Wednesday, March 14
UOBC2007 Roadshow - Somewhere in the middle lands
The trip northward is proving quite challenging, to say the least.
After a broken night’s sleep, I decided an early dawn start was necessary. The brightening light finally enabled me to break free from the M25 ring of concrete, spotting a convenient drainage channel running below the motorway, and across to the beckoning land beyond.
Unfortunately my mode of escape was at the cost of picking up a somewhat pungent odour along the way. A bit like trying to cut around one of the Dartmoor bogs, but getting rather too intimately acquainted
A few miles later, ducking into a wash-up at a truck stop to try to reduce the increasing odour, I had my first piece of luck. A very amiable truck driver called Fancy (ex US marine apparently) offered to give me a lift north. An interesting journey but I felt at times the US/UK language barrier may have created a bit of misunderstanding.
On explaining my mission, to get to the UK Outdoors Blogger Convention 2007 ® Roadshow Fancy related his own outdoor exploits, in a place I’d not come across somewhere in the wilds of the USA.
At least thats how I interpreted it as he seemed very eager to invite me along to take a walk on the ‘Wild Side’. Somewhere in the Appalachians possibly?
I felt things were getting a little more confused as Fancy’s conversation turned to his appreciation of films, particularly a recent blockbuster called, if I recall correctly, Bareback Mountain? When I replied that I'd never come across it Fancy muttered something about sorting that problem out. A strange comment I thought at the time. Could have been his southern accent. Who knows.
It was around then that I started to become a little more concerned as Fancy kept glancing at THE HAT, and showing an interest in, 'trying it on'. At least I think that’s what he was talking about.
By now aware of Fancy’s somewhat bulging physique, the muscles of which I could see due to his vest T shirt and shorts (it was very hot inside the truck cab), I felt the situation was becoming a little uncomfortable.
Well. The hat must get through. It has an appointment with destiny.
So with that in mind Fancy and I parted company. With some rapidity.
He even stopped the truck. What a nice chap.
And as he drove off he left me with a cheery farewell, using what I guess was a traditional US truckers farewell of '....xxxxx.xxxxxxx you limey bastard' Couldn't quite catch the first bit due to the roar of the engine.
And now I'm a little further north, but time to head west and follow the sunset.
Surely the day can only get better after the road trip so far.
So here I am.
Not too sure exactly where here is, but the signpost reads Welcome to Royston Vasey.
Hope there's some good food and a pleasant B&B after last night's sleep out.
JH, posting from Royston Vasey Internet Cafe ' Local cyberspace for local people'Labels: UOBC2007 Roadshow
After a broken night’s sleep, I decided an early dawn start was necessary. The brightening light finally enabled me to break free from the M25 ring of concrete, spotting a convenient drainage channel running below the motorway, and across to the beckoning land beyond.
Unfortunately my mode of escape was at the cost of picking up a somewhat pungent odour along the way. A bit like trying to cut around one of the Dartmoor bogs, but getting rather too intimately acquainted
A few miles later, ducking into a wash-up at a truck stop to try to reduce the increasing odour, I had my first piece of luck. A very amiable truck driver called Fancy (ex US marine apparently) offered to give me a lift north. An interesting journey but I felt at times the US/UK language barrier may have created a bit of misunderstanding.
On explaining my mission, to get to the UK Outdoors Blogger Convention 2007 ® Roadshow Fancy related his own outdoor exploits, in a place I’d not come across somewhere in the wilds of the USA.
At least thats how I interpreted it as he seemed very eager to invite me along to take a walk on the ‘Wild Side’. Somewhere in the Appalachians possibly?
I felt things were getting a little more confused as Fancy’s conversation turned to his appreciation of films, particularly a recent blockbuster called, if I recall correctly, Bareback Mountain? When I replied that I'd never come across it Fancy muttered something about sorting that problem out. A strange comment I thought at the time. Could have been his southern accent. Who knows.
It was around then that I started to become a little more concerned as Fancy kept glancing at THE HAT, and showing an interest in, 'trying it on'. At least I think that’s what he was talking about.
By now aware of Fancy’s somewhat bulging physique, the muscles of which I could see due to his vest T shirt and shorts (it was very hot inside the truck cab), I felt the situation was becoming a little uncomfortable.
Well. The hat must get through. It has an appointment with destiny.
So with that in mind Fancy and I parted company. With some rapidity.
He even stopped the truck. What a nice chap.
And as he drove off he left me with a cheery farewell, using what I guess was a traditional US truckers farewell of '....xxxxx.xxxxxxx you limey bastard' Couldn't quite catch the first bit due to the roar of the engine.
And now I'm a little further north, but time to head west and follow the sunset.
Surely the day can only get better after the road trip so far.
So here I am.
Not too sure exactly where here is, but the signpost reads Welcome to Royston Vasey.
Hope there's some good food and a pleasant B&B after last night's sleep out.
JH, posting from Royston Vasey Internet Cafe ' Local cyberspace for local people'
Labels: UOBC2007 Roadshow
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