tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30128562011-06-08T06:54:37.502ZI guess I should explain how these updates work.. this section of travelupdate is a diary link. In 2001 it was my diary of the ride from Miami to Seattle - in 2003 a place for my observations of the Land of the Long White Cloud... You can read the latest entries below.. but to look up earlier entries on the great US adventure, just scroll down to the dates that appear on the right. There are also some links... just roll your mouse over each one to get the title..Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comBlogger2381100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-1128341772726473772005-10-03T12:08:00.000Z2005-10-10T14:41:57.200Z

Just been on an Arvon Writing course - Totleigh Barton with the incomparable Caroline Fitton and Justin Hill - read everyhting they write..and had the space and time to write away, discovered a liking for writing before breakfast.. partly to get homework done, but also because I felt quite creative in the half dream like wakening state.Here follow three pieces that I completed whilst at Totleigh.

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-1116595035115590242005-05-20T13:10:00.000Z2005-05-20T13:17:15.123Z

Some time since I was blogging - but the feeling has returned to the blog side of the brain and here I am again...briefly, since New Zealand, I have been to Africa twice and Lagos in particular. An amazing city that appears chaotic - is chaotic - but is home to at least 12.5m people. Life is conducted on the street from the back of cars and motor-bikes, always in floppy currency, the Naira, and

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-1108117578413076532005-02-11T10:18:00.000Z2005-02-11T10:26:18.416Z

there is so much, that my guess is that Africa will always consist of first impressions - that is, it will be virtually impossibe to draw conclusions or find a definition for the 'spirit of Africa'Lagos is teeming, chaotic, absurd - everything that Chinua Achebe shouted with such frustration passion and anger - I can see why an inhabitant might be angry with the chaos - but there is something

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-3900728502003-06-25T19:31:00.000Z2003-03-03T22:21:12.043Z

Tuesday 4 March Lake tekapo the wind howled all day yesterday and all I could fit in was a 10 kms hike around the Lake. and then it rained on my parade so I got back to the tent just a bit damp Dired out the night sky was as clear and bright as it is possible to imagine. Lake Tekapo is reputed to have the clearest air in the southern hemnisphere. and the sky was spectacluar last night... the

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-954973442003-06-10T08:02:00.000Z2003-06-10T08:02:01.483Z

10 June London A dear friend found this poem about travelling through New Zealand happy memories for me too.. tho NZ feels a million miles and several llight years away... From Robin Robertson's 'Slow Air' At Kaikoura I have driven through the mountains in a turquoise jeep, to eat here under these hills that come down to the sea; a bowl of green-lipped mussels, each exactly the size of my

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-924835052003-04-12T13:51:00.000Z2003-04-12T13:51:15.733Z

Saturday 12 April Changi Airport, Singapore just a quickie at the free airport internet terminal.. there is something very spooky about loads of people wearing face masks.. now to date there has not been a single case of SARS transmitted via aircraft airconditioning systems or airport lounges.. but hey if it makes people feel secure.. it's just wierd that's all.. and also strange is catching

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-924098102003-04-11T05:24:00.000Z2003-04-11T05:24:42.483Z

Friday 11 April Aukland probably the last post, as it were, from NZ - the flight home starts at midday tomorrow.. and I get back to LHR at 5.30 local time on Sunday morning. By lunchtime on Sunday I'll be back in Nottingham, wondering why the cat doesn't recognise me. these won't be the final reflections on NZ.. but the thoughts just now are terribly mixed.. I've had such a brilliantly

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-923447552003-04-10T06:42:00.000Z2003-04-10T06:42:35.950Z

Thursday 10 April Aukland last night I enjoyed the privilege of one of those occasional pieces of theatre that change your perspective.. a youth theatre production by Theatre Marae - Whakapapa Tamaki a moving beyond words piece about survival and recovery and thriving through their art and vigour and physical exhuberance for a group of 50 Maori young people who had suffered a series of abuses and

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-923445112003-04-10T06:36:00.000Z2003-04-10T06:36:48.796Z

Thursday 10 April Aukland and surely Mariners are now doomed following their defeat at home to a lack lustre Wolves... running out of games chaps... come ON Grimsby.. here are a few more snaps of NZ this one is where Captain Cook landed in December 1769 in the estuary of the river he called the Thames.. and this is the room at the Galsshouse where I stayed with Scott and Matt in Waiheke

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-922716502003-04-09T05:20:00.000Z2003-04-09T05:20:29.030Z

Wednesday 9 April Aukland serendipity has smiled on me again... I'm here in Aukland and at the same time there's a festival of arts for young people, with some UK artists and practitioners courtesy of the British Council.. I atended the opening ceremony on Monday - the Powhiri.. a powerful greeting and challenge and welcome delegates and bless the proceedings. last week I was on the Coromandel

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-922713372003-04-09T05:13:00.000Z2003-04-09T05:13:28.140Z

Wednesday 9 April Aukland after a fantastic few days on Waiheke Island seeing Scott and Matt... in their fabulous dream palace the Glass House.. this is what it looks like and this is the view at sunset and here is Rachael on the Sunday we drove over to Piha.. se earlier entry.. I'll post these and check that they work... then if they do I'll load a couple more views..

