Air Africa

Actually, I think we flew Precision Air, but none the less, it was a first for me.



The domestic airport at Dar Es Salaam doesn't have very many jet bridges. In fact, it doesn't have any.

When they call everyone to the airplane, it is first come, first serve on seating arrangements. Actually, that isn't true. The tallest guy got to sit next to the pilot. I was jealous.

 We are all taking pictures in the plane as we have never sat so close to the pilot. Even if we have, we've never seen the pilot as even commuter air generally has the pilots separated from the passenger. See the tall guy in the passenger seat in front? Yep, that is NOT the co-pilot.

I am enthralled on my view from my window.

 Passing over some islands. You can just see the lovely blue lagoons.

Lastly, I was also a bit unnerved to see the runway. Again, unless you are in the cockpit, not something you get to see everyday. It made my 25 minute flight very enjoyable!! (Thank goodness it wasn't raining)

Out of Africa

I just returned from a trip to Zanzibar in Africa, but then turned around and went on a long weekend to the Isle of Wight. At the same time, my boss is leaving work and I'll be taking over his duties from now on and my landlord has kindly evicted me as they want to sell the place instead of renting it. So - I'm whinging to say that I've just been a bit busy - but will update the blog with photos and adventures soon!

The beach outside of our hotel. I wasn't missing my bicycle. Nope. I was enjoying the heat though!

The view from the hotel. Can you see how busy it was? :o) More photos soon - it was a great trip.

It's Not Vegas But....

The other night, someone at work organized a Poker Night at the Fox Poker Club. I don't play poker because 1) you have to think and 2) I don't like it when everyone yells at me for stealing their cards or playing the wrong way. Luckily, I went with a fun bunch and they were forgiving of my ignorance.

At the club, we rent a table and then we all put £20. I'm not sure how many chips we get, I'm sure it is a lot of fake money and I'm sure I really annoy the rest of the table by saying 'How much is that? Two blues and a green?' I really don't care about the monetary value, I just want to stay in the game.

Imagine my surprise when I finally looked up and realized most of the chips are in front of me......Hmmm... I ended up winning the table (best out of 10 players thank you very much)... all for £20 and me saying 'All in!' a bunch of times. I don't think I'm getting invited back.

Spring Fun

The weather turned a bit nicer with some warm temps and sunshine. Sadly, it didn't last long but we took advantage of it.

I took Tucker out to the Queen's Ride where we started out with some eager ball throwing.

 Then it degraded into rolling around on his back like a lunatic.

And then he just sat down to lie in the sun. Needless to say, our walk took a very long time. At least I got to look at the castle while I waited......

Alpe d'Huez - only 6 months later...

I know I had promising these for ages, but I finally grabbed some photos from my fellow travel companions for the trip to Alp d'Huez in July. Earlier posts from before the race and after the race are here and here.

Mr. Booker shows us his best side as he has a bit of Tour de France fun with the pavement.

 Whoohoo! My name is immortalized..

Until it rained. Notice the lovely race conditions and what the spectators are wearing? You'd never guess it was July, would you? I think I was on my last lap at this point. Thankfully the camera isn't on a close up so you can't see me grimacing.

 Chris gets a great shot of John as he finished. Unfortunately, not such a great finishing photo for me - too many people in the way - so you'll just have to believe me that I finished.

 All smiles that we are still alive....

Of course, it's lovely and clear in the valley on the way down to dinner. Why not? I only spent about 8.5 hours racing in the rain. Thanks to John and Chris for the photos and happy memories. I think I'll post more sunny pictures in cold February. Then again, not sure I have any....

A New Commute, A New View of London

Unfortunately, or fortunately, ... I still haven't figured this one out.... my office has moved locations in London. I'm now traveling to the Kings Cross area which from Windsor, is quite a trek. I think I finally have figured out the optimum travel route, but it has been a struggle. Travel times now range from 1 hr 42 minutes to about 1 hr 16 minutes (when it isn't snowing). So - sometimes, it's still a bit of a struggle.

I am trying to be a bit more creative with my London commute. My old commute was okay, and although this one is similar in it's duathlon nature, it is a bit less scenic. Therefore, I'm started to vary the exercise and commute during the week. I still ride to a train station in the morning (now a 15 minute endeavor - up a hill) and then hop on the train to Paddington in London. When I arrive at Paddington, I've now discovered that I can run to work (yes, I said run - we have showers at work thankfully) on a canal from the train station. Although I regularly cycle to work, I now have some variety. The map above just makes out the start of the canal system behind the train station.

I'm guessing since it is winter time, the canal is not that busy. Here is the view looking back down the canal.

The canal is also scenic in it's own way. It passes by the London Zoo and actually bisects the aviary.

I have to admit, every time I go by, I can ONLY think of Jurassic Park and the Lost World. It really is quite eerie at that hour.

I also run by a Chinese Pagoda restaurant........

Underneath low hanging bridges......

By a random Pirate Castle (???) ...........

By some cool apartments and businesses........(ignore the Amy Winehouse graffiti. She used to live in this part of London)

By Camden Lock and Market. Unfortunately, I'm through at 8AM and the shopkeepers don't set up until later. I'll come back one weekend to give you a good contrast. Although I am cheered up by the electric blue lights on the tree in the back.

And by foot bridges and sculptures ... you can just see one across the canal here....

And lastly, by apartments that look like they are made from old Airstream Trailers. Or something from Captain Nemo and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. ..............So, it's not that bad, right? It's really better than being cooped up on the tube, stuck next to a stinky man, having to stand up the whole time. (It also saves me £4 a day and will hopefully get this Christmas weight off of me)  I keep telling myself that I'm making lemonade out of lemons. You've got to have some fun in your commute, right? Right? Sigh.

A Snowy Commute

They say it doesn't snow in England, but it has every year that I have been here. Amazingly enough, the transport links (and people) still struggle to deal with it.

Windsor looks lovely in the snow so thought I'd share some pictures. (photo courtesy of Darran)

This is from my morning commute. Unfortunately, I had a collision with an errant pedestrian (please please please can you just look where you are going before hopping out into the middle of a busy road?) so no cycling for a bit. Looks like I've got a bruised/cracked rib to show for it. He's got a broken nose so I feel like I won that round.

The view from the train. Much prettier with the white stuff......