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Memories

Well, you thought I'd forgotten this blog eh?

Its taken me some time to get a new laptop and get the chance to finish off this blog.

To bring you up to date, after the candlelight vigil on the Thursday evening, Michael (the lawyer who told me of the event and to whom I am eternally grateful) and I went for a beer and a bite to eat with a couple of police officers who were down simply for the Memorial Service.  A good chat over beers about the merits of US and UK gun control laws ensued. Mike was taking great interest in the Boston v Cleveland( or for the USA readers Cleveland v Boston  ) Basketball game on the TV. It was the semi final of the play offs and Cleveland lost much to Mike's disappointment. That meant another year without a trophy for Cleveland.

I gather from Michael that Cleveland are a bit like Newcastle United- ie without a trophy many a year. They also seem to have in James Le Bron a player a bit like Alan Shearer ie a star who is far above the club he is at.

Friday brought a rather sad day. A farewell breakfast was taken with Michael, Jenny ( Colorado officer and one of the ride marshalls), Dee (Ohio State Trooper), Judy (FBI officer) and others (my memory for names is dreadful- so sorry to those who I missed out). After breakfast, I had to box up my bike ready for the flight home and take it back to my hotel from the neighbouring hotel. Thereafter I said goodbye to those I had breakfasted with and I went for a walk round the neighbourhood of the hotel and generally chilled before heading to the airport with some officers from Oakland Police.

Check in at the airport was swift, but the security checks were interesting, especially when I was selected to provide a hand swap which is tested for both explosives and drugs. Fortunately I passed the test, so it was through to departures and a bit of last minute shopping. Note to self duty free shopping at US airports is a bit like shopping at the corner shop - over priced and rubbish selection.

Boarding the plane brought the news that the plane was completely full, unlike the outbound flight. We left the gate on time, taxied to the end of the runway and stopped - for 2 1/2 hours with the pilot telling us every so often he had no news of a take off time. Apparently there was a severe thunderstorm off the Eastern Seaboard of the USA and all flights across the Atlantic were suspended. The issue for me was I had a wedding to attend in Crawley and delay would mean I risked missing it. I tried to let Michelle know what was going on, but the last she heard was we had no departure time. When pilot announced departure time, it was immediate and I couldn't text her. So until about 0900 Saturday morning she didn't know if she was attending the wedding solo or not. Fortunately all turned out well and a very enjoyable time was had at the wedding, albeit I was shattered by the end.


REFLECTIONS

The Police Unity Tour is an incredible event and something that I will never forget.

• To see several hundred cyclists riding 2 abreast in a peloton stretching hundreds of yards long is impressive.
• The Crowds on the streets in New Jersey and Washington DC cheering us on was very heartening.
• The mutual acknowledgement of the crowds by the riders again was nice to see.
• The great banter all the way from NJ to DC made the ride very enjoyable and passed many miles with ease
• The stories of some of the survivors was moving and very humbling. I have mentioned some of them in my earlier posts. These people are very special and their achievements on the bike and their mental strength should never be forgotten.
• The sight of all the motorcycle riders escorting us and operating a rolling road closure was impressive. Those boys, including all the CHiPs kept us safe and rolling - thanks guys.
• The support operation for this ride was again impressive. Each morning, we just dumped our bags outside the hotel and that night they were in my room at the next hotel. Rest stops were provided with all we needed to eat & drink and the portaloos that were essentials. Feeding the 5000 is hard, but feeding watering them and providing portaloos is more than in the Bible. There were certainly more than 5 loaves and 2 fishes at each rest stop.
• Two men who cannot be praised to highly are Patrick P. Montuore and Harry E. Phillips the founders of this event and the organisers of the ride. Their motivation, their drive, their dedication is unbelievable. I want to say a personal thanks to them for allowing me to take part in this ride.
• The people on the ride were so friendly and so many people went out of their way to make me feel welcome and part of the ride. From talking to me through some of the more difficult parts of the ride to making sure I had company on an evening. Thanks to amongst others, Dee, Judy,  their (& my) friend whose name I can't recall ( sorry!), Jenny and others. Dee you rode with me for so much of the ride and made the ride fun. Thanks so much.
• At this point I must thank all the Delaware riders for their support including my roommate Daniel. By the last day, I had managed to get the Delaware support vehicle to take my luggage for me instead of the main vans. I had a couple of great meals with them in Annapolis and in Washington DC. Thanks to you and apologies for stealing your seat on the bus in Annapolis back to the hotel.
• Erik, Lisa and Michael from Ohio, thank you so very much for inviting me (Mike) and making me feel so welcome on this ride.
• Lisa (a prosecutor from Ohio)your determination to ride despite your injury was a tribute to you. I hope to see you next year at this event. I  have tried to suggest to the CPS that our prosecutors should be armed like your prosecutors are but it seems not to be seen as a good idea!
• Erik (an Ohio police officer), the most laid back person I've met. Does anything phase you?  I'll not forget your sleeping at rest point, so laid back.
• Michael, its down to you that I learned of this ride. You looked after me every step of the way. You introduced me to so many people and made sure I was treated as a friend by everyone. Thank you so much. However I hope you have got over that silly idea about not doing the ride next year. I'm coming back if they will have me and want you to join me again.

America, you and I may nominally share the same language, even though Michael may disagree (cheers Michael) but what we do share is a sense of respect for the sacrifices made by so many police officers in the course of their duty. Yes we may get annoyed by the actions of some officers at times, but they put their lives on the line for us.  Only this week in Cumbria, it was police officers who were the ones hunting the gunman who killed 12 people on his rampage. They were putting their lives at risk to keep us safe.

I would like to think that perhaps with the USA Police unity Tour we could arrange a similar event in the UK. I know Pat was interested in this idea, so watch this space...

Hampshire & Maine Police Officers

Candlelight Vigil with some of riders who befriended me

With Michael and Dee

The Law Won

A Great Bunch to Ride With - Thanks Guys and Girls

THE National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial Rose

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue aka The White House

Is That Brian Haw on Holiday in the Tent?

Lincoln Memorial with the Reflecting Lake in front. (Remember Forest Gump?). The lake is empty- what does that say re  the Relections of the USA?

The Capitol Building

The Ford Theatre - Where Lincoln was shot

The medal for all riders

The Brits are Coming ( and no Paul Revere in sight)

The last 5 weeks have been hugely influential on my. The whole trip to the USA has taught me a lot about myself and my life and what is important to me. Thank you to all who have enabled me to have this experience. The who;e trip to the USA has made me re assess me own values and lifestyle and what is important.