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-920758072003-04-06T06:02:00.000Z2003-04-06T06:02:12.420Z

Sunday 6 April Aukland city of rain and mists and mellow fruitfulness... it is autumn after all it has rained all day.. but luckily I was in the car of dear friend and former colleague Rachel who took me out for a drive over to Piha.. a surfers' beach on the west coast of the Aukland isthmus.. we lunched in Ponsonby at the Atlas deli which more than a little reminded me of my reguklar staurday

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-920342862003-04-05T10:15:00.000Z2003-04-05T10:15:00.030Z

Saturday 5 April Aukland city of sails and rain arrived here on the ferry this arvo - after a brill few days on the Coromnadel Peninsula.. add Lorokeets, kingfishers, bell birds and wild turkeys to the wildlife.. thanks to Jan Manager and colleagues at the Coromandel Info centre for suggesting where to go... Mrs Manager was especially helpful. I'm meeting up with former colleague Rachel

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-919628982003-04-04T05:20:00.000Z2003-04-04T05:20:47.936Z

Friday 4 April Coromandel been oin a long hike today across the top of the Peninsula.. fantastic clear day with views across the Sound to Waiheke Island and the Aukland Bay area.. and yesterday a day of exploring the area round here with a ride on the narrow guage railway up into the native bush.. replanted by the unique Barry Bricknell. hey - they are showing 24 twice a week out here which

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-918201452003-04-02T04:35:00.000Z2003-04-02T04:35:13.106Z

Wednesday 2 April Coromandel Town This is probably the last hard day of cycling today... about 60 kms along the coast and over two terrific hill climbs to get into the Coromandel Peninsular. Thames was named after the river that Captain Cook explored and landed further up river.. The ride along the coast was beautifiul and for the first time in an age there was a wind behind me.. I zzinged

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-917610062003-04-01T06:16:00.000Z2003-04-01T06:16:26.780Z

Tuesday 1 April Thanes and I can say pinch punch first of the month before most of you have seen off March.. so here I am at the base of the Coromandel peninsular.. and this is likely to be the last section to ride before I start to think about heading towards Aukland and the flight home.. already the end of the great kiwi adventure is looming.. and what an adventure.. today I followed in the

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-917609672003-04-01T06:15:00.000Z2003-04-01T06:15:37.890Z

Tuesday 1 April Thanes and I can say pinch punch first of the month before most of you have seen off March.. so here I am at the base of the Coromandel peninsular.. and this is likely to be the last section to ride before I start to think about heading towards Aukland and the flight home.. already the end of the great kiwi adventure is looming.. and what an adventure.. today I followed in the

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-916815562003-03-31T03:02:00.000Z2003-03-31T03:02:40.450Z

Monday 31 March Paeroa home of the famous spring water that mixes with lemon to create L&P world famous all over New Zealand.. I'm now officially a member of the Lindon Puffin fan club.. along with Janet from Dewsbury and Sheila from Hexham.. we all three watched in awe and wonderment at Lindon's Friday night gig in Barbarella's in Rotorua.. and then discovered that he was also playing in

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-915676812003-03-28T21:22:00.000Z2003-03-28T21:22:56.700Z

Saturday 29 March Rotorua some further thoughts on free falling sky diving... Freefall From here the fillings in the teeth vibrate, Or maybe it's fear that makes them chatter, Certainly nothing else seems to matter, Save the lack of common sense, once innate, But now left standing, transfixed, on the floor, Wond'ring why its erstwhile owner, absent Without leave at fifteen thousand hell-bent

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-915200312003-03-28T02:59:00.000Z2003-03-28T02:59:13.216Z

just received a couple of extra photos from Karen and Simon in Wellington.. Simon and me and the bike and a NESTA t-shirt.. setting out from Wellington

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-915193412003-03-28T02:45:00.000Z2003-03-28T02:45:34.060Z

Friday 28 March Rotorua catching up on a few more photos... washing day in Golden Bay about three weeks ago.. Marlborough Sound on a long walk to a high place.. another tree... early morning on the Beach at Napier. thermal pool near Rotorua. a green pool... a wry smile yesterday in the rain.. there have been a few more wry smiles today.. not least because the person booking

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-915074332003-03-27T22:48:00.000Z2003-03-27T22:48:47.950Z

and the view from the backpackers hostel in Collingwood in Golden Bay

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-915073012003-03-27T22:46:00.000Z2003-03-27T22:46:20.623Z

and the beach at Abel Tasman national Park

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-915070752003-03-27T22:42:00.000Z2003-03-27T22:42:07.966Z

and this was the whale at Kaikoura... fantastic..

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-915068882003-03-27T22:38:00.000Z2003-03-27T22:38:28.233Z

Friday 28 March and these are some horses in Golden Bay.. about three weeks ago beautiful...

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-915067562003-03-27T22:35:00.000Z2003-03-27T22:35:51.716Z

Friday 28 March still experimenting this feels better... this is a tree

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-915065842003-03-27T22:32:00.000Z2003-03-27T22:32:34.810Z

Friday 28 March Rotorua and it is tipping it down with rain.. and there is little movement on the horizon so a day for looking at Museums and trying yet again to load photographs onto the site.. here goes nothing, as we said as we dropped out of the aeroplane on Monday.. (did I mention that I had skydived? from 15,000 feet?) tree.PDD this should be a tree... but it may appear as html code..

