24.08.2006 Blue Man Group

Well what do you know, celebrating a wedding aniversary can be fun, especially when close friends have provided the ticket to see the evening showing in London of this famous trio (well actually more, but that is what they are known as) of very blue faced characters. And these same friends at the same time stayed at home 'baby-sitting' even though all four girls were at home too.

The day started with a note of tension as Beckie's GCSE Results came out - but they weren't that bad, having now gained 11 with one A*, one A, six B's, and three C's. Back home we were 'surprised' by a bottle of champers and the invitiation for that evening in the "New London Theatre", as well as some congrats cards from the kids. So we all went to celebrate with lunch at Wagamama in TW - had to go in two cars as our friends from Germany were staying and we were thus ten peoples.

Still by seven the 'Boss' and I were on the train to Charing Cross and off for our night out. Slight panik in the theatre as SJS had to look for the ladies and the queue was a bit long. But we made it in time to our seats. Without wishing to give the whole program away, if you like drums and have a humorous view on life, it is well worth going. Similar to "Stomp" also a musical, non language based entertainment. The whole show lasted for just under two hours, starting off with electronic red banner comments refering to 'so-an-so's birthday in the audience, or warning of no break in the show, no photography permotted, and please switch all mobiles, pagers, palms etc off, and getting up during the program could be dangerous. In fact, one couple (it appeared) came in late and they were spot-lighted and picked on for a bit. A lot of music was made with plastic tubing, whether in the form of toilet drain-pipes (which one could make longer to lower the sound) or flexible tubings, also coloured water was poured onto base drums whilst they were being played. Two members of the audience were called upon to participate, one (a girl) had to help 'eat' some stuff and share the food around, another (a guy) was given an overall to wear as well as a motorbike helmet and we were shown, by remote camera, how this guy (probably another though, as he seemd taller) was then covered in blue paint, trussed up and thrown upside down against some canvass. It was interesting also to be made to choose to read one of three posters mentioning trivia and other nonsensical items, but the finale was when what must appear to have been miles and miles of white 'toilet paper' had to be passed down from the back of the audience to the front stage, with strobe light and fluorescent lights shining to the rythm of the music being played. Oh yes, another interesting point was when the three blue men decided to leave the stage, after having got the audience (that is all of us!) to stand up, or sit down, clap hands, or move around using two red light beacons (as seen on airports directing planes to their spots), and leave the theatre to disappear in a taxi - well two of the three, the 3rd being left behind with the lights may the force direct you.

Well worth going to see. Loads better than the tv adverts.

24-31.07.2006 Vattenfall Cyclassics (Part 3 of 3)

Sunday had finally come around. Clear blue skies, now thread of rain in the air and by 06:30 we were on our way into Hamburg with the campervan and the Zaphyra, parking in the town (as opposed to the refinery where I usually have a parking space) and cycling the three or so kilometers to the start. Gerda and Debs of course taking the U Bahn. Met up at the Hauptbahnhof doing the final adjustment to Ruth's breaks. Cycled over to the 55 km start block E where the girls in the Union jacks were starting around 08:10. Holger and I then trundled over to the 100 km starting line and block Q (with only 3 more behind us we felt a bit under pressure in keeping up speed) for our eventual start at 09:07.

The 100 km route took us through the Hamburg harbour into Harburg, along the inner ring town centre, just missing one bike accident as a cyclist lost ocntrol over the cobbles, out along the B4 to Langenbek, over the A7 into Hittfeld and on, Helmstorf, Harmstorf to Jesteburg and a sharp left turn before the first roundabout which most of us took the shorter 'wrong' way round and up the first hill. This is where I felt the first nasty twinges of cramp in my left leg - autsch! and that after only 33 km oh oh. Down to Asendorf and a right turn to Dierkshausen, again just missing a bike pile up behind me (Holger and I stayed relatively close this race round, either he in front or me). In Dierkshausen came the another sharp right run and then it was a nice downhill coast for several km. Near Schierhorn, we had arranged an unofficial supply stop to replenish our bottles and my cramp managed to work itself away too. Up and on through Holm. Holm-Seppensen, into Buchholz and its nasty railway bridge, crossing the B75 by Dibbersen and going up and on to Langenrehm, the highest point, then down to Sieversen, turning up hill (being cheered on by Manny and family) in Gross Leversen, through Sottorf and down, down, down Ehestorf (max speed obtained so far was 54 kmh), onto the short stretch of the B73 and then along the A7 to the Kohlbrandbruecke (the highest bridge in Noerthern Germany, I think), a killer to cyclists but for the third time I made it without getting off, but having slowed right down to 13 kmh at the top. Fromt here it was a doddle through the harbour again and past the Hauptbahnhof reaching the finish line after 3 hours and some 14 minutes (ave speed 30,8 kmh, Holger with 30,5 kmh).

