24 hours

Oh my, oh my, what a 24 hours. I drove east yesterday to have dinner, not that I could not have cooked myself you understand. 4.5 hours later of which just over 90mins was on the phone to Izzy, I arrived. I know she was jealous of me last night and more probably the food, and I also know that it would have been truly awesome to have her there. Conversation was good, travels, wine, casinos, adventure, holidays, shopping, Trago Mills, wine, wine auctions, a different resort in Cuba and wine (or have I mentioned that already) were all discussed as a rather fine red was shared and digested. I must thank CK on the wine front!

 However the dessert needs it own post but to save sighs of please just tell us ;-), pear and almond cake from Hugh F-W recipe. Ok I am know I probably not going to be as eloquent as some but wow. It was lighter than the air that surrounded it, the blend of almonds, sugar, butter and caramelised pears was divine,as the first spoonful entered my mouth I actually could think of nothing else other than the taste, it was like the ingredients separated and came together on my tongue all at once so you could taste the individual and the collective. I know that my waist line was less than impressed this morning and apologies to Izzy's Grandpa if you got less than you thought you would today but I could not resist a second helping . Small one of course.

Post dinner I drove up to Horsham for a drink at the Black Jug with my bro, my bro's best man Jody and his 'bird mad' girlfriend, Mary. An amusing conversation which was totally unpc followed ( I think they had been there a while) and then a couple of hours natter to catch up on all things new since the last time we saw each other.  I came down this morning to what I thought was an empty house at 7.30 as neither Barney or Brewster stirred in their beds until I put the kettle on. What a dogs life they have, let them out and once morning rituals complete both went back to their separate pits and were soon snoring again.

I was that the 2010 Cycle Show, Earls Court for 11am and the next 3 hours I could have quite happily spent a significant proportion of the £112million won last night, if (a) I had bought a ticket and (b) I had won. Pah! The Pashley stand was awesome as was Specialised with their 3 support Audi A6's acting as the show pieces with more bikes and kit in them than I have witnessed ever. The Patria stand had bikes that should you slip from the saddle the top bar between seat post and handlebars would have increased your voice forever as a man. 2 strands of stainless steel cable replaced what is the norm. Pleased to see Robin from Thorn there and had a quick chat. The retail area was bonkers but Polaris and Sealskinz a still managed to make a dent in my finances, damn them!

I had lunch with two individuals who between them in the last 5 years have ridden just under 60,000 miles. Blimey they were fit. Yes they were indeed! I am a novice to all of this but bless them they knew and the technical speak was kept to a minimum. They reviewed my kit list in advance and I now have a new one, it is like the original but with black and green lines through it and lots of crossings out. I think my 'just in case' and 'be prepared' motto's needed scaling down. They did laugh at some of the gear but also spotted some significant omissions namely blowing air into a presta valve with your mouth is not an option - oops pump needed, and also duck tape or similar because it just about holds anything together including cracked frames, told with an air of authority that said 'been there and done that'. I now have their routes as well for a number of countries and whilst I may have assumed detail I think they must have kept their lucky green and black pens. The notes across them having nothing to do with the wiggly lines that represent routes and more to do with how much it rained, who they don't like anymore and best coffee stops.

It was great of both of them to give up their time, to meet with me. Neither had met each other so they thanked me, wished me well and I was left sitting at the table wondering how soon I could get back on the bike. I did a quick visit to Ortlieb (are you bored yet or still with me) to look at what 2011 will bring in terms of panniers. Basically 2010 at more cost. Phew. I am now sounding like I know what I am doing, that is not good.

Homeward bound I stopped 1hr 45 minutes later, oops, at my favourite bike shop in Bridgwater. Paul, Ryan and Richard were in and I have parted yet again with a not insignificant sum but with a hefty 20% discount. So to tonight whilst I am loading my ipod, doing the laundry and going to ride Treyc (with her new handle bar covering) before my tea, I will keep an eye on the time as I have promised a certain individual that I will look after myself better and get more sleep. Of all the things I want her to focus on it is not my sleep patterns or lack of. She knows that I am thinking of her today as she is hopefully relaxing both body and mind on the beaches of Nha Trang. Then just over 500 miles from Monday morning to Ho Chi Minh City.