Thebiddleblog

Test pre trip

debo — Sat, 7 Feb 2026 10:12:00 GMT

Hey! 1 week pre trip and i found my journal from the trip where Estefy and I met and thought maybe would keep a record of our return trip to South America, this time 12 years on!

We are spending the last week saying good bye to all our friends and looking forward to landing un Equador! This is a test to see if the journal still works so I can record a summary of what we have done alongside the social mmedia photos. I think its nice to look back and see where we have been.

So, lets continue the last week, how strange to be away from everyone friends and family but we fly towards more friends and family so thats amazing!

How lucky we are in a worlds with so many complications to be able to travel together and experience spaces new!

Last time 12 years agoni was leaving my Ruby (doggie) and now she is up in the sky we are leaving little Luna (doggie) . See you in 3 ish months!

Will return and write in spanish too...must practice!

Hawaii and Buenos Aires, amazing end to an amazing trip!

debo — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 08:11:00 GMT

Well, last biddle update told about my trials and tribulations crossing mountain passes and cycling down scary roads…since then its been sun, sea, food, and parties!!! Mas relajado!! I flew back into Buenos Aires after peru and and had one day to cram all the Dulce de leche i could stomach into my body before I took to the skys again for a trip to Hawaii with Estefy, my official Buenos Aires host!!!

We had a two night stop over in LA which was amazing, spent the nights in Americas version of Travel lodge which had a pool, a diner outside serving the best smoothies and largest breakfasts in the world! Visited Vence beach and Santa Monica pier before flying off to Maui for some well needed tropical weather!!! The ‘condo’ we booked was right on the ocean and the lady who ran it spent a good deal of time telling us that quiet time was every second and smoking could only be done until 9.30 in one specific corner of the complex!!! It was clear that we had left the relaxed attitude of South America but this old lady had a charm all of her own so we went with the flow and obeyed all the rules!!! Every morning a view of the sea, every night the sunsets and the waves in our ears….perfect!!! We had 8 nights on Maui and with the trusty ‘Dodge’ as our chauffeur we covered almost the whole island. The beaches were not clogged with people, the snorkelling was amazing and until we heard about the occurrence of shark attacks at certain spots where we had been snorkelling we didn't have a care in the world!!! Dont worry, its safe to swim most places in Mauii but I have to say we were a bit more vigilant when we met a former Mauii resident diving instructor who gave us lots of advice about how not to tempt a shark towards us!!!

Spent one of the days driving the ‘road to hana’ which is a famous drive for tourists on Mauii taking most of the day , stopping at waterfalls and other sights on a winding road on the east of the island. I have always wanted to plunge into a blue water fall and that we did! Fantastic. Food was amazing, my coeliac travel companion couldn't believe it when we were handed a whole menu of gluten free options!! (In Argentina they are a bit slow on the uptake with food for all!! There is something to be said for the American culture of we will sue you if you you dont treat us fairly…ha ha!!) Another day we took an adventure option and did zip lining up in the middle of the Island. 8 lines over 300 to 500 meters each, really fun!!! Couldn't get enough of the relaxed atmosphere and beautiful surroundings on Maui, definitely a must visit…especially if you want to swim with turtles (How many did you spot Estefy?! I wouldn't have noticed one….really biddle, open your eyes, the water is full of them!!) Anyway, all good things have to end at some point and so we said good bye to the best car in the world and headed back south!

The remaining 3 weeks of my trip I decided to spend in Buenos Aires, and what a lovely 3 weeks it has been! I passed my birthday here which was spent being a tourist in the city, pic nic in th park and a great surprise party courtesy of Estefy which I never guessed! Thank you to the Lopez family and friends for looking after this gringo so well. I got a cake, pizza, and lovely presents, all made for a fantastic entry to hmm, my 34th year on earth!!! Then easter which is marked here with, yes you guessed….massive amounts of food! Saw the biggest bbq i have ever seen in my life!!!

The rest of the time has been spent generally having an amazing time in the city that stole my heart and I am really going to be sad to leave. But there is always time to come back hey!!! I also signed up for a few more Spanish lessons so I can get to grips with how to speak in the past tense…otherwise how am i going to bore the rest of the Spanish speaking population with all my travel stories when i get home!!!???