Amazing Grace

Just attended the Candlelight vigil tonight, aslong with 20,000 others, including the US Attorney General and the Secretary for Homeland Security.

It was an incredibly moving service and worth cycling 300 m iles to attend.  So many people and so many stories to be told.

I'm proud to have helped raised funds for this cause. The US certainly know how to look after the survivors of such deaths. (Survivors being the relatives and loved ones of the deceased).


Incredibly enough, like me, the officer stood next to me has relatives from the Isle of Man! I couldn't believe anyone had even heard of the place.

A Relative from the Isle of Man?

The Thin Blue Line

Candles in the Wind

So, its homeward bound tomorrow :-(

I will be updating this blog with more thoughts and photos over the course of the next week, so its not over yet.

I Have a Dream

Well no cycling today. The ride is over.  This is National Police Week in the USA and events culminate tonight with a Candlelight Vigil at the NLEOM. I am heading off there very shortly.

I spent today walking round Washington. I went to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the Lincoln Memorial, the WWII, Korean and Vietnam War memorials, the Washington Monument and the Capitol Building.

I also visited the NLEOM and the related resource centre. It was sad to see so many names on the walls and so many survivors there to remember their loved ones. So many wreaths, hand written letters, notes pictures etc.

I have a number of photos and pictures of today, but I can't upload them at present. Will have to do it at the weekend when back home.

The only downside of today is that my knee is killing me. The walking has been very painful and has definitely aggravated it. Strangely, the cycling all week was fine. All offers to massage my knee will be gratefully accepted, and I'll rank the offers in terms of the prettiness of the offerer!!!!!
Right- sorry this is so short, but need to get ready to go out.

PS 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue  is.... look it up yourself

PPS I Have a Dream - MLK's speech was made on steps of Lincoln Memorial

Keep Right on Till the End of the Road

Wednesday brought the end of the ride, but not the end of the adventure.

Wednesday started out in the beautiful seaport of Annapolis which was where Kunta Kinte was first landed as a slave. (Think Alex Haley's book and mini series "Roots"). Michael, my host and I had a ride down to the seafront before our ride started this morning to see the harbour.

When we arrived back, the start of the ride was delayed owing to the problem in finding one rider;s bike. Fortunately, it was eventually located and we set off in the burning sun towards Washington. A hilly ride to our first rest spot @ 19.8 miles was in store. Indeed I finally had to use my granny ring on the bike, but not the granny gear on that ring. I was one of the first to arrive at the rest spot and felt good riding. The hilly route was what was needed as it actually made me do some work. (Yes dad, I remembered what you taught me last year riding up Shap Fell. I also remember Underbarrow and still have not forgiven you for that detour!).

From the rest stop to RFK Stadium in Washington, I rode with Dee, an Ohio State trooper with whom I rode much of the trip. I must say thanks to her for her company and her help and support.

The RFK Stadium in Washington was where we met up with all the other rides. It was a fantastic sight to see some of the other rides arrive. They were much smaller than our ride, so I can only begin to think how our ride must have looked.

After all the rides had arrived, we set off in convoy for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial (NLEOM). I'm not sure how many riders there were, somewhere between 1200 and 1700 I believe. The procession looked fantastic and it was a moving experience to see so many people out on the streets to cheers us on.

The NLEOM is a fantastic feature and it was so moving to see so many personal tributes to officers on all the walls along with the names of the fallen. A short ceremony was held at which Craig Floyd (see Sunday's post) mentioned some of the moving stories behind some of the riders, including one officer who had been shot a number of years ago and was expected to be paralysed, but he has recovered to enable him to ride. Others rode in memory of fallen spouses and siblings. I have to say the courage of so many people made me feel very humble.

While the ceremony was going on, I received a tap on the shoulder and was told by one of the ride marshalls that 2 men wanted a word with me. When I turned round there were 2 Metropolitan Police Officers in uniform there. I remember thinking "Oh dear, what have I done..." Fortunately they just wanted to say well done on the ride. Now, why did I have a guilty conscience?

The ceremony ended as a thunderstorm broke. We all received a commemorative medal for the ride. A nice touch.

At the ceremony, it was announced that this year's ride had raised $1,100,000 for the NLEOM. This is after deducting the expenses of the ride. A truly fantastic achievement.

Tomorrow night is the candlelight vigil. That I am told is very moving.

Hopefully, I will be able to post pictures soon.

Raindrops keep falling on my Head

This will be rather brief as I've managed to damage my laptop. This muppet shut the laptop whilst there was a metal badge on the keyboard, so the screen is damaged and only 45% of it visible.

Today was the longest ride - 96 miles in pouring rain and freezing temperatures. 50+ miles were very wet and the temperature was below 50F (around 9C). So, it was miserable going, but the company of some good riders made it more pleasurable. One of my riding partners today was a lady from Oakland whose brother was one of the 4 Oakland police murdered in a single incident this year.

We are now at Annapolis which is in Baltimore - apparently.

I enjoyed the day thoroughly, despite the temperatures and the rain. The only shame is the ride was only 96 miles. I could easily have done another 30 miles today. I was also one of the strongest rides on the hills - must be going well!

Tomorrow is the ride to Washington DC and then the parade into the city itself

Philadelphia Freedom

Well day 2 of the ride is over. We rode from Edison NJ to Wilmington in Delaware. The ride today was 89.8 miles long and was over a varied terrain. The first 10 miles were coming out of Edison and very slow moving - ie < 10mph. The next 14 were on  sometimes undulating terrain, then a morning break. There then followed a further 28 miles of undulating terrain until lunch. During this stretch we passed by Philadelphia. The skyline looked spectacular!

After lunch I nearly came a cropper when the 4 riders immediately in front of me all came down. Fortunately, my superior bike handling skills ( or was it because I was so far back off the pace?) enabled me to avoid coming down.

The rest of the early afternoon session, some 28 miles, was spent chatting to Dee, an Ohio State Trooper. She works as a Highway officer. We had a good couple of hours chatting about life the world and the law.

At the afternoon break, a ceremony was held to mark the loss this year of an officer from the Delaware Riper Police Authority. A moving occasion and a reminder of why we are riding.

The afternoon break preceded what was described as a terrible climb up a bridge over the Delaware River. It was about 1.5 miles uphill, but was a doddle. I never even had to use my granny ring, never mind the granny gear on it. The rest of the ride into Wilmington was relatively uneventful and relatively painless. i was surprised how good my legs felt at the end of the 90 miles. I could have carried on a lot further, which is good as tomorrow is longer - somewhere between 93 and 103 miles long.

