That John Wayne film turns out to be "The High and the Mighty" and has just been repeated on Australian TV.
I was just going to bed when my colleague telephoned me to say that the film was on. I turned on the TV and blow me down, the film was just where I left it. I sat up late late watching it.
John Wayne made San Francisco and landed on the last drop of fuel. What a hero. It was certainly a life and death epic. Funny thing is, according to Wikipedia, the airplane used in the film disappeared over the pacific in real life. The wreckage was never found.
24 hours more here in the southern hemisphere then flying back to blighty.
Tuesday 30 September 2008
Would you hug a koala?
There is an animal park somewhere between Sydney and the Blue Mountains where you can pay to hug a koala. Why would you want to pay to hug a smelly sharp clawed, rough haired, sleepy, heavy, bear when if you find a eucalyptus tree you can throw stones at one until it falls from the tree then hug it without having to pay?
This weekend was the Sydney Marathon and half marathon. This meant that half the city roads were shut down from early morning to mid afternoon. The marathon was won by one of the usual African athletes, however, the time was rather slow at 2 hours 19 minutes and he won by 5 minutes. I am sure one of you guys could have given him more of a run for his money.
Saturday morning I decided to sleep in as Friday I had a bit of a"Sticky Bed" incident. Don't jump to conclusions! All I was trying to say was that I was tired when I woke up and couldn't be bothered to get up out of my bed, thus I was late to breakfast, which I didn't rush,then late to work (just later than usual, i.e. 9:00 AM rather than theusual 8:15 AM). Anyway, Saturday I didn't rise from my pit until 9:30 AM, had a leisurely breakfast then went shopping for tat and souvenirs.
Saturday night I went to the business lounge in the hotel (we are lucky enough to be on the Club floor) and finished off their stock of Bacardi. I had had a late lunch so I didn't bother with dinner.
Sunday morning I had to meet a colleague at 5:30 AM. He was going to drive us up to Pymble where we were going to meet some others and cycle. As I left the hotel at 5:15 AM (dawn was at 5:47) the city was alive with Marathon runners heading towards the start and girls in short black skirts and high heels on their was home from clubs (don't quote me on those interpretations of their intentions, they are assumptions on my part, for all I know Australians might have a precedent for running marathons in short skirts and high heels). We drove up North of Sydney to Pymble, Bobbin Head Rd, and parked. Here we met 3 other guys.
Together we cycled Pymble to Galston Gorge to Berowra Waters to Bobbin Head and back to Bobbin Head Rd, Pymble. A 61km route through three gorges with 3 big hills climbing out of those gorges. It was nice being the second fastest as it took the pressure and angst out. I cycled out of the gorges then turned around and cycled back down to meet the slowest rider then cycled back up with him.
The scenery was lovely, the hills no more than 8% and the temperature rising to the low 30s.
As usual, I had the usual equipment failure. This week I managed to keep the saddle on the bike, however, my cleats came unscrewed from the bottom of my shoes. I was climbing out of a gorge and I was thinking to myself how the cleats had rather a lot of play and thus may be worn out. Just after I got to the top I suddenly found my right shoe coming adrift from the pedal. The cleat stayed on the pedal and the separated from the shoe. Fortunately I didn't loose too many screws and managed to reattach the cleat. I then found that the left cleat was also about to come off so I tightened that up as well.
We got back to the car just after 10:00 AM. As I was hardly warmed up I decided to cycle along the Pacific Highway back into the city, some 20Km (I did 85 Km in total). The nearer I got to the city the more marathon and half marathon runners I saw returning home (strangely, none in high heels and short skirts).
After cycling across Sydney HarbourBridge I got back to my hotel at 11:10 AM. Unfortunate as breakfast stops being served in the Clubroom at 11:00 AM. I put my bike in my hotel room then still sweaty and wearing my baggy lycra shorts and cycling shirt I popped my head around the club room door. Breakfast was being cleared but a swift grab at a plate and a raid on the fast disappearing buffet rewarded me with fruit juice, a couple of slices of toast, and a couple of croissant (one ham and cheese and one chocolate). The staff took pity on me a brought me coffee and a pot of tea. Breakfast was enjoyed along with the Sunday papers.
