Wales - The New Swan Inn and RETURN DATE

Thanks to Gareth, Eleri, Jenna and all the staff and regulars for the hospitality shown during my stay in Ystalyfera in South Wales. This is a very biker-friendly pub with good accomodation and a safe place to keep the bike. If you are doing a course at the World of BMW, visiting Touratech or just touring, this is the place to stay. By the way...I liked the Halloween costumes. The New Swan Inn, 50 Gurnos Rd, Ystalyfera, Swansea, SA9 2HY, 01639 841 222. www.thenewswanhotel.co.uk

RETURNING HOME

SATURDAY 7TH NOVEMBER 2009
0930AM STRANRAER FERRY then 2pm CAPABILITY SCOTLAND
ELLERSLY ROAD, EDINBURGH

Bike Back on the Road

All well with the bike and everything still attached. Heading off tomorrow early for Wales. The tracker is on it’s way home and I hope to have it in the next few days. Many thanks to Dave Standley (Stan) for his hospitality while waiting for the bike to be ready.

Picking up the bike

At the shippers waiting for the bike. If all ok I will be heading to Wales tomorrow then Ireland on Monday. Will update later. The return to Edinburgh will be Sat 7th November....all going well.

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Right on Kew

Spent the day at Kew Gardens. Three hundred acres of botanical delights grace Kew Gardens, which lies on the south bank of the Thames River between Richmond and Kew in the suburbs of south-west London. The gardens are "Royal" because for many years the estates that now form the gardens were owned by members of Britain's royal family. King George II and Queen Caroline lived at Ormonde Lodge, on the Richmond estate. Their son and heir, Prince Frederick, leased the neighbouring Kew estate in the 1730s. The gardens today present an enjoyable mix of landscaped lawns, formal gardens, and greenhouses. Equally important, Kew functions as a botanical research centre and maintains the largest plant collection in the world. Forget Boston in the fall….try visiting here. The rich mixture of colour in the leaves and berries make this one of the most amazing shows nature provides.  

Wandering in Westminster

The weather is great here in London. Yesterday visited the Metropolitan Police Major Investigation Team office and had a curry with the staff….very nice. Mike kindly made a donation to the charity….thanks. Today I ventured into central London which brought back some good memories of my time working there. It is funny but when you work in an area you often do not appreciate the surroundings. For all who have not been here I would strongly advise you to make the trip. Got news that the bike may be here by Wednesday/Thursday…..here’s hoping!  Today’s photos and yes Dave….they are all mine: Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, the Millennium Wheel, Lamp outside Buckingham Palace, Queen Vic statue outside Palace, the Wheel by night.

Richmond on the Thames

Thought I would start with Richmond where I am staying. Richmond is to the west of London and I on the River Thames. It is a very nice area and this part of the Thames is used by the pleasure boat crews and, in keeping with this area, rowing clubs. There is a small  ferry which is allowed to operate under Royal Charter from King John in 1659. It takes you across the river to Twickenham (home of English Rugby) for £1. The ferry in those days was not operated by a bloke with a mobile phone on a boat with a diesel engine. The view of the river and the area is the only place in the UK where ‘a view’ is protected by an Act of Parliament. Richmond is a small town with nice shops and pubs (so I am told). Getting over the jet lag and will head to central London tomorrow.

Lazing in London

Arrived safely in London and staying with my pal Stan….thanks! For those who are following from other countries I will get some London photos published for you. When I get the bike….hopefully in a week or so, I will assess the weather and get going hopefully to Ireland and drive north. I will then take the ferry to Troon in Scotland and home. I will publish the ‘arrive home’ date as soon as I know but it will be a Saturday. I am determined to RIDE all the way home as planned (the shipping company offered to deliver the bike to home but I feel that the trip would be incomplete if that happed….I left from home and will arrive back at home) . Also, if possible, I will take in Ireland, east to west,  as I feel the country gets  ignored by travellers doing this route who often just  fly over it.

Ice Cold in Reykjavik

Arrived safely in Iceland although the SPOT tracker is still in Boston…woops! Never mind Boston’s Finest (Police Dept) are on the case and it should catch up with me in London. Sitting in a café in Reykjavik warming up after the cold shock. Heading back to the airport for the connection to Heathrow where I am getting picked up by the Murder Squad……just for the lift I may add. Iceland is cold but the people make up for it. The streets here are quaint with different coloured houses…the architects here are obviously fans of Ballamorie. The taxi driver told me that the population of Iceland is 350,000 which is about half that of the city of Edinburgh. Maybe that is why Levi have a factory here….they need more genes/jeans…sorry…signing off!

Goodbye USA

I caught the water taxi to Boston Logan Airport and, in the usual style, I took it the long way round which gave me a tour of Boston Harbour, Hull and Quincy. The sun was shining and it was much warmer today so I think Iceland will be a short, sharp shock. My bike flies on 23^rd so hopefully, barring all mishaps etc I should get it around the 26^th.  Photos: The Water taxi, Boston and Boston.

What a send off!

A few folk turned out to thank me for supporting the hotel, fuel and beer industries in the USA through these tough times. Ha Ha!?