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-914018982003-03-26T09:29:00.000Z2003-03-26T09:29:56.560Z

Wednesady 26 March Rotorua 90 kms tofday folks and it rained for the first time in five weeks.. I'm going top try and load up a photo of me in Welleington - courtesy of Karen and Simon.. nope.. no good..

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-913350732003-03-25T08:51:00.000Z2003-03-25T08:51:47.513Z

Tuesday 25 March Taupo cowabunga dudes... I don't know how this really happened but at 4pm yesterday 24 March I threw or rather fell myself out of a plane at 15000 feet.. yes folks.. I went sky diving. It was all a bit of a blur.. I arrived at Taupo at 2pm and enquired in a gentle uncertain and relaxed way about skydiving.. one of the things to do in Taupo.. an hour later I had signed my life

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-912419962003-03-23T22:15:00.000Z2003-03-23T22:15:52.360Z

Monday 24 March Taupo after Napier for those of you still wondering - I am taking buses from time to time.. I was advised that the Napie Taupo road was not one to cycle on... and I've long decided to do NZ by bike in sections.. skipping the hard or boring bits... I have to say there are not many boring bits.. but there are some hard bits. The sun continues to bake.

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-912419072003-03-23T22:13:00.000Z2003-03-23T22:13:53.983Z

Monday 24 March Napier then Taupo of course the wine tasting around Hawkes Bay - was not to ignore the events happening elsewhere.. it's just that NZ sleeps when the world turns.. I just wonder if George and Tony know what victory will look like - how will they define it when they have created more enemies as a result of their illegal unmandated actions than they had before? Come on George, do

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-912136802003-03-23T06:11:00.000Z2003-03-23T06:11:35.856Z

Sunday 23 March Napier, Hawkes Bay.. How was your Sunday? Have a good day, relaxed, taking it easy? me? I cycled 75 kms arounf Hawkes Bay wineries... an almost perfect day.. the weather topped 23c again with a fair wind in the morning.. and Rick's top wine tip for the bon viveur and vinophile? Get as much NZ wine down yer neck as you can.. Now I don't want to give the impression that I was

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-911072182003-03-21T05:42:00.000Z2003-03-21T05:42:27.483Z

Friday 21 March Wellington yes this is Wellington - and I've had a fantastic couple of days thanks to the warm and generous hospitality of Simon and Karen.. who live in Wadestown - which like most places in Wellington is - UP THE HILL.. Wellington is a gentle cafe based capital city with a wonderful museum of NZ life - Te Papa.. down on the waterfront. the buses are run by StageCoach which is

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-908874672003-03-18T00:28:00.000Z2003-03-18T00:28:14.373Z

Tuesday 18 March Picton named after a general who fell at the battle of Waterloo... as far as I know there are no odd statues of Sir Thomas.. yes - Grimsby 1 - Watford 0 so the Mariners move off the bottom of the division.. sadly I think it is only a matter of time before the trapdoor opens. Marlborough Sound - what an amazing coastline, all isthmuses and peninsulars and bays and inlets..

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-907963882003-03-16T07:09:00.000Z2003-03-16T07:09:56.280Z

Sunday 16 March Portage in the Marlborough Sounds having cycled 40 Kms today from Havelock.. named incidentally after Sir Henry Havelock (Bart) who is one of the three odd statues in trafalgar Square.. Portage is on an inlet.. the ride today illustrated in several places why I do this.. turn a corner rise over the crest of a hill and there is a vista of wonderment in front of you.. Arrived in

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-907322942003-03-14T21:58:00.000Z2003-03-14T21:59:46.000Z

Saturday 15 March Takaka - just before setting off to Havelock in the Marlborough Sound.. So the librarian I hugged then said - it's nice when someone can express their feelings.. so thanks Nancy, and my apologies again for making some disturbance in the library. Another fine day in the micro-climate that is Golden Bay.. the astonishing thing last night - after an excellent meal at the

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-906904322003-03-14T04:41:00.000Z2003-03-14T04:41:37.250Z

Friday 14 March Takaka the news has come through and it is GOOD... and I'm sitting in a public library speechless with delight.. actually I'm embarrassed to declare that I have just hugged the librarian. It has been such a good day.. I followed my intuition and a sign that said Pupu Springs.. just because it sounded a bit different. the springs are pure clear water filtered tyhrough marble

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-906358752003-03-13T06:32:00.000Z2003-03-13T06:32:10.186Z

Thursday 13 March Cape Farewell I'm anticpating bad news about the job I applied for and wanted.. but anticipation is alweays worse than the reality.. I'm sitting ion a rock looking out to sea in the most solitary place in NZ.. there is a strand of five miles in either direction and there is me and a seagull contemplating the universe. the seagull probably has a better view of it than me. this

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-904814502003-03-10T22:16:00.000Z2003-03-10T22:16:34.840Z