The girls all had done their distances too (Ruth and Claudia at 30 kmh, Bex and Jess with 28 kmh) and so we all met up again at the Hauptbahnhof to head home where after showers we watched the end of the professional cyclassics (The pros do the same track, combined though with a total of 240 km in around six hours). And by 18:30 we also had loaded up the van witht he bikes and all our other stuff, bar sleeping bags, ready for the homeward journey.

And so monday at 07:40 we were on the road, down the A7 this time via Hannover heading for Calais. The route was fairly easy, with roadworks only along the A2 past Kammener Kreuz and then on the A40 by Moers. By 11:40 we crossed the German-Dutch frontier. A Diesel/toilet/snack stop near Eindhoven and by 12:50 we had crossed into Belgium, shooting past Turnhout at one, into Antwerpen, doing the ring in ten minutes, through the Kenndy tunnel. By 14:10 we headed west to Dunkirk leaving Jabbeke behind, 14:35 into France reaching the Calais Carrefour by 15:05. Talk about motoring hey ! Bit of shopping, filling up with Diesel and by 16:15 through customs checked onto an earlier ferry (the 17:15 as opposed to the 18:30). Nearly had to leave Jessie behind as we had no papers from her parents allowing her to travle with us. But we were going home so, no probs. On the boat the captain reminded us to turn our clocks back as it was "just a smidgen past 17:35". Coming into the harbour of Dover I commented on the 'black' (!) cliffs, as opposed to the white noting the shading effect of shadows from the sun. Coming off the boat, bypassing a lot of the queue in using the lorry lane (well, it was a big van no?) we were discussing the weight of a 750 kg trailer, which this van could have pulled. To come to a point it is the equivalent of 8 me's, 37 bikes, or 15 Ruth's. And by 19:05 (UK time again) we arrived save and sound, and many hands (including lil' David) made light work of emptying out the 'lorry'.

So, in summary 353 litrs of diesel were spend at a cost of approx £271, with
the outward journey of 523 miles taking 8 1/2 hours
the homeward journey of 561 miles taking 7 hours

24-31.07.2006 Vattenfall Cyclassics (Part 2 of 3)

So the first 'big' day arrived with wednesday and the need to register in Hamburg for the race, and collect our starter packs. The weather was good, sunny warm(ish with 32 degC) outside, hardly any wind. Rufus and Claudia arrived early so that we could all (Rufus, Claudia, Jessie, Bex, Holger and I) cycle (!!!) the 40 or so kilometers into Hamburg. The journey took us out to the Elbe, along the Deich into Harburg, then through skimming past the Refinery onto the old Elbe Tunnel with its car & passenger lift, a refreshing ride through the tunnel (nice and cool down there), lift up on 't'other side and onto the Binnen Alster (the smaller inner 'lake' in Hamburg, to sign on and collect the packs. We also met up with Gerda and Debs who were taking the yellowish bags with paraphenalia back home in the car. After a cold McDeee and a quick bite (Cheesburger pleeeeease) the cyclists ventured back out through Hamburg along the northern side of the Elbe. It was a long haul, in the heat (remember it was 32 degC out there) the road just went on and on and on, despite a few sprints ... But we all made it to the Hoopter crossing where a boat took us over to the south side. We then cycled into Winsen and out to Pattensen with just one accident when Jessie came off her bike on the country lane, as the asphalt had a sharp drop into the sand along the edge somewhat. A doctor on a motorbike just happend to come along and kindly offered help, but fortunatley it was jsut a bit of a shock, so that we walked half a kilometer before Jessie ventured back onto her bike and with Bex alongside we reached 'home' having done nearly 87 km in total. CRAZY some would say, MAD others, but what are you doing about staying FIT?

