So Good To Be Home

It is really lovely to see folk even if....
as we landed in Heathrow it poured and as we landed in Glasgow we were hit by an icy wind!!!
This morning there was frost on the ground and we scraped ice off the car. ( we had left the 70 degrees behind with blue skies)
I woke... late for a 10am meeting... Jet Lag excuse!!!
But my back has gone... I must have been holding myself awkwardly to compensate for the bike injuries...
If it didn't hurt so much Id laugh... What a performance. walking and sitting are fine, its all the rest that's the problem
moan over
it is really lovely to be fit, healthy and back,

The Last From USA

I am going to make this the last bit of USA bogging I do. Tomorrow we fly home and think we may get a wee bit of a shock when we get off the plane in Glasgow. It has been dry and warm ( 70 degrees approx) most days, with blue skies, and Glasgow has had different weather... OK damp, cold and grey... but I am so looking forward to seeing everybody, and I hope today to get a print off of a wee selection of my photo's so I wont be too much of a bore.
But still to fit in before we leave, is a shopping session at the sales, a foursome bike ride ( if my stiff joints and scabby elbow and knees allow)and a visit to the parade in Fort Worth . Packing will need to take place on Saturday morning as we don't fly until tea time.
I dont think I have time to fit in Jet Lag when I get back as my diary is full for the first week.
all back to 'normal' then....

A Bevy and a Great Meal.

Yesterday was wasted on me... because....
we went to an evening at the Ruhr Brewery.. http://rahrbrewery.com/
For $5 we got entry and tickets to get 3 pints. this is great value for folk who love real ale and drink a few pints!
I supped a blond ale over the couple of hours we were there and other people used my other tickets. There are lots of people I know who would have loved that opportunity... pity to waste it on me though.
We then went into Fort Worth and had the most delicious Chinese meal. We were all ready and very hungry because we had not eaten all day.

today we had a home cooked equivalent of a Christmas meal, it being 'Thanksgiving Day' a real Chill Out day of relaxing , watching DVD's and the Sales start tomorrow.... WEEEEEEE

A Retrospective Look Back

I have just read through all my blog entries since getting to USA. it counts as quite a good diary though..
I see my aim was to relax... well I have done and seen a lot, but there has also been some chill out days. my arms and face are browner, but not my legs though... they are still peely wally white.

In...Out... shake it all About

So we have decided not to go out for our Thanksgiving meal. It is a holiday for everybody and most places are going to be closed anyway.
We had a lovely home made curry last night and then after a very good restful solid 8 hours sleep , I'm ready for the day! Bring it on...
So shopping for Turkey and stuffing today and potatoes to roast and a few vegetables, not sprouts.... do you like them? We'll make a salmon dish too for our veggie guest. ( he loves fish, well not all vegetarians cut out flesh altogether)
It will be very plain though compared to some, ..saw on telly how to make sweet potato mash with a marshmallow topping... sound yummy.... or yuck....
A bottle of nice red wine a good DVD and we'll be sorted.

Survival

OOOooo AAAaaaa EEEeee
I and the skipper are fine, and I knew this could happen, so was expecting it....
the ground is really hard
So yes we did have a wee incident on Tandy and slipped off the path and both fell and skidded over the concrete path. Luckily no broken bones, just very grazed knees and elbows. We still had a 10 mile ride to get home, maybe just as well as we got back on after assessing damages ( Tandy is unmarked)and cycled back. we were a party of 3 today and there was some emergency breaking involved.
we are all very lucky, and It has not put me off at all.
now to have another cuppa and a big lump of cheese ( my favourite comfort food)
After a good soak I note such pretty colours in bruises... oh yes....
but were all fine and that is the most important thing

The Last Week of 4!

It's is amazing how quickly the last few week have passed. I've had some great experiences, and would love to have a video of my out-takes or blunders, as on thinking back.. in hindsight... they are funny.
I had got my days wrong and thought today was Wednesday! Yesterday I was sure thanksgiving day was on Wednesday 25th, urgggg... but it is Thursday 26th.
I think our party is going out for the meal. I hope to phone Canada where my Aunt, Uncle and cousins celebrate that day in a big way, and have a family gathering ( Like we tend to do on Christmas day) oh wait a minute, have just learned Canadian folk have their day in October,so this isn't going to happen!!awwww
Big sales start at 1 minute past midnight ( a bit like our boxing day sales).
Ooo La La
Am I tempted to do early Christmas Shopping.... well..... let me see..... Naaa... it can wait...