So, on my last week now and making the most of the time I have left before launching myself back to work, the UK, having a commitment in a day! Really had such a fantastic trip and just love South America. Thank you all the Biddettes who have followed me and thank you to all the people I have met out here, particularly you Buenos Aires types, what a lovely friendly welcoming place to be!!!

Going to go now before i start to sound like a tit!!! Every one should either travel or do something new at home this year, it might surprise you!!!!

Love to all xxxxx

Peru and Bolivia, mountains and the death road!!!

debo — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 02:05:00 GMT

Peru and Bolivia (the business trip!)

Hola to all!! I am writing to update you about my recent moments in the above countries. Last update I had spent a very lovely month in buenos aires learning Spanish and I turfed myself out of a cosy home to get back to the traveller diet and guest house lifestyle for a couple of weeks. I flew over to Lima and then Cusco and arrived at altitude 3399 meters to this beautiful town. No blocks of buildings here, ancient streets, hills, cobbles, llamas, small women with funny hats and beautiful mountains surrounding me! Que Liiiiiindddaaaa!!! (How beautiful !) I hadn't slept over night due to the times of my flights so of course took a walking tour of the town with sleepy eyes and breathless body. It was great! However, i managed to develop a bit of a fever so had to hold off for one night on my trek towards Machu Picchu.

Mostly recovered I woke up at 4 am to begin what was now a 4 day trek over Salkantay mountain (6271 meters altitude!) which would end in Aguas Calientes, the feeder town for Machu picchu. Met a great group of people on my trek and walked probably 7 hours a day on average (I have to admit the most difficult 4 hours of the climb I piked out and took a very strong and stubborn donkey due to my previous illness/lazyness/knackeredness!!!) The views at the top of Salkantay Mountain were fantastic!!! It had snowed the night before so it really did feel like Mount Everest up there!!! I certainly had a new found respect for my crazy sister and her husband who scaled Mera Peak in Nepal for 21 days for their honey moon!!! I was knackered after just 4 days !! Rock on Em and James!!!

We stayed 2 nights in tents on the mountain side and the porters who hoiked all our stuff up began after our group and of course overtook us on route, they were amazing!!! The food was amazing too, popcorn and hot chocolate followed by a 3 course meal and all the coca tea you can drink!! The final day of the trek I took a well needed shower and we stayed in a very comfortable hostel right in the mountains in Aguas Calientes, beautiful. Next day up at 3 am and was supposed to see the sun rise at Machu picchu but it was cloudy so instead we watched the morning light bring the mist up over a very atmospheric view of the ancient site. Wow is all I can say. I mostly never think places live up to what’s in your mind but in the morning mist, surrounded by peaks I certainly felt the mystery of the place. The day brightened up and the sun came later and I hiked around the site, up and down staircases and paths, in and out of old buildings and temples. Really was a great day.

Returning to Cusco on the night train I left the following night bound for Bolivia. The only thing I wanted to do in the North of the country was to bike the worlds most dangerous road so La Paz here I came!!! What a buzz!!! 64 kilometres down, 20 on the normal paved road and 40 odd on the old road which is now mostly closed to traffic. If you like down hill mountain biking don’t miss this. Got totally soaked as it rained all day but who cares when you are zipping down trails with hundreds of meters drop to your left!!! Although La Paz is a crazy city with very dodgy toilets I actually quite liked it in the end. After a little bit of shopping and some coffee and conversations I boarded a bus heading back to Cusco where I fly back to BA. It has been an interesting couple of weeks but I am looking forward to returning and next destination is Hawaii!!! Bring me some sunshine!!!! Necicito a tan!!

Well folks, sorry to babble on but I am done now. Adios from the bus headed to the mountains once more and will update post Hawaii!!! Buenos Aires, the explorer is on her way!!! NECICITO DULCE DE LECHE!!!!! XXXX

Buenos Aires and Español!

debo — Sun, 9 Mar 2014 08:42:00 GMT

The month of Febuary, Buenos Aires!!

Hello fellow biddle followers!! How are you? Como estan one and all!!! When I last updated I was about to embark on my learning of this fine Spanish language and I was looking forward to a month in one place getting to know the (‘City of Buenos Aires!’) Well, it has been a fantastic month, and thanks to my host Estefy I have been introduced to the transport system of this crazy town with out getting lost or getting on the wrong train for a whole month!!! Well taught I feel!! So, the month has passed with being squashed into strangers armpits during rush hour (which seems to be at any time of the day except siesta time), experiencing the commute, learning verbs, meeting some lovely people on my course and of course practicing my new Spanish with Estefy and her very patient family and friends who have all been very kind listening to me attempt to speak the language!!! I have had such a great time and am by no means fluent but can express myself a bit more and understand some of what is being said to me as I go along!!! Ahora, necicito practicar mucho mucho!!!

