VERY NEARLY THE END OF THE BLOG
Today the motorbike ride proper started. On my way out of Washington I swear I saw a van with the legend- 'Antiques Made Daily.' I'm sure I'm sure I'm sure. Almost as oxymoronic as going to the Museum of Native American History yesterday and seeing a video of a game of cricket. That was explainable - the Dominican Republic was another bit of the British Empire and there are, of course, native Dominicans.
Some of you may not be surprised at this but I had a bit of an accident today. The motorcycle panniers, left and right, are secured by two hooks which are then locked into place by the key. Somehow I managed to not secure the forward hook of the LH pannier when I left this morning and at lunchtime, when I stopped at Senecca Rocks, I thought it looked a bit funny. Investigation quickly revealed that it had been resting on the exhaust pipe and a large hole had melted in the floor of the pannier. Unfortunately this was the pannier with my handbag containing all the electrical equipment. This netbook was really quite hot. But, as you intuit, it still works; although there was damage. I was quite trepedatious when I arrived here at the Elk River Touring Centre and at first it looked bad. The adaptor plug had also taken a good soaking of heat and I had to force the slots for the British 3 pin open with a screwdriver. But they opened and I switched on. And she fired up. I was curious none the less why the sys tray icon read '95% available (not charging)'. The reason was revealed when I pulled the lead out to see what happened. It died. So the battery is 'cattled' (see earlier blog). So no sitting in exotic locations blogging on battery alone. Could be worse and no doubt when I reach a city I will be able to replace the battery.
A couple of people had said to me how spectacular Senecca rocks were but frankly they are not a patch on several French gorges I have travelled in the past few years. Its quite cold here and I didn't pack anything warm, due to the humid climate in Washington and the fact I was, generally, travelling south. I hope it warms up tomorrow. Despite the mist and drizzle I can see that it is a wonderful landscape and country
Wherever I go the same thing keeps happening. Wonderful, open, intelligent, thoughtful Americans who agree with the basic thesis. Tonight at dinner I fell in with the Crazy Baker (Hall Hitzig), his wife Amy and his girlfriend Linda (yes I did ask and he equivocated). Handsome women the pair of them. Shame I am trying to keep off the fattening foods or I might be tempted to try and blag a few free samples as he's on my route south. Over a joke about the bills I remarked that there is such a thing as a free lunch; I got one today.
Pulling in to Winchester around 12.30 and in need of a break and a coffee I spotted an unpromising looking Diner/Cafe and stopped there. You don't have to do much to strike up conversation here I find, and I recounted the now familiar litany of my trip: a month's touring around the States en route to Patrick's wedding. Went outside for a tab (Geordie slang for the evil weed) and the proprietor came out and said he would like to offer me a BLT, on the house. And indeed when I went inside to collect my helmet etc he handed me a bag with the aforementioned, plus a Pepsi, 2 bags of corn chips and a bottle of water. Leaving, or rather not leaving, I learned more about the vagaries of American road signage. That is I missed one. By and large signage is quite good but there is an annoying habit of here and there not giving warning; ie a hundred yards or so in advance. In Winchester I just ended up in a residential cul de sac but later, on the main road, my turnoff sign only appeared as I reached it. I went to turn left, checked the mirror, always a good idea, and I was about to be overtaken. Thankfully they pulled back in, all was well, and the left was executed without too great a difficulty.
Tomorrow a walk in the woods of West Virginia.
Wherever I go the same thing keeps happening. Wonderful, open, intelligent, thoughtful Americans who agree with the basic thesis. Tonight at dinner I fell in with the Crazy Baker (Hall Hitzig), his wife Amy and his girlfriend Linda (yes I did ask and he equivocated). Handsome women the pair of them. Shame I am trying to keep off the fattening foods or I might be tempted to try and blag a few free samples as he's on my route south. Over a joke about the bills I remarked that there is such a thing as a free lunch; I got one today.
Pulling in to Winchester around 12.30 and in need of a break and a coffee I spotted an unpromising looking Diner/Cafe and stopped there. You don't have to do much to strike up conversation here I find, and I recounted the now familiar litany of my trip: a month's touring around the States en route to Patrick's wedding. Went outside for a tab (Geordie slang for the evil weed) and the proprietor came out and said he would like to offer me a BLT, on the house. And indeed when I went inside to collect my helmet etc he handed me a bag with the aforementioned, plus a Pepsi, 2 bags of corn chips and a bottle of water. Leaving, or rather not leaving, I learned more about the vagaries of American road signage. That is I missed one. By and large signage is quite good but there is an annoying habit of here and there not giving warning; ie a hundred yards or so in advance. In Winchester I just ended up in a residential cul de sac but later, on the main road, my turnoff sign only appeared as I reached it. I went to turn left, checked the mirror, always a good idea, and I was about to be overtaken. Thankfully they pulled back in, all was well, and the left was executed without too great a difficulty.
Tomorrow a walk in the woods of West Virginia.
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