Maybe On Friday

he 27th annual Chesapeake Energy Parade of Lights presented by CHASE in downtown Fort Worth will feature over 100 entries, a special Holiday Fun Zone presented by XTO Energy and the lighting of the Fort Worth Christmas Tree in Sundance Square. Please come join us downtown and watch it come alive with floats, lights and lots of smiles.

A Housework Day

Another house guest is flying over from the UK today to join our merry band, so I aim to lick this place into shape. A bit of laundry, ironing ( easy with the steam wand) hooving and dusting, especially the huge flat screen HDTV..) a wee walk to the strip mall next door to do a bit of shopping ( this house guest is a vegetarian) This is Texas and the steaks are gorgeous!!!. but the salads are so great too....And there is so much choice and America is now waking up to the 5 a day fruit and veg' idea and even taking on the GREEN issue.

Mimi's

We went to Mimi's for brunch.
I had Pancakes, 2 eggs sunny side up and sausage. I also had Earl Grey tea and the waitress kept refilling my wee individual teapot and I had a wee carousel with all variety of teas.
I finished what I think of as they savoury bit of my brunch, than I really had to.. no really.... I HAD TO try my pancakes and creamy fluffy butter and maple syrup. I only managed one of my 3 pancakes though and just a 1/4 of the amount of butter and a wee tottie amount of the jug of syrup.....
No wonder people have such a weight issue here!!!
Yummm... loevely.....
but I could only do that maybe twice a year, enoughs enough!!!

just a Relaxing Day

No wild animals, no rules to follow on big cycle days, no helicopters or dinosaur foot steps, just a lazy PJ wearing, TV watching , cuppa drinking day.
Every so often it is good to chill out and take stock and just slow right down. I even just read my book for a couple of hours

Animals, Micro Chips and a Storm

After a good long cycle on the way back we went to Fort Worth Zoo. This very old establishment had been flooded and rebuilt so we saw only the very new building, including wonderful enclosures and like IKEA a pathway to follow that takes you past all the animals. Elephants, Tigers, Gorillas, Giraffes, Rhino's, Hippos, Crocs and so much more. We actually only got 1/2 way round and were all animal-ed out. Some folk must have season tickets, but very good value for $14.
In the evening we went to a golf range. I'm not really into this game, but it was fun as every ball had a micro chip in it and you aimed for marked areas and like our 10 pin bowling, a score register on a computer and we were served food and drink!( pity I could not swing a club... dodgy shoulder)
Then I woke up to such load crashing sounds and flashes of light as a thunder storm raged, it poured more rain than I thought the sky could hold and it;s still raining... Dallas... Texas.....

Not More Rules....

OK, not rules maybe but good advice!!!
Rule 7... Watch for skipper ducking!!!.... low overhead branches can be sore when they ping! Be very glad again of protection of cycle helmet
Rule 8... wear sun screen. Even if skipper thinks you are in the shade behind them all day..... your not... the sun finds you... bit red this morning.ugggg... should know better!
Another 20 miles clocked up on the trek path. The river crossing saves a two mile detour.... but the narrow path over the river is at the same level as stepping stones. IE on the river, but with no rain the level has gone down.
The normal rout is about 20ft above the river and a really good path.
So we go down a ramp.... quick turn... narrow path... try not to look at gurgling rushing water which passes through below.... quick turn and a push on the up ramp... at last crossing over sit and relax, well pant and get in oxygen.

Bonny Scotland

I think quite often of Scotland, and while I am really enjoying this whole experience, I know where my heart lies. This weather here is turning suddenly cooler. there was a 30 degree temperature drop in one day!
A big push here is for Thanksgiving, its in the shops and on TV. I have no idea what they are thankful for as I have heard no mention of harvest? but Santa, decorative houses and turkey family meals seem to feature. A lot of carnival parades with elaborate floats are planned! a good excuse for a holiday and a big hoo haa I think.