Some interesting things to note about the city of Buenos Aires…..always wear sunglasses wherever you go, when people ask you for directions look interested, nod your head a lot and look pensive before explaining that I am not from here and sorry i can not help, wear flip flops everywhere even if it rains because any other shoes get soaked and at any given time of the day or night it is perfectly acceptable to go out for ice cream…..o and put sugar on potato based products….its what they do!!! The funniest thing is that every where you go in this city couples just make out everywhere…not like that in blighty…well maybe on a saturday night outside niche in aylesbury, I have witnessed not taken part!! Waiting for a train, kiss passionately…….. outside the supermarket, kiss passionately again….. walk down the street, stop for a fag…kiss like you’ve come back from a war unharmed…why not!!!! So funny, and no one bats an eye lid, not even the oldies give a shit!!! Fantastic!!! Dont worry, i'm being very british, no PDAs here!!! I have laughed so much at some of the amazing differences between here and where I live and also discovered many similarities and basically love being here, really glad I came.

I had to force myself to leave and boarded a plane bound for Peru and the inca trail and this is where I am now, Cuzco, in the mountains of Peru, its fing cold at night but beautiful!!! I am due on the Caminar del Inca on the 10th so just getting my thermals ready and resting before a five day hike into the hills, destination Machu Picchu. Photos to follow of my month in Buenos Aires, time flying too fast now!!!!!

Next update will be post Peru, chau chicos and hope all are ok back in the UK and round the world (obviously my blog is just about to go global!!! ha ha ha!!!) Love you biddettes xxxxxx

The month of January, BA to Chile and back

debo — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 15:55:00 GMT

Buenos aires to Chile, the month of January

Calling all Biddetts!!! Bit longer this one as i have been off the radar for sometime….dont worry if you get bored, the pics will be on fb soon!!! you do not have to continue!!!

Hola from Argentina!! I have had a very great start to my year, the last update I sent I was staying in Buenos Aires for a few days with a lovely friend I met in Iguazu. Well, a few days turned into two weeks and I got to see the north part of the city and go to places I would never have heard of without my native chica! Two weeks passed so quickly with pic nic s and swimming in a beautiful water park called Tigre in the north, wonderful food cooked in a proper kitchen, meals out and met some really great friends of my host. All in all such a fantastic time and I was sad to leave!

I dragged myself onto another mammoth bus journey and travelled 22 hours west and north to a town called Salta where I ended up staying for about a week. Had a fantastic time doing white water rafting, zip lining and horse riding and met some great people to while away the time with in this great little (its quite big actually but everything is small compared to Buenos Aires!) town. Plus, the vodka measures made my brain swirl....why do these argentines insist that half a litre of vodka is a single measure!!!??

I left to take another bus (this time only 10 hours, how easy!!) towards the Chilean border headed for the desert town of San pedro de Atacama. The drive was beautiful!! We passed though all the natural sights that I was too lazy to see from Salta so I got to see Argentina’s salt flats, the 7 coloured mountains (they have 7 colours btw!!!) and vast spaces of nothing like i never seen before. There is one proper road towards Chile here and every small road off it is a dirt road and I actually saw a lone cyclist, prob 3 hours drive before the border……where are you going!!!??? I think he must have crossed by now!!

Anyway, the town of San Pedro is the only place for miles and is the centre for such desert sights of salt flats, weird water holes, natural springs and crazy valleys that look like the moon. I stayed there for 5 nights and was joined by my host from Buenos Aires and we spend 4 days exploring this strange area of the country together.

On day one we cycled 60 kilometres (yes, i sound like a nutter like my sister!!) in the midday heat of the desert to a salt lake which was so blue and deep and freezing that i actually thought it was a mirage by the time we made there!! Like the dead sea you float because its full of salt and it is freezing in the middle!! Day 2 was a 4 am start and we took a tour into the mountains to see the Gayser del Tatio which is a geothermal field with loads of hot water spewing holes in the grounds. This is a national sight now and they properly control who enters but our guide told us that a few years ago, before the government monitored who went in and out any old tour company would turn up, people could walk anywhere and poor women who went off for a wee sometimes found themselves squatting over a boiling hot water hole, if you step on the wrong part you get a nasty burn!!! Sometimes its a good thing when controls and organisation are in place!!!