Tuesday 11 March Marahau I don't know how to pronounce it either.. Forest 2 - Grimsby 2 and again Mariners throw away a lead in a crucial match.. The game was on Sky apparently - though notover this side of the world.. there was some rugby super 12 challenge game instead.. can't think why, there must be oooh at least a couple of Mariner or Forest fans over here.. so we are still firmly rooted

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-904811052003-03-10T22:10:00.000Z2003-03-10T22:10:45.890Z

Tuesday 11 March Marahau just time to say that I'm in an idyllic spot on the northern end of south island.. near the Abel Tasman Park.. which has a coastal path that takes you to even more secluded beaches.. and I'm feeling strangely low today.. it hits me after about a fortnight.. not sure why.. maybe it's because I've whimped out of a long hill climb over 2000' to get to the other bay - Golden

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-903850672003-03-09T04:27:00.000Z2003-03-09T04:27:17.750Z

Sunday 9 March Motueka today I celebrate my 53 birthday... I've opened some cards that I brought out from home overlooking the Tasman Bay it's brilliantly hot out here today.. and I'm heading into the Abel Tasman Park tomorrow... the ride from Nelson, was surprisingly hilly.. I wish the landscape could be a bit more forgiving.. I'm beginning to ache in the knees and as we say in Sheffield..

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-903475762003-03-08T08:13:00.000Z2003-03-08T08:13:47.576Z

Saturday 8 March Nelson the coast road to Blenheim is ok but not worth cycling - I'm pleased to confirm... and the next bus from Blenheim to Nelson even more confirmed the good idea not to take up time cycling all the way.. so far at the end of the second week - I'ce cycled 8 out of 14 days and copvered over 300 miles so I'm building up gradually... the road to Nelson contained two of the worst

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-903474842003-03-08T08:10:00.000Z2003-03-08T08:10:20.013Z

Saturday 8 March Nelson this has turned out to be a very pleasant day.. not too much sleep due to the earth tremors.. or Sam waking me up because I was snorkling again.. let me go backj to the whale watching for a moment.. it was such an exceptional expoerience yesterday.. we all collect at the Whaeway station for check in and the safety video.. and then embus to south bay fopr the catamaran out

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-903188062003-03-07T20:18:00.000Z2003-03-07T20:18:02.060Z

Saturday 8 March getting the days and dates mixed up.. hard to contemplate that I've been here a fortnight already.. considering the variety I've seen so far.. heading north today.. just as well as it's raining this morning as the cloud has dropped to sea level. As if the riding isn't hard enough, New Zealand South Island is rising at the rate of about 10cms per year.. as the tectonic plates

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-902829422003-03-07T04:48:00.000Z2003-03-07T04:48:21.903Z

Thursday 7 March Kaikoura on the coast.. Kaikoura is the bit that sticks out above ChCh.. and it is a world famous whale watching centre.. so what did I do today? went out to watch whales... and there they were.. three sperm whales, a large pod of Dusky Dolphins.. putting on a show it has to be said.. and five Orcas on the way back.. of and guess what.. the centre is called the Whaleway Station.

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-902256842003-03-06T07:25:00.000Z2003-03-06T07:25:14.670Z

Wednesday 6 March Cheviot to Kaikoura 75 kms and not so hard today although there were three steep and long climbs over the coastal range.. but now I'm overlooking the Pacific Ocean and setting off tomorrow to watch some Whales I'm pretty tired after two and a half days long riding.. yesterday I did over 100 Kms into a strong head wind... cycled for nine hours and only managed an average of 12

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-900173972003-03-02T23:06:00.000Z2003-03-02T23:06:56.623Z

Monday 3 March Lake Tekapo the news is that NZ lost to the Swiss in the fifth race of the America's Cup and is deep mourning.. the post mortems dominate the news and media And grimsby crash at home 2-0 to Coventry.. fortunately all the other teams in the bottom four lost as well.. but it is now a three from four situation fr the drop.. OK Lake Tekapo is right in the geographical centre of south

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-899430282003-03-01T06:23:00.000Z2003-03-01T06:23:31.810Z

Saturday 1 March 2003 Fairlie I'm actually in the cafe called the Old Library.. and lo and behold it is another Carnegie Library.. endowed around 1911.. So from Mansfield to the Midwest of Nebraska to the south island of NZ I've come across the fruits of the endowment of Andrew Carnegie... what a great legacy arounf the world Now what will you leave as your legacy Uncle Bill, Dear old Elton, Sir

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-898903032003-02-28T08:08:00.000Z2003-03-01T06:17:40.000Z

Friday 28 Feb just to finish February with another topical sonnet The America Cup All is not well in Aroatorea, There's a deathly hush in the bay tonight, While we rockall, fisher and german bight, Aukland Harbour trepidates ghastly fear. A rolling sea and the last boat of the fleet Just five to win in a nine race series, Sadly it's standing four nil to the Swiss NZers contemplate yachting

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-898889832003-02-28T07:23:00.000Z2003-02-28T07:23:53.996Z

Friday evening - still in Geraldine but time for a quick update on the new so far today.. NZ is in deep shock following the latest race in the America's Cup.. the black boat lost its mast in the course of the race and now stands 4 to nil down in the nine race series... and who are they competing against? The SWISS.. this does not go down well with your typical NZder.. Well friday evening being