I must just pay tribute to these boys.

They are our motorcycle escort team. 24 of them came over from Oakland California, (Yes, real life CHIPS) in memory of their 4 colleagues murdered this year. They have joined the other escort riders and closed all the roads for us, kept us safe and worked outstandingly to make the ride so pleasurable. Great work guys, you are much appreciated by us all.

One final thing for tonight. I know from chatting to others this week that some people reading this  have photos that would complement those I've taken. Can those of you who offered me pictures email to  me via this site - thanks

Walk Like A Man

Well day 1 is over.  We rode 57+ miles and climbed 2400 feet and rode from New Jersey to New Jersey via Newark in New Jersey.

The wind was fierce- and as we zig zagged across NJ we often rode into a head wind.

I can't do today justice, but it was literally awesome to see 600 cyclists riding in a peloton through the closed streets of New Jersey. The crowds lined the streets to cheers us on. The cars held up and their occupants also applauding us.

At lunch we we joined by the New York State riders who had started their ride at Ground Zero. Prayers were said for the fallen officers. The CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial provided a moving speech about the ride and even mentioned me as the only rider fro England on the Chapter 1 Ride.

The people on the ride are so friendly. I've never been so popular with police officers! From the Ohio rides that I met and drove with yesterday through so many riders today. Too many to remember them all. Everyone has a story to tell. I must just mention Michelle from near Sacramento (California) who was riding in memory of her husband who died on duty in a car accident leaving her with 2 young children. She had never ridden a bike before starting training for this ride. She was also away from her children today ( Mother's Day in the USA). That is such devotion to the memory of her husband.

Last year there were about 120 Police Officers killed in the USA - the lowest total for many years. The slogan of the ride is WE Ride for Those Who Died - its a moving statement and so very true.

So many things to mention today. Had meal tonight at Albert's - an Indian banqueting centre. He donates $000s every year to this event. He is a true star.

Thanks to everyone who supported the ride, the marshalls, the helpers, the organisers, the public, the motorists.

The Ohio Crew - Erik (Police Officer) Lisa (DA) Me, Michael (US Postal Lawyer

Craig W. Floyd is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

The Backdrop to Lunch ( The Empire State Building) - King Kong doesn't Work Sundays

Fire Service Welcome us to Lunch Stop

Memorial Service @ Lunch Break

Have you worked out the song title yet?

No, miles in the saddle haven't left me walking like John Wayne. Its from the Musical Jersey Boys - and we rode all day in New Jersey

Driving in My Car

The title sums up today - a total of around 500 miles driven!

After attempts to chat to a loved one online proved unsuccessful, I bade goodbye to Phil, Tiffany and family, but not before Ralph & Bonnie kindly made a donation to my sponsorship. This was a most unexpected but very generous surprise.

I drove about 10 miles to meet up with Mike, Erik and Lisa, my riding companions from Ohio. We drove in 2 vehicles the 400+ miles to East Hanover where we are to start the ride from. It seems everyone is aware of my joining the ride. Fame or is it infamy? Should I be worried that in a hotel full of police officers, they all know about me?

After an evening meal and a chance to chat, we had to drive to the hotel for tomorrow night's stay to drop off Mike, Lisa and Erik's van. They have no driver to take it on each day. Fortunately for me, I can drop my car off in the morning to the hire company - problem solved.

I have reassembled my bike tonight and after some problems managed to fit the pedals on. However, I appear to have a slight problem with the front wheel. I suspect the bearings are going. I hope it manages to get me through the next 4 days. Tomorrow is a relatively short day - only about 60 miles to ride, but the weather forecast is for it to be cool/ cold and with 40mph winds - not good.

I'd like to end by just saying thanks again to Phil, Tiffany and family for hosting me and making me feel so welcome. I look forward to seeing you all in the summer when you come over to England.

Singing in the Rain

Just a quickie to say the tornado didn't happen. Great thunderstorm, lots of rain etc.instead. It made for excitement anyway.

I'm pleased to report that Tiffany's parents arrived safely. It was good to see them again for the first time in 18 years!

Must go now as its breakfast, then my 450 mile drive!

I did think about phoning home this weekend, but it seemed pointless as I'm not home to answer the call!

Help

Dear Diary,  Help - as I type this Friday 21:20-ish the local news is broadcasting tornado warnings for where we are now. I've never been in a tornado before! What makes it worse is that Tiffany's parents are driving here  through the storm and her daughter is out at a school dance. The weather is worsening here, thunder and lightening etc. Not nice. Hope it clears before the morning and my car is not damaged by hail. The whole house is shaking in the thunderstorm.

Well, the weather channel is warning people to be prepared and is warning of golf ball sized hail as well. HELP!

Well, I was going to post about another great day in a beautiful place. I spent most of the day shopping at another outlet mall with my retail consultant advising me on the purchases to make.Thanks Tiffany, I'm sure you are right and the leather chaps will go down well at the football or down the local pub.

Seriously, lots of good shopping help from Tiffany, but I fear I may need yet another new bag for my purchases... Think Customs may be getting me when I get back to England! Tiffany and I had lunch at Subway (fine dining eh?) but I still never got to try the banana peppers there as they had run out. So, can anyone tell me what are banana  peppers?

I must also than Tiffany for the cooking ideas she has given me. Some new ideas to try out when I get home. For example, who would have thought of putting baked beans on a slice of toast for a meal?

Tiffany played the perfect hostess today, indulging my desires, like shopping, finding the drugs store, surfing the net, going to the soccer game etc. This is my last night with Phil and Tiffany and it has been absolutely fantastic to see them both and their 2 children. I have never been made to feel as welcome by anyone. Nothing has been too much trouble. Phil even gave me an alcoholic tour of his beer collection. I have to say the local brewery brews some fine beer.

Tomorrow morning begins the next phase of the adventure with a 450 mile drive to East Hanover NJ to start the bike ride. I am meeting 3 other cyclists at a motorway service station nearby and travelling with them to East Hanover where we will be staying overnight in a hotel before the ride begins. Its a long day tomorrow and I'm not expecting to be at the hotel until early evening at the best.

Hopefully by then Orient will have survived in League one for another season. Tom, you are supposed to be texting me the scores.

Shopping

Well after last night's pathetic attempt at a post, I thought I would try to do a bit better today.