High Life and Ducking around in Boston

In stark contrast to yesterday the snow, rain and wind disappeared leaving it  sunny and a lot warmer. Headed to the Prudential Tower which is the second tallest building in the state with 52 floors. They have a floor which is called Skywalk and gives a fantastic view of Boston. Took some good photos then descended to earth to take the Boston Duck Tour. This tour is conducted by actors and takes you through the city and the history of the city. You travel on a World War 2 amphibious vehicle which eventually takes to the Charles River for an alternative view of Boston and Cambridge on the opposite bank. Worth taking if you are in Boston. Tomorrow I head to Logan Airport then Reykjavik, Iceland for a day before travelling on to London. Will update the blog in London on Thursday. Some pictures of Boston/Cambridge and The Boston Duck.

The old and the new

Yesterday I mentioned the lack of consideration of historical buildings when it came to a new build. Would like to have heard the arguments at the planning committee during the submissions for this??

Visitor to the Blog

Thanks to all the visitors to the blog. I have had over 1400 so far this month and have attached the stats. Dublin is top of the list so far with Edinburgh heading up there. Thanks to Dan Austin Texas features. Keep visiting and thanks.

Baltic in Boston

Very cold here in Boston and had a bit of snow here this morning. I was a bit disappointed with this city and expected it to be more historical than it is. They have not fused the old and the new is a good way. Many older building are consumed by newer skyscrapers and some hidden in their shadows. The harbour is not as pretty as expected. It is also very expensive here but the hotels are nice. Going to do the bus tour on Saturday and have been invited to a party on Sunday (one of the NYPD officers brother) and hope to get a brewery trip in before leaving on Tuesday for London. I can get a water taxi from here to the airport…is that different or what? The bike is with customs and hope to have it by 24^th if all goes well. I will then decide if Ireland is on the cards and have two visits lined up if I can do this.

New York-New York

Spent the whole day yesterday pounding the streets of New York and took in the St Columba Day parade on 5^th St. The people of New York are very brash and straight talking (which I like) and it is very funny on occasions. Even the cops are brash in the way they treat people…in an efficient way…if that is possible. Anyway that is the way things are and no one thinks about it. When they have time to talk, the NY people are a good laugh and have a good sense of humour. Altogether I like this place a lot. Louise, you would love the shops here. There is every designer store you can think of in very close proximity to each other in order that you can bankrupt yourself without walking too far! It is worth taking a few minutes to look at the people that shop there. I visited China Town and the Jewellery mainly run by the Jewish population followed by a walk along a street dedicated to Korean culture and restaurants. Headed to Central Park then to Times Square. Times Square is a lot like the west end of London …….but…as we are in the USA……..a lot bigger. It is a pedestrian are and a nice place to have a seat and people watch. I then popped into Grand Central Station which is like a wee town in itself with restaurants and shops and the architecture is worth seeing in itself. After that…………….I was done and went home to bed. Managed to get most of the stuff arranged for the bike shipping and now trying to plan a quick visit to Boston before heading to London around 21^st to stay with my buddy Stan and wait the release of the bike. I will see what the weather is like as I have been invited to Ireland and would like to include this in the circumnavigation if possible. Photos: Skyline, Times Sq, St Columba day parade, NYPD Harley Davidson,  Street like NY and a Rasta Dog.

In New York City

Arrived safely in New York City where the sun is shining and the temperature is cooler…thankfully. I am staying at the IPA house in Sunnyside in Queens which is just over the river to Manhattan and all the sites. Got picked up at the airport by Sadie and was given the tour of Manhattan before going to the police museum and joining some Canadians and Spanish for an IPA meeting, some beers and some very nice food. After that Tony, a NYPD Detective and Sadie’s brother gave us a walking tour in Manhattan and then a tour of the 5^th Precinct police station. Goy back to the flat after midnight. The sun is still shining and I am off to see the sights. Monday is St Columba’s Day parade and I will get myself along to that. Photos: Manhattan from Long Island (day) and sunset. The Chrysler Building and surrounds.

Farewell Florida

Off to New York tomorrow and leaving record hot temperatures here in Fort
Lauderdale. Will miss the sun and the seafood....had the shrimps again
tonight! Looked out the fleece as it is a bit chilly up north. Strange not
having the bike today after 5 months but looking forward to exploring NYC.
Above is a photo from my hotel window...beat that!

Goodbye Bike!

My trusty bike was collected from my hotel this morning bound for the
airport and the flight home. As there is a bit of a delay between now and
the bike getting back on British soil I have decided to head to New York
and have booked the IPA house there in the heart of the city. Sounds nice
and I get picked up at the airport. So folks I will continue to blog my
NYC adventure so stay tuned! Had a good night out with the locals here in
Ft Lauderdale and poshing up the hotel tomorrow for my last day in
Florida. Photos of the beach near here and of the bike leaving me.

Islamorada just west of Key Largo

Travelled south to the Keys today and in a beautiful place called Islamorada just west of Key Largo. The sun is shining and the temperature continues to rise. The beaches and marinas are just as I imagined and the seafood  is as they say here ‘awesome’.  The temperature is set to hit a record 90 deg for this time of year and I must have the noisiest air conditioner on the planet and have looked out that most important piece of travelling gear….earplugs. Have started the arrangement for shipping home and I will probable drop the bike off on Friday in Miami. I will then chill for a couple of weeks either here or up in Boston/New York before riding the bike home from London…brrrrr! Thank goodness I have the warm gear with me. Heading to Miami tomorrow. Photos:  Some scenes from Islamorada and the Keys and an Egret waiting for the scraps from the beach fishermen.