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-898724502003-02-28T01:25:00.000Z2003-02-28T01:25:11.826Z

Friday 28 Feb Geraldine in the foothills and it's fabulous out here.. now this will be a short update - soz chums - this is a very expensive cyber cafe by NZ standards.. but the foothills of the mountains.. wonderful - so far I've cycled about 200 Kms.. and the first day it was like cyclking through Lincolnshire with the Lake Distrcit in the background.. the second day (from Glen Tunnel to Mt

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-896748642003-02-24T23:56:00.000Z2003-02-24T23:56:19.263Z

Tuesday 25 February 03 Christchurch and courtesy of Steve and Michelle Abley and Steve's mum Betty.. and with huge thanks for making me feel so welcome. Well the first attempt to load some home thoughts from abroad failed on sunday evening which was a shame because it was fresh from the flights.. and first impressions are always the freshest.. as it were.. so I've now discoivered ChCh as the

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-893655982003-02-19T11:52:00.000Z2003-02-19T11:52:19.246Z

Wednesday 19 Feb Nottingham before the great adventure can begin, there's the great washing to be done.. the great checking of the tent to be accomplished and the great nervousness to be overcome. this will probably be the last post for a while, until I land in NZ on Sunday.. I still can't work out the time in the air.. setting off from Heathrow at midday on Friday, but landing at midday on

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-890825402003-02-14T09:21:00.000Z2003-02-14T09:21:51.060Z

Friday 14 February last day at work, chums... I've had a wonderful 15 months here at NESTA - see www.nesta.org.uk but not it's time to go.. and leave all this for another place and another time cheers to all colleagues and friends....

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-889858082003-02-12T18:54:00.000Z2003-02-12T18:54:49.696Z

Wednesday 12 Feb London just two more days I've also tried to update this site with a few links.. if it has worked there is a link alongside to www.thenewzealandsite.com as with all things webby and me, it is trial and error.. often more error...

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-885997992003-02-05T17:52:00.000Z2003-02-05T17:52:05.200Z

Wednesday 5 February London Just a few more work days and a few more days... then it's..... back on the bike...

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-878903442003-01-23T09:11:00.000Z2003-01-23T09:39:06.000Z

Thursday 23 January 2003 London, Nottingham later... the NZ trip - the adventure in the land of the long white cloud is approaching at a terrifying rate.. THERE's so much to do. Look just calm down... here is a pic to cheer you up. (Bit of a test to see if this technology works) this is Nessie...

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-846654082002-11-17T17:26:00.000Z2002-11-17T17:26:54.513Z

Sunday 17 November Nottingham just trying a link back to sneakinguponamerica hmmmn... still not able to load an image here...

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-844639172002-11-13T09:12:00.000Z2002-11-13T09:12:14.450Z

Wednesday 13 November 02 London in the rain So Charles believes an internal inquiry will stifle the press interest... I'm having trouble stifling the yawns. The Royal Family Oh come on comrades – do we really give A monkey’s? What a right royal cock-up, Could we send a butler to the lock-up? And which tabloid account do we believe? Her Maj peered through the mists of memory, And sent out to

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-844099182002-11-12T09:39:00.000Z2002-11-12T09:39:52.433Z

Wednesday 12 November 02 London, in the rain just to repeat the blogger entry below... the travel update is not much of a travel diary just now - more a repository for topical sonnets... there isn't much of interest up and down the northern line... except that Angel Station has the longest escalator in Western Europe with over 380 steps.. so for the details of the big bike rdie from Miami to

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-841081122002-11-06T09:27:00.000Z2002-11-06T09:27:16.260Z

Wednesday 6 November 2002 London in the rain.. just to say that the travel update is now more of a place for topical sonnets. for detail of the ride across america, Miami to Seattle, scroll down, down, down to the depths... and look out for a new link to the ride in New Zealand - starting February. I'll post up the new url as soon as I have one.

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-840688062002-11-05T17:35:00.000Z2002-11-05T17:35:50.883Z

Tuesday 5 November 2002 London I've scabbled around for days looking for a news item that grabbed the emotional headlines inside.. IDS and the Tory's woes.. ho ho.. the cricket? not yet, wait till later in the week... Posh and the kidnap threat? Midland Mainline taking five hours? but no, not until yesterday was there news that twanged the chords... the King of Skiffle has died... I

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-837098602002-10-29T10:02:00.000Z2002-10-29T10:02:16.040Z

Tuesday 29 October 2002 London its 40 years since the Cuban Missile Crisis, and 20 since the Malvinas. have we learned nothing? 40 Years On I went to Havana in ninety three Air Cubana struggling in via Gander (The Russians had withdrawn their subsidy) The Cubans danced in isolate splendour. In distant NY the UN debate Saw Kruschev and Adlai Stevenson lock Arms. Staring eyes engaged in

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-836559652002-10-28T11:07:00.000Z2002-10-28T11:07:33.516Z

Monday 28 October 2002 London after Nottingham phew what a windy one - had to tie down the laburnam tree as the roots were lifting. and it's not been a good time for young people - again... Being thirteen Why, thirteen seems a wondrous age to be, All fashion tips in Sugar; mobile phones, Text messaging Gareth Gates, constantly Checking the insistent rush of hormones. She took her life,

