I damage the bike in any way then I will be responsible.

There is nothing quite like telling it straight I guess.  But the attitude and tone of the email just makes me think; I'll have the bike for 7 days, take it back as expected, then blow them out as ever a company to do business with again.

Sorry, but there is choice out there and I'm one for getting good customer service.  However their attitude is take it or leave it and do anything different and I will be responsible.  What do they think - that they are doing me a favour hiring me a bike?

Bad karma Baby.  Neva again with this shower.

Speak soon

Beer Beer and more Beer!

It's not long before I lift my feet off the desk and climb onboard an aircraft bound for San Francisco.  All the pieces are bought and all the bits now together in the house.   Just need to pack, check, double check, triple check ... and go.

Last Saturday, really enjoyed the lunch at the Red Lion (in Knapton - NOT Poppleton Mr Taxi driver please! - I'll say more on that later) and after a good meal and bit of banter a birthday cake was brought out, rather unexpectedly, with a printed photo of me, maybe as a 3 or 4 year old sat in a deck chair at Scarborough.  There was a moment when all I wanted to do was to 'let it all out' cos for sure I'm feeling a bit tight wrapped at the moment.  But I held on...  the food was finished, the sisters enjoyed the day too - it has been such a long time...

And now I have 3/4 of a birthday cake at home.  Oh well, OK, if I must - chomp!

Then out for beers again on Saturday evening.  Met with our kid for robust debate, arguement, disagreement, put the World to rights kinda stuff but did not stay in town due to the crowds post the famous York horse swimming trials on the Knavesmire (the races really - was a lake 2 weeks ago so very very soft going I guess).  Got to bed about 1am, got up with a headache, had some brekkie and then back out again for Sunday lunch and more beers with John, Fiona, Brian, Brenda, Gary.  I am as straight as a die and not into leathers on a Harley but thanks Brian, when I said I was out with the sisters I meant my mothers daughters.  Fnarr Fnarr again eh :-).  And then met our kid again later that evening on my way home for one more beer; he was on his way out withe Elaine for a meal with Stella, Mary and David post their last day at work (Multiyork furniture now closed).

I was by now very tired...  I'm am built for but just cannot drink beers on successive days.  And back to work into a busy week this week...

The last supper is planned at the Ryther Arms steakhouse this Friday.  And no our kid this is not a farewell session to break bread and drink wine - I do plan to come home.  I'm not about to disappear off the face of the planet so stop worrying!  And I trust that you have sorted a minibus to get the 9 of us to the Ryther - not really looking forward to garden chairs nailed commando style (along the walls) in the back of your box van Mr white van man please Sir...

So so nearly there.  I feel that I will collapse into the holiday.  I could have booked a swanky beach holiday at a very very nice place for 3 weeks at half the cost but NO, sailing and biking is my bag and in my blood so that is what it will be.

Maps are now off the wall and tucked under my arm

Almost time to 'chill' Baby!

Its been a few weeks...

...since I last made an entry on the Blog..

Work has been real busy and finding time to do most things is not good.  Chores?  Hah!  I have a backlog, a pile, a mess of things still to do and am living off borrowed clothes and bits at the moment.  Things are charging ahead in prep for the holiday.  I have virtually all that I need bought - clothing - earplugs for the bike, portable disk storage, etc.. For sure Amazon have just has a lot of business off me!  Shame though that Force4 chandlery have been unable to find a Gill (coastal) sailing suit for me - I need to wait until December when the new XXXL stock comes in.  It would be quicker to lose weight...

This weekend I will be out Saturday lunchtime with some of the family on a small birthday dinner.  Then Sunday for a wee beer and a bite with some long time good schoolmates / friends.  Hoping to have a quiet weekend as I should be trying to relax and wind down a little on the run up to the trip.

Friday the 19th will be a final night out with the other half of the family (don't ask long story) - at the Ryther Arms for a very nice (I hope) steak and bits...  Saturday 20th about 2pm I'm away and God, how soon time has come around.  I still have about 100 pages of pre read to get thorough before I get to San Francisco and the sailing - well - a bit if light reading at the weekend won't hurt eh?

So nearly here - and all I find is that work is consuming me - massively.  What will I do for 3 weeks away from the rat race.  Probably wind down, enjoy myself and then get the reality shock when I get back on the 12th November.  Ah well that is still over 4 weeks away so why worry about that now.

No bike vid to share this time.  I have been practicing and now am a bit quicker at getting the clips together for you tube.  I'll paste the links as I travel - so watch out for some scenic runs and a bit of personal commentary over the coming weeks.  Move vid and less photo / typing is what I say.

Have American Football on at the mo - I just found out that the BBC has it on iPlayer!  Thanks BBC for advertising the fact!  Thanks BBC for doing it anyway - is good - see... http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01ngqk6/American_Football_Live_Matches_2012_13_Season_Houston_Texans_at_NY_Jets/
 First down and 10 Baby!

Speak soon...