Life is not a Practice

The first day of November and we are still enjoying our Indian Summer.



I set out to cycle round the Grüntensee on my race bike but the weather was so nice that in Wertach I turned left and cycle up to Tannheimertal and then back through Pfronten.

The track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=gfrpyyajcmgyypaz
50km and 440hm. One km more than on Saturday but 40hm less as I took a new route to Grän.

A sunny Sunday morning and my standard (22km, 250hm) trip round the Grüntensee.

http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=yjlrknyfdqzsmvpm

Only two days until November and still lovely autumn weather.

The whole week was lovely autumn weather but some how I never got away to go cycling. But today is Saturday so I had a few hours while the rest of the family was off having fun.

Up in to Tannheimertal in Austria and then back down through Pfronten. Beautiful autumn scenery and a pleasant 16°C. 49km and 480m of climbing.

http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=qtckxnqvkskdbpow

After surviving my first "autumn ride" yesterday, I today went out and did the same route again. It was almost 10°C today but there was a noticeable east wind.



As the picture shows, there is snow in the mountains and the trees are now bare. Hopefully we have another month of cycling before we have to switch to skiing.

Same route as on http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=nsmwcqhbrbvykcus

I have now recovered from whatever I caught in the Rupununi and today was out biking for the first time in weeks.

It was only 7°C so I was wrapped up in all the long sleeved, long armed, warm stuff I own. Then out round the Grüntensee on the race bike.

Followed the route as at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=nsmwcqhbrbvykcus

Been back in Georgetown for a few days. The fever has more or less gone and I am eating again so life is getting better. Been attending meetings and generally meeting up with people here in the capital. Didn't take any photos at these meetings (as you don't) so here is one on the Awerime Mountain above the rain forest back in the Rupununi. The "greenage" behind me is the dense canopy of the tropical rain forest below. Unfortunately the picture lacks the sounds of the screeching birds and howling monkeys.



Today I met two people who live in the interior, one in the savannah and the other the village captain in the rain forest village I visited. They were on their way to a Ministry I was just leaving. Strange to see them here in town.

Took a motor boat three hours down river to a village in the rain forest. 230 people live there. Spoke to the captain, the headmaster and a few others. Also went out in a dug out canoe to watch the Lilies bloom at sunset and get a real close up of the Caiman.



Climbed a hill that rises 200m sheer above the rain forest canopy and gives amazing views. Maybe also a great relay station point for the next village.

Then back up river, quick "jog" up another mountain that towers over the Savannah and three days of a parasitical infection. Have fever and dehydration but the doctor says I will be OK if I take all five medications and the "gunk" I have to drink.

Now back in Georgetown. With the heat, the saturated air and the fever, it is like sitting in your own private sweat bath.

Still having fun.

Still at Annai. Suddenly the satellite connection has a burst of unexplainable speed so here are two pictures of me busy "researching"

Today I found a great place for a relay station. The moisture is all sweat.


Yesterday on my way back from a meeting. I fell in a stream going so arrived barefoot. This was taken on the way back.


I have taken well over 500 pictures to date but getting them on line is a problem with the slow Internet https://picasaweb.google.com/103827427036815679772/Guyana?authkey=Gv1sRgCKWuvZST2fr-5gE#

After three fantastic days of research at Yupukari, I today caught a pick up out to Letham and then (after a long wait) the mini bus down the road to Annai.
I much preferred the ride in the back of the pick up - more space and better roads.

The pick up ride took about two hours and they dropped me off at a cafe that serves as the bus stop. Waited there for three or four hours chatting to a man who was waiting for the bank to open on Tuesday - the bank manager had taken Monday off.

Arrived at Rock View to find the place "closed" as they have no guests. They opened up for me though and I walked through the dark to the Oasis restaurant for something to eat.

Flew in a 21 seater aircraft, sat behind the pilot, through a rainstorm at 10000 feet.
Attended the Ameriindian cultural festival in Annai and was introduced to every one there.
Rode in a pick up out to the rain forest and back.
Took a boat along the Rupununi to Karanambu and then Yupukari - including a stop for swimming.
Saw Caiman (alligators) and snakes and waded crotch deep along a flooded road (before I had seen the huge Caiman).
Now finally at Yupukari.
Life is fun

Made it this far.
Guyana immigration was professional but quick. Customs was a breeze and Luke was waiting to pick me up as agreed. Reached the hotel about 02:00 and hit the pillow for 6 hours sleep.

Spent the morning doing the tourist bit and then this afternoon went to the ministry to get permission to enter "the interior". Also there they were efficient and polite and, despite the minister being absent, approved my visit.

Now sat in "the office" catching up on all the "paperwork"



Photos at https://picasaweb.google.com/103827427036815679772/Guyana?authkey=Gv1sRgCKWuvZST2fr-5gE

I have been using my Garmin GPS receiver with the actual OpenStreetMap data and it is brilliant. Very complete. Who needs a map?

Up after only four hours sleep to catch an early plane to Brussels. Walked miles between terminals and just caught flight with India Airlines to New York.

Watched a boring film and slept the rest so no idea what the service or food is like.

Immigration in to the USA was as disorganized as usual with a huge wait despite having sent them all my details weeks ago. Looks like a case of creating "jobs for the boys" to me.



Now sat waiting for my next flight to the Caribbean.

Set off for Guyana today. Train to Lindau and then on to Zurich for my flight tomorrow.

The 4th day in the Dolomites and a quick 400m up a mountain for a coffee.



Track at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=efhwwobheokxhffi

Pictures at https://picasaweb.google.com/103827427036815679772/2011Dolomiten?authkey=Gv1sRgCPDOosmEr_myywE

Sepp's pictures of the whole four days at https://picasaweb.google.com/100547066824249637955/DollyTourTVNBikeclub2011#

and Paulina's pictures are here https://picasaweb.google.com/107549570935372476604/SVigil2011?locked=true&feat=email#

Day 3 in the Dolomites. The most amazing mountain biking.



Track at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=pcrwawzsmboldedh

Pictures at https://picasaweb.google.com/103827427036815679772/2011Dolomiten?authkey=Gv1sRgCPDOosmEr_myywE

Day 2 in the Dolomites. The best mountain bike tour I have ever done.



Track at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=ozdyypzrriusyxqi


Pictures at https://picasaweb.google.com/103827427036815679772/2011Dolomiten?authkey=Gv1sRgCPDOosmEr_myywE

Day 1 in the Dolomites



Track at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=gvafdtchdmelwvap

Pictures at https://picasaweb.google.com/103827427036815679772/2011Dolomiten?authkey=Gv1sRgCPDOosmEr_myywE

Three of us out on our race bikes.



Track at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=qlnsgjshjldbhplk

Saturday late afternoon after all the jobs were done. Just my race bike and I up in to Tannheimertal and back.



track at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=xqtahtmexinpxbzf