Things to do before you are 30 #19 - Drive down a narrow road with grass down the middle.

Firstly let me state that not all of things on this list are to do with driving. It just seems to be my current area of exploitation.

Anyway, last night i was driving to Vicky's. And, for once, I had actually left on time and was in no massive need to make up time on the journey. How ever there is one fact in life, however hard you try, you can never arrive anywhere on time.

I had just got off the Beverly bypass and was hurtling towards Molescroft when I saw blue lights strobing away in the distance. I got to the roundabout and the road I wanted to take had been closed due to some form of accident. I went the other way and then embarked on finding an alternative route.

The map declared that there was a nice cut though, it was a bit of a white road on the map, but hey, I'm adventurous, it will do! I eventually got to this road and turned down it. This later revealed to be a road to early and as i followed the map was getting more and more lost.

The road was narrow, will the odd bunny on the verge, looking up and staring at this machine with bright lights storming past it. I then went through a village, and the road proceeded to narrow to a little wider than that the car. I was staring to get concerned, but continued forward never the less.

I then came to a cross roads that was not marked on the map. here I continued straight in a bid to get back on track. i however came across a different type of track as i went past some farm shed and ended up driving round the edge of a field with some rather bushy grass for company down the middle of this road.

Oops!

I decided it was time to return from where I came and find a new route. As there was no turning space i reversed back up the track, in the dark, and turned in the farmers sheds.

I eventually beavered my way back to a main road and arrived 30 minutes late. At least i can cross another thing off my list!

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Seattle (Jan 6-7 2007)

Over the weekend we took the car(luckily still in one piece) and headed off to Seattle. The last time i was in Vancouver John, Rob and I got a coach there but after a faultily alarm, which i still deny all responsibility for, we only eneded up being there for about 7 hours. Not really enough time to see a city. So let commence attempt number 2.

We set off on the Saturday in good time, but hit serious queues on the border which took over an hour to get through. Steve was driving and GPS woman was doing the navigating. Personally i dont think either could have survived without the others help. The Freeways around Seattle werea round 7 lanes in places with each couple of lanes going to separate places. A full lane sweep was required at one stage to keep travelling in the right direction.

Eventually we arrived at the hotel. Rough would have been an understatement, but once we got into the room everything was fine. These are some pics from the Hotel.

>Me on the phone to Vicky




















>The view from the room















>The Room (With some random people)















>The Driver geting some rare(!) sleep















After exploring the digs we headed of into the city. The hotel was at the airport about 10 miles out so we drove rather than using public transport. The target was the Space Needle and surrounding area. Food was hot on the cards, and a bar from the previous visit was to be the venue, but inconsiderate Seattle people were more content with filling this bar whilst watching an NFL playoff game. Stettle Seahawks Vs Dallas Cowboys. Shocking!

We therefore went for a wander. And found a random fountain.















And a random Space Needle















We then headed to another bar, which wasnt serving food, until the "football" was over in order to pass the time. About 5 pints later an a major league baffelment as to why people find "football" interesting we went to the sports bar for food. There was abotu 20 minutes of the game remaining so we sat in the lounge to the side. Very hungry by this stage, irritated by the crap sport, which i was starting to get into and a over excited Seattleite in the corner led to a painful 20 mintues. Eventually the game finished with one of the Dallas players making an error which will haunt him for the rest of his life the Seahawks won by a single point. Woo! (or at least tahts what we were saying the make the peace, much to the disgust of a 60 yr old Dalals woman)

This is us at the table waiting for food...
































We then headed back to the hotel. Rob Dunc and I went to bed while Steve and John went to the Pub for some Karaoke. They eventually got in at 6am after being to a couple of house parties! Eventually draggign them out of bed we got back into town to go up the Needle and see mroe of Seattle. However Steve decided he would spend the day sleeping in the car. Unbelievable!
















John decided he didnt want to go up the Needle so Dunc, Rob and I went. This is the panoramic of the view over downtown.






John down at the ground















It was very windy up this tower. Whilst having a coffee inside we could feel the tower moving a hefty amount. Very similar feeling to sea sickness!

We then caught the Monorail to downtown to have a butchers. We had a look roud and Dunc tried on some leathers.










And that was pretty much Seattle. A better trip than the time before, but it still dis similar things. Needs a trip for a bit longer to see the other things the city has to offer. Anyway we went back to the car and there was Steve still asleep. Lazy Sod!

Things to do before you're 30 #7 - Drive on a long straight American Road

There are many things I want to do in my life; Go to Australia, Drive from LA to NYC, Engineer FOH on a production tour to name a few.

Today I got to do one of my "must do" things. Drive down a long straight road in the middle of nowhere! Here is a photo blog of this happening and it eventually all going wrong!

1> Rob and I set off in an optimistic manner.














2> We drive out of built up Vancouver on Route 1 and eventually pull off onto a random road. A few turns later the GPS dumps us on this road. Looking good, but still a few many trees for my liking, could do better to live the dream! (You will notice that it has been snowing)














3> Victory is mine! I have found that dream road! Miles of nothing!














4> And the same, just slightly blurred!














5> Then all of a sudden slip on some ice and skid off the road. Car stops about 2 ft from big ditch. Flag a car. Drives Past. Truck goes past. Covers Rob and I in Sludge. Do'h! Walk to nearby farm, no one in. Things are looking bad. Car from before comes back. And stops. Offers to tow us out. Driver says he knows a few people have been killed from the same thing happening when car has gone in ditch. Shock starts to set in. Get Pulled out of verge. This was what was left of the verge. You cant see the road, but skidded in from top right of the image. You can see the place where the wheels spun on initial attempt to get out. Other tracks are where car was pulled out.














I must point out that we are only traveling 25mph. Snow is nasty. I lived the dream of driving down a long straight road in (North) America and survived! Get in!

Another thing I want to do is drive from Los Angeles to New York. Here is a cool video of a guy who has done just that.

Whistler

Today we went on a trip to Whistler. This is where the skiing part of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics will be held.

Whilst away we have had a car on rent allowing us to get a bit further afield. Whistler was top of the places to go list.

These are some pictures from our day here.

> On the journey there.

























































>On the Way there















>John and Rob in Whistler















>One of the ski slopes

































>We could try bobsledding down the mountain















>Blackcomb Mountain















>Tube Park















>More Mountains















And that was Whistler. A must visit to do some skiing at some point!

New Year Pictures

These are some pictures from the New Years. A wild night out was had by all!


> Rob and I Before Leaving


















>Steve, Dunc and John Before





















> Waiting for New Years

















> In need of the toilet, a slight public performance perhaps. Never a good thing.


















> Rob putting on the I'm going to kill someone face, on more than one occasion.

























>Steve in his various moods of the evening


























>Dunc painting the town red. Oh wait, was that Steve?





















>Me



























>John






















>More of Rob, cos it's funny!






















>People John Pulled






















>The Stars of the evening


















>Random Group Pictures
























And that was how New Years 2007 was done. Vancouver Style!