State Libraries have no air con

Sitting in the state library in Mystic, CT, unfortunately the pc just lost what I typed... So... short of it, have suriveved the first few days, am trying to get to near New Haven for tomorrow, then on to Stamford, CT. So far the journey has been beautiful, but just looking for places to stay can take a while...
The bike is handling well and the hammock is comfy.

More Soon (and pics)

S

Please sir, I want some more

Hola gringos, so today, i have been sucessful in getting some multicolour tent pegs and a few other bits and bobs, from EMS which is a great outdoor store, makes cotsworlds and blacks look rubbish! anyway, did that, got some stuff, had two quesildillas for lunch, which were great. going to have lots of them on the way, and i think they're cheaper, once you get outta boston central.

after the storm the weather has calmed down loads, which has been great. the humidity has 'dropped by half' according to susie. and went for a great cycle last night and this morning along the charles river. beautiful BIG scenery. theres so much space here!

so, got myself some levis so i don't look likea right tramp when i stay with people and tried out my hammock, which is pretty comfortable, although it will take some time. have found myself already talking to the bike...uh oh!

just cooking for susies friends, curry (boring i know)

anyway, gotta run, mum, will call you soon, was gonna call today, but realised what time it is now!!

peace and love

s

Back to the Future

Its strange trying to figure out the time change-Marla is backwards, my folks are forwards, I feel like Marty Mcfly. anyway, i have my bike. she is beautiful. i managed to get a few things cheaper, while a few were more expensive. kinda skimped on a shorter pump, bout the big ones were 40+! things here are not as cheap as i first thought, although i reckon if you shop at the right place your quids in.

Its currently 83 degrees, inside, in english that means its almost 30 celcius. i have been sweating like a beast and i haven't been this hot since ghana! i am rediscovering sweat pores i didn't think i had. anway, enough of that

the bike rides well and has now been pretty fully equipped, dunno if i quite got the rear rack on, but it is reinforced, so that should work. need to work on the front handlebar bag aswell. but the power grips (leather bands on the pedals) work like a charm.


Statistics for today:

Hours spent in a bike shop: 3
Time spent test riding bike: 1
Difference in size between the frames: 2cm
Number of screws to assemble the various parts: +15
Amount of water drunk: 5+ litres
Amount of water sweated: bucketloads
Competency at not being hit by a car: Better
Time woken up at: 6am

Thats all for now.

To Whom It May Concern

I have arrived safely in the continent known as America. Boston is unusual.
After sitting next to too ery friendly women on the plane, one who had lectured at UEA i got in and managed to negotiate my way through the transport system to Susie's workplace. Well, stuff here is big, I know that, but its the small things, like the pavement (sidewalk) or just the massive spaces. Theres a huge plaza in the middle of where susie works that is probably six times the size of liecster square. its mad to have that in the center of the city. So central Boston is okay, except I've only just started to get the swing of things in regards to crossing the street and not getting hit by a car!(It was simpler crossing in Ghana!). Susie lives in a beautiful area called Cambridge, the houses are lovely and MIT and Harvard are not far away, so theres tons of students and clever people knocking around. With the temperature (it was about 25 last night), walking around with everyone in outside cafes, it felt more like Europe that the US.
Central Boston reminds me of Sydney [extract from journal: 'the city is not so much caught between new and old, but the old lingers, in the subway, in the sandstone. The new, towers, in glass, polished and shinning'].

Anyway, going to pick up the bike today, although I still haven't figured out a name for her!!!

Over and Out

Somebody likes me!

So I have at least one person saying they will let me surf their couch. And luck would have it their also a cycling tourist. Now I have some friends on CS and have been verified I think they'res more chance that I can stay at peoples places. I should line them up to reduce my cost. It'll be nice meeting local people where they can show me around and advise me about stuff, so I'm not perpetually typing 'Second hand bookshops in Somewhere, Indiana' etc!

Hope I can get hold of books, and fresh produce.

Going shopping today for little things like zip ties, and waterproof bags...

Getting in the habit

Today went for a lovely little cycle. Could have been slightly longer, but I stopped at Epsom common and have a lovelly lunch, read my book, and generally had a blast. It definitely made me stop and think and appreciated what I was doing. After all, its not a race, its about pacing myself and enjoying what I'm doing. Saw a huge group of dogs (mainly labs) and some massive thing that can only be described as 'floppy chops' cos thats what it looked like. It took a little dip in the pond.

So heres a pic of the bike and the pond, to the right.

Its a hard life eh.....

Life is like a box of chocolates

I am leaving in approximately 8 days, although I am definately not ready!
As with everything I do in life, part of it will have to be improvisation. The departure date draws near, but I have realised there is still lots to do.
Mentally I'm completely not ready, but maybe thats cos theres so much to process and do. For instance a big worry is that I won't have enough books to read!!!
But life is a learning experience so i'll figure out when i've forgotten stuff or when i've left things...