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-833423552002-10-22T08:13:00.000Z2002-10-22T08:13:22.726Z

Tuesday 22 October 2002 London in the rain - after September in the sun.. meanwhile the universe spins on. We have a new astronomical neighbour in a horseshoe orbit with the earth. The size of a football pitch, which of course I've assumed to be the size of a soccer pitch for all you readers across the pond. And I've been concerned that the US love affair with weapons appears to be

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-830592852002-10-16T13:15:00.000Z2002-10-16T13:15:11.840Z

Wednesday 16 October 2002 London It's not that I'm saying that the universe is upside down, or it's a mad world my masters... but I got myself thoroughly depressed the other evening as reports came in of another sequence of death.. of more young people dead in the face of fundamentalism.. and yet I can see how a different spiritual way of life could think the ways of the West are

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-827825562002-10-10T08:24:00.000Z2002-10-10T08:24:21.280Z

Thursday 10 October 2002 London It's National Poetry Day.. a day to celebrate the spontaneous overflow of powerful emotions recollected in tranquility.. and not surprisingly there is a hurried topical sonnet... National Poetry Day Autumnal angel greets the working day, Commuter lemmings gather by the mouth Of warrens, tunnels draw them all away To towers of babel glinting in the south. From

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-827309392002-10-09T08:04:00.000Z2002-10-09T08:04:34.653Z

Wednesday 9 October London So Goose Fair (Nottingham) came and went with over a million visitors in three fine days.. and the party conference highlight seemed to be the MP for Grimsby changing his name by deed poll to Austin Haddock... Austin Pillock more like. Meanwhile, more kids are killed in Gaza.. and George Dubya seems to be doing a good job of deflecting media attention from the

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-823552122002-10-01T07:55:00.000Z2002-10-01T07:55:45.030Z

Tuesday 1 October 2002 London and on that bombshell... Currie and Chips My Gran was a constituent. What would She make of these bizarre shenanigans, This understair work, this paddling of hands, This back to basics, ne’er do well done good? So Major joins the Tory Hall of Shame Of Parkinson, and Mellor sucking toes, And Shagger Norris, taking one big blow, And Michael’s love that dare not

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-820357402002-09-24T08:09:00.000Z2002-09-24T08:09:27.973Z

24 September 2002 London after Nottingham what a momentous couple of days... the nation has been rocked - the countryside march.. the Dudley earthquake.. a couple of topical sonnets are required - Countryside Alliance They came from haunts of dormouse, hern and coot, The hurray henries decked in harris tweeds, Their hacking jackets, barbours, riding boots, To stamp their anger on the city

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-818126662002-09-19T07:53:00.000Z2002-09-19T07:53:42.143Z

19 September 2002 London Soz for the gap.. didn't want to get into the anniversary of 9/11 directly, coming so soon after the Tony Blackburn wins Celebrity get me out of here.. so all I could do was sit back and marvel.. and George seems determined to take us all down the road to perdition.. of course Saddam says let the inspectors back in.. what else could he say? And if he means it? What

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-810807202002-09-03T07:53:00.000Z2002-09-03T07:53:40.236Z

Tuesday 3 September 2002 London We seem to have gone baby crazy.. Romeo All hail the news! A baby boy is born Delivered by caesarian section; Now second in line to the purple throne; Oh, wherefore art thou, Romeo Beckham? The day after the big match, you booked in, (The one where Keano and the ref saw red), So Becks was there with baby bro Brooklyn, Their golden balls hung round your mother’s

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-808620652002-08-29T08:07:00.000Z2002-08-29T08:07:12.456Z

thursday 29 August London hot air - topical sonnet no 43 - or so Earth Summit Global Warming What you have, and what I have, aren’t as one. I have a car, a house, a job, a cat; You have a plastic bag, you wear a hat To shade you from an unforgiving sun. My drinking water, filtered, tastes so sweet To a dry throat. My waste is flushed away. You carry gourds a hundred miles a day, The earth’s

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-805605532002-08-22T08:24:00.000Z2002-08-22T08:24:36.443Z

Thursday 22 August 2002 London Hate is in the air - distressing and spiralling us to madness and despair. In Northern Ireland a footballer receives a death threat from a 'so-called' loyalist organisation and withdraws from a 'friendly' match against Cyprus. And yesterday a woman, not charged with murder, not found guilty of a crime, attracts a crowd of 600 people, including mothers with their

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-804669082002-08-20T07:54:00.000Z2002-08-20T07:54:59.830Z

Tuesday 20 August London the footy season is well and truly back. The Mariners (Grimsby not Seattle) have slumped... three games, one point.. what is the point? eh, nil desperandum.. and a certain gripping TV series ended on Sunday.. here's the topical sonnet to celebrate... 24 The longest day has ended. It began As Kim slipped out with Ricky to a rave, While Teri donned her long sleeved

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-802234922002-08-14T08:14:00.000Z2002-08-14T08:14:46.056Z

