It is so nice to have a bicycle again! I still have to replace a few of the custom things that I had on the bike that was stolen (bike racks, a kickstand, a computer) but it is nice being able to ride to the office in the morning and get home to play with Saga at lunchtime!
I rode to the train station last night to go to game night, and then this morning, I took a nice long ride into the office. It is so good being mobile again!
Wherever you are today, I hope that you're happy!
Don Bergquist - 31 May 2007 - Thames Ditton, Surrey, UK
31 May 2007
30 May 2007
My New Bike
A colleague of mine here in the office suggested that I head into town to go to a store called Decathlon to replace my stolen bike. 
The best I can say about the store to describe it is that it is kind of like REI back home. The store is huge (it actually covered two buildings in the big box mall at Canada Water) and has all kinds of things.
The bike department was bigger than some bicycle shops back home. I looked over a number of bikes, they had a great selection things that were as cheap as £59 some ran as much as a thousand pounds. I settled (after riding a few of them around the store) on a model that ran about £160.
They put the bike together for me out of their stocks and then I headed out.
After buying the bike, I rode back to Waterloo for the train home. With a brief stop to look at the map that they had (and ask directions to Waterloo) I was off.
By dint of following their directions, I ended-up at Greenwich. (Greenwich is at the right of the map, Waterloo is the red marker to the left.) The sun was setting as I finally reached Waterloo. I had ridden about three times the distance that I really needed to go to get where I wanted to be.
At least I can now say that I have ridden to places that I really never wanted to be. Anyone who has never ridden through Elephant and Castle at sunset just hasn't lived!
I got home well after nine and collapsed into bed. I have to start getting some rest to catch-up on the rest I lost-out on whilst on vacation!
Wherever you are today, I hope you know where you're going!
Don Bergquist - 30 May 2007 - Thames Ditton, Surrey, UK
The best I can say about the store to describe it is that it is kind of like REI back home. The store is huge (it actually covered two buildings in the big box mall at Canada Water) and has all kinds of things.The bike department was bigger than some bicycle shops back home. I looked over a number of bikes, they had a great selection things that were as cheap as £59 some ran as much as a thousand pounds. I settled (after riding a few of them around the store) on a model that ran about £160.
They put the bike together for me out of their stocks and then I headed out.
After buying the bike, I rode back to Waterloo for the train home. With a brief stop to look at the map that they had (and ask directions to Waterloo) I was off.By dint of following their directions, I ended-up at Greenwich. (Greenwich is at the right of the map, Waterloo is the red marker to the left.) The sun was setting as I finally reached Waterloo. I had ridden about three times the distance that I really needed to go to get where I wanted to be.
At least I can now say that I have ridden to places that I really never wanted to be. Anyone who has never ridden through Elephant and Castle at sunset just hasn't lived!
I got home well after nine and collapsed into bed. I have to start getting some rest to catch-up on the rest I lost-out on whilst on vacation!
Wherever you are today, I hope you know where you're going!
Don Bergquist - 30 May 2007 - Thames Ditton, Surrey, UK
29 May 2007
Knackered!
God! What a trip!
I had a great time and it was wonderful seeing friends and family, but I am knackered! I am really looking forward to getting back to work and getting some rest. Yes, I work long and hard hours when I am here in the UK, but the hours are what I would expect and I am usually less thoroughly drained at the end of the day!
This evening after work, I am going to head into town and get a replacement for my stolen bicycle. Other than that, I have no plans for the day. I know that I have over a hundred emails to read when I get in so I had best get moving.
Saga was so happy to see her Daddy come home yesterday! I went over to Terry and Angie's where we had a lovely lunch celebrating our friend Kevin's Birthday. What a blast. I was absolutely dead, what with driving thirteen hours on Saturday (oh, by the way, the route I took Saturday was about 75 miles longer than the other route but much faster. I averaged about 65 mph for the entire route), then not sleeping on Sunday as I was flying I slept like the dead last night.
Saga is laying on the couch watching me suspiciously today. I wonder what she thinks I do all day…
Wherever you are today, I hope that you're fit and full of energy!
Don Bergquist - 29 May 2007 - Thames Ditton, Surrey, UK
I had a great time and it was wonderful seeing friends and family, but I am knackered! I am really looking forward to getting back to work and getting some rest. Yes, I work long and hard hours when I am here in the UK, but the hours are what I would expect and I am usually less thoroughly drained at the end of the day!
This evening after work, I am going to head into town and get a replacement for my stolen bicycle. Other than that, I have no plans for the day. I know that I have over a hundred emails to read when I get in so I had best get moving.
Saga was so happy to see her Daddy come home yesterday! I went over to Terry and Angie's where we had a lovely lunch celebrating our friend Kevin's Birthday. What a blast. I was absolutely dead, what with driving thirteen hours on Saturday (oh, by the way, the route I took Saturday was about 75 miles longer than the other route but much faster. I averaged about 65 mph for the entire route), then not sleeping on Sunday as I was flying I slept like the dead last night.