Yesterday (Wednesday) started with me driving to an Outlet Mall some 30 miles south of Pittsburgh for a spot of retail therapy. The ladies would be proud of me- I managed to spend several hundreds of dollars in only a couple of hours. What have I got to show for it?

Well, some Van Heusen shirts and ties, some shorts and a t-shirt from Timberland, a top and a shirt from Banana Republic, other bits and pieces and a winter leather jacket. It seemed ironic to be buying a winter leather jacket lined with thinsulate inner liner when the weather was 80+ degrees. Only problem is that I now have too much luggage for my cases to bring back. I've had to go out to buy another holdall. I'll be paying excess baggage now.

I returned to Pittsburgh to the AIST Conference, and assisted Phil to pack away his concession. See- you knew I worked in the iron & steel trade didn't you?  

CVM Systems' Head of European Operations

I then had a chat via MSN with Michelle - the power of modern technology  enabling real time conversations and video with people 000s of miles away. Sadly conversation was rather short as Phil and I had to head out to the baseball game.

I'm sure that I irritated Phil with my constant questions about the game, the rules etc. Well, I was a baseball virgin, but no longer. It was a very enjoyable game with a passing similarity to 20/20 cricket. It was good to have vendors bringing beer to us in our seats- very civilised.

After the baseball game, we went to a bar opposite our hotel for 1 beer before bedtime. However we got chatting to a fellow bar visitor and 1 beer rapidly became 2, then 3 then 6. Whoops.

This morning brought a couple of rather sluggish visitors to the hotel breakfast. We also had to drive 100 or so miles from Pittsburgh to Hudson Ohio. I'd rather have slept than driven but.....Nothing prepared me for Hudson Ohio. Phil and Tiffany hadn't told me they owned a mansion. Their garage is bigger than my house. The house is beautiful and huge. They even have dear roaming around in the rear garden. I need a map and compass to find my way to my bedroom.

For lunch today, Tiffany took me into downtown Hudson which is like a picture postcard town. It has a beautiful town square and is the most delightful place. I have fallen in love with the place. Afterwards, Tiffany showed me some of the other properties in Hudson which make their house seem small - hard to believe I know.

This evening, we all went to watch Phil & Tiffany's youngest (Cassie) play in her softball league game. I didn't know what this was before today. Basically, its a form of baseball played by girls, using a ball slightly bigger than a baseball. I must give a big thanks to all the parents there who made me feel so welcome. They showed, it wasn't just the architecture of Hudson that is nice.

Finally, I got back home in time to surf the net to see the election results in the UK. Its 10pm EST (0300 in UK) as I type this and it seems no one is winning the election, but the electorate as usual will be the losers. I told you all that you should have voted Monster Raving Loony Party.

Take Me To The Ball Game

Just a quickie (as the actress said to the vicar)
Been to the baseball tonight. That's a new experience for me. Saw the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 4-2. Got to say thanks to Phil for explaining the game to me. Its 20/20 rounders I think.

 Too drunk to type more tonight, so read the full story tomorrow

Let's Go To Bed

this about sums up how I feel. The effects of jet lag and yesterday's nearly 400 mile drive are catching up with me. Not to mention, last night in the bar, then free beers today at the Association of Iron & Steel Technology Exhibition where I was official an exhibitor! That says exhibitor not exhibitionist!

Today brought an early start and after breakfast I was at the AIST exhibition as Phil set up the stall he had there. I was accredited as an exhibitionist to allow me in to the show! I spent most of the rest of the morning wandering round Pittsburgh along the rivers. Yes plural. Pittsburgh is at the convergence of 3 rivers.

Phil's wife Tiffany came down from Cleveland today and took me for lunch in the Grand Station Restaurant which was in the old station building. It was worth it just to see the magnificently restored building. A real architectural gem. Bonuses were the good company and the great food. Good call Tiff.

After lunch and a bit of a look at more of Pittsburgh we joined Phil at the AIST exhibition and sampled the free ales on offer. It would have been rude not to have tried them wouldn't it?

Then this evening all 3 of us went to a glorious restaurant at Mt Washington which overlooks Pittsburgh. The views were magnificent. Pittsburgh is a truly lovely place to see. The food and company were equally good.

So, now I am all pigged out and tired, its time to say "Lets Go To Bed"

What a Wonderful World

I went here today

Saw these on sale

Came away with these

What a Wonderful World!!!!!!!!!!!!


Woke up after about 4 hours sleep and had a good chat with Tom using modern technology. Its fantastic to be able to see and hear the person you are talking to even though they are 4000 miles away and in bed. Also spoke to other friends via face book.

Then after breakfast in the hotel in Newark, it was time to go and collect my hire car. I did try to get the car changed from a 4x4 to a catamaran or submarine. Yes, it was rather wet in New Jersey today. The worst rain I have seen in a long time. There were weather warnings on the TV and roads closed by flooding.

My hire car, a small 4x4 turned out to be a 4x4 the size of Rutlandshire. A Jeep Laredo that is huge. It does nearly 19 miles to the gallon - if you drive carefully! It is a luxury vehicle, air con, cruise control, satellite radio, electric everything etc. It is a rather nice vehicle, if rather huge.

A slow start to the day caused by accidents in the rain outside Newark. I stopped at lunchtime somewhere - when I stopped, I hadn't a clue where it was apart from on the I78 road. A bit of web surfing in McDonald's thanks to their free wifi identified I was in Hamburg.

Next stop was Hershey and a bit of shopping. That's the essentials sorted - 24 boxes of milk duds chocolates. Tom, that is 24 boxes for me and none for you. They won't last till I get to see you next.

I eventually arrived in Pittsburgh around 1900 EST after a 380 miles drive and lots of jet lag. Met my mate Phil at his/ our hotel (well, I'm crashing in his hotel room for 3 nights). I am ashamed to admit, I've not been to America to see him since his wedding in 1992 when I was his best man. There is no excuse for this delay. It was good to have a beer or two and some food and try to roll back the years.

I saw a little bit of downtown Pittsburgh. It looks a rather nice place. A (former) industrial port that has regenerated . It is the home of Heinz and our hotel is opposite the Heinz museum.

 More pics etc to follow tomorrow after I've met Tiffany (Phil's spouse) and been to the exhibition he is at. Hopefully also will get to see a bit of the town as well.

New York New York

Come on, what title did you expect for this post?