Thursday was a "visit the old house in Pattensen" day. Had to be there as some 2,000 litres of heating oil were being delivered. Whilst waiting we loaded the van up with the lawn mower, milk urn letter box, and some shelves left in the cellar, as well as a dwarf and ceramic dog found in the garden. Bex and Jessie visited Bex's old scholl friend Britta but only for an hour, Ruth popped into Garstedt to find that the Buchfinks had moved (and left us a forwarding address). The oilman turned up in the last minute, ie midday so we had little time to do some shopping in Winsen. After popping into the Dannish Bettenlager to look for some mor echairs for our kitfhen table (without success though) parked in the car park by Familia. Bex, Jessie and Debs then walked to the High Street to meet up with Bex's friend Melanie from the Realschule, whilst Ruth and I went through mum's shopping list. Did I already mention the heat wave was still going on and yet again the temperature was in the early thrities ? Well now I have.

In the afternoon clouds started forming over northern Germany, and Holger and I met up with nine colleagues from the refinery to do a final run round the southern loop of the 100 km stretch we would be doing on sunday. The 57 km went quite well actually, despite the short refreshing rain/drizzle, helping in moving the recently put down gritt on the road. We all finished off with a very refreshig, cool milkshake (!!! YES, milkshake, not beer or any other alcoholic drink, but milkshake yummy) at the Burger King, having averaged 28 km/h weeeee, and max being 54 km/h wwoooowwww

Friday was a bit of a rest day (hmm is there such a thing in our family?) in as much as Jessie was taken into Hambrug for some site-seeing including a ride on the river, and we the Stoneys did some visitng, having lunch and tea in Ehestorf with our old friends and first neighbours Kurt and Brigitte and their very very tall son Hendrick, this was followed by a meandering journey to Reppenstedt for a quick bbq with Evelynn and Michael and their sons Jannick and Henrik, as well as Harm and Renate popping over froom Salzhausen. In the late evening (got my timing slightly wrong) Holger and I helped bring Ruth and Claudia's bikes into Hamburg to Claudia's flat. It was very warm in the falt a yet again it had been a veryw arm day outside too.

Saturday was the last chance to complete the shopping list. Lil' sis' Barbie popped over too with some bags and stuff for us to bring back to the UK for her and we had a bbq of sorts on the terrace. For Holger it was final bike tuning time with cleaning and setting the bike up for the race. In the afternoon, Ruth and Claudia having returned to C's flat, we all met up in Hamburg for the regular 'pasta-party' along the Moenckeberg Strasse and the atmosphere was beginning to rise, the temperatures still being very warm too. Wandered round the various bike accessory stands too and bought a new pair of bike gloves. But by nine we were on our way home. An early night was on the agenda as tomorrow was the big race.

24-31.07.2006 Vattenfall Cyclassics (Part 1 of 3)

Well at long last here are some of the memories of that eventful, annual, event (grinch at the double wording there, don't).

Having hired, as awlays a nice long, over 7 metre long in fact, 6 berthed camper-van, including a agrage to accomodate 4 bikes, and having had it delivered (for a change) on teh sunday afternoon - good thing too as the owner brought it and scraped the rear trailer support (yep, it also had a small Clio attached, what a convoy) going up the drive. But we weren't scheduled to depart till monday afternoon as our ferry from Dover had been booked for around 18:30. So had plenty of time to load the van, and for lil' David to go brrrmm brrmm in the driver seat. But by 15:30 we were set - we being myself (the donkey always names itself first, a German saying), Rufus, Bex, Debs, and Jessie. Well, almost set. As one does, when one hits the road (gently now) through ones mind goes the check list "Have we got everything, tooth brush, towels, check, kids, check, food check (not quite as we discovered later on), Ha shopping list, not check. So Bex ran back whislt I checked and discovered it shortly, fortunately Bex had not gone too far and I managed to shout her back, not that she was slow just I was quick in locating the list. A very important list, as it contained all the things 'the boss' wanted bringing back. Finally on the road and no further comments to make really. Worth mentioning thoughw as the "Flood Sign" on the M20, and Kent is in a draught with hose-pipe ban ... ... ... And also the van's motor was really good, well what does one expect from a Mercedes (?) so that we reached dover in literally 70 Minutes. After checking in and parking, we wandered over to Burger King for a small bite, and very critical comparison on how BK works behind the counters (cleanliness, people wise ect) compared to McDeees. Also, on board the P&O Ferry "The Pride of Burgundy" no dramatic events occured, except w eturned our clocks forward by one whole hour - talk about time flying by.

