The trouble with packing away a turbo for the season, especially if it’s a Tacx iMagic is that sometimes, just sometimes, some of the ‘bits’ go astray and putting it back together ain’t so easy. In a flash of inspiration however, it did occur to me that with three cyclists in the household, there are three turbos (only my one is an iMagic) and that of those three, two are the right size for me. So, with much appreciation to the Mole Man (Nick) I can leave the iMagic for another day. 🙂
I have to say, it will be weird as the bike on the trainer is my old Giant which I passed on to Nick a couple of years ago so it will be a kind of reunion I suppose.
Naturally, switching to another bike & trainer (the Colnago is staying off Turbos) does mean that I’ll need another pair of shoes as Nick uses Look and I use SPD. Why do I use SPDs? It’s because it’s easier to walk up hills with mtb type shoes than with Look and for those that know me, I don’t like hills. I do hills. I cuss hills. I even look for hills but I don’t like them. And with my advancing years and my shrinking clothes!, getting up some hills does cause me to realise the term ‘Push Bike’ :-).
I’ve ordered a new pair of wheels for the Colnago by the way, just to add to its blinginess and will post a new photo when she’s ready: so that’ll be something to look forward to.
I’m now looking to acquire an old hack as I’ll be looking to cycle to the station in the future rather than drive the three quarters of mile each day. Better still, I’ve worked out I can cycle to the next station which is about 9-miles on which will give me my mileage quota and save me money. Of course I won’t be so smug when it’s blowing a gale and chucking it down with hail / rain but I’ll just have to deal with that as and when it happens.
As I seem to running out of pixels, I’ll finish here and switch to work mode now 😦 Byeee.
Go Podge Go.
Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category
Cyclist Reborn, or, Cyclist Recycled
Posted: April 23, 2012 in Cycling, training, TravelTags: Colnago, Dreamert, Fat Man, iMagic, Tacx
175 Years
Posted: April 16, 2012 in TravelTags: Bergen, Cruise, Gerainger, Noway, Oceana, Olden, P&O
I think it was about this time last year when I first became aware of the 175 year birthday celebrations for P&O that were being planned for July 2012. The most significant aspect of the celebrations were to be the fact that ALL 7 of P&O’s cruise ships would be in port on the 3rd of July 2012 and that they will all depart in a grand procession. I don’t believe that such a spectacle has been seen before and the whole event promised to be an unforgettable experience that I simply wasn’t prepared to miss out on. And to my good fortune, I was able to secure two cabins on the Oceana for a 7-night voyage to the Norwegian Fiords. The cruise sold out within 48 hours so I felt very fortunate to be part of P&O’s celebrations.
All this was a year ago and now, here we are within 12-weeks of the big event and the excitement is really starting to build. Now, the planning / preparations begin.
Watch out for more. 🙂
Go Podge Go
Goodwood Revival! Wow, What a Day
Posted: September 19, 2011 in 40s 50s, Festivals, Goodwood, Nick Mason, TravelI haven’t been to the Goodwood Revival for various reasons since the last Millennium but be assured I will will be back. Sunday just gone was The Best. Rain or no rain, what a brilliant day. Even she who must be obeyed (She seemed strangely drawn to the clothing and handbag stalls by the way) agreed.
Inevitably, the drive to the event became slower and slower as the traffic built up but, tuning into to Radio Goodwood and listening to the live commentary made us feel as though we were already there and even though the journey slowed, it never really stopped and just looking around at all the classic cars going to the same event again went to reinforce that feeling of having arrived (I have to admit to having concern that the MG in front wasn’t going to make it, but it held out thank goodness).
Having parked up [and noted where we had actually parked the car] we made our way towards the track but even before getting there we seemed to step back in time as we entered what I call ‘The Outer Village’ of stalls and displays and even a fairground all set back in the 40s, 50s and 60s. In addition to the stall, there seemed to be an endless range of classic cars to view. All makes (Ford, Mercedes, Jaguar, Triumph, Rolls Royce, Maserati, BMWs, Yada Yada), shapes (3-wheel, 4-wheel, saloon, droptop, estate, vans, et al) and sizes (small, medium, large and extra large (from America). Naturally, there were also motorbikes of all ages and makes including one from Harry Potter (not sure how old that one was). I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say we could have just spent our time there and not gone into the circuit but the draw of the sound of those engines hurtling round the track drew everybody in [like the pied piper]. But, wait, is that Nick Mason over there? Crikey, yes it is: How thrilled was I to not only see Nick but to be able to buy a book which he then signed for signed [To Podge] was a great start to the day.
So, clutching my ever growing bag of goodies (leaflets, pamphlets, flyers and now a proper book) we made our way into the circuit proper. Now we have truly stepped back to the 50’s & 60’s. It seems as though there were more that dressed for the period than those that didn’t (we’ll certainly be doing the same ourselves next year). Walking through the high street that had appeared in the last couple of weeks (we came here on the 28th August with the Matt & Nick for a Cycle Race event around the same circuit: it was much quieter then) was a real trip down down memory lane. Not only were the shops set back in time but the vast number of people that had dressed for the occasion, even with prams of that same era, just set the scene: there was even a Tesco Supermarket offering Green Shield Stamps (So much better than Club Card points, Nectar Points or whatever).