I've just arrived in the USA at Newark Liberty Airport and after an incredibly quick and friendly passport and customs check, I am in my hotel in Newark. Flight over was incredibly empty- only 100 people on the plane. The in flight entertainment consisted of about 15 cr*p films and a series of unfunny comedies. No problems, I'll listen to my ipod - oh  no I won't, its not working. So I had to read the newspapers I'd bought oh and sleep. Lots of sleep to catch up on as had a hectic weekend.

Friday, I drove over to Crawley after work. Its always a joy to drive the M25 in rush hour, especially across the Dartford river crossing with its attendant queues for the toll booths. Saturday morning brought a trip back from Crawley, last minute shopping, packing and the grass to cut etc.

Then it was off to see Orient v Wycombe in the afternoon. A poor performance, but Orient won to ensure their survival in League 1, but at the same time relegated Wycombe. Sadly ironic, but the 2nd goal scorer for Orient was an ex Wycombe player.

Saturday night was a night out in Kings Cross and The Angel Islington with old friends and also a night time drinking debut for Tom. For a newcomer he did well and survived ok, although he did have a severe attack of the munchies by the time we got home at silly o'clock.

By the time the Chinese had delivered to my home, and we'd eaten the same, it was late. A six am start on Sunday morning was not what the doctor ordered but was needed to enable us to drive to Heathrow to drop off my luggage and the car before heading back into London to Kings Cross, the Shepherds Bush for a few drinks before the Newcastle game at QPR. Getting into the game was difficult as mine and Tom's tickets had been cancelled and reissued to someone else!!!!! QPR initially said not their problem, but after a few choice words they gave me 2 new tickets at no cost.

After the game, Tom put me on a tube to Heathrow whilst he went to the pub with my mates. He's only 16, shouldn't I be putting him on train whilst I go to the pub?

I had time at Heathrow to speak to those close to me on the phone - it makes me think people are not expecting me back ...... Not that I am paranoid or anything.

Right, its gone 0100 here in Newark, or 0600 in UK, so I have been up for 24 hours and am going to bed now

Viva El Fulham

Well today I managed to sort out a problem with my bike. I tried to box the bike on Tuesday only to find I couldn't get the pedals off the bike. Disaster as it means bike won't fit in the box. Fortunately, a trip to Ciclos Uno ( www.ciclosuno.com ) brought a quick solution. Thanks Euan. It also allowed me to get some new Spd -SL pedals for the bike. These are clip less pedals that are used with special cleats so your shoe fixes onto the pedals IE you clip into clip less pedals!! Go figure

I eventually managed to get the bike and most of my cycling kit boxed up. Just got my clothes and toiletries left to pack. Nearly ready for the off. I don't fly until Sunday night, but am very busy for the next 3 days. So need to be ready tonight - or nearly ready.

I learned today that I can use MSN to have video conference calls for free. This will allow me to keep in touch whilst in the USA. Its easier than using Skype.

I also had a couple of calls tonight, neither of which was expected. Thanks to those who called. Its nice to hear from people who mean a lot to me.

Now, about the title of this post... I spent a very enjoyable night watching Fulham beat Hamburg in the Europa League Semi-Final. Its an amazing achievement for a side that 15 or so years ago were in bottom division (now called league 2) to have reached the final of a major European tournament.

Well done Fulham - shows all your money can't buy European success doesn't it Chelsea. Sadly I will be in Washington when the final is on otherwise I'd be in Hamburg with my Fulham mates.

The Final Countdown

Scarily, in 5 days time I should be in a metal tube flying towards to United States of America (volcanoes permitting of course) Its coming round far too fast. I must do some packing after I type this. I need to sort my bike and get it in the bike box - remove the pedals, deflate the tyres, turn the handlebars etc.

At least I have all the paperwork sorted - passport, flight tickets, car hire, hotel bookings etc.

The last few days has seen very little cycling. A broken wheel on one bike, a broken seat post bolt on another bike etc. I took one bike into the bike shop today to get the seat post bolt removed & replaced. As I left the shop a Rolls Royce pulled up and from the rear seats a bike appeared along with the bike owner. The car had the registration AMS1. The bike owner being one Alan Michael Sugar, a keen cyclist of a nearby parish (the posh one). Seems I shop at the same place as millionaires!

Going back in time. I spent most of the weekend  in Crawley, apart from a rapid dash back to the AGM of Lee Valley Youth Cycling Club. As it was our first AGM and I am chairman of the club it was probably appropriate for me to be there!. Saturday night brought a night of beer and curry added with good company. Thanks Michelle, Steve, Theresa and co.

Sunday was a St George's Day parade in Crawley by the local scouts. Although at a glance one could be mistaken for thinking it was the local BNP Youth Rally, with lots of Union and St George's flags on display and youths in uniforms. Seriously though, it was good to see so many people out at a service to mark our patron saint's day. The only disappointment was that they missed out the final  (sixth) verse of the National Anthem.

Lord grant that Marshal Wade

May by thy mighty aid

Victory bring

May he sedition hush

And like a torrent rush

Rebellious Scots to crush

God save the Queen

Can't see why we don't sing this verse more often these days.
 
Onto more mundane matters like work. Its now the 27th April and the boss formally took up his role on 1st April 2010 - some 27 days ago. Its fair to say he was not in office until 12th April owing to leave. However, in the time since 12th April, I have still to either see or hear from him. Not even an email to the staff! Different people have different management styles, but I have never worked for a manager that does not communicate with those under him.
 
The good news is I now have pledges that will take me over the $1700 sponsorship target. Thanks to all of you who have kindly sponsored me

Shakespeare('s Sister)

Happy Birthday to this chap.

He wasn't a bad writer was he? He was also a considerate chap, having the foresight to die on his birthday, so future generations of children only have to learn one date rather than two for his life.

Let's also remember that this day is a significant one in the calendar for all us English people.

Happy St George's Day to everyone. Now before people start accusing those celebrating our patron saints day as being racist....
a) You don't accuse the Irish of being racist for celebrating their patron saint's day, nor the Scots or the Welsh...
b) Far from being racist, we are celebrating the life of a Roman soldier. That doesn't sound like the actions on a racist Englishman
c) There is nothing wrong with being proud of your country and patriotic.

A few facts for you (lifted from Wikipedia)
Saint George (ca. 275/281 – 23 April 303) was, according to tradition, a Roman soldier and priest in the Guard of Diocletian, who is venerated as a Christian martyr. In hagiography Saint George is one of the most venerated saints in the Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Church, and the Eastern Catholic Churches. He is immortalized in the tale of Saint George and the Dragon and is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. His memorial is celebrated on 23 April, and he is regarded as one of the most prominent military saints.