Wednesday 14 August 2002 still in London the news has been dominated by another disappearance or abduction of children - two young girls in Cambridgeshire. Last night Police searched ground in woodland, and everyone feared the worst.. and I wrote another topical sonnet while we all waited for news. The earth is disturbed A jogger near the racecourse says he’s found Two patches of disturbed

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-802234472002-08-14T08:12:00.000Z2002-08-14T08:12:40.900Z

Wednesday 14 August 2002 London long time no hear... soz all you sneaking fans - well both of you.. here is a topical sonnet that has been lying around for a couple of days Iraq So what’s the plan, George? What d’you have in mind? To wait till Labor Day or till the Fall To cancel out the threat to humankind? YOU CRAZY BASTARD, GEORGE, YOU’LL KILL US ALL. Is there a plan, George? Is there a

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-794427012002-07-26T16:35:00.000Z2002-07-26T16:35:37.893Z

Friday 26 July 2002 Nottingham Topical sonnet for the end of the week Silly Season The dog days of summer, thought in recess; The nation’s intellect drops down a gear; It’s always silly at this time of year – Nonsensical tales take over the press. A streaker opens in the test at Lords; Three hundred sheep in France jump – mutton stew; Cute baby pandas escape London Zoo; And shy coypu invade

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-792523992002-07-22T12:01:00.000Z2002-07-22T12:01:59.690Z

Monday 22 July 2002 London topical sonnet 35 House calls We see him bleakly now in our mind’s eye, The leather bag, the stethoscope, the beard, Emerging from the bedroom, the shrugged sigh, ‘I’m sorry, it was much worse than I feared.’ Our lives define us, in terminal sleep. ‘A gentle sedative to ease her rest; She’s peaceful now; her heart was always weak.’ No pain, no strange discomfort, no

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-788114402002-07-11T08:09:00.000Z2002-07-11T08:11:15.000Z

Thursday 11 July 2002 London topical sonnet number 34 or so.. Cannabis Shall we remain a nation so obsessed By sex and drugs, but not the rock and roll? If cannabis becomes the drug possessed, But not so dire to send us all to gaol? Whichever opiate we drop, the fall Out is a hurt society repairs, A dread responsibility, we call Upon our neighbours to take equal shares. We smoke, we cough, we

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-787279952002-07-09T12:30:00.000Z2002-07-09T12:30:54.643Z

Tuesday 9 July London hopefully there is now a comments box in the template.. if so give it a go

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-787240712002-07-09T08:53:00.000Z2002-07-09T08:53:59.250Z

Tuesday 9 July London in the damp and clam a couple of topical sonnets - to catch up... Arthur Melin, games inventor, has died Life must have been a riot, oh brother, Sharing the world of Arthur ‘Spud’ Melin, Years of nervously anticipating One crazy gizmo after another. Just run that by me one more time, oh Spud, A hula-hoop in luminous plastic, Kept up by gyrating hips? Fantastic! Just

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-785433802002-07-04T08:42:00.000Z2002-07-04T08:42:35.383Z

Wednesday 4 July London just added, I hope, a comments section to the travel update courtesy of enetation.. we'll see

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-785427592002-07-04T08:10:00.000Z2002-07-04T08:10:37.576Z

Wednesday 4 July 2002 London this time last year I was in Helena Montana watching the fireworks. and this year I've just got back from Prague.. I know, I know.. I should have added a few travel thoughts from this most romantic and central European capital.. it was brilliant and sensational and beautiful and yes I did take plenty of photos and I'll try to get some of them up on the web.. there's

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-780182442002-06-21T09:02:00.000Z2002-06-21T09:02:15.663Z

Friday 21 June 2002 London look it's a football match, not the end of the world actually the end of the world is not that far away, see topical sonnet Asteroids nil, Earth one The longest day One week ago, the boffins tell us now, An asteroid near coupled with the Earth In twenty megatons, (that’s some kerpow!), The planet would have got an early bath. Ironically this lump of stellar dust Was

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-779266642002-06-19T08:12:00.000Z2002-06-19T08:12:19.873Z

Wednesday 19 June 2002 London in the heat and a state of high excitement... so here are a couple of topical sonnets to mark the week so far... Allez les bleus Blue was the colour, football was the game, C’est malheuruesement le fin du jeu Pour vous, francais; it’s such a crying shame; Your monde is now a deeper shade of bleu. In Buenos Aries bars a tango beat Will welcome home the weary

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-776909632002-06-13T09:11:00.000Z2002-06-13T09:11:42.076Z

Thursday 13 June London what do you mean, is there a danger of getting obsessed by the World Cup? latest topical sonnet follows.. Sailing into the second round OK, we’ll take a goalless draw, nil-nil, But only as the Argentines go out; And after Denmark, just bring on Brazil, Let’s not go with a rasher but a shout. The hardest part was getting into work, And working how to turn the alarm off

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-776438342002-06-12T06:32:00.000Z2002-06-12T06:32:35.313Z

Wednesday 12 June before the game The Night Before the Game You see him now the hour before the dawn; He moves from camp to camp and fire to fire, Where huddled fans lie waiting for the morn; He pauses, breathes encouragements inspire. The field of France is won without a fight, Another Agincourt heralds the day, A little touch of David in the night; For goals and tight defence, oh, let us

