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Arrabbiata1
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Yes, yes we're sitting comfortably, I've got a beer (or 2) and the popcorns popping.
Please begin.
Arrabbiata1
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Ok, then I'll begin. But where? - I suppose this would be a logical start...
10174:Woods.jpg.w300h347.jpg]
Spent the week trawling through off-licenses for this stuff. Could only find Lambs - which is in comparison as gentle as the name suggests, and Captain Morgan, who should have been made to walk the plank years ago when there's pirate juice as potent as Woods to be plundered me hearties. There was only one person on the planet I could be assured of knowing where to find this buried treasure - so the call was made to the Jolly Roger himself. It goes without saying that Chop knew, and the answer was very simple for me - no more involved than a quick visit to Duty Free on my way out.
So before our flight left Gatwick, I ensured the hold was loaded with supplies, and when we took off we sailed out over Southampton in a fitting tribute to my friend. Actually making sure all my bounty was stowed in the hold would have been a good idea at this point. The fact that I chose to carry it in person was to have disastrous results in the Sates. Because I had booked this so late, we had to fly in to Vegas because it was substantially cheaper.
Air travel - isn't it a de-humanising experience? You are herded aimlessly like cattle - queue and queue some more and after an interminable period are coralled into some decrepit departure 'lounge' only to be penned into an inflated titanium balloon circulating a confection of lethal germs garnered from all over the populated world. Forget avian flu - this is civil aviation flu - and there's nothing remotely civil about any of it. If that doesn't get you, then perhaps there's the delights of international terrorism, or for everyone crammed into economy DVT. Anyone other than the most Pedrosa-esque amongst us is contorted into their cripplingly limited seat pitch and on anything approaching a long haul distance, to emerge unscathed at the destination requires David Blaine like endurance.
Fortunate that I always find the flight to the American West fascinating, and the window seat is my in flight entertainment. Usually Punching through the thick layers of grey that invariably blanket and shroud these Isles, it's a left turn at Iceland over Southern Greenland and then South over Hudson Bay and into Continental America. The first time I flew this route I was an excited and expectant child staring with wide eyed wonder at the frigid expanse below. Greenland - the cul de sac at the end of the world, the seeming big nothing on the way to America. It looks like the bit of the atlas that we haven't got around to colouring in. The interior of Greenland is so sparsely mapped - there is little to draw, just thousands of feet of ancient ice, sculpted and shaped by temperatures that defy the existence of most forms of life. Greenland has four time zones - two of them probably don't even contain a clock. Most of the 56,000 Greenlanders live in Nuuk (the capital), whilst in the east there's reputedly 3,500 people stretched along a coastline that's longer than Western Europe's.
Heading South over Hudson Bay, on reaching landfall you are reminded by the occasional road or building that there is in fact life on this vast glacially ground out shield. Crossing the border past Winnipeg, it's not until the badlands of South Dakota begin to crumple up into the landscapes that I love. You only have to glance away from the window for a few minutes and then that rucked up carpet has intensified into the Rocky Mountains at which point North America rises up to greet you and literally say hello. When this majestic mountain range subsides into the huge expanse of the Utah desert, and the orange and tan hues stretch far away into the 200 mile horizon availed by flying, I feel ready to be swallowed up into this uncompromising landscape. But this time, I had a connection to make and the desert was far from my mind.
10175:1.jpg]
10176:1.jpg]
So flying into Vegas meant subsequently catching an internal flight to LA. I was carrying my booze - and switching terminals booked in at the Delta desk and retained all the drink with my hand luggage. Naturally when I came to board security took major umbrage to this, and I had to bin it all - despite the fact that I'd carried it over 5,000 miles in the cabin of another aircraft. The only option would have been returning to check in and placing it in the hold as baggage - but seeing as they were charging $35 per item and I'd already been hammered on my previous bags, I resolved that it would be cheaper to replace it in LA, which we did for a very lame case of Bud from the local gas station!! Next morning we awaited Jum in our hotel foyer.
10177:1.jpg]
I'm pleased to say that all was not lost, because at Vegas some very precious cargo had been fortuitously switched to the suitcase
10174:Woods.jpg.w300h347.jpg]
Spent the week trawling through off-licenses for this stuff. Could only find Lambs - which is in comparison as gentle as the name suggests, and Captain Morgan, who should have been made to walk the plank years ago when there's pirate juice as potent as Woods to be plundered me hearties. There was only one person on the planet I could be assured of knowing where to find this buried treasure - so the call was made to the Jolly Roger himself. It goes without saying that Chop knew, and the answer was very simple for me - no more involved than a quick visit to Duty Free on my way out.
So before our flight left Gatwick, I ensured the hold was loaded with supplies, and when we took off we sailed out over Southampton in a fitting tribute to my friend. Actually making sure all my bounty was stowed in the hold would have been a good idea at this point. The fact that I chose to carry it in person was to have disastrous results in the Sates. Because I had booked this so late, we had to fly in to Vegas because it was substantially cheaper.
Air travel - isn't it a de-humanising experience? You are herded aimlessly like cattle - queue and queue some more and after an interminable period are coralled into some decrepit departure 'lounge' only to be penned into an inflated titanium balloon circulating a confection of lethal germs garnered from all over the populated world. Forget avian flu - this is civil aviation flu - and there's nothing remotely civil about any of it. If that doesn't get you, then perhaps there's the delights of international terrorism, or for everyone crammed into economy DVT. Anyone other than the most Pedrosa-esque amongst us is contorted into their cripplingly limited seat pitch and on anything approaching a long haul distance, to emerge unscathed at the destination requires David Blaine like endurance.
