I'm too old for this kind of thing. I was made redundant in the great dotcom crash of the new Millennium [does that sound better than 'certain people I shouldn't describe publicly decided to quoteunquote downsize the staff just as we moved from loss to profit with no help from them']. I got a pay-off that was moderate by cyber-standards but was too good to burn on the front steps of the office in a blaze of defiance.
The chance to pay off many debts and a slice of the mortgage? Or the chance to get some air in the hair and blast the cobwebs, having sat behind a desk for the last 13 years?
I have a stunningly understanding wife and, with the prospect of riding a bike through assorted 'Stans to Kazakhstan ended by the events of September 11th, I turned my attention to South America.
I'd been to Peru, Brazil (Amazonas, Bahia, Rio) and Bolivia on a backpacking trip in 1985, when I had no grey hair. Loved it.
And I'd been riding a Vespa through London's traffic for two years. Loved that too.
Put them together and this is what you get.
Now I'm back in London and chained to a desk again. Would I do it all again? In a second. And I think you should, too...
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Without whom... Part#1
I mentioned the stunningly understanding wife? She stood on the front door with a tear in her eye as I left for the airport, a moment I shall always remember. Then, by all accounts, she promptly got more invitations and nights out with friends than in the last five years! Either all our friends hate me, or they were trying to keep her from being lonely. Email contact and the odd phonecall kept us both sane. Things have changed since then. As in - we split up. That doesn't change how I felt about her during the trip. Ta, babe! This one's for you.
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Without whom... Part#2
A huge word of thanks to my brother Nick. As well as designing the banner and buttons that will make this site look half decent, he also introduced me to the joys of two-wheels when I was just a wee lad, as you can see.
Luckily, and bravely, he selflessly forewarned me of the dangers of the mullet haircut. For all this, thanks.
In the meantime please email me if you find anything you like... or hate.
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