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-775681892002-06-10T15:48:00.000Z2002-06-10T15:48:01.543Z

Monday 10 June 2002 London after Nottingham after Louth and the jubilee party in Father's garden... but more importantly... a topical sonnet to celebrate... Let joy be unconfined So, England one, and Argentina didn’t. The country called in late and called in sick, The nation’s pride arose in waves unbidden; Sven found a pantheon of gods to pick. A game of three halves in Sapporo’s Dome; How

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-774199982002-06-06T15:01:00.000Z2002-06-06T15:01:21.796Z

Thursday 6 June 2002 London so at last a topical sonnet about the important event over the weekend... England 1 Sweden 1 The roller coaster tight white-knuckle ride That is the lot of every England fan, (Konichiwa, oh David Beckham-san), When agony and ecstasy collide. Eleven fifty four, that’s UK time, A nationwide, collective English roar Of goooaaal, as sixty million people score, Replaying

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-773679072002-06-05T08:50:00.000Z2002-06-05T08:50:43.406Z

Wednesday 5 June 2002 London after Nottingham gasp... the Jubilee, the world cup.. so much and so little time to put the topical sonnets together.. bear with me, chums...

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-772305092002-06-01T22:00:00.000Z2002-06-01T22:00:54.166Z

Friday 31 May 2002 London, Nottingham the start of a feast of footie... so here is a topical sonnet The opening – World Cup 3 They’re over-paid and sexed and over here, They’ll fight and cuss and drink for all they’re worth; The world’s press have arrived in South Korea, Like lemmings from four corners of the earth. With cliches ready tucked inside their macs, And angles calculated by degrees,

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-770560262002-05-28T08:11:00.000Z2002-05-28T08:11:15.753Z

Tuesday 28 May 2002 London it keeps on raining... topical sonnet on the subject... Life on Mars? Death in Haywards Heath? The weather forecast forecasts global showers; Across the planet, water has been found In frozen lakes and swirling reservoirs, Canals that irrigated Martian ground. That rusty world, the angry god of war, That inspired Wagner, Holst and HG Wells, Is giving up the secrets

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-770214552002-05-27T12:52:00.000Z2002-05-27T12:52:03.100Z

Monday 27 May 2002 London hey what a crazy weekend - storms in the Irish camp and storms in sunny England... and here is the latest topical sonnet Roy Keane The fever pitch of Irish passion tips The balance of their chances from the green Of go to seeing red, of letting slip The dogs of war. So farewell Captain Keane. In fifteen words you blew away the hope Of lifting Jules Rimet to

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-768331822002-05-22T08:07:00.000Z2002-05-22T08:07:45.080Z

Wednesday 22 May 2002 London I know I mustn't harp on about this time last year.. bu this time last year I was across the north of Florida and heading north into Mississippi and Tennessee.. see entries below.. actually a long way below.. for now here is the latest topical sonnet Star Wars – Attack of the Clones To Star Wars at the weekend been I have, Amidst a popcorn chomping mini horde,

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-767288002002-05-19T18:41:00.000Z2002-05-19T18:41:58.766Z

Sunday 19 May 2002 Nottingham after seeing Star Wars the Cloney Thing Hmmm fab fantasy the new film with Yoda is... etc er I've noticed that there has been a problem with the update of the link from Sneakinguponamerica.. I'm trying to get to the bottom of it - so hopefully normal service will be resumed toot sweet..

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-766514952002-05-17T08:31:00.000Z2002-05-17T08:31:28.183Z

Friday 17 May 2002 London - Nottingham later sorry for the slight break in transmission here guys, it didn't feel quite right writing about train crashes. London has bee in its regular late spring - phew wot a scorcher - mode this week. Cycling across the capital has not been a joy. The pub quiz went well... eg - which Dickens' novel features spontaneous combustion? For our chums in the

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-763378282002-05-09T09:07:00.000Z2002-05-09T09:07:27.573Z

Thursday 9 May 2002 London cycled in to work yesterday and today - this time last year I was cycling in Miami Beach Florida, wondering how to get across the Everglades without being eaten by gators and snakes... I realise that for fans of sneakinguponamerica nostalgia for the trip that took place now a year ago will be of little interest or consolation for the fact that I now only cycle across

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-762613262002-05-07T13:55:00.000Z2002-05-07T13:55:08.153Z

Tuesday 7 May 2002 London after Nottingham a bit of catching up to do with this topical sonnet Barbara Castle Let’s celebrate in drafts of strong red wine, A fighter, whose blood ran a deeper red, A darker crimson hue, than yours or mine – In argument never dimmed or slighted. Go fly the people’s flag now at half mast In honour of the party’s true Red Queen; And scour old labour’s archives of

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012856.post-761228932002-05-03T16:06:00.000Z2002-05-03T16:06:56.623Z

Friday 3 May 2002 a year since I took off on the bike ride across the States - a whole year, chums, this time last year I set off from Derby Station bike all boxed up, stomach all knotted up.. and since then? well the book hasn't materialised yet.. just a few pages and good intentions. Happy Wedding anniversary BTW to Stafford and Janet.. here is the latest topical sonnet.. not very cheerful

Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09358941268046671213noreply@blogger.com