Well, it was minus 5 degrees when we arrived to watch the sunrise, we walked around and then west for a swim in the thermal baths there….man it was cold getting out afterwards!!! The tour got us back for an afternoon siesta and then at 4 it was to ‘Death Valley” for sand boarding!!! Such fun!!! (It the words of Miranda!!) Pictures to follow on FB!!! Anyway, following being completely covered in sand the day ended with a scramble up the Valle de luna (moon valley) after we sacked off our guide for a bit and got semi lost in the coolest cave ever through the valley floor). We found our group and ascended the climb to watch the sunset over this strange valley covered with what looked like salt, it really does look a bit like the moon (not that i have been there, next trip!!!)

So, after a packed few days in the desert I headed back to Buenos Aires and experienced the joys of being a standby passenger with LAN air courtesy of my travel pal (thank you for the rock bottoms prices, for putting up with scrabble and the standby experience Estefy!)!!!! We spent the afternoon missing flights due to unavailable seats but at 8 o'clock became confirmed passengers and ran through the airport, no flip-flops, mad dash through customs, to make our plane home!!! (It’s the only way to travel!!!) ha ha!!!

I am now in Buenos Aires for a month starting my spanish lessons here. Will blog when i have completed my school and we shall see how much i learn!!! hope all are well back in england. dont worry, summer is winding down here so i am getting rained on at least half as much as you all are!!!! Chou for now chicos y chicas!!!!!

From beach to city!

debo — Wed, 8 Jan 2014 07:04:00 GMT

Punta del Diablo to Buenos Aires via some rough water! 21st Dec to 6th Jan 2014!!!

First of all HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL!! I am starting the new year with these resolutions……spend more time in the sun, do new things that make me feel happy, dont stress about time or how hot it is when waiting for a bus…just wait it will arrive!! Listen constantly to the music of Ana Carolina (Jamie Lyon you are my guru!!!) And these are all coming true so far this year!!!!

I last sent a blog update following a relaxing and at the same time bone aching week on ‘Juan’ Waynes ranch in the north of Uruguay. Since then a couple of weeks have passed, Christmas and New Year have come and gone and I am now over a month into my trip!! Had a lovely few nights in Punta del Diablo on the southern coast of Uruguay, what a lovely place to while away the days, lovely hostel with great people and friends made, much english tea drank, much time spent on the beach and in the sea, one piss up for debs (who gave the Brazilians Jack Daniels….??!!!) and galloping across the sands of the playa grande, what a rush!!!

I finally dragged myself away from paradise and hiked up the country on buses towards Iguazzu falls Argentina. I spent a surprise couple of nights in a border town called Salto which was actually really peaceful and instead of getting annoyed that I was stuck in a town where nothing worked on a sunday, i relaxed and decided fate had a reason for this. Then my journey really began…tiny ‘ferry’ across the river from the largest looking port jetty, sat at a bus station for 7 hours eating only orios for my breakfast lunch and tea, paying 2 pesos for the grubby toilet (3 sheets of loo roll is all you are allowed at that price, there is actually an old hag on the door doling out your toilet roll allowance!!) , sweating any remaining body fat into the ground but passing the time on the very good wifi connection! Travelling, full of contradictions! Then I landed in the luxury bus experience that is Argentinas transport system….wow….leg room, ability to lye down, the seats are called arm chairs (and they are), 3 course dinner, little blanket and a pillow…..easy jet should learn!!!

I rocked up in Puerto Iguazu (nearest town to the falls Argentina side) to see the spectacle which is Iguazzu falls. I stayed in a great hostel (Hostel Inn) with a pool, a party for new year and had a really fantastic time full of getting totally soaked, wandering round the national park trails, seeing furry little animals which had a tag on if they were too agressive and did a boat ride right under a part of the waterfalls. I saw the beginning and end of a rainbow, and i got to tell you....no pot of gold....we have been lied to!!! The most amazing part of the series of waterfalls was Garganta del Diablo or the Devil’s throat being the most impressive and loudest babbling brook I have ever seen (everything has the devil in its name out here!!!!) I Met a great ‘travel guide’ for the 3 days who did all the Spanish speaking I could not and just had a really fantastic time, despite the fact that we found that almost everything (apart from the waterfalls) we wanted to do was closed….who cares, great times and its sunny outside lol! I am now staying in Buenos Aires for a few days and feel that this is definitely the place to be. Everyone should come to Latin America!!!

