For those that want to follow the biking exploits of myself, Dudley et al, you may be interested to know the blog for next year's European Tour is now available to view. No posts as yet.
Make sure you sign up for email updates, so as not to miss anything. It's perfectly safe, you won't get spammed as a result.
The link is www.whet2014.blogspot.com
Ride Safe
Neill (Woody)
Saturday, 20 July 2013
Monday, 1 July 2013
We did it our way...
And now, the end is here
And so I face the final blog post.....
I've pretty much said it all now. Would just like to say thanks to everyone who has bothered to read the blog and offered me encouragement along the way. I hope you have all enjoyed reading it, I know I have writing it and I'm sure Dud has, starring in it ;-)
Another thank you to all those people who have shared the experience over the last couple of weeks and made it another great touring holiday for Dud and myself, it was a pleasure meeting you all and riding with you. ORSUM! It would be good to try and keep in touch. If any of you are ever down Chatham way, let me know (and I can make sure I'm away on holiday ;-) )
Only a few bits of business left now.
Once I've sorted photos, I shall be posting a selection on Flickr and I'll be sending out the link to everyone. If I've taken photos of you in particular, I'll email those to you. If I ever get round to editing the Go-pro footage, likewise, I shall let you know where you can view it.
You may remember I weighed myself before I left home. We'll quite remarkably, I am actually 1kg lighter than before the tour, despite all those brekkies, lunches and dinners. Must be all the sweating I did under that blistering sun, aided by the 6 miles I ran over the two weeks too, I suspect.
Finally, Dud, I and the other two wild Hogs plan to tour Europe next year (1 year and 5 days to be precise), so if you want to follow that blog let me know and I'll let you know once it is up and running. . The link is www.whet2014.blogspot.com
Thanks again.
Ride Safe!
Neill
And so I face the final blog post.....
I've pretty much said it all now. Would just like to say thanks to everyone who has bothered to read the blog and offered me encouragement along the way. I hope you have all enjoyed reading it, I know I have writing it and I'm sure Dud has, starring in it ;-)
Another thank you to all those people who have shared the experience over the last couple of weeks and made it another great touring holiday for Dud and myself, it was a pleasure meeting you all and riding with you. ORSUM! It would be good to try and keep in touch. If any of you are ever down Chatham way, let me know (and I can make sure I'm away on holiday ;-) )
Only a few bits of business left now.
Once I've sorted photos, I shall be posting a selection on Flickr and I'll be sending out the link to everyone. If I've taken photos of you in particular, I'll email those to you. If I ever get round to editing the Go-pro footage, likewise, I shall let you know where you can view it.
You may remember I weighed myself before I left home. We'll quite remarkably, I am actually 1kg lighter than before the tour, despite all those brekkies, lunches and dinners. Must be all the sweating I did under that blistering sun, aided by the 6 miles I ran over the two weeks too, I suspect.
Finally, Dud, I and the other two wild Hogs plan to tour Europe next year (1 year and 5 days to be precise), so if you want to follow that blog let me know and I'll let you know once it is up and running. . The link is www.whet2014.blogspot.com
Thanks again.
Ride Safe!
Neill
Day 17, LA to London and home
We had a little lie in but not much, did some packing and got ourselves ready to go down for breakfast. To our disappointment, when we got down there, our lovely Raquel was nowhere to be seen. We had almost finished when she appeared, from a break, I expect but she was waiting the other side of the restaurant!
I'd brought my laptop down to do some blogging and Dud his kindle. We found a table near a plug socket and were busy blogging and kindleing, when Cheryl and Geoff appeared. They asked what time we were getting the shuttle. I said about 1:30. Cheryl reckoned they had to vacate the room bt 1:00, so they would probably be going before us. They said that they had treated themselves to an upper class (I think) upgrade, which gave them access to the hospitality lounge. They thought they could take in two guests, so would we like to join them. How very kind of them and of course we accepted.