Saint George is the patron saint of Aragon, Catalonia, England, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal, and Russia, as well as the cities of Amersfoort, Beirut, Fakiha, Bteghrine, Cáceres (Spain), Ferrara, Freiburg, Genoa, Ljubljana, Gozo, Milan, Pomorie, Preston, Qormi, Rio de Janeiro, Lod, Barcelona and Moscow, as well as a wide range of professions, organizations, and disease sufferers

Are all the people of these countries also racist?




I've a busy weekend ahead of me. After cycling home from work, I'm heading over to Crawley for the night, then driving back tomorrow morning for the AGM of the Lea Valley Youth Cycling Club of which I seem to have become the Chairman. (That's the penalty for being too loud and bossy at committee meetings!). After the AGM, I'm back to Crawley for a night out with friends. Sunday night will see me back home and time to start preparing for the USA trip. Time to get packing.

Congratulations to Newcastle United who will be presented with the Championship Trophy before a record crowd for a Championship game.

Have a good weekend one and all.

I Believe I Can Fly

Well, after the excitement of last night and seeing Newcastle win the Championship and meeting up with an old friend, today has been much more mundane. However, that feel good factor from both the football and meeting an old mate for the first time in about 6 years was still there.

Even better, I actually have some work to do now. Yes taxpayers, I am actually working for my salary now- at long last. Its great to have work to do.

I've still not seen the new Chief Inspector. Its day 7 since he arrived and still not so much as an email from him. He has been out of the office so far this week, but is apparently back in the office on Thursday. I am on leave from after Friday week (31st 30th April). I wonder if I will have either seen, spoken to or heard via email from the Chief Inspector by then. Not speaking to or communicating with your staff is an interesting management style, especially when the organisation is so small.

The main news of the day is that at last planes are allowed to fly into and out of the UK. The volcanic ash cloud is apparently moving away so planes are allowed to fly. Good, that means I should be ok to fly on Sunday week to Newark. I have booked the last item i need. I have now hired a car for 6 days in the USA. I have hotels booked in NJ, Pittsbugh and Washington. Car hire in USA, car parking in the UK and flights. Got my ESTA clearance

We Are The Champions

Does this post need any more explanation?

If it does, then you : -

a) have not paid enough attention to my previous posts

b) are probably a SMB

c) look at the Championship - Premiership we are back (perhaps for one season only, but we are still back)

Champions again!

Mike Ashley - you deserve no credit and no one thanks you for this. We won it DESPITE you, not because of you.

I can't wait to see more pictures

Here Comes The Sun

Well, its been a glorious day in Essex today. The sun is out, the sky is blue, its beautiful and so are you, dear Prudence. Whoops sorry, this is a cycling blog isn't it.

I am pleased to say that today has been a most productive day for me. I've used to good weather to enable me to:
a) do some washing
b) cut the grass
c) do some shopping and
d) prepare for a BBQ tonight.

Oh yes, and I went down to Woodham Mortimer in Essex with Drew and Sam to take part in the Whitham Wander Audax event. It was supposed to be around 100km, but with my detour (I blame the route sheet, it said turn left when the organiser meant go straight on). Anyway, I'm pleased to report that we completed 107km in 4 hours 24mins at an average speed of 24.2km/h with 2997 feet of climbing. To put this into understandable units (not of the foreign metric stuff), it was 66.2 MILES at an average speed of 15mph.

The only break in this ride was a quick toilet stop at the control point after 54km. I am pleased to report that my knee appears to have stood up to the event pretty well. I pushed myself to test the knee out to see if it is likely to survive the Police Unity Tour ride. I'm confident that me knee stood up better than I expected although it still is very painful to walk on it, but not to cycle on it.

There was one casualty of the ride today. Poor Sam doing his first audax found the going a bit fast for him. It was not helped by his having to ride in training shoes on cleated pedals. He left his cycling shoes at home.

I must give lots of praise to the organiser for his planning and smooth running on the day. The free food provided at the finish was magnificent. It was more in quantity and quality than most lunches provided at work conferences or training courses.

I rode the event on my touring bike which is the one I will be riding in the USA. The bike was fine, all seemed to work well. So, its going to be packed away now ready for the USA. I need to take off the mudguards, remove the pedals, turn the handlebars etc.

Its been a good evening. Drew & Sam, who did the ride with me came round for a BBQ, a couple of beers and a chance to chew the fat, review today's ride, plot to do a few more audax events as well. We've righted the world, sorted out British Cycling and generally had a good chat.

The night ended well with Drew giving me another £40 ($60) towards my sponsorship target.

Waiting for the Day

This seems to be the theme of things at the moment.

Waiting to see or even hear from my new boss at work. I find it incredible that since he formally took up the post on 1st April, there has been no communication from him to the staff under him. To be fair, he did not actually start in the office until 12th April owing to leave etc. However after a week in the post, you would have expected to have at least received an email sent on his behalf. Still, perhaps its unreasonable of me to expect the boss to communicate with the staff he is responsible for. Perhaps we are all mushrooms.....

Waiting for something exciting to happen in the General Election campaign. Its a snoozeathon until May 6th, when I happen to be out of the country and will miss the excitement of the swingometer etc in the post election night vote counting and analysis. Being a true democrat of course, I have registered for a postal vote and will be doing my duty before I fly to the US of A. It will be interesting to see how they report the election results, if at all. I can't imagine they will give it as much coverage as we gave their presidential elections.

Waiting for the Championship title to be decided. If Middlesbrough had managed to take a point off West Brom today, Newcastle would have won the title today. Those useless Smoggies managed to lose and stop us winning the title today. Mind you given the way they have played this season, its no surprise. Monday at 8pm on Sky TV it is to watch the Toon play at Plymouth. Sounds like an excuse to go down the pub as I don't have Sky TV.

Waiting for the volcanic ash to clear so that planes can fly. Its incredible that the whole of Northern Europe's air traffic can be brought to a stand still indefinitely by a volcano some 800 miles from the UK. Clearly the people of Iceland are somewhat deaf. What we said was give us back the CASH, not the ash. I just hope its all sorted in a fortnight's tie so I can go to the USA. I don't care if it re erupts whilst I'm away- an extended holiday in the USA would be nice.