Having arrived in Calais though it was time to make use of the cheap petrol and fill the van up with diesel. Only, where was the petrol cap? PANIK!!! But after several phone calls (good thing we have 'handy's' now) it was located hidden behind some cladding behind the passenger door. As it was still 'early' only being 21:30 (European time, note) it was decided to head up and on, in through Belgium, past Jabbeke by Oostende, round to Antwerpen clearing the ring road there in five minutes (record time) and then out to Eindhoven, finding our regular stop near Turnhout for the night by midnight. Whilst I was driving the girls watched the dvd "Madagascar" so as not to get toooooo bored.

The following morning, being a tuesday, we discovered that we had left behind the tea and cornflakes for breakfast. (Not sure if the tuesday had anything to do with it though). It was a good thing the petrol station close by also had a small super market where the girls bougth som ebutter for the roles we had along. And by 08:40 we were "off on the road again", through Holland in 35 Minutes and into Germany by 09:30, through the Ruhrgebiet and onto the A1. A toilet stop around 11:20 in the Tecklenburger Wald, and a diesel stop in Sittensen, rolling into the Autohof there on the last drops by 13:30, replenishing the 80 litre tank. So in good spirits and recognition of the area we trundled into Ohlendorf by 14:00, to be received with two flagpoles outside our residence for the week, one flying the Union Jack, and the other the German National flag. The day was rounded off in the evening with Jessie, Claudia, Bex, Holger and I doing a short 20 km bike ride. (Distance is all relative - misquote Einstein).

25.05.2006 Latest adventures of Stony

Pearl - one month in or thereabouts. Well, whilst I am exploring the possibilities of setting up a blogg or two (gaining good advice from Rufus, my eldest daughter on this matter) I thought I would keep you up to date with the "Latest adventures of Stony" (good name for a Blogg?) and assure you that I am still alive and kicking.Actually only just about.

With the work-place relocation from the Strand (Central London) to Greenford(West suburb of London) has come the daily joy of serious commuting. I can either go by car (under my own expense) and spend a good hour on the M25 (otherwise known as the "biggest parking lot in Europe") going into work (meaning then that I would arrive around seven in the morning well ahead of most others, as is my usual habit), or I can enjoy the services of the British Railway system and London Underground. But this means catching the 06:10 from Sevenoaks, and arriving in the office around seven thirty, or 7:45 (depending on the Underground) with up to 4 train line changes. But then again, you get to see other human beings, and have the chance to catch up on that book or two you always wanted to read (The Da Vinci Code second time round currently, having finished the two Lance Armstorng books). And coming home, well if I leave the office around four thirty/forty-five I get home by six thirty/forty-five, just in time to see David (my little son, who will be two not till August) get ready to go to bed. What a father... not?

Coming to my well known eating habits, they are definitely being dramatically curtailed right now, with only the odd sandwich place or sleezy pub along the high street, I have reverted to bringing in my own, homemade sandwiches, in the hope that when I do get home I will be able to get something of the left-overs from supper ;-)

But workwise, I am (still) enjoying it. Knew faces, and contacts on a regular basis. For example, I am in an office that sits 4 people. Yesterday the 5th new face (to me) has appeared here. And whilst you may think that the openplan floor in Stasco was not conducive for confidential telephone calls, this is even worse. So apologese to those who do venture to give me a call, if I am a bit 'short' in communicating. To show you, and not breach any confidentiality agreements, of how things are changing for me, whilst in Scope (upon reviewing) I was always firefighting in having to deliver Crude Indifference values, monthly Plans or monthly reviews, fly to this LP Review meeting or that PPC, with no real chance to sit back and ponder "is this the right way of doing this job" and of course it did also mean doing work from home in the evenings and at weekends (yes I did, shame on me). But now, although I bring my laptop home every evening, so far I have only really used it once and that was to transfer my pst files from the Scope laptop to this one. Ok, so occasionally I do check on the emails but even that has dropped dramatically from 80-100 per day to maybe 15 !!!