Blogging, complete, it was time to finish the last bit of packing and head for the airport. I'm not sure what time we got the airport but as well dragged our cases towards check-in, there were Cheryl & Geoff waiting for us. They confirmed, we were definitely allowed in as their guests and they would meet us after the security checks. Well, check-in seemed to take an awful long time, I think they only had one full time desk open but good as their word, as we exited security, Cheryl and Geoff were waiting to escort us to the lounge, bless 'em. It was a very kind gesture and much appreciated by Dud and I. Thanks again guys.
We chatted, drank beers, ate cheese & crackers and choccy brownies. I took the opportunity to use the free wifi (wife ee, as Johan calls it) to do some blogging as well. I was almost ready to post the next update, when the laptop shut down. The battery had died and my plug adaptors were all packed. Luckily it did retain the update for later submission.
As Dud and I were going to be in Economy class, we thanked Cheryl & Geoff again for their kindness and said our goodbyes. Before long we were on board the aircraft and in the air, at around 5pm local time (1am in blighty). The captain said our flight time would be about 9h45m, getting us into Heathrow at 10:45am the next day, Sunday.
The flight was very smooth. Dud watched some in flight entertainment, whilst I listened to album after album from the Rock collection. We both slept, Dud for longer than me I think, (and they say old people don't need so much sleep!) and before we knew it we were back on the ground at Heathrow.
Passing fairly swiftly through customs, we collected our bags and headed for the way out. Dud's daughter Susie was coming to collect him, with his granddaughters Lucy & Amy. Cath had told me she would be waiting by the flowers & M&S, right where we exited.
As we came out, I looked. Flowers but no Cath. Then Dud saw Susie and they came running to greet him. As I was being introduced to the family, Cath appeared from the sidelines :-) Big hug, big kiss. It was so nice to see her again. More introductions and then we parted company. Dud and I had a handshake and man hug and he thanked me for looking after him. Made me feel quite emotional, soppy old sod (him, not me!). No thanks necessary I told him, it was a pleasure and just wouldn't have been the same without him.
Cath and I hit the Piccadilly Line, then the high speed to Chatham. At Chatham, Cath left me to go into town, whilst I got the bus home. Back indoors, I managed to unpack a little bit and do a bit of blogging, before I decided I needed a nap. After about an hour the phone woke me. Cath was calling to check on me. Another two hours later, I got up and did some more blogging, before sitting down in front of the TV, with some cheese and biscuits, to catch up on some 2 week old British Superbikes. In bed a t 23:00, my alarm is set for 6am. It's work tomorrow. The weather is going to be fine, so I'll get my leg over my new bike for only the second time since I bought it. It'll take me a little longer than two weeks to put 2,700 miles on that clock!
I'd brought my laptop down to do some blogging and Dud his kindle. We found a table near a plug socket and were busy blogging and kindleing, when Cheryl and Geoff appeared. They asked what time we were getting the shuttle. I said about 1:30. Cheryl reckoned they had to vacate the room bt 1:00, so they would probably be going before us. They said that they had treated themselves to an upper class (I think) upgrade, which gave them access to the hospitality lounge. They thought they could take in two guests, so would we like to join them. How very kind of them and of course we accepted.
Blogging, complete, it was time to finish the last bit of packing and head for the airport. I'm not sure what time we got the airport but as well dragged our cases towards check-in, there were Cheryl & Geoff waiting for us. They confirmed, we were definitely allowed in as their guests and they would meet us after the security checks. Well, check-in seemed to take an awful long time, I think they only had one full time desk open but good as their word, as we exited security, Cheryl and Geoff were waiting to escort us to the lounge, bless 'em. It was a very kind gesture and much appreciated by Dud and I. Thanks again guys.
We chatted, drank beers, ate cheese & crackers and choccy brownies. I took the opportunity to use the free wifi (wife ee, as Johan calls it) to do some blogging as well. I was almost ready to post the next update, when the laptop shut down. The battery had died and my plug adaptors were all packed. Luckily it did retain the update for later submission.
As Dud and I were going to be in Economy class, we thanked Cheryl & Geoff again for their kindness and said our goodbyes. Before long we were on board the aircraft and in the air, at around 5pm local time (1am in blighty). The captain said our flight time would be about 9h45m, getting us into Heathrow at 10:45am the next day, Sunday.