Now as this is a blog about cycling, I suppose I should mention it. Friday brought a bit of a problem for me. As I was setting off home from work, I discovered I had managed to crack the rim on my rear wheel on my winter bike. I rode the 12 miles home on it very slowly, steadily and gingerly. I did get home safely. The wheel will need a new rim. I was going to take it into the bike shop today before going to see Orient play. I was running late owing to helping Michelle buy a new car, so never got to the bike shop. As it happened I'm glad about that as the bike shop is shut as the staff are away on a cycling week. I suspect they will be late getting back owing to that volcanic cloud.

Well, I must get on preparing my touring bike for tomorrow's audax. I've not ridden the bike for at least 6 months, so it needs checking over. Its the bike I did LEJoG on and the one I am taking to the USA. A 65 mile ride tomorrow should give it a good test, and me as well

Everybody's Talking

Well, today was eventful. I woke up this morning to a text from Michelle telling me her flight tonight back from Manchester to London had been cancelled. Seemed strange that she knew this at 0700 when her flight was not for another 12 hours. I suggested she got the train instead.
Then I put the TV on to hear that most flights in the UK had been cancelled owing to a volcano erupting in Iceland. Amazing that when I went to bed there was no suggestion of any problem yet by breakfast time all airspace in Scotland and Northern England had been closed. As I type this UK airspace is closed to all non emergency flights until at least 0700 on Friday!

Now as today is the day of the first ever TV debate between the leaders of all 3 UK parties, the air traffic story brought to my mind a statement by Harold Wilson to the effect of "Have you ever noticed how England only win the (football) World Cup under a labour government." It could be said that air traffic space in the UK is only ever closed under a labour government - thinking of 11th September 2001 and now 15th April 2010.

Now as I said, it was the first of the 3 TV debates tonight. So, I settled down excitedly to watch this 90 minutes of political jousting and fighting. Expecting sharp replies, great political skill and lots of scoring of political points. Instead, I rapidly realised it was like watching S*nderland, no skill, no scoring and generally about as interesting as watching paint dry. Can't wait for the next one- it will motivate me to clean the toilet.

I managed another 30+ mile commute today. Livened by the complete psychopathic Toyota driver I met near St James Park after him trying to tell me that apparently I should stop for pedestrians waiting to cross the road, he tried to stop me cycling off, when I turned round and road the other way he reversed up the road, tried to drive his car into St James Park and then tried to drive round the roads around the park to stop me leaving the other side. He's a bit dozy as I simply turned round again and rode the other way whilst he was trying to turn round again. Pillock doesn't realise I can take my bike where he can't move his car. Still, it livened up the commute for me. Wonder if he will be around tomorrow? I might not be getting the miles in that I should be, but I am certainly getting them in quickly. today was my second fastest ever commute to work today. Not bad considering it was in rush hour traffic.

I still have not met my new boss, he's only been in the building everyday this week and has still to meet his staff. Given we are a small organisation with about 20-25 people in this office, I have to say I am surprised not to have met him yet. It doesn't do a lot to make one feel valued when a new boss doesn't seem to want to meet his staff. I'm sure he has his reasons......

I started typing this post on 15th April which is a date that no true football fan will forget as on this date in 1989 the Hillsborough Disaster happened and 96 Liverpool Fans were killed at the FA Cup Semi Final. They were doing what so many of us do- supporting their team. It was a tragic accident for which those responsible have never been brought to justice.

YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE

Justice for the 96

This Will Be Our Year

Well another day over and another day nearer to my trip to the USA.

I am getting closer to my sponsorship target. Only $202.50 needed to reach the minimum amount I need to raise. I do have a couple of promises of sponsorship which will hopefully take me about $100 nearer. So if you are reading this, then how about making a donation to ensure I get to my target. Sadly at least a couple of people who promised sponsorship have failed to deliver. It would have been better if people didn't make promises they wont keep.

I've been off work today owing to my knee playing up. Its fine when I cycle but it is painful to walk on. I am going to have to try to rest it as much as possible between now and the ride. How can it be that my kneee is ok to cycle but not to walk? Think i will try to get some more physio in before I go to the USA.

Talking of the ride, its only 18 days till I fly to the USA and its 25 days till the ride starts. I have made most of the arrangements for the USA, apart from the car hire and meeting the Ohio Cyclists to drive to the ride start in New Jersey. I also need to start pulling together all the paperwork and details of the hotels, etc I will be using.

Well, last night I went down to Reading to see Newcastle almost guarantee the League Championship title with a 2-1 away win. Sadly Newcastle need 1 point from last 3 games to guarantee the title so the celebrations were somewhat muted. Still it was good to see one or two old faces, even if one of them was only in the pub AFTER the game as he got stuck on the M25 and missed the game. Newcastle don't play again until Monday when they are at Plymouth. Hopefully they will be Champions before then. Here's hoping Middlesbrough can get a point at West Brom on Saturday.

What else is happening in my life? Well, I am meeting up with an old school friend next week. Not seen him for 6 or so years, so will be good to share a few beers with John for it is he.

More mundane matters - recycling of household waste. Whilst I support the idea of recycling and try to do as much as I can, my local council operate a seemingly strange system. They will not recycle cardboard or similar items. They refused my recycling bin 2 weeks ago saying it contained the wrong items but collected the same recycling bin last week. Apparently somehow it now had the right items in it despite me not touching the bin in the intervening week.

Winner Takes it All

Well, its getting nearer and nearer to my trip to the USA. In fact its about 19 days till I leave. What have I done in preparation? Well, I've done one day of 60 miles, a few of 30 miles and that's about it. Not as much as I should have, but......

This Sunday, April the 18th, I'm doing the Whitham Wander Audax cycle event. It is a 106km ride through the Essex Alps. I did this about 4 years ago and I can confirm it isn't the flattest ride. This will be the last big ride before I go to the USA and the first time I ride the bike I am taking to the USA. I am looking forward to it, well the free cakes at the end at least.

I have been cycling 30+miles each commute now, adding on a little loop round St James Park and up the Mall. Quite a picturesque loop. However, I didn't cycle home on Friday as I ended up in the pub for a quick drink. That ended up with me falling asleep on the train home, missing my stop and having to get a taxi home. I'd love to say this was the first time this have ever happened to me, but too many of you know me.

On Monday, a new era began at work with the start of a new Chief Inspector, the big boss. Although there were only about 15 or less staff members in, the new boss was not seen by any of us. I hope this is not the way things are to be.