So much was going on it is difficult to describe. We saw for instance, Laural & Hardy driving around and arguing; we saw dancers rocking and rolling; we saw a wedding troubled by drunkenness with the groom and best man being ‘arrested’ by the local copper; we saw the Royal Marine Band; we even saw the home guard (Dad’s Army) parading through the ‘streets’. It was all just too much to take in, we needed to find something to eat and drink. Fortunately, there was an old Army Chuck Wagon serving tea, coffee and hamburgers (woohoo). So hunger and thirst sated, we made our way, finally, to the actual track to see some racing. As we clambered up the bank to look down on the course we were served up with a view of not only Race Cars from the 50’s and 60’s but also the sight of two spitfires warming up ready for takeoff (the track circles an airfield which was used during WWII and is still in use today though not normally by fighter planes). The spitfires were warming for a fly past with a Lancaster Bomber though bad weather precluded the Lanc’ actually taking part but the antics of the two spitfires above the circuit more than made up for it, and having them seemingly skim your heads as they came into land was something I’ll never forget. This had to be, for me, the highlight of the day. But oh no,no no. After this we were able enjoy numerous races of both cars and motor cycles and wonder around a part of the airfield where lo and behold, was parked numerous aircraft including a Chipmunk (I remember flying in them in the 60’s), a Gipsy Moth, A tiger Moth, a Leopard Moth, a Puss Moth (lots of Moths!) and a Flying Fortress. How I wish I’d been there to see the latter come in to land. And then of course was the rather nifty collection of spitfires. This was the clue to what would be my highlight: All Spitfires were ‘scrambled’ into action. To see ten, yes ten, Spitfires taking off and grouping to circle the circuit was, for me, awe inspiring and yes, just a bit emotional. Again, the sight and sound is something I’ll never forget, nor I count will any of those that were able to see and enjoy [I do know that many of the surrounding roads were littered with parked cars while the occupant simply stopped to get out and watch piece of history in the air].
All too soon however, the excitement of the days events got the better of me and I started to flag, so with great reluctance, we had to call it a day and head for home :-(, where we can at least start to plan for 2012. Check the Goodwood Web Site for details. Why not checkout the Facebook Pages as well.
NOTE: – I regret that my organisational skills, and old age, caused me to leave behind both my still camera and video camera so any images are taken from my iPhone with a broken screen (so I couldn’t see what I was filming very well).
Just a few random pictures 🙂 )
Go Podge Go
First of all, let’s be clear, the updates for the remainder of this adventure are being written, post event, that is to say after we returned home. I make no apologies for this. I was just having too darned good a time. Also, airtime while abroad and especially on a ship is ludicrously expensive and I’m trying to to be frugal. 🙂
After yet another night on the flattest seas ever, we arrived at Copenhagen conscious that we had been stupid enough to book an early start excursion. Even though we had the luxury of putting the clocks back an hour so getting an extra hours sleep, we had failed to capitalise on this and so stayed up an extra hour instead. So, breakfast at 07:30 when on holiday was a chore but hey, us adventurers laugh at such hardships.
The excursion was to view the Little Mermaid, some Palace and then onto Tivoli Gardens.
The statue of The Little Mermaid sits on a rock in the harbour of the capital of Denmark. Based on a tale by Hans Christian Andersen, the small and unimposing statue is a Copenhagen icon and a major tourist attraction.
The poor little mermaid has been the subject of numerous attacks of vandalism including having her dead sawn off twice, one arm chopped off, one failed attempt to cut off her head but left a deep cut to the neck: She has had paint thrown over her and she has even be blown off the rock by dynamite [it is believed]. Why!
After checking that she remains intact and buying the inevitable souvenir statue we moved on the Amalienborg Palace.
Amalienborg Palace is the winter home of the Danish royal family (we never saw them). It consists of four identical classicizing palace façades with rococo interiors around an octagonal courtyard (Amalienborg Slotsplads); in the center of the square is a monumental equestrian statue of Amalienborg’s founder, King Frederick V.
Amalienborg was originally built for four noble families; however, when Christiansborg Palace burnt down on 26 February 1794, the royal family bought the palaces and moved in. Over the years various kings and their families have resided in the four different palaces.
The palace seems to be guarded by Trumpton Town Guards. Mind you they have a loud shout if you dare to sit on a doorstep of the Palace. Very Scary.
Then, it was off to Tivoli Gardens. Debbie had been really looking forward to this visit as, she said, they were beautiful and just had to be seen to be believed: Seeing as she had never been there I felt she was being a little ambitious but had no reason to doubt her. I’m sure therefore that you can imagine our concern when we were told that the gardens, and Copenhagen for that matter, had endure the most torrential rain and subsequent flooding just 48 hours before and as such some of the gardens will not be at their best. What the tour brochure failed to highlight however was that Tivoli Gardens was also a bloomin theme park with noisy adrenalin rides, etc..