Saga is laying on the couch watching me suspiciously today. I wonder what she thinks I do all day…
Wherever you are today, I hope that you're fit and full of energy!
Don Bergquist - 29 May 2007 - Thames Ditton, Surrey, UK
28 May 2007
Conversation Starter
"I think I should warn you, I tend to vomit on planes." It was a strange way to start a conversation with a complete stranger, but hey! Perhaps that I just me! "Projectile vomiting! It's bad!"
"No doubt." I said. This is going to be one great flight!
As I awaited everyone to get settled, she kept telling all the passengers sitting in the area how she was a bad flyer. "I am also prone to panic attacks." She said. I unfolded my paper and retreated to the galley (one row behind my seat and read out of the way whilst the people in uniform took care of things.
"I once screamed because I was feeling that the people on either side of me were pushing in too close for my comfort." I overheard her say.
Eventually, one of the flight crew found her a seat a few rows ahead of me on the aisle. (Thank God!) She has been passing the night rather sedately. My other seat-mate and I spent a few minutes speculating on the veracity of her claims but marveling at the effectiveness of getting out of her center seat and into an aisle.
I really envy people who can sleep on planes.
Wherever you are today, I hope you're passing the evening calmly and comfortably.
Don Bergquist - 28 May 2007 - Somewhere over the North Atlantic - Continental Airlines Flight 4 bound for London Gatwick
"No doubt." I said. This is going to be one great flight!
As I awaited everyone to get settled, she kept telling all the passengers sitting in the area how she was a bad flyer. "I am also prone to panic attacks." She said. I unfolded my paper and retreated to the galley (one row behind my seat and read out of the way whilst the people in uniform took care of things.
"I once screamed because I was feeling that the people on either side of me were pushing in too close for my comfort." I overheard her say.
Eventually, one of the flight crew found her a seat a few rows ahead of me on the aisle. (Thank God!) She has been passing the night rather sedately. My other seat-mate and I spent a few minutes speculating on the veracity of her claims but marveling at the effectiveness of getting out of her center seat and into an aisle.
I really envy people who can sleep on planes.
Wherever you are today, I hope you're passing the evening calmly and comfortably.
Don Bergquist - 28 May 2007 - Somewhere over the North Atlantic - Continental Airlines Flight 4 bound for London Gatwick
26 May 2007
The Drive
Wow! What a difference!
For years while living in the mid-south (Memphis) I used to drive to Florida by way of Birmingham (via US 78) and then down through Montgomery (via I65) down through Dothan (on US 231) and then I10 to I75 south.
Back then it made sense… now that all those Podunk towns in Southern Alabama have grown into the path, it no longer does.
I am making excellent time (even with the reduced visibility caused by the fires. It is just after 18:00 and I am stopped in southern Georgia. I am sitting in the air-conditioned comfort of a restaurant having a bite to eat and writing my blog entry.
Since just south of Atlanta, it has been like a thick fog in London. The visibility is less than a hundred yards. The smell of the burning swampland is strong. The traffic, though is moving and I am making excellent time. I should be in Florida soon.
At a guess, I would say that taking the interstate all the way is perhaps fifty miles longer, but the speeds are higher and the travel time seems to be less. Ah! My dinner has arrived! I'd best eat-up and get back on the road.
Wherever you are today, I hope that you're having an excellent day with clear roads!
Don Bergquist - May 26, 2007 - Somewhere near Macon, Georgia, USA
For years while living in the mid-south (Memphis) I used to drive to Florida by way of Birmingham (via US 78) and then down through Montgomery (via I65) down through Dothan (on US 231) and then I10 to I75 south.
Back then it made sense… now that all those Podunk towns in Southern Alabama have grown into the path, it no longer does.I am making excellent time (even with the reduced visibility caused by the fires. It is just after 18:00 and I am stopped in southern Georgia. I am sitting in the air-conditioned comfort of a restaurant having a bite to eat and writing my blog entry.
Since just south of Atlanta, it has been like a thick fog in London. The visibility is less than a hundred yards. The smell of the burning swampland is strong. The traffic, though is moving and I am making excellent time. I should be in Florida soon.
At a guess, I would say that taking the interstate all the way is perhaps fifty miles longer, but the speeds are higher and the travel time seems to be less. Ah! My dinner has arrived! I'd best eat-up and get back on the road.
Wherever you are today, I hope that you're having an excellent day with clear roads!
Don Bergquist - May 26, 2007 - Somewhere near Macon, Georgia, USA
Driving South
I will be leaving to drive south early this morning. Look for pictures of Andrew’s graduation and stories of the drive when I return to London on Tuesday. Until then, have a happy bank holiday and a good weekend!