The good thing yesterday was my fastest ever commute, both ways. My ride into work was faster than I have even managed on a quiet Sunday morning. So I might not be getting enough miles in, but am doing threm quickly. Even Tom managed to get out on his bike on Monday up in Durham with my father. Well done Tom, its not too late for you to enter the Whitham Wander....

No cycling today as I am heading over to Reading tonight to see Newcastle play. A Win tonight will all but guarantee the Championship title. A win would put Newcastle 9 points clear of the 2nd place side with only 9 points left to be played for. So, here's hoping.....

Europe - The Final Countdown

Well, its been back to work this week. :-(

It is however, an excuse to ride my bike :-)

I have managed to slightly increase my mileage.

Tuesday was a glorious day, so I did 15 miles on the way to work and 18.2 on the way home, making a total of 33.2 miles for the day. I managed a lap of Hyde Park which is 3 miles. It is glorious to ride down the side of Green Park, past Buckingham Palace, up Constitution Hill, under the Wellington Arch and into Hyde Park, a lap there and back down Constitution Hill and up the Mall to Admiralty Arch then along the Embankment and past the London Eye and then the Tower of London. Its a beautiful ride in Central London.

I decided to be more organised this week, so had set the oven to have my tea cooked for when I was due home. So when I got home, I expected to find the welcoming aroma of a roast dinner. Did I find it? Of course not, muggings here had set the oven timer, put the roast in the oven, but forgot to turn the oven on.

Wednesday was not such a pleasant day, and it rained as well, so I only cycled 30 miles today. No lap of Hyde Park. The good news is my roast was ready tonight when I got in. I managed to set the oven properly. Eat your heart our Delia.

Being organised, after tea, I've been out shopping and bought a new storage unit for the hall way to store my cycling kit when I get back from a ride. I even managed to construct the thing without too much bloodshed or too much foul and abusive language. The emphasis being on the words too much. I've even replaced all the light bulbs that have blown in the house.

After all that hard work, it was time to sit down and watch a good comedy on the TV. The sign of a good comedy is in the timing and this man had perfect timing tonight.


So last year it was 3 British sides in the semi-finals of the Chasmpions Leagyue. This year after Arsenal last night and Man U tonight, its down to none.

Looks like it may be left to Fulham to fly the flag in Europe for England this season if they win/draw and Liverpool lose/draw tomorrow.

This is the trophy you are not going to win this year Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea or any other English side


Back to cycling matters. My knee is still causing me pain to walk on, but it is easing off a bit. Its not helped by the lifts at work not working and being based on 3rd floor but kettle etc are in the basement. Can I sue work for the pain and suffering this is causing me? LOL

I spoke to Tiffany tonight, she is the wife of my friend I will be seeing in the USA. I can't believe its 18 years since I saw them on that side of the pond. Its been far too long. however, the last trip to see them has cost me a fortune, hasn't it Tom?

Goin' Up

This one's for Sir Bobby

Nothing more needs saying today

You Keep Me Hanging On

This thread was meant to be a glorious celebratory post about Newcastle United winning promotion. However the promotion train was delayed at Peterborough owing to a points failure at Bristol. Yes, the failure of Bristol to take all three points off Nottingham Forest meant promotion was not definitely achieved yet. Newcastle are 15 points ahead of Forest with only 15 points left, so its all but certain.


Nearly There

It makes a change from 11 months ago


After a quiet Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, with no cycling, I went to Peterborough on Saturday to see the Toon's promotion bandwagon roll on. An early start was in order. Out the house for 7am to walk to the train station in the pouring rain. I got to the station only to find there were no trains running all weekend owing to engineering work. Grrrrrrr! So I had to walk the mile or so to the nearest tube station. Guess what, as I arrived at the tube station, the rain stopped. So I was soaked and already running late. Tube to Kings Cross and train to Peterborough where I was met by BTP's finest.

Escorted Out of Town?

Actually, the two BTP police were just walking ahead of me, having got off the same train as me and I was not being escorted out of the station. Well, that's the defence version of events.

A quick rendezvous with some of the lads in Asda and then onto the pub for 10am. Liquid refreshments in several public houses with various friends from many years of following the Toon.One of the lads presented Northumbria's finest with a box of Easter Eggs as a gesture of friendship. (Hope they remembered to declare the gifts received).

The game itself was pretty much more of the usual rubbish, punctuated by a good sing song and the acquisition of a black n white flag - thanks Tom. Sadly, the party was postponed (not cancelled though) owing to the points failure at Bristol City. So its Monday night for the party.

After the game we went back into town for a post match drink. We came across the interesting sight of Cambridgeshire Police and Northumbria Police surrounding a pub to protect the Peterborough fans from the vast numbers of Newcastle fans.

We ended up drinking bottles of The Dog in a Wetherspoons pub in town. I don't drink the Dog unless I've already had a skinful. Looks like I'd had a skinful then.

Travelling from Kings Cross to Liverpool St on the way home, we met a young girl (well about 18) - initially she said she was from Newcastle, but on chatting with her, she is from a tiny hamlet about 2 miles from where I grew up - a small world! Her ambition? To be a topless model!!!!! All I can say is she has a couple of things going for her!

I got home, ordered a Chinese takeaway and then promptly fell asleep on the sofa. I eventually awoke to the delivery man banging on the door to wake me up. I then managed to fall asleep before eating all the food, so it was cold chinese for breakfast - lovely!


Just a quick message to a certain Cockney- just because we are nearly promoted, it doesn't mean the message has changed to you.

GET OUT OF OUR CLUB

Easter Sunday - I delivered the Easter Egg I was asked for. I was told by someone [In the interests of privacy, I won't mention their name - lets call them say Michelle] that they wanted a chocolate egg from Cadbury's. I did exactly as they told me and bought them one of these.



Did I get any thanks? Of course not!

They complained that it wasn't what they wanted. However as I pointed out the instructions I got were not to turn up on Sunday unless: -
a) I came bearing chocolate
b) in the form of an egg and
c) it had to be from Cadbury.

Now I ask you, is a Cadbury's caramel egg not:
a) chocolate;
b) an egg; and
c) made by Cadbury?

I did all that was asked of me. Tell me what I did wrong? Apparently size matters.

Thanks for my Green and Blacks Egg - lovely, but sickly - and not good for the diet.

On Easter Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead, and I entered the doghouse - again! I'm sent there so often, by so many people that I'm thinking of changing my name to Fido or Rover. Woof woof

I do have to report that I appear to have strained my knee with all the exertions yesterday. It won't affect my cycling, but it has made it painful to walk today. Not good!