After breakfast I had a shower and I laid on my bed (in my boxers and a tee shirt) watching a John Wayne Film. I never saw the end as a colleague telephoned and invited me out for afternoon coffee. In the film John Wayne was a co-pilot on a plane flying from Hawaii to California and I saw up to the point where they had gone beyond the point of no return, one engine had failed, a fuel leak meant there was insufficient fuel to make to coast, the weather was bad and the sea below was rough, the radio wasn't working properly and the only radio contact they had was with a ship below who was relaying their messages, one passenger had shot at another after accusing him of sleeping with his wife, they were running out of cigarettes (everyone was chain smoking), and they were throwing the luggage out of the back door of the aircraft to save weight and avoid crashing into the drink.
Does anyone know whether John Wayne managed to save the plane?
This weekend was the Sydney Marathon and half marathon. This meant that half the city roads were shut down from early morning to mid afternoon. The marathon was won by one of the usual African athletes, however, the time was rather slow at 2 hours 19 minutes and he won by 5 minutes. I am sure one of you guys could have given him more of a run for his money.
Saturday morning I decided to sleep in as Friday I had a bit of a"Sticky Bed" incident. Don't jump to conclusions! All I was trying to say was that I was tired when I woke up and couldn't be bothered to get up out of my bed, thus I was late to breakfast, which I didn't rush,then late to work (just later than usual, i.e. 9:00 AM rather than theusual 8:15 AM). Anyway, Saturday I didn't rise from my pit until 9:30 AM, had a leisurely breakfast then went shopping for tat and souvenirs.
Saturday night I went to the business lounge in the hotel (we are lucky enough to be on the Club floor) and finished off their stock of Bacardi. I had had a late lunch so I didn't bother with dinner.
Sunday morning I had to meet a colleague at 5:30 AM. He was going to drive us up to Pymble where we were going to meet some others and cycle. As I left the hotel at 5:15 AM (dawn was at 5:47) the city was alive with Marathon runners heading towards the start and girls in short black skirts and high heels on their was home from clubs (don't quote me on those interpretations of their intentions, they are assumptions on my part, for all I know Australians might have a precedent for running marathons in short skirts and high heels). We drove up North of Sydney to Pymble, Bobbin Head Rd, and parked. Here we met 3 other guys.
Together we cycled Pymble to Galston Gorge to Berowra Waters to Bobbin Head and back to Bobbin Head Rd, Pymble. A 61km route through three gorges with 3 big hills climbing out of those gorges. It was nice being the second fastest as it took the pressure and angst out. I cycled out of the gorges then turned around and cycled back down to meet the slowest rider then cycled back up with him.
The scenery was lovely, the hills no more than 8% and the temperature rising to the low 30s.
As usual, I had the usual equipment failure. This week I managed to keep the saddle on the bike, however, my cleats came unscrewed from the bottom of my shoes. I was climbing out of a gorge and I was thinking to myself how the cleats had rather a lot of play and thus may be worn out. Just after I got to the top I suddenly found my right shoe coming adrift from the pedal. The cleat stayed on the pedal and the separated from the shoe. Fortunately I didn't loose too many screws and managed to reattach the cleat. I then found that the left cleat was also about to come off so I tightened that up as well.
We got back to the car just after 10:00 AM. As I was hardly warmed up I decided to cycle along the Pacific Highway back into the city, some 20Km (I did 85 Km in total). The nearer I got to the city the more marathon and half marathon runners I saw returning home (strangely, none in high heels and short skirts).
After cycling across Sydney HarbourBridge I got back to my hotel at 11:10 AM. Unfortunate as breakfast stops being served in the Clubroom at 11:00 AM. I put my bike in my hotel room then still sweaty and wearing my baggy lycra shorts and cycling shirt I popped my head around the club room door. Breakfast was being cleared but a swift grab at a plate and a raid on the fast disappearing buffet rewarded me with fruit juice, a couple of slices of toast, and a couple of croissant (one ham and cheese and one chocolate). The staff took pity on me a brought me coffee and a pot of tea. Breakfast was enjoyed along with the Sunday papers.
After breakfast I had a shower and I laid on my bed (in my boxers and a tee shirt) watching a John Wayne Film. I never saw the end as a colleague telephoned and invited me out for afternoon coffee. In the film John Wayne was a co-pilot on a plane flying from Hawaii to California and I saw up to the point where they had gone beyond the point of no return, one engine had failed, a fuel leak meant there was insufficient fuel to make to coast, the weather was bad and the sea below was rough, the radio wasn't working properly and the only radio contact they had was with a ship below who was relaying their messages, one passenger had shot at another after accusing him of sleeping with his wife, they were running out of cigarettes (everyone was chain smoking), and they were throwing the luggage out of the back door of the aircraft to save weight and avoid crashing into the drink.
Does anyone know whether John Wayne managed to save the plane?