Deep Joy!
That said however, the gardens were quite photogenic and lets face it, no one can control the weather, though I’m not sure about them surly Russians 
. We had a couple of hours during which we were able to explore the whole site and get some good photos: We even had the opportunity to listen to a band playing the bandstand.
By the end of the tour we were all pretty much ready for the return coach ride to the Ship. The trip back was pretty uneventful except for the sight of a police car with lights and sirens cutting through dense traffic by using the special cycle lanes (Denmark caters for cycling unlike back home). Now, remembering the floods of 48-hours ago, many of the buildings were still pumping water out of flooded basements onto the road. Inevitably, these created rather large puddles which the Police Car just had to go through at speed, seemingly oblivious to fact that he promptly sent most of the water back down into the basement covering two pedestrians as well. Naturally, we never found it funny at all (how childish). Eventually however we reached the port and subsequently the ship.
On boarding the ship, we headed straight for our cabins to leave our bags and purchases and headed for the top deck by the pool where I was once again tempted by those nice little ladies from the bar to a nice cold San Miguel followed by a large Gin & Tonic – Nice. Best of all, we had boarded in time for afternoon tea of a variety of rolls and sandwiches and cakes and ice cream: But then we had had no lunch so felt justified and ‘digging in’. All to soon, the day started to enter its closing phase and mutated into evening. This signalled the time for Brandy while getting ready for Dinner. Which, as usual was faultless with some of the best food (as always) on offer. Better still, tonight’s offering included Mixed Grill [dig in Podge] – Nice. Desert options as usual were scrumptious, but, I had to lose weight, so again I opted for a Sorbet. All of this was accompanied by rather a nice Sancerre and after dinner coffee but no port this time 
.
As usual, after dinner, we went to see the show before retiring to the Observatory for some well earned brandy. Another day down, another country conquered. I / we felt satisfied.
As for weight loss, what the heck, I’m on holiday……
What can I say about a day at sea other than to say it is probably the most effective way of relaxing. No matter how hard you try,there is only so much you can do before you have to concede defeat, sit back, accept the harsh reality of life at sea and r_e_l_a_x. Enjoy a cocktail of the day, enjoy a G & T, or enjoy, dare I say it, a cup_of_tea! (I skipped the tea).
One of the consequences of too much time on your hand is that you can lose control and give into reality. As such, today, I officially became an old man. I bought a beige zip up jacket as it was both comfortable and practical, and, I looked forward to the opportunity to wear it and extol its virtues. In the mean time however, I had to contend myself with a day of idleness. But be fair, over the last four days we have conquered Russia and Estonia.
I suppose what I’m trying to say is that given that it was a sea day, there is going to be little to report, save that of the sight of sea after sea after sea under sun after sun after sun.
In the afternoon however we did have the opportunity to go along to a Tea Dance and I thought well, I have bought the obligatory beige jacket (I already have Velcro shoes by the way), so going to a Tea Dance is probably the next logical step. The choice was made even easier with the promise of non stop cakes of all sizes, shapes and flavours [including a chocolate fountain to dip cakes and marshmallows into]. God I felt sick but god wasn’t it yummy.
After the tea & sticky buns, I think I might have had a glass of wine as well though that’s not important, we returned to the sun deck up top and just chill a little bit more where a nice little lady from the Philippines persuaded me to have a couple of San Miguel’s. Eventually however I had to be strong and get off my backside and walk round the Prom Deck at least four times (four laps equals 1-mile). As I walked around the deck I looked out to sea (there was nowhere else to look) and noted just how flat the sea was. This was Day 9 and still we hadn’t experienced the slightest ripple. It was unbelievable. Never have I known such calm sea’s. The English Channel can be horrendous; the North Sea can be dramatic; the Baltic Sea can be unpredictable and yet so far, all had been like a mill pond. Such luck can’t hold though. After Kristiansand in Norway we have to drop down across the North Sea again but over a greater distance and in bigger seas. Until then however, we can all sit back and enjoy the sunshine, the idleness and the calmness, after which we must prepare for dinner.
As usual, dinner was excellent, with marvellous staff and wonderful company of fellow travellers.Choosing from the menu was just like any other evening on the Balmoral; difficult. The choices were so varied and all so delicious. Blimey, even the stand by options for those that couldn’t decide were worth plumping for. Eventually I plumped for the Norwegian Gravadlax to start, followed by Beef & Mushroom Consommé, followed by Green Salad with Italian Vinaigrette. For the Main Course, I elected for the Rack of Lamb. Desert options were just too wonderful but knowing I had to lose weight, I opted for a Sorbet. All of this was accompanied by rather a nice Chablis and after dinner coffee with a small glass of port. How so very civilised.
After dinner, we retired to the Observatory for some well earned brandy safe in the knowledge that yet again, we could put the clocks back one more hour.
Still not lost any weight but hey, who’s going to mention it.
The Adventures of Podge & Tubbs 