More Tandy Tales

Rule 3... never open your mouth when travelling :- even to shout you've just seen a Snowy Egret, Cormorant and Heron, or to avoid swallowing big bugs a hand sized butterfly or 1.1/2 inch dragonfly
Rule 4...never panic ( a Dad's Army refrain DON'T PANIC....DON'T PANIC needed) even when crossing a 10 lane highway because an underpass is closed off for work!!!
Rule 5... stay with the vehicle at ALL times.
Rule 6.... never make assumptions? take for granted the trek. Hmmm only walkers, runners and bikes Eh!!! well what about 4 cops on black Harley Davidson motorcycles !
A path across the Trinity was cleared of water today, saving a 2 mile detour, so clocked up 20 miles today in a cool fresh wind.
It is really good fun , my fitness and stamina increasing

Postcard

You know how people say ' Been there!, done that! Got the Tee Shirt, well I have, but I was also given a postcard from the Hualapai indian that served us at the Grand Canyon. The tribe own the land and get %50 of all the profit.
Well today I wanted to go the 1/4 mile walk to where you buy a stamp....here back at Fort Worth
There are no pavements (sorry side walks). I have to remember the traffic is on the wrong side of the road and the roadways are so wide. I pass a 'drive in bank', yes no need to get out of your car, cash ATM any normal transactions can be done with your window wound down. Next Playhouse Academy a great big building, but basically just a nursery school.
at last the 'Post Office' it's not UK so they don't call it that. I have no idea, maybe postal service. 98 cents it cost for one postcard. our service has two grades, not theirs.
But everything is such a cultural difference, I just relax and say ...OK

Jet Lag

It is Sunday 15th and I'm just back from Las Vegas which is 2 hours behind Fort Worth.
A very exciting trip. no fortune made not even a cent..... but...
Helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon..............
Boat trip down the Colorado river.................
A walk on a glass platform over a 4000 foot drop eek... but I did it, (got the tee shirt, no really)
http://www.grandcanyonskywalk.com/

Saw a show :-

Cirque du Soleil Las Vegas.

But I really can't put in words how privileged I feel to have had such a WOW weekend, but a sleep will help..... ZZZ

Mid to West

Sorry cant stop and Blog as flying off to Vegas today( bit braggy sounding eh), normal service will resume on 16th.
Oh and by the way hurricane Ida is South East.... America is soooo vast....
This steamer wand beats standing ironing the old fashion way... once you work out steam only goes up... and letting the heat do it's own work... packing... nay bother.....

Amazing Mud

If you go down to the river bed today, beware of a big surprise!!! In Dinosaur Valley State Park has tracks of creatures that roamed the earth millions of years ago!
I paddled beside them and saw some wonderful sights!

Dinosaur Valley State Park contains some of the best preserved dinosaur tracks in the world.

The Dinosaur Park features a unique outdoor museum setting. While most museums have dinosaur skeletons, our realistic life-size dinosaur replicas show skin and color variations to give a better understanding as to how they looked when alive. These statues range in size from the 6-foot long Velociraptor to the 40-foot long T-Rex.

As you walk through a tree-lined nature trail the dinosaurs sit back from the trail, situated among plants, trees and rocks, making it easy to imagine real dinosaurs in a natural environment.

The Dinosaur Park is an educational and fun place, where everyone can learn about the majestic animals that ruled our earth for over 150 million years.

Brazil and Japan

Two very interesting meals out!
A visit to Texan Brazilian Restaurant. Meat is served from BBQ type sewers where a slice is carved off and you have a wee pair of tongs to grab hold of the meat and place it on your plate. You have a wee beer mat size circle RED on one side and GREEN on the other if you want more or have had enough, so similar to the British carvery, but you don't need to get up.
A Sushi bar, the most tasty food except I don't like raw fish or prawns. but what I did have was delicious. Try eating rice with chop sticks when you are hungry! my daughter showed me how to fill a wee bowl and with this up at my face I scooped and shoveled the rice into my mouth,and I DID NOT use my fork uh uh. I had vegetable dumplings for starters ( which I speared with my sticks) and kuriaky beef which I eventually learned to eat Japanese style

TRUST

Tandy clocked up 20 miles today and it was a lovely trip that I thoroughly enjoyed

Adventures from a crew members point of view!!!

you have to have %100 trust.
Imagine having to go down a steep ramp then turn which means a tilt and then go through bollards that are there to stop motor bikes going on the trail, the space is just wide enough for a bike to pass.
so it's whizz.... tilt.... squeeze... now would you hold your breath? shut your eyes?, but I am getting braver!
The trail narrows to 6 feet wide for some stretches. handle bars are about 2 feet wide.... we pass other bikers at speed.... use your imagination. I do look ahead often to see what is coming.... then sigh with relief... pew!!!
point of interest....
A mounted police person. Well a cop on a horse,a black stetson on and a big smile and a friendly wave.
A miniature railway where we beat the train parallel to our route and friendly waves from all ( I can wave back with 2 hands)
A lovely breeze, do not stop too long because the bugs will eat you.

