Arrived in San Francisco

The journey begins
I hardly slept last night; it was late when I got to bed. By the time I’d finished all my packing and tidied the house up, I don’t want the burglars to think I’m not house-proud, it was 1.30am. I was up at 6.00am…. knackered but buzzing at the same time. It seems a little surreal. The last few months have passed really quickly and now I’m on my way.
James and Jenny called right on time. I couldn’t open the door because I’d misplaced my keys…that’s posh for lost them. Hopefully not an indication of things to come. The journey down to the airport was great, hardly any traffic on the roads, it was worthwhile starting early. I started with hay fever this morning and my eyes were a little watery…that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.
I took my boxed bike to the checkout and was a little apprehensive. The guy checking my passport asked me where I was going and how long for. When I told him he seemed genuinely interested and said he’d love to come with me. I wasn’t sure if it was an encouraging word or a proposal... it’s started already.
My bike was overweight. I’m sure that I read it was 26 kilos per bag, but apparently it was 23 kilos… my bike weighed in at a hefty 28 kilo…. I should never have packed that extra pair of undies. As I went to pay the lady she asked me what I was doing and decided to waver the charge for the charity. That was very kind and much appreciated.
The kindness continues and makes it all worthwhile. I was really relieved to get my bike checked it. Now I could relax a little. I took Jenny and James into the café area for a massive ‘big breakfast’ the mushroom was the biggest I’ve ever seen. I thought it was a water lily. Jenny said that she couldn’t manage a big breakfast and would have the standard size, which was considerably smaller “I won’t be able to eat all that’ she protested then went on the finish the whole lost with gusto….go Jen go.
We took a few photos and then departed. I felt quite emotional. It was really nice of them to come and see me off. I received some really encouraging massages and phone calls from quite a few people and it me realise what a great bunch of friends I have. Cheers everyone.
I’m halfway to the start point of my ride, San Francisco and the seating arrangements have been great. I had a whole row of seats to myself. I even had the chance to have sleep. Never done that before. I am having trouble getting a network signal, even at Manchester Airport. I hope everything is going to be OK and I can send stuff back, or its carrier pigeon.
It’s beginning to dawn on me what is ahead. No going back now, not that I want to. In fact I can’t wait to start. From here it homeward bound. I just hope my cycle is OK when it comes off the plane. I was going to write a pleading message on the box about being gentle and the charity ride but it might make the matters worse, so I left it. The FRAGILE sticker should give them a clue.
I changed plane at New York and its started to go down hill. As I was queuing to get onto the plane I could hear a baby, probably about ten months old crying hysterically. I thought which poor sod are they going to sit next to....you guessed it, me. He looked adorable and stopped crying for about three minutes while his harassed mother fed him some concoction that looked very orange. I was hoping it was drugs to keep him quiet. He laughed even more hysterically than when he was crying...when he sneezed and covered me from head to toe in orange coloured spit and snot.
This part of the flight was nearly six hours long and he cried for five and a half of those. I wanted to put my headphone on to listen to the film, to drown out the devil child, but I trapped the cord in my seat and when I pulled the ear pieces came off. I was too embarrassed to ask for any more. He only stopped when we landed at San Francisco Airport, the poor mite....not him, me.
I got a taxi to the hotel. It was called the Encore Express, which was cheap and cheerful. On arriving at the door and once the taxi had buggered off I was informed by a notice on the door that I had to get a key from a hotel round the corner called the Nob Inn Hotel, I kid you not. My life is like a Carry On film. I half expected Babara Windsor to be standing at the reception. I tried to carry my heavy box up the hill through two sets of traffic light but decided to see if anyone could let me leave my box at the reception of the Encore....keep with me and I get there in the end. Luckily two guests were coming out so that is what I managed to do. I went to the Nob Inn...I laugh every time I say it, childish I know but funny. The lady there told me I'd been upgraded to the Nob In, sorry there I go again. I had to trek back and collect my box. On the way back to my new residence I was standing at the first set of traffic lights when two transvestites stood next to me, waiting to cross or was it cross-dress, sorry couldn't resist that. They looked like Irish Navvies, one had a broken nose and from the way he walked it was obvious that he was a pre-op. He walked like John Wayne. The ugly one, there wasn't much in it, said to me' I love a man with a big box" I wanted to say something witty but just blushed and smiled. You know what my smile looks like. My lips stuck to my teeth and I couldn't close my mouth. I looked like a demented bulldog. He asked me what was in the box and I told him. "Are you Australian"? I was tempted to say no but I'm big down under but decided not to. 'No I'm English" 'You're so cute" he replied. I have never been called cute since I was pushed around in a pram by our Wendy.
The Nob Inn, sorry done it again, is really nice. I have been traveling since seven o'clock yesterday morning, over twenty four hours. I'm a little tired so I'll sign off.
I used to go out with a girl, surprised aren't you. Never listen to gossip. When we went out it always ended up a bit of a farce, something would go horribly wrong and we'd end up really embarrassed but pissing ourselves laughing. She used to say "another day out with me and Wayne", I won't mention her name she might be embarrassed. Well it's happening again and I've not even started yet. Hang on this should be fun