The flight was very smooth. Dud watched some in flight entertainment, whilst I listened to album after album from the Rock collection. We both slept, Dud for longer than me I think, (and they say old people don't need so much sleep!) and before we knew it we were back on the ground at Heathrow.
Passing fairly swiftly through customs, we collected our bags and headed for the way out. Dud's daughter Susie was coming to collect him, with his granddaughters Lucy & Amy. Cath had told me she would be waiting by the flowers & M&S, right where we exited.
As we came out, I looked. Flowers but no Cath. Then Dud saw Susie and they came running to greet him. As I was being introduced to the family, Cath appeared from the sidelines :-) Big hug, big kiss. It was so nice to see her again. More introductions and then we parted company. Dud and I had a handshake and man hug and he thanked me for looking after him. Made me feel quite emotional, soppy old sod (him, not me!). No thanks necessary I told him, it was a pleasure and just wouldn't have been the same without him.
Cath and I hit the Piccadilly Line, then the high speed to Chatham. At Chatham, Cath left me to go into town, whilst I got the bus home. Back indoors, I managed to unpack a little bit and do a bit of blogging, before I decided I needed a nap. After about an hour the phone woke me. Cath was calling to check on me. Another two hours later, I got up and did some more blogging, before sitting down in front of the TV, with some cheese and biscuits, to catch up on some 2 week old British Superbikes. In bed a t 23:00, my alarm is set for 6am. It's work tomorrow. The weather is going to be fine, so I'll get my leg over my new bike for only the second time since I bought it. It'll take me a little longer than two weeks to put 2,700 miles on that clock!
Day 16, The Farewell Dinner
Dud and I sat at separate tables for the dinner, for probably the first time on the tour. I felt I could trust him on his own now. Shucks, what could possibly go wrong just sitting and eating? I was on the top table, with Graham & Jan, Dean & Carol and Andi & Petra.
The meal, paid for, was nice but unspectacular, the drink, paid for by me, the Blue Moon substitute, Shock Top. I had salad for starter, as we all did and chicken for main. For dessert I chose the ice cream, mainly because, that was the only choice!
We discussed things with Andi & Petra, such as potential new tours. Graham was interested in doing the Southern States and Dean was talking about what he calls, shamrock tours. These are where you stay in one place for a week but make 5 or 6 rides out, maybe move location and do the same again for a second week. Sounds a good idea, if it saves the hassle of packing and unpacking ones case every day. Andi mentioned a possible music tour, going to Nashville, New Orleans, etc. That sounded right up Dud's street, him being a massive blues and jazz fan.
Meal over, Andi made a little speech, thanking us all for our business and touting for more, in a nice way, of course, before handing the floor over to Dean. Oh dear! Man, this dude could talk the hind legs off of all the Oatman burros! He thanked us for being a great crowd and for making his life easier, exceptionally modest of him, as he and as he pointed out Larry, both did a tremendous job of shepherding us around the West. We had had a collection amongst a few of the couples for Dean & Larry, a little thank you and I'd bought a card in Vegas, which everyone had signed over the two weeks and I was waiting for my moment, to make the presentation. As time ticked by, there looked like being no end to Dean's speech, so there was nothing left for me to do but get up and take the floor. As I walked around the back of Dean, it seemed to me there was only one way to shut him up (don't get me wrong, he's very entertaining), so I reached round and placed my hand over his mouth! Laughter and clapping ensued. The tide was stemmed and I was able to make my presentation, thanking first Andi & Petra, then the stars of the show. Poor old Larry got the card, Dean the cash. I'm sure he'll share it ;-) And with that, people began to say their goodbyes.
There was one last thing for Dud and I to do though and that was to give Carol her gift. Dud did the honours this time. It took her a while to get into the package (the lady in the shop had kindly found a box for it) but when she saw what it was, she was thrilled to bits. It has a little hole in it so you can hang it on the wall, so Dud and I shall await the picture of it in situ.
Kisses, cuddles and handshakes concluded, some headed to the bar, Dud and I up to bed. Tomorrow we fly back to blighty. We have a late checkout as we don't need to check in till about 2pm. That also gives us a chance to have a bit of a lie in too, before we finish our packing.
Until tomorrow.
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