Mad, Mental or Motivated

Ive decided on the pet name of Tandy for the lovely new machine, which is a doorway into getting around in a way I could never do walking.
It's very challenging when we build up speed and go for an up ramp where we maybe have to go off the path and cross over a bridge to cross the river Trinity.
You know when you stand up on the peddles and pull at the handlebars, and you use every ounce of strengh to get as far up as you can.
Half way up a rough grassy steep bank we usually stop where the path runs out and dismount ( we have to lift Tandy over a low fence(well I do very little actually, the skipper does most of the work)
But my task is just to balance and walk over the bridge... easy... peasy... I hear you say.... Nuh!
First of all I am so dizzy especially after the extreme effort of the last few moments, second of all I am on a slope that I should wear crampons for. Well if I do fall and tumble down the slope , at least I have a helmet on!
I'll get used to this.... I have done it 1/2 a dozen times now
The pleasures far outweigh the difficulties and anyway non ABI folk will never understand, It's just my self driven task to get on with it!

And There's More....

2 simple rules
Rule 1. There is a skipper and a crew member and clear demarcation.
rule 2. Obeying without question or argument

Today this outfit are the proud owners of a tandem... yip folks I will have to bore you with more!
Well my fitness levels are good and buying was a better deal than renting for a month.
Down Town Fort Forth and Sundance Square
A 16 mile trip with a stop midway where the trail comes out at the city court and Correction Centre... nice Eh...
Freshly squeezed orange juice and an apple and Cinnamon freshly made bagel...
a very good day.

Goats- in The day Of....

You must go and see the Movie 'The Men Who Stare at Goats'. it is such a funny, laugh out loud film, with Ewan McGreggor, George Cluny, Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges.
So it may be out here in the USA before you get it in Scotland , but I would urge you to go and see it, good therapy, you will come out in a different mood than when you went in... guaranteed.....

Once More into the Breach!!!

Oh no... here comes another 'Tandem Tale'
Imagine being on a Bob Sleigh ride, or a lough race for an hour or so, with your senses being all scrambled. Then stand up and walk!!!
It's really quite funny but trying to walk after I get off the bike is a bit like that, or after you twirl round and then stop!
And that after having no drink!!!
The nearest sensation of a similar nature Pre-ABI, was when I used to take off my ski boots and walk... really weird.

EH !!!!

I talking to my uncle Alaistair in Toronto on the, Canada on the phone. I was saying that I'd seen no signs of bonfires or fireworks commemorating Guy Fawkes!... "well that would because your in America and that is about blowing parliament up in London"... oh....
But you see for Halloween there was so many adults dressed up, but maybe not 'dressing up' as the young men here is wear stetsons and leather cow boy boots all the time!.
So many differences and they don't even use English properly, making up words... we are do it right... of course....

8 and counting

I am really pleased, I got 8 hours sleep last night and didn't wake till 5am ( which is still too early but at least not 3am) my sleep is more or less solid and I don't have to creep quietly about the house any more!!
I have just read through my postings on this blog since arriving here. I do go on about about the tandem a lot!!! Well it is great!!!
Sad.... it goes away today, back to to the cycle shop we hired it from!! Awwww
This morning though, after 10am when the rest of the household will get up , we will go for a 5 mile ride. We are going to IHOP( international house of pancakes) . Yummy breakfasts including fluffy pancakes with maple syrup to drizzle on the top.
I am going to have to be bad... again.!
Oh what is that shhhhh noise outside.....
A look out on the balcony tells me.....
it's the sprinklers coming on... oh my...

A Great way to See Around

We went a walk the other day, and cycled the route again today.
I hadn't realised how much work it was just to walk, and I also didn't realise how much of the time I look down at the path ahead to see where to step.
So I was able to look around at all the house styles , watch the wildlife and look up at the sky when jets or helicopters flew by and not take a few moments to get my balance again (looking up means I have to stop, and make me sooo dizzy.
It was a lovely day, sunny with blue skies and about 75 degrees, with a light breeze.

Marble Slab Co

Ice cream American style.... yummmmm

We went for a walk last night to an Ice Cream shop. I had cheesecake flavoured ice cream in a cup shaped cone coated inside with thick white chocolate and covered outside with hundreds and thousands called sprinkles..
I was bad! very bad.. it's going to take lots of cycle miles to work this off.. but it was really good!

NETFLIX

DVD's by post care of the service by NETFLIX after ordering online films come the next day!!!
So tonight's viewing is... 'To Kill a Mocking Bird'.
Gregory Peck, as the lawyer and it's just a good story. I read the book recently and have tried for ages to get the film. FOP was charging £17 to buy it!