Early morning rides don't agree with me
I left the hotel at 5:15 AM in the morning - before dawn, on the trusty BH steed. It was a bit chilly and most riders had long sleeves and tights whilst I have only got summer kit so was dressed in shorts and short sleeves. I got to Centennial Park here in Sydney, their equivalent of Richmond Park I suppose (but a lot smaller) and met the guy I was to ride with. We proceeded to ride around the almost flat but windy 3.8 Km circuit. Lots of other riders on shiny bikes with Cervelos and Pinarellos in abundance. First lap 31 Kph, 2nd lap 34 kph, third lap 37 kph, fourth lap 38 (with me at this point having to desparately wheel hug).
I ended up doing 7 laps including two short hill climbs just off of the circuit (well, I did two hill climbs, the other guy did three whilst I sloped (hill/slope, joke, get it?) off to do my last two laps a bit slower on my own). I understand that he did his usual 10 laps in the end.
I was back in the hotel at 7:10 AM, in plenty of time to meet my colleague for a 7:30 breakfast.
I was shattered at my desk with sore legs and no interest in the piece of work I was supposed to be doing and a long evening of business phone calls back to blighty ahead.
I ended up doing 7 laps including two short hill climbs just off of the circuit (well, I did two hill climbs, the other guy did three whilst I sloped (hill/slope, joke, get it?) off to do my last two laps a bit slower on my own). I understand that he did his usual 10 laps in the end.
I was back in the hotel at 7:10 AM, in plenty of time to meet my colleague for a 7:30 breakfast.
I was shattered at my desk with sore legs and no interest in the piece of work I was supposed to be doing and a long evening of business phone calls back to blighty ahead.
Sunday 28 September 2008
Sydney Australia
The Head of IT at the Branch here in Sydney agreed to lend me his triathlon bike for the weekend (together with his helmet, shoes, tools etc. I brought my own customised baggy lycra from the UK to maintain standards). I went out to his house Friday night to collect the bike. I brought it back into the city on the underground (unlike London where bikes are not allowed on the underground, the Aussies are very accommodating and don't bat an eyelid when you lift a bike over the ticket barrier).
The bike is a very nice BH with an aluminium frame, carbon forks and fitted with Ultegra. The gearing is a comp on the front and a 12/25 on the back. The cranks are 172.5 compared to the 170 I usually ride. It also has a built in seat post which means there is very little saddle adjustment without a hacksaw.
Unfortunately the bike is a little big for me so I am stretching to get the cranks around. I can just about cope but it gives me a disadvantage and is not exactly comfortable when the reach to the handlebars is also a stretch.
There are a lot of cyclists here at the branch. A guy on the IT Projects team and one of the Front Office Sales guys arranged to take me out on Saturday morning. At 7:45 AM I came out of my hotel looking for an estate car taxi to take me to the rendezvous point some 30 km north of Sydney at a place called Terrey Hills where we were going to ride in the national park. The taxi driver was not the sharpest of people and looked puzzled when I told him where I was going. I showed him the Google maps print out of the map and instructions on how to get there. He brought out a large magnifying glass and then told me he couldn't read it because it was not in colour. He then proceeded to drive whilst trying to look up the place in a colour road atlas. I decided that safety might be an idea and took the book from him and opened the atlas at the correct page. I then navigated whilst at every set of lights he squinted at the atlas through the magnifying glass. We thankfully arrived safely. I wouldn't want to be his passenger later in the day when there was more traffic around.
Once we were all assembled (there ended up being four of us) we proceeded up the road. About 5 Km out I stood up on my pedals to climb a hill and my saddle fell off! I discovered that the retaining bolt had dropped out some way back along with the retaining mechanism. I resigned myself to a painful ride back to find the nearest bike shop to buy a new saddle. Two of the lads went on and I and one other started back. About 1 Km later the guy I was riding with spotted the parts in the road and I was saved. I rebuilt the saddle (aren't they complicated!) and we set off again.
We did 50 Km over a hilly terrain in the sun and heat. It hit 31 degrees. We even saw the beach where the Australian soap "Home and Away" was filmed.
On the way back into town I was going to catch the train, however, due to track works there were no trains, just a bus replacement service. The driver surprisingly allowed me on with the bike and we started a slow drive back to town. The bus got more and more crowded until we were playing sardines for the last 20 minutes.