Wherever the weekend finds you, I wish you a good, safe and restful weekend!
Don Bergquist - May 26, 2007 - On The Road in Alabama, Georgia and Florida, USA
Wherever the weekend finds you, I wish you a good, safe and restful weekend!
Don Bergquist - May 26, 2007 - On The Road in Alabama, Georgia and Florida, USA
25 May 2007
Congratulations, Andrew!
Congratulations to my nephey, Andrew
on his graduation from
Huntsville's Virgil I Grissom High School this evening!
on his graduation from
Huntsville's Virgil I Grissom High School this evening!
Other Pictures:
Graduation Lunch
Graduation Dinner
Portrait Session
At The Cerimony
The Party
What A Difference!
God! What a difference a few miles down the road makes!
I am staying at the Embassy Suites hotel in Huntsville proper. Not only is it right next-door to the von Braun center, where the graduation will be held tonight, but it is hugely better than the pit I stayed in the other night!
It is clean, fresh, and doesn’t reek of cheap sanitizer and air freshener! I am really glad that we moved! The view out my windows shows the mountains to the south of the city. Somewhere up in those hills my brother’s house is situated.
I took a soak in the hot tub last nigh, I plan to take another today. It is so nice to be in a non-pit-like hotel! But for now, I guess I should post this and get back to having fun with the family.
Wherever you are today, I hope you have the opportunity to take some time for yourself!
Don Bergquist - May 25, 2007 - Huntsville, Alabama, USA
I am staying at the Embassy Suites hotel in Huntsville proper. Not only is it right next-door to the von Braun center, where the graduation will be held tonight, but it is hugely better than the pit I stayed in the other night!It is clean, fresh, and doesn’t reek of cheap sanitizer and air freshener! I am really glad that we moved! The view out my windows shows the mountains to the south of the city. Somewhere up in those hills my brother’s house is situated.
I took a soak in the hot tub last nigh, I plan to take another today. It is so nice to be in a non-pit-like hotel! But for now, I guess I should post this and get back to having fun with the family.
Wherever you are today, I hope you have the opportunity to take some time for yourself!
Don Bergquist - May 25, 2007 - Huntsville, Alabama, USA
24 May 2007
Nothing Ever Goes As Planned
The ironic thing is that I dreamed that I would be driving to Huntsville alone. (Seriously, you can ask my best friend, Fritz… I told him this morning that I had dreamed it last night!)
But the morning was going according to the schedule until about fifteen minutes after Mary and I had met and headed north. It was then that she received the call. She would have to go back south again. I understand fully why she had to and even offered to have her turn around immediately. “I can always drive north from the Tampa Airport in a rental.” I told her as we zoomed along Interstate 75.
“Really!” I assured her… “I have no problem with that.”
In the end, we parted at the Gainesville airport; Mary headed south and I north. The fares of last week, having been largely contained, gave me no problem. I made it to Huntsville, Alabama in just over twelve hours of driving… Had I not stopped for that rest and stretch back in the Florida Pan Handle, I would have arrived around 07:00 PM instead of just after 08:00.
The hotel is a complete dump. I am sitting on a chair in the corner and looking at the stained, disheveled room which is sorely in need of repairs. It reeks of cheap air freshener… were it not that I am so damn tired, I would check-out now and look for a good hotel. As it is, I need some sleep.
I cannot believe I slept here last night! That will be the only night I sleep here. When I get-together with my brother, I will be chatting about getting into some other hotel. One that does not make my skin crawl!
Wherever tonight finds you, I hope that you are safe, comfortable and happy.
Don Bergquist - May 24, 2007 - Huntsville, Alabama
But the morning was going according to the schedule until about fifteen minutes after Mary and I had met and headed north. It was then that she received the call. She would have to go back south again. I understand fully why she had to and even offered to have her turn around immediately. “I can always drive north from the Tampa Airport in a rental.” I told her as we zoomed along Interstate 75.
“Really!” I assured her… “I have no problem with that.”
In the end, we parted at the Gainesville airport; Mary headed south and I north. The fares of last week, having been largely contained, gave me no problem. I made it to Huntsville, Alabama in just over twelve hours of driving… Had I not stopped for that rest and stretch back in the Florida Pan Handle, I would have arrived around 07:00 PM instead of just after 08:00.
The hotel is a complete dump. I am sitting on a chair in the corner and looking at the stained, disheveled room which is sorely in need of repairs. It reeks of cheap air freshener… were it not that I am so damn tired, I would check-out now and look for a good hotel. As it is, I need some sleep.
- - - - -
I cannot believe I slept here last night! That will be the only night I sleep here. When I get-together with my brother, I will be chatting about getting into some other hotel. One that does not make my skin crawl!
Wherever tonight finds you, I hope that you are safe, comfortable and happy.
Don Bergquist - May 24, 2007 - Huntsville, Alabama
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