Will send an update in a couple of weeks, really hope everyone at home or wherever you are had a great Christmas and New year and big love to all Biddle followers out there!!! xxxxx

Pictures to follow on FB xxxx

Get off your horse and drink your milk (from alan partridge for the uninitiated)!!

debo — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 08:19:00 GMT

Montevideo to the North, Gaucho country 16th Dec 2013 to 21st Dec 2013

Wow, well after a 5 hours bus ride on what has got to be the best luxury bus experience ever (UK busses pay attention!!) I arrived at the norther town of Tuacerembo, Uruguay on 16th Dec. This is goucho country (cowboys) and the small ‘city’ is surrounded by plains and rocky tops and more plains as far as you can see. Everyone owns horses and pick up trucks, everyone lives on or works for a ranch and it is so quiet as soon as you leave the city behind. I was collected by my host ‘Juan’ (what else would a Uruguayan be called???!!!) and driven about an hour away to his ranch which he owns with his Swiss wife. He has been a rancher all his life but 10/12 years ago Uruguay hit an economic crisis so they decided to open the ranch up to back packers and any tourist in an effort to of course make some cash but to open the north up to travellers who tend to stick to the southern coast line.

How glad am i that I came up here? Well, the ranch sits among 2400 acres of green plains, they farm sheep for wool and cows and have a few chickens knocking round. They have 84 horses to make the farm run. I walked into the downstairs of the old ranch house (which is all mine!) and it is perfect, room for 19 guests and at the moment I am the only one! So after 2 weeks of dorms and cities, the only noise I can hear at night are crickets and the odd distant cow and I'm eating steak and salad with free tea ….perfect!!!

I spent the week going along on all the day to day jobs of the farm with Juan and his gaucho mate. We herded cattle from one far flung field to another, we treated sores of calves, we sent cows flying into the water dip for tick treatment ready for sale at the market, I herded sheep, cut logs and helped feed a baby cow! All day is spent on horse back and it was brilliant! (I have to admit the professionals did the lions share of the work!!!) You only ride with one hand here (very John Wayne) and I basically observed and took part in the whole process of farming cattle and sheep in this traditional and effective way. The day begins at 8 till about half 12, then you have a rest till 3, then out again till 7. The food is home cooked and amazing (I actually had salad in this meat obsessed country) and meat of course and all kinds of amazingly yummy food.

All in all a complete highlight of my trip, everyone should come to Northern Uruguay and to this ranch ‘Panega’, so different to anywhere I have been and a great experience. I wouldn't say I am a professional cowboy (girl!) but I didn't mess anything up or get lost and I got a great chance to see a way of life completely different to my own (although the farm house was surprisingly reminiscent of my nan Biddle’s house minus the fly traps lol Dad!!!!)

Hope all ok at home, sorry to ramble but fantastic week. Now I am relaxing back in the beach town of Punta del Diablo, Uruguay and will be here for Christmas. More surfing, swimming and a horse ride or two over next few days. All have a lovely Christmas !!!! Miss you love you !!!! Biddle has survived the horses to swim another day!!!

Flying in Rio to chilling in Uruguay

debo — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 11:28:00 GMT

When i last blogged I was about to jump of a very high cliff and you saw on FB that i am now infact, alive and well!!!! Phew!!! Was actually so sad to leave Rio, such a great time there but must moveon so arrived in Buenos Aires Argentina at silly oclock and had a lazy first two days recovering! The hostel Estiroli had a great ambiance and roof top garden to watch the city below and met some nice people to while away the hours and catch some city sun!!! By the 3rd day I ventured out on my bicyle (very JBFLETCHER OF ME!!!) The bike looked like the actual one she rides about cabbot cove in solving mysteries...... I nearly got bashed by a taxi but alas, no murders did i solve!!!! Fun day and great way to explore the city, went south to an area called La Bocca (apparantly some football team is really popular here....bore!!!) the area itself is really colourful so when the guide stopped talking about football it was a great trip!

