I can't believe that I've been doing this for 8 months now.
Since summer I've spent plenty of time in London, staying at the Ritz.
I managed to find a climbing gym, where I go bouldering most week-days when I'm there and I love going down to Brixton to catch a movie in the evenings.
but have had little time to Ride Melinda or time off.
I managed to get away for two nights last week. Had a catch-up with the guys and girls from ICU.
It's good to meet up with mates. And a bit of silliness is good for the soul.
I also got time to fit the parts I had bought Melinda and get a ride in, not that you can get very far in Guernsey.
I feel she's a much safer bike and ready to tackle Europe and Scandinavia, crash bars and driving lights amongst the upgrades. Our road presence has been greatly increased.
If she were a woman she's no super petite, anorexic, stick-insect, super-model she's more like a bench-pressing, crew-cut sporting, flat shoe, wife-beater wearing, truck-driving, tattooed lesbian. Scary!
I was supposed to get over to Guernsey on the boat, but with the change in weather, high seas and F8+ winds, the boats were cancelled. So, they took me over in the helicopter (it wasn't put on just for me, but if you choose to believe that I won't correct you)
My actual birthday was a bit of a quiet one. I picked up Melinda from BMW (The computer had to be updated after I fitted the driving lights), Went for a ride around the coast, not the best idea at high tide, with high winds, with pools of sea water on the roads and waves crashing over the sea-walls, but you gotta ride when you can. I gave her a wash and put her away. Then time for an awesome birthday Galette at my favourite cafe.
Then in the afternoon I returned to Brecqhou, by helicopter, of course.
That evening, by chance, was the Annual Brecqhou Poker championship. Through the year we meet for a weekly game, £5 a go, but just before Christmas we have the "Big One". I won once, early in the year. I remember it was an extra game and I won £75. So I thought I'd give it a go, lash out on my birthday and have a bit of a laugh. The two warm up games, I lost. But when we got to the Final, everyone put their £50 on the table and things started to get serious. I really didn't think I had a chance. I was down to around 10 chips at one stage. But then I started to win hands and the others began losing. I looked around and there were 3 of us left (from 9 starters). Harry, a regular who I thought would probably win; Sookie, the manager's young daughter who had only started in the past few months; and myself. Then there were 2, somehow my chips had grown and I'd managed to bully Harry into losing all his chips. And then Sookie fell, I had won. I couldn't believe it! by that time it was after 1am and it was no longer my birthday but what a pressie for myself.
Now, we're just waiting around for the Family to arrive (the weather is not conducive to travelling by plane or helicopter), Christmas to happen and to leave for Switzerland.
I actually am looking forward to getting there.
Mountains, Snow, German speakers, good beer, winter sports, I might even find another climbing gym.
I'd better go, have some calls to make before lunch.
Next time I write, I should be in the mountains.
Piccadilly, from my latest room.
Sunday Lunch at Gordon's Wine bar.
Christmas decorations in the foyer, The Ritz.
Get-together on Guernsey. Moustaches NOT optional
Still new, not improved.
Quick ride around Guetnsey
A helicopter ride back? Don't mind if I do.
The annual Brecqhou Poker winner, with the cup and my winnings.