Think I've Cracked It !!!

See this time zone thing? It may not rank as important to most people, but just now to me it's quite high up there!!
Well I went to bed at 9pm, a bit later than I have until now. Woke up at 4am, not 3am as before, so at last things are moving in the right direction.
My aim is to stay awake till 10pm and not wake till 7am, ambitious Eh... this is me 6 days into a months stay and I hope I achieve that.
I do know I will have to reverse the process going back to Scotland.
The day after I get back my busy schedule begins again!
On the 30th of November I have a 10am and 12.30 commitment.
Anyway thoughts of what is ahead of me can wait. I am just going to enjoy being here, and since it's 6am I have just time for another cuppa before a wee doze and then a shower and then the day begins.

so Hot

Give me air!!!!
It is really hot in the afternoon sun, and inside my daughters apartment is hotter than outside where at least there is a breeze.
out side on the balcony where hudreds of ladybirds, with red backs and black spots maybe 13 or so ( not that I counted them)
Did you know they bite!!!
Anyway I was on the phone to my Mum and she thinks they may be Harlequine Ladybirds that she has read about.
the ones at home are wee and have 5 or 9 spots?
American bugs have to one better!!!!

Laaazzzzeee

This is one of those days when on holiday, that you get into the groove of relaxing.
It's 8.45am and I'm going stop thinking in the UK time zone where I add 6 hours all the time. I'm still in my fluffy dressing gown watching American TV ( it's awful) and with no plans for they day... I don't care.....
This has got to be the biggest contrast to my voluntary work in Glasgow, where every day is a whir of activity ( by choice)
I have set up a new skype account and hope to contact a few family members around 2pm this afternoon. but that is my biggest plan for today... and maybe to get a meal ready when daughter get's home from work.
It's cool now, but will get hotter as they day proceeds till it gets up to 75 degrees and there are clear blue sky's.
Och and I hear it's a wee bitty dreigh at home..EH

Chill Baby Chill

On being at the back of a tandem!
It's a wonderful experience, and I'm really enjoying it.
We went a longer cycle today. To the Botanical Gardens about 3 miles away.
Ive learned to relax, I can lift my hand and scratch my face now!
I can stand up on the peddles and help get us up steep inclines ( which defeated me before)
I can cope with having no control on speed direction!
I can understand verbal communication re- bumps and gear changes.
but I can even close my eyes when we whizz over narrow bridges.
I can watch soaring birds and playful squirrels.
I love it.

A Need For Shade

Yesterday we chose to walk in a shady place. It was late afternoon and still 75 degrees.
We walked along a route for a few miles that follows a creek. You could see the high water mark a couple of meters up from the normal flow. They had tornado's and storms just before we came.
A cool front is on it's way, so we may need to batten down the hatches?

The Wee Small Hours

Och, my body clock tells me it's time to get up, even my regular ablution's in the 'WASHROOM' (note the correct USA lingo) happen at 3am where in Scotland it would be 9am.
So it is fun to play on my blog and keep quiet and busy and I hope get tired and go back to bed.
I have resorted to having a wee afternoon nap so I can stay up till 8pm, when I just fall asleep in front of the telly.

A Bicycle Made for Two

Yesterday we had a lovely ride on our hired tandem bike. It's much more relaxing for me not to be concerned about having to steer ( the path we take has a big drop to one side and a fast flowing river below). I used to stop when ever walkers or bikers passed as I cannot judge distance or speed and its just too distracting. But at the back I can now enjoy all the benefits of being on a bike, without all the stress, and a bonus is I can look at all the wild life and views as much as I like.
It's a very long heavy beast though, but like having a baby or a dog is quite a good conversation piece!
If I can sort out 'how to' I might be able to post a picture

'These Boots Are Made For Walking'

A few years ago my son and his wife , my daughter and her boyfriend and I spent a lovely couple of days in the lake district. I bought a really comfy pair of trainer like cortex walking boots. I have enjoyed some rough walks through moore bogs and puddles with my feet always staying dry. when I feel a wee bit wobbly I have been so impressed with the confidence I get from secure stable treads and sound protection.
But I had to give them up as worn out and throw them away before I came to the USA.
So I was saying I need to go to a mountaineering or climbing shop. Texas is dead flat, no really!!! you can see the curve of the earth from here!!!.
'Mum.... I think you'll find a scarcity of mountaineering shops in Texas'....dah....
Och well a trekking outdoor shop OK