I was shattered in the afternoon and after a plate of room service spaghetti bolognaise and a banana split (the banana split was off the childs menu) was just falling asleep on my bed when a colleague called me to invite me to join him and his partner for coffee and cake in town. I was home asleep in my hotel bed by 8:00 PM
On Sundays there is a big group that rides out from Kings Cross (not that far from my hotel in the Central Business District) at 8:00 am and I was planning join them for a ride. On Sunday morning I got up and looked out the window. It was pouring with rain. I did venture down to reception to stick my head out the front door of the hotel just to assure myself it was not going to stop before I decided against going and went back to bed.
A little later when the rain abated, I met up with a colleague and we walked from Bronte passed Bondi up to the ferry at Watsons Point (about 6 miles) stopping occasionally for coffee. At one point we stopped to ask a spotty youth whether there was a route we could walk that went along the coast or whether we had to walk inland. He replied that we might as well take the bus. He looked very perplexed when we insisted that we wanted to walk and asked our question again - I mean, why would anyone want to walk when you could take a bus?
Tomorrow morning (Tuesday) I have to be in Centennial Park at 5:45 AM for laps (a bit like Richmond Park) before work, and I think some of the lads here have got some other challenging rides to test me - oh dear. Well, at least I am getting some riding in.
The bike is a very nice BH with an aluminium frame, carbon forks and fitted with Ultegra. The gearing is a comp on the front and a 12/25 on the back. The cranks are 172.5 compared to the 170 I usually ride. It also has a built in seat post which means there is very little saddle adjustment without a hacksaw.
Unfortunately the bike is a little big for me so I am stretching to get the cranks around. I can just about cope but it gives me a disadvantage and is not exactly comfortable when the reach to the handlebars is also a stretch.
There are a lot of cyclists here at the branch. A guy on the IT Projects team and one of the Front Office Sales guys arranged to take me out on Saturday morning. At 7:45 AM I came out of my hotel looking for an estate car taxi to take me to the rendezvous point some 30 km north of Sydney at a place called Terrey Hills where we were going to ride in the national park. The taxi driver was not the sharpest of people and looked puzzled when I told him where I was going. I showed him the Google maps print out of the map and instructions on how to get there. He brought out a large magnifying glass and then told me he couldn't read it because it was not in colour. He then proceeded to drive whilst trying to look up the place in a colour road atlas. I decided that safety might be an idea and took the book from him and opened the atlas at the correct page. I then navigated whilst at every set of lights he squinted at the atlas through the magnifying glass. We thankfully arrived safely. I wouldn't want to be his passenger later in the day when there was more traffic around.
Once we were all assembled (there ended up being four of us) we proceeded up the road. About 5 Km out I stood up on my pedals to climb a hill and my saddle fell off! I discovered that the retaining bolt had dropped out some way back along with the retaining mechanism. I resigned myself to a painful ride back to find the nearest bike shop to buy a new saddle. Two of the lads went on and I and one other started back. About 1 Km later the guy I was riding with spotted the parts in the road and I was saved. I rebuilt the saddle (aren't they complicated!) and we set off again.
We did 50 Km over a hilly terrain in the sun and heat. It hit 31 degrees. We even saw the beach where the Australian soap "Home and Away" was filmed.
On the way back into town I was going to catch the train, however, due to track works there were no trains, just a bus replacement service. The driver surprisingly allowed me on with the bike and we started a slow drive back to town. The bus got more and more crowded until we were playing sardines for the last 20 minutes.
I was shattered in the afternoon and after a plate of room service spaghetti bolognaise and a banana split (the banana split was off the childs menu) was just falling asleep on my bed when a colleague called me to invite me to join him and his partner for coffee and cake in town. I was home asleep in my hotel bed by 8:00 PM
On Sundays there is a big group that rides out from Kings Cross (not that far from my hotel in the Central Business District) at 8:00 am and I was planning join them for a ride. On Sunday morning I got up and looked out the window. It was pouring with rain. I did venture down to reception to stick my head out the front door of the hotel just to assure myself it was not going to stop before I decided against going and went back to bed.
A little later when the rain abated, I met up with a colleague and we walked from Bronte passed Bondi up to the ferry at Watsons Point (about 6 miles) stopping occasionally for coffee. At one point we stopped to ask a spotty youth whether there was a route we could walk that went along the coast or whether we had to walk inland. He replied that we might as well take the bus. He looked very perplexed when we insisted that we wanted to walk and asked our question again - I mean, why would anyone want to walk when you could take a bus?
Tomorrow morning (Tuesday) I have to be in Centennial Park at 5:45 AM for laps (a bit like Richmond Park) before work, and I think some of the lads here have got some other challenging rides to test me - oh dear. Well, at least I am getting some riding in.
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