And then there are some 'nice' perks. Like today for example, being thursday is "cakes day". This means that aroundabout now the team secretary (yep we have one of these, although I am not sure on the efficiency as I now need to do any travel booking through her, am NOT allowed to move my desktop or phone connections) has organised the delivery of cakes for the whole team, and fresh coffee - free of charge, privately, but I guess it must come out of a budget somewhere ... ... So off for my cake, keep on plugging and watch this space.

29.05.2006 How NOT to spend a Bank Holiday

by getting up at five in the morning so as to go to a car-boot sale down the road in Pembury, arriving there with two daughters, setting up by six and then ... waiting for the crowds to come and storm your stand. Well the storm sure came, but it just left everything wet so we ended up back home again by eight thirty.

Still after a 2nd breakfast it was off to the dump so as to get rid of some of the stuff we didn't sell. And then back to Pembury to drop some boxes off at the "Big Yellow Store" - yep, despite the biggish house we are living in, there was the need to rent additional room so as to store things that are not required on a regular basis - and for "the missus" to put all those dolls and collectables, as well as clothes for the girls for later on.

Not done yet, back home, as it was not raining (for a bit) No.3 daughter and I ended up outside in the front cutting the lawn! In between the odd shower or two. Managed to get it done though by ... twelve, in time for lunch. And after getting numbe 1 son a wee bit tired, and as it just happend to be "Community Action day" in this town, went round to the local boys school to meet up with some of the Young People from Soul Purpose to clear up the school off litter and things. As an interlude, four of the boys ended up playing a game of soccer or sorts with 4 boys from the school (so we think). By two though most of the things had been picked up and the steam had gone out of litter picking. But there was still the BBQ at the local community centre to cheer us on. Well at least till about four.

and then back home to ... ... sit on the tractor, or at least show Nos.3 Daughter how to use it to cut the back lawn which she then promptly did, whilst I got a fire going to burn some more paper rubbish and cuttings and grass. It sure beats pushing a lwanmower and is a lot faster. If it weren't for the continual interruptions of the rain, I woudl have completed the back lawn too.

And now, it is "time for bed, said Zepedee" as tomrrow it is "Hi ho, hi, ho and off to work we go" with a bucket and spade and a ... ... chrrrrrr

18.06.2006 London to Brighton

Ah to be a cyclist must be bliss. Especially on a day like this. And there I end this ryhme so as to go on writing a few more lines.

As most of you may have guessed from the above that this is about the craziest bike ride I have done yet. Imagine London to Brighton on a push-bike. And for part of the way it was a 'push-bike' ride with no alternative but to get off the cycle and push it along. Not because the road was steep (although Ditchin Beacon I did decide to push part of the way - more later), but because the traffice was heavy. We all know a lot of traffic jams are actually caused by officials trying to control the traffic. And so it was on this lovely, sunny over 25 deg C, sunday too. Especially on the stretch out of London. Nothing but hold ups as the police stopped groups of us from moving on so as to let the motorised road users a chance to move on. Or the road was so narrow that when some cyclists decided to get off and possibly admire the view (which in some parts was really picturesque) no other bikes could get past for a while. So, no comparison to the annual bike race round Hamburg, where the roads are all very wide, and no motorised vehicles, nor pedastrians are allowed to interfere with the cyclists, unless they are of the medical or support kind. But enough of the griping.

The L2B Adventure started with a beautiful sunrise in Wimbledeon, where the team (consisting of Ruth and Rebekah and 2 friends of Rebekah's - Jess and Olivia, as well as myself) had been staying at the house of Chris & Irene (my lil' sister). After a good breakfast around seven thirty, we all managed to set off and cycle over to Clapham Common, a distance of only 7,5 km. As we went up Nightingale Ave we were met by hundred of cyclists going the opposite way, all telling us we were going the wrong direction! Ha, if only they had known. Still we got to the starting field, and managed to get our cards all stamped in time to actually be set off by HRH The Queen (a double, no doubt, as I cannot imagine HRH being up so early for a bunch of crazy, mad cyclists, even if it was for a good cause) on time at nine. You see we had been allocated the nine o'clock start, as we were new to the event, although we had applied for a seven thirty start. And also bear in mind there were 27 Thousand !!! cyclists somewhere along the route.

