Hi everyone i hope you are all well upon reading this e-mail. Today was the mountain biking day, it has been a long and tiring day, however i have enough energy to report the days activities.
The start: I began the morning by meeting the group i was going mountain biking with, they were a group of Australians with one of two British people amongst them. They are touring together on a bus. we were all given a contract which basically said, if you hurt yourself the company will only pay $500.00 in insurance and thats only if the guide believes you have not damaged their bike. I am told this is normal when you are doing extreme sports. The group amounted to about 21 people, we toke a mini bus to the top of the mountain, there we were dropped off.
We got kitted up with safety equipment and given our bikes. It is explained to us that we are 4700.00ft up. It is suggested we take things easy coming down the mountain, the first hour we will be riding on tarmac. We were then split into groups, fast group, medium group and slow group. Those of you who really know me will know what group i choose to be in.
The middle: We began making our way down the mountain via the tarmac road. The weather was freezing, wet and cold, at the end of the first hour my face was so cold, when i spoke you would think i had a stroke because one side of my face could not move. I was dribbling as i was talking, i was so cold there was nothing i could do but keep apologizing for my saliva spraying on my colleagues as i tried to speak. At this stage i was not enjoying myself one bit. Also the tourist representative i booked the tour through forgot to tell me i needed to bring a change of clothing, everybody else had a change of clothing. I started to think i don't want this to turn into a scene from Roots where the only black geezer on the tour, is the only one who has not washed and changed his clothes and is stinking the mini bus out. There was nothing i could do, it was too late. I brought my Links (African scent), my plan was to Links myself up and that should keep me until i got back to my hotel.
End game: As we came closer to the finish, most of the way down i was directly behind the guide( You all know how competitive i am). I began to have problems with the gears on my bike and was over taken by some of my group. I don't mind being over taken under those circumstance, however i do mind when one of my group shout out SUCKER as they pass me. Those of you who really know me , know that, that was like slapping me in the face with a glove. I sorted my gear problem out and then i was on him like a married man trying to get his oats at the weekend from his wife(You are truly determined men, I salute you). He realized i was on his case and close behind him, every opportunity he had, he tried to block me passing him.
The terrain became very hazardous(we went off road) and the guide quickened the pace. I could see this guy was not comfortable with the terrain or the speed, i saw my opportunity and passed him, i know he heard the echo of my words Tosser as i passed him. this is true gratification. I finished the course directly behind the guide/instructor, the term came on like a lion and went out like a lamb, springs to mind.
It was a good day and a great achievement from all.
Your man in South America
Laters
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7 comments:
Hi Don
& happy new Year. I know we've kept in contact via email exchange but I thought its about time I caught up with a bit longer txt. Have obviously been keping tabs on where and what you've been up to so thought I'd bring you up to speed with south household. Last time we spoke I was packing for gambia. Mrs South and the southets needed a break away from the usual xmas festivities so I thought a week in the sun chilling in western Africa would hit the spot , and oh yes , the spot was hit fair and square. white sand rolling breakers and chill..... manage to swim every day although they have rip tides in the area so had to tie myself to the beach , being so slim an silf like didnt want to get washed away. no diving as seas are pretty churned up this time of year but body surfing and bogy boards well acceptable. People great. very friendly. and geared up for christmas. southets chilled and enjoyed as did mrs s. I burgled woolworths before leaving and took some kit for a local school and managed to touch base with the teachers and kids who were pleaseed with the results.food good and varied, local attractions interesting! hotel was visited every other day by families of monkeys that basically did what they wanted which made the whole place busy and lively. break went too quick. New Year Eve; Mrs S had to work hence the short break so I did the romantic think and cooked for the evening. visited the two youngest in their flat, and now Niki, the eldest has moved out, popped in to see her. My Mate Mel MMM has not been well recently and a bit down so we popped into see them so I couls take the piss he couldnt drink :-) then back for scallops and romance. All gone in a flash as back on the tread mill and we thud up and down to town eanring a quid. GOOD time to be away from the UK as the £1 tumbles and the economy grinds to a halt. but whats that to the price of eggs when gazing at historic Inca culture- ho ho. things pretty drab here and guys starting to get layed off. I suggest you keep travelling... till I give you the word its safe to return. :-( Seen Dar a couple of times , now loved up, thankfully having taken to advice of two level headed guys, you know who I mean..I starting to do some joint work with S. so seeing quite a lot of her. As usual yo da man with the exiting news but as discussed I'll keep you up to date with the drivel. The best thing is your looking good, not as good as me obviously but not bad :-) and you are soaking up the experience. Enjoy my friend speak soon
TJ
Judge it's always good to hear from you, please send my love and regards to Mrs South and the girls.
The holiday sounds like it was truly enjoyed and appreciated by the South family. The monkey situation seemed like that was really entertaining to watch.
Friends and family are all saying the same thing, England is not the place to be at the moment. I am enjoying myself and my Spanish is getting better everyday. I am currently in Bolivia which i am not keen on to be honest, however i have managed to find a Spanish teacher who brightens up my day.
The days are going really quickly, it's quite frightening before i know it i will be on my way home. I hope you boys are still coming to Brazil for my birthday in June. I am going there for the carnival in February, i have a contact over there who will put me up and show me around the Carnival. If you boys are still able to come i should know a thing or two about the area (your man on the ground)
Keep the pictures coming, the videos i am having problems downloading, they are keeping me smiling.
I will keep you updated and i look forward to hearing from you.
My love and regards to the family.
Laters Judge.
D
You had me in stitches with the description of the Mountain bike ride. Dem boys dont know who they are dealing wid ! Boxing ability,speed, whupin em on points, going the distance if necessary ....you know the rest. The pictures were very impressive no doubt some of these scenes /experiences will live with you until your last day.
Stay safe
Wayni
Yes Wayne i had to deal with the situation , he don't know who we be. See had he known about me trying to ride my bike up the washing line in our garden when we were younger he wouldn't of tried it on. I am good staying healthy and switched on.
Speak soon your younger brother.
Don
Don
Does mum know that you tried to ride your bike up the washing line, was I born yet? Or was I too young?
Debs i think you were too young. How does mum know about that. You grassed me up didn,t you.
Your brother
xx
LOL Oh god bless u Don, sounds like you had a great day and that you seriously enjoyed getting your own back on the W***er that over took you at the beginning LOL I knew you'd hold your own anyway ;o)
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