. Next stop is Colonia del Sacremento in Uruguay which is just across the water, arriving here it’s like the cities I had visited up till now dont exist….the streets are full of cars from the 50s and its really calm and quiet. It’s like the Uruguayans roll on round their day at a chilled pace, taxis don't run you over, you can walk everywhere and no one is trying to nick your stuff!!! And they legalised canabis the day I arrived but I did not partake.....perhaps this is why everyone is so calm over here. Now I am in the capital which is just as serene but bigger. Just got back from 4 hours on another bike…..mountain bike with only one gear.....in plus 30 degrees….come on tan and lost about half my body weight!!!

Tomorrow i make my way towards a gaucho style working ranch in the north of the country. No internet, no phone reception, no electricity (apart from 3 hours in the eve) so will blog again at Christmas after 5 nights herding cattle lol!!! Don't know what to expect but I am sure it will be fun!! Got to look for a pick up truck outside the bus station...will the biddle sense of direction find this one.....who knows!!!??

Hope you all at home are ok and bet its exciting now it is nearly christmas!!!! BIG LOVE TO ALL XXXXX BIDDLE OUT XXX

PS I AM JESSICA FLETCHER!!!!

PHOTOS TO FOLLOW ON FB XXX

RIO DE JANEIRO

debo — Sun, 8 Dec 2013 03:30:00 GMT

Hello biddettes!!! thank you for checking in on me…… ! Well, Rio is a great place for music and people and a lot of busy life but i have only seen some parts of this huge city in my 6 night stay. I stayed first in Receiro which is 40 odd mins out from central Rio, relaxed beaches and safe streets. The second half of my week here I am in the border of Lapa and Santa Teresa, old neighbourhood of Rio full of artists and musicians.

The week started off with a visit to Rio Surf and Stay which was so fun, learning how to surf!!! I took 2 lessons over the 3 night stay so that is two mornings of surfing and yes, I am full of salt water (which I drank in the surf, not a voluntary Brazilian delicacy!)…..But, I stood up on my first go (for 3 seconds) and continued to really enjoy falling off and balancing……and falling off….and swimming back out…you get the idea!!! This place had quiet beaches and perfect views. Safe at night to walk around the Favela (shanty town…..but nowhere near as dirty and smelly as the ones in india!!!) and a lovely hostel. Had a really nice time.

Next I did 3 nights in Lapa/ Santa Teresa border which is I picked it as it is known to be kind of relaxed and bohemian and it is near to the two sights I really want to see in Rio (the sugar loaf mountain and the Christ the Redeemer statue). My guest house is full of holes which leaked in the fantastic rain storm of my first night but it is perfect; and people playing Latin music all night, barbecues and really nice relaxed people. Did the city tour which was great value and saw the fantastic statue of Christ looming over Rio.

Tomorrow I am trying to arrange to hang glide off of one of Rio’s mountains but it is weather dependant so i am really hoping i can do it!!! Next update will be from Uruguay… next stop Buenos Aires then into Uruguay heading for the wide open spaces and more beaches !!! love to all !!! xxxps, can't upload pics from my lap top to nomad (as i is stupid!) so will attach in FB xxxx

Arrival

debo — Tue, 3 Dec 2013 05:27:00 GMT

Quick message to say I have arrived!!! Flights were non eventful and I seem to have avoided jet leg and found myself crossing times zones and still feeling human! after not having opted for airport collection set about getting the bus to my first port of call rio surf and stay.... After an offer from a shoe shiner to shine my very minging trainers and successfully getting my first bus, I of course got lost on the second one!!! Ended up getting a free second bus and a taxi to here (surf camp) and staying in a dorm room with some nice people and a surf lesson to look forward to in the morning xxx will update after my first week of travelling but at least I found the first stop!!! Rio srems very chilled from this view point xxx will figure photos on next blog xxx love deb

Test

debo — Sat, 16 Nov 2013 08:37:00 GMT

Preparing to leave and only four shifts left to go till no more work for 5 months!! (Sorry all:-/) first entry to check if I am a true techno fool or not!! Car goes tomorrow and it is then just me, the bike and o, snow before I leave the country!! Count down till 1st Dec and surf....bodi from point break you are my hero!!!