So off we went, initially staying relatively close together, mainly going along main roads through the streets of south London. Through various stops and starts. I concentrated on keeping my girls together, mainly in front of me to make sure non of us gave up. And it was fairly easy going. Remember, it is NOT a race, but a good fun day out, doing something for ones own heart as well as the British Heart Foundation. Every few kilometers there were marshall points set up, to be there for problems of mechanical or medical nature. I think we counted 155 by the time we came to the beach of Brighton. And 15 refreshment stations were set up too - but don't think the water or bananas, or oranges were for free. Extortionate prices like £1,50 for a 70ml water bottle, which usually costs around 80 p - let us just hope the delta will go to the BHF.

Can't really remember much outstanding of the route except when we got to Turnerhill, near Crawley I think. This was marked as roughly the half-way spot. A band was laid on for the cyclists to listen to as they had to 'walk' up the hill to the road junction. Yes, an instance where the police officers were present. At this point I had pulled ahead of the girls somewhat, as it was a bit of a climb. And so I listened to the commentator, sitting on his sunlounge, with a glass of bear (I think) at his side, making the odd comment on the cyclists, like "Oh look at that gorrilla, he must be suffering in this heat ( at a cyclists in a gorilla suit) or "Here we go, up on the pedals folks as the road is clear again for another batch to go through" and "Mind out for the cars as they try to avoid you". Eventually the girls turned up too. After a quick toilet stop we headed off again. According to the commentator it was "all down-hill to Brighton" hmpf excluding the Ditchling Beacon yes.

So, Ruth and Rebekah zoomed off ahead, as it was downhill from the start, with Jess and Olivia close behind, and me bringing up the rear. Well, I have to make sure my team gets home, and whilst looking out for the Union Jacks was relatively easy, once or twice I thought I had lost Olivia as she did not have such a flashy get-up. On the way I did manage to notice two photographers, official ones I hope, and gave them the V-sign and had my picture taken. Need to see if I can locate them on the Actionphoto.net web page.

We all met up again just past Ditchling for a final drink stop before climbing that hill. And what a climb it was. I did manage to attack it and got up some couple of hundred meters, but after that, with the path being able to take maybe only 5 a breast, I ended up walking the rest of the way. Only the most determined stuck to the wheels, but there weren't that many of them. At the base of the hill we had agreed to meet up on the top, past the refreshment stop as there was bound to be chaos there as I don't think anyone would give that one a miss. Still, being a fast walker, I managed to keep a good 5kmh going (according to the bike computer) to the top and waited for about ten minutes before Ruth, then Rebekah turned up. Rebekah went to buy 5 bottles of water at this high price, as I was sure we all needed replenishment. When Jess turned up we were getting a bit concerend as she had started walking right at the bottom with Olivia doing a bit of cycling ahead. Beckie went back the path a bit and did find Olivia eventually, waiting for us.

So, all together again, slightly refreshed it was literally downhill for the next five miles or so to the beach and Brighton Pier. On the way we had the only two technical hick-ups. Olivia's chain came slightly undone just after starting the donwhill ride, and Jess's as well, as we approached the A27 Brighton bypass. Top speed, so Rebekah, was 60kmh into the town. But shortly after, we all had to slow right down as in the city centre only one lane of the dual-carriage way was left for the cylcists, and towards the beach it got really congested. And with the clouds coming in I was getting a bit nervouse (typical) again in that we might still get wet before getting back to the car. But prayers do work and we crossed the official finish line at 15:30!!! All five together !!!. Got our pass stamped, were given a medal each, and a cup of cool, refreshing water.

Then it was time to phone home, Jess contacted her parents who were visiting friends in Brighton, and meeting point was set at the "London Road NCP" where I had left the Chrylser saturday evening before catching the train into London. The good timing kept up as we got to the car park just as Jess's dad also arrived there. Managed to get the remaining four bikes on and into the van and had no car-park fee to pay - it was sunday and the gates were open all day! (Important to remember for next time). By four thirty we were set and on our way back to Sevenoaks, where we arrived safe and sound an hour later too.

