As the world turns . . .

Just in case you’re interested I’m on a bit of a whirligig this year, just trying to cram as much in as possible before the world as I know it flames out. I’ve already been to India (January), England and Spain (June).  In May I lavished my own particular brand of nonsense on a batch of lovely students in Pittsburgh, and in July I inflicted the same punishment on a bunch of supergrads in Colorado. Now it’s August and in ten days time I’m back on United for Heathrow again, the beautiful new Terminal 2. I am to be greeted by Bike Magazine who plan to sweep me off my feet on a Super Scooter and ferry me to my billet in Tooting Bec. There will be intensive interrogations along the way, they say. And all this before breakfast. They’ll do anything for a scoop. And I’ll do anything for a free ride.

Next day I’m taking a train from Waterloo to Sherborne where I believe I will be sleeping for three nights in a girls’ school. Sadly I am too old to find that thrilling, but the thrills will be provided by Austin Vince and his priceless sidekick, Lois, who are running an Adventure Film Festival – so if you don’t have your tickets yet, hurry up. You might catch a glimpse of me, jet-lagging in the corner somewhere.

Next, to Germany. My poor old Fundura 650 has gone to Valhalla – or so Dirk Erker says, and without his permission I can’t ride it.He says it’s Kaput!  It’s all about the Tüf (yeah, I know). So I will rent a Kawasaki ER5. Dirk says it’s little, and has no boxes, so I will take the soft luggage I got made for me in Australia, and sling it across the saddle behind me. Oh, and talking about BOXES ….

Und dass könte auch für ihr Deutsche interessant sein …

… the 650 has a set of Jesse luggage on it, and somebody ought to find it useful. It’s been knocked about a bit, but it’s still perfectly serviceable, strong, and very well made. Two side panniers and a top box. It’s waiting for you in Duisburg so somebody make me an offer.

Jupiter’s Boxes. They’ve been all over Europe. Now they can be yours. tsimon@mcn.org

So, to continue, I’m planning to visit friends in France, especially those bits where the wine is, and then at the beginning of September I will go to the meeting at Gieboldehausen where Delius Klasing are presenting my picture book in German. And in a couple of bookshops too, in Hanover and Koblenz. And then back to San Francisco – but wait! There’s more.

Because on the 25th there’s the HorizonsUnlimited meeting at Yosemite  – –

And on October 3rd there’s the Overland Expo in Asheville  – –

And on October 19th I will be in Colombia to for a two-week tour with Mike Thomsen’s Motolombia – man, I really love that country – and I plan to finish the year off with a week in Chile in November.

You may be wondering what I’m going to do with all that spare time in between. Yes, I’ll have to think of something. I’ll let you know.

Have a lovely summer and please buy my picture book. It’s too good to languish in my shed.

Cheers all.

Ted