A Break in Albuquerque

Stopped in Albuquerque for 3 nights. Wanted to ride my bikes and take care with some errands. Needed to get the car lubed. While there, found out that I had a chipped windshield. Got that repaired.

Did some shopping, rested and got some sleep. It has been a busy trip, so needed and earned a couple days to relax.

Met an online friend. Nice visit. Got in two bile rides on the Paseo del Bosque. Felt great to be on the bike. Today's photo was taken on the "Bosque".

Obligatory Redwood Shot!

Obligatory Redwood Shot!, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Neck-craning opportunities abound in Redwood Regional Park!

Photo Shoot and Ride

Another Sunday Ride on the Wabash Trace. Was a cool, Fall-like day. Temperature was in the upper 60s when I headed out to Silver City.
Like last week, I rode my hybrid (Trek 7200FX). Main reason was that bike has a luggage rack. Since my point & shoot camera is not yet back from repairs, I was carrying the Canon Rebel.
Had an enjoyable ride. No speed goal, the plan was to ride Silver City to Strahan. Stopped to shoot photos of the bridges and the Trace. Visited with a couple other riders on the West Nishnabotna bridge. My apologies since I quickly forgot their names. One rider (Webmaster for Madison County [Iowa] Cycling Club) from Winterset was on his way to Shenandoah. A guy and his son (?) from Ashland, NE are on their way back from an overnight in Shenandoah.
My ride covered 31 miles. I made it to Strahan (clocking the mileage of just 15.5 miles from Silver City to Strahan). Riding time of 2 hours 57 minutes, 3 hour 45 minutes elapsed time. Good ride, more photos for my collection.

Delicious Autumn

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth searching for successive autumns."
-- George Eliot

32

I haven't got around to posting this yet, but I managed to have a birthday and survive yesterday. I would like to say that I have some kind of divine revelation to mark the occasion this year, but that would be a complete lie. About the only thing I've discovered is that Queensland traffic lights are slow enough that they allow time to do a few stretches in the closing stages of a long ride if you happen to cop a red one. I practiced that on the way home from Little Nerang Dam this morning, where I was reminded of just what a nice ride that really is at dawn.
In other news, I have managed to complete the full journal for my trip to Christmas Creek earlier this year. I wrote about it on this blog, but the journal includes a few pictures that didn't make it onto these pages. I have some more tour journals to update before heading off on the New Zealand trip next month, with all the riding I plan to do in that time (starting with The Wonders of Glorious Mee this weekend), it could be a busy five weeks or so.

Pat Conroy's Writing

I have a new favorite author, Pat Conroy.  I just finished reading Beach Music.  This book would make a great movie.  I found myself reading passages out loud to whomever would listen.  His prose is amazing.  I don't have the ability to properly describe the deliciousness and sensuality of his writing.  He writes about the South Carolina Low Country in such a way that you can feel the salty, moisture-laden air on your face and smell the marshes at low tide.  The story itself reels you in as it gradually unfolds and you find yourself swept along for a ride you don't want to end.  There's a specialness about the Low Country I can't describe. We just got back from a week in South Carolina.  While there, I noticed that one of their car tags has on it IN GOD WE TRUST.  Also, while Georgia changed its flag to be more politically correct, South Carolina still flies the Confederate flag on their state flag.  I like their style and tenacity for their heritage.
Ah, I love the South!  I love to travel but am always so glad to be home.  When we lived in California for two and a half years and I would fly into Atlanta, I was seriously tempted to kiss the ground when I stepped off the plane.  I cried every day for those two and a half years because I was so homesick for the South.  God had lessons for me to learn, but that's another post for another day.

Jonny & Ming Ming in Lincolnshire

Here they are, the final people to come through Immigration and Passport Control. All the hoops have been jumped through, the visa checked, questions asked - Jonny and Ming Ming can now begin their holiday in England.


Our tiny local airport was closing down for the night - the doors were locked behind us - as we made our way out through the car park. It was almost ten o'clock at night and the staff wanted to go home. So did we.

The young ones were up and about before George and I got up to let the hens out and see to the animals. Their bodies were still on Shanghai time.

Ming Ming has a particularly soft spot for Bennie, who adores all the attention.

Here they are trying to work out which hen is Xiaou JiGeorge is the only one who knows for sure.


Keeping in touch with their friends in China...



Hats on - and off to the fruit farm along the road, strawberries for tea!



The guardian of the gate, what a poser.


Despite my protestations that she is on holiday, and should be relaxing,Ming Ming has been cooking some superb Chinese meals.She is a far better cook than I will ever be.Ingredients are beautifully sliced, diced,and beautifully arranged.The food is spicy and delicious.
Young Francesca loves Ming Ming's meals.The spicier the better, as far as she is concerned.
Harry hasn't tried one yet - it seems to be party seasonamongst his many friends - so we scarcely see him.
However, he called round a little after 7 a.m. yesterday.He wanted to see his two favourite people- and he didn't mean Grandpa or Grandma!


I couldn't resist taking a photograph of Ming Ming wearing my special apron.
No doubt you are already on photo-overload, so I won't post any more just now.
It is wonderful having Jonny home and it is a genuine pleasure having Ming Ming here

to stay with us for a few weeks. She is not only beautiful to look at, but she has a wonderfully bubbly personality.There is no language barrier, despite the fact that our Mandarin is non-existent and Ming Ming's English

is slightly less than perfect.
Her smile lights up the place

and her enthusiasm is contagious.

She is great fun to be with.
The fields around our place are festooned with beautiful red poppies.Ming Ming was amazed...In China they are not permitted to grow them,and if they didthe police would chop them downand the farmer would be in big trouble..!
Most evenings we have been treated to a special Chinese tea ceremony.I'll post about it, next time.x

Apologies for not having the time to read or comment on many blogs right now - life is hectic and fun.