8-9.07.2006 A daytrip on the European Race tracks:

Well this is a weee bit later than hoped for as the events took place way back on the 8th and 9th of July 2006 but only now (today being the 18th of same month) am I considering writing the below. Ho ho ho ho and a bottle of rum, for those to 'mum' to follow the 'hot-rod'run. Just doNOT work out the speed limits adhered to (or not as the case may be).So, saturday morning, very early in the morning !!! like 02:24 am did we rev the engine and depart for Dover. Arriving safe and sound (and not aware of any flash cameras going off) after 59 miles at 03:15 (or so our log keeper wrote down) at Eastern Docks in Dover, to be greeted by "Mr.St. well it is good to see you" Hmm, the girls and I were a bit miffed as I had not yet got out the reference booking number, but the car registration number had sufficed (the effects of modern technology, I ask you - what? ) Still by 03:45 we were loading onto the Norfolkline ferry heading for Dunkirque. After a bit of a snooze, clock forward by 1 hour, we ended up missing breakfast as the kitchen/canteen had closed 30 minutes before arrival time.

Still we amused ourselves a bit by imitating lil'D's grin when he says 'yes' - this has to be seen to be understood, so just consider it as an inside job.07:30 European time then (06:30 UK Time for those not converted yet, but I will not repeat this) we departed the "Rue du petit Denna" otherwise known as the harbour. Reason we noted the name down is so that we could use the "TomTom" on the way back (didn't work as the road name did not exist at the time the "TomTom" or GPS Navigator had been loaded, as we found out the next day). Staying on the "TomTom" subject, the girls advised me NOT to change the voice to a female one as "Dad, you will be guaranteed to get lost". Ok, I carried on driving a bit, so as Rufus could wake up some and get used to the 'wrong side' of the motorway. But by 08:35 (EU Time, from now on) after some 86 miles, we approached Brussels, having skirted Gent, and I thought of taking advantage of cheaper petrol on the continent. Surprise, surprise a Shell petrol station appeared too around 43 km before Brussels on the A10.With a full tank, Rufus let her hair down and made her first (quite good) attempt on the European motorways. In fact she drove so well, several male drivers did a double take when she 'shot past'. Approaching Aachen for example, there was this one coloured guy with french number plates who edged nearer, then back away and eventually overtook only to have a closer look through his rear view mirror at this 'crazy' young driver. ((As an aside, I do believe she learned a few tricks from her old man *wink, wink*. No further dramatics occured, the TomTom worked fine and by 11:13 and another 182 miles, we actually reached our final destination "Caecilienhoehe" in Bad Godesberg...

Quickly checked in, a couple of phone calls here and there, and we ended up driving back to Villip (with me driving this time) to have a bbq lunch at Bine & Gerd (one of my many cousins). Also met up with Babs, me lil' big sis who had come down from Schwerin the night before with her two kids. We stayed there chatting about this, that and most of the other (including feudel swinging - whatever that may have been, probably a confusion betwix engl. and german on mopping up spilled drinks or dusting) till around four when we returned back to the hotel to have a short rest and get ready for the party.

PARTY TIME: hmmm what party? Actually we had done this journey 'cos Peter & Lisa (Peter is another cousin) were celebrating their wedding (having gotten married after about 35 years on the modnay) as well as both their 50th birthdays. The food was good, the music a life keyboard player with a sense of humour (brought life results from the German-Portugese World Cup 3rd place game, which Germany won btw) and some entertainment including the presentation of a unique cook-book with recipes from friends and family for the newly weds, and a weird action game (in which I had to play a wheel of a horse & cart and run around the pretend cart every time got mentioned - made room for some more pudding in the process, so not bad). Also managed to chat very briefly to my direct cousins, but hardly to the next generation ie their kids who were also already in the early twenties, and probably had no idea who these strange people from England were... ... ...

