Hi all

Haven't been up to much at all so this is just really a quick, "hi there - still alive" type note.

Have been waiting for a decision from old Rossco and Tom about their participation in 2011 Coast to Coast. They've been humming and harring for a while now but entries have finally been sent away, along with the requisite entry fee........that hurts just a touch !

Anyway, now I have someone to do some training with, - which has been something I've sorely missed over the last couple of years. Toms never done much biking so I expect he and I will spend a bit of time hooning around the Grove Track in the next few months building up a bit of leg strength, always assuming we can avoid the usual lunatics in campervans,  and the odd herd of Fresians. (and accompanying deposits)

Ross will  be doing the kayak leg so a few paddles with him to ensure his swimming technique is up to scratch will also be on the agenda.........his kayak style is best described as snorkelling ! Should be good cross training and worthy of a few laughs regardless.

The old Insurance Company nearly got bankrupted recently just  minutes after I set off for a cruise on the trusty road bike. I was just heading along one of the main thru roads in our fair village when I heard the most awful screeching noise eminating from an approaching car. A closer look ascertained its front passenger wheel had decided to retire early for the day, and left it running on the front rim. Said wheel was travelling merrily on its way down the road until it struck the curb and proceeded to bounce skyward.

I (and every car nearby) hit the brakes wondering where the missile was going to end up. A couple of bounces later, and almost opposite me, it struck a power pole and richocheted at 90 degrees across the road and into the fence about 5 metres in front of me. Rebounding again, but now losing momentum, it rolled back out onto the road and then did a wobbly spin thing until finally settling at rest a few feet away.

I was looking around a bit bemused when two high school lads lept from their three legged steed, ran across the road, grabbed the wheel and headed back to the car without saying a word.  A fairly vehement "Goodness me!" was about all I could manage before heading off on my own journey.

When I came back, the lads and car had disappeared, so I guess they were busy regaling their schoolmates of the whole deal. Personally it served as a reminder of how vunerable you are out on the roads at any time.

I snuck home and tried for a bit of belated sympathy from Mother Superior with the usual lack of success, but its always worth a crack......just in case.

More soon. Plenty of pigs and Colville Clan heading south in the next few weeks.

Regards

Bryan