Hi All
Since we last blogged we cycled through the Cantabrian mountains to Santander for the ferry back to Portsmouth, where we got the train all the way back to North Yorks where we stayed with Mark's family (big thankyou to them for their hospitality). The Cantabrian Mountains were spectacular and we would go back there again, We managed to find a downhil section that allowed us to freewheel for 18 kilometres - bliss it was that day to be on a bicycle! Glad we did not have to do it the other way.
We also spent 6 days in London staying with cousin Nick in Southfield - big thankyou to him for his help and hospitality. We spent most of the time in London tooing and fro-ing to a bike frame builders Chas Roberts in Croydon. We needed to have the brake and gear cables split on the bikes so we could collapse them into bike boxes for the flights. Chas was able to do the work but in the meantime found that one of the welds on one of the bikes had loosened and was quite dangerous. We had an anxious few days waiting to see if they had the time to fix this and also they could not give a quarantee that the new weld would 'take'. Thankfully all turned out well,
We flew to Hong Kong with Air New Zealand who were great. We were pretty jet lagged but managed to see a bit of the city. The highlights were going to see Panda's, sea lions and dolphins. We have photo's and will put them up shortly. Hong Kong's urban environment, particularly by night, is of course spectacular. We never felt brave enough to sample the more esoteric cuisine on offer eg one place advertised 'bittern intestines' as a delicacy...the RSPB would be pleased! ....not!
We got the flight to New Zealand without a hitch. On the flight we were given arrival documentation to complete. The major concern of the NZ authorities seems to be - understandably - to keep foreign and unwelcome flora and fauna getting into the country. We then became irrationally concerned about our Liptons breakfast tea bags and also the dirt on our bikes. We declared both as well as the fungus on Mark's feet.....Caroline was delighted to find the customs area swarming with sniffer dogs - one of which unearthed a bunch of brocolli (not ours).
Our trip to NZ has been disrupted - Mark had a nasty fall onto his bike wheel and has cracked a couple of ribs so we have spent a day in Aand E. We are now lying low on a lovely camp site in fab weather. Need to rethink our plans as its looks like cycling will not be possible for Mark for at least two weeks. ho hum. Thanks for following us, photos and more detail to follow. Much love to all. C&M
Glad you have both arrived safely with the bikes.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about Mark's injury- hope you continue to enjoy camping in good weather- you may have heard that its freezing with lots of snow back here.
Hope Mark is "back in the saddle" before too long
Love to you both
Alastair Margaret and co XX
Dear Mark and Caroline, very sorry that Mark is laid up for two weeks and thankfully the accident wasn't worse - you'll just have to relax and soak up the weather and drink the sauvignon blanc. Whereas we, have had six inches of snow yesterday with equal amount to come this evening - its all to do with the North Sea still being warm and the front being rain over it then being blown in by Arctic winds from the east turning to snow. Northumberland has had 16 inches and Scotland is paralysed with temperatures at minus 20.
ReplyDeleteOf course this means that the black marauder is having such a great time - he seems to smell the fox/deer/rabbit poo even better under the snow. Just prior to the snow the farmer had muckspread two of his favourite fields - Charlie's, not the farmer's - so there he was rolling in the snow with a lovely waft of manure to act as a warming underblanket. On the last couple of days he tried to make friends with several deer that come out of the woods - off he goes at 100 mph whilst the deer just break out of first gear to move away from him. He cannot understand why they don't want to be chums! We have pictures which we will send on the email. The great thing is that we rub him down with snow to get rid of some of the odour and he thinks its part of the game.
Deborah's love affair with Geneva airport continues - having taught in Lausanne for three days we decided it was too late to come home on Fri eve - good decision as she would have hit the snow at 1am. On Sat morn Geneva announce that airport is fog and snowbound - Easyjet get off at 4.00pm and she spends another night in hotel in Luton airport, arriving home at midday Sun - you could have cycled it faster. Deborah brought back a polar bear cuddly toy for the boy and he has developed a love/hate relationship with it - he has torn into one of the hindlegs but then lies down in front of the fire with his chin on its stomach.
Very little mail has arrived for you but I did sneak a look at the Cycle magazine but then have put it into your pigeon hole.
Will keep you posted as to the weather and please keep us au fait with how the great Marco is progressing with the ribticklers.
Lots of love from D and A and C.
Hi Caroline and Mark, thank you for you text it was a nice surprise. I have been checking your Blog and wondering where you where and how you were getting on. It is always amusing reading what you have been up to. Hope Marks ribs get better quickly, my Dad has fallen on the ice and cracked a few as well he says its really painful especially when he laughs or sneezes.
ReplyDeleteIt is very cold in Newquay at the moment we have had temperatures of -3,4 and 5 and the ice not melting in a whole week, its wicked!
Today we had Christmas dinner at Trenance Learning Academy it was very nice and a lovely atmosphere. Tomorrow we have sixty head teachers and Ruth Miskin comming in to observe our RWI (no pressure) bet your pleased to be in NZ sitting in the sun? Ha ha.
I have some sad news on our poorly friend, she had more surgery and it was not good news, bless her, my heart goes out to her she is really going through it.
Friday night we are off to the Carnmarth Hotel for the Christmas night out, black baubles come to mind! ha ha you will be missed xx
Christmas cards need writing and the dog wants walking, keep having fun and good luck on your travels, Take care luv Sandra XXX
Dear Mark and Caroline
ReplyDeleteHope your ribs are getting better MF. We are all here having a bit of a pre-Christmas 'do': Al, Charlie, Pippy, Garry and moi!
The Strictly final was on last night, and seemed a good excuse for a knees-up.
Weather here is diabolical- Garry has seen a report on the TV that says we are in for a mini ice age! Charlie is as lovely as ever, will forward some pics to your email.
Let us have all the news - Mammy stayed at home, cos she was worried about the icy roads and she is involved in the Carol Service. We will blog again near Christmas. Pippy is watching me do this, cos durrgh! ....she can't do it, despite having tried numerous times!! Lots of love, Us xxx