But by one thirty am I think the girls and I were beat and quietly retired to our rooms. The follwoing morning we heard that the last gust departed around five in the morning. Who ever said the Germans don't know how to celebrate ? ...snore snore snore snore snore snore snore snore snore snore snorewell that is how the night went, despite the warm night. Breakfast, ah the joy of an empty stomach, was around nine. Weeee and we were the first guests (nearly) to appear. Cousin P. had reserved the whole hotel for his guests, nto bad, still it only had about 12 rooms so ... Anyway, I was at the breakfast side of things. German buffet style, I managed to get some scrambled eggs and bacon in, as well as toast and jam and toast and jam, or was it nutella ?Checked out by ten, said farewell, and yes you must visit (P&L have promised to do so next year ...) and off we headed. Rufus in the driving seat (all the way I hasten to add for the whole day including detours later on). Past Villip to deliver some wedding cake and off on the motorway by 11:30. As I was the log keeper the follwoing is going to be very technical:12:00 onto the A4 at Kreuz Kerpen, past Micahel Schumacher's go-kart race course. Some three porsche's and a fats bmw overtook us but ... we met up with them at a 12:20 5 Minute petrol stop, yet another Shell station by Aachen. Well having done now some 396 miles in total, the engine could do with some more 'food' too (251 miles since the previous mentioned petrol stop) although only 29 litres were taken on board.12:35 we crossed the Belgium-German frontier, not that there is one really visible, except for the blue sign. At 13:05 we left Liege behind us, continuously following the "TomTom" advise. Unfortunately the machine is not linked up with the police and travel system. So we noticed an unmarked small car following us for quite some time AFTER we had overtaken it. It looked like a policewoman checking up on vehicles, because after about 20 minutes she followed another car before leaving the motorway. By 13:40 with 44203 miles on the clock we hit the Brussles ring road, following signs to the airport and beyond. Fortunately it was fairly easy as the european number of the road did not change, being the E40. Ten minutes round and westward, another 15 minutes and 37 miles, the Gent/Antwerpen crossing was passed. So by 14:30 with 22degC outside Oostende came in sight and the turnoff to Dunkirk at Jabbekke. 14:50 the Belgium/French border was crossed (44300 miles)and the outside temperature started dropping. By 15:!0 the car ferry at Dunkirk was reached, only to be told that they were all fully booked and we would have to wait till our booked boat at 19:00 cam ein. GRRRRR.

Being flexible and a former scout (be prepared!) got Rufus to head to Calais. Maybe the Carrefour was open and we could do oen final petrol stop. But, it started raining, the Carrefour was shut and so was the petrol station! Only the McD was open, but we didn't stop there. Donw to the old Hoverspeed port - also shut and looked very much deserted (wonder if we can stay there overnight at the end of the month...) Onto the car-ferry terminal (it was now 15:30 ish) and (weeee) managed to book a P&O Crossing for just €105 in toto. And !! at 16:30 with 44346 miles on the clock, we managed to board the delayed 17:00 crossing which left at 17:45. Whilst waiting to board the ferry we were thinking on how to catch the World Cup Final between France and Italy (which btw France lost in penalties), the follwoing short conversation could have been overheard in the car:"Daddy, we can listen to the football as I found a channel""Oh good. What channel is it?""I don't know, M something""Oh dear mumble mumble mumble"Still the correct channel was located (M1053 for the football and M648 for the Wimbledon final, just in case you were interested)Dover was reached without much ado after 90 minutes, and by 18:30 we were through customs and passport checks (none in fact) and heading home along the A20. Home was reached by 19:25 with 44406 miles on the clock, to find that the whole family was back too - RJSt. had been to hospital to have arm put in plaster as she had broken (complex) her wrist whilst falling badly at a birthday party and playing hockey.

18.07.2006 Firealarm

Ahgghh the alarm went off, and we just sat there thinking "Typical, on a hot day like today (it was 31 degC outside - IN THE SHADE!!!) with no clouds in sight, some twit had to set off the fire-alarm. Oh well, a slow dash to get valuables out of the back-pack, then we were chased out by the secretary and made to walk slloooowwwllllyyyyy without any panickk down the emergency exit at the end of our floor - which just happens to be the 4th, so imagine the height.

It was strange to think that as it was apparent that this was an exercise, everybody took it easy and meandered down the stairs and out into the open. Wonder what the reaction would be if it had been a real alarm, with smoke and all - but as no fire engines were in sight, and no "neenoeeneenooee" sound to hear it was obvious ... twenty minutes in the sun and then we were allowed back in. Because of the hugh amount of ppls it was quicker to go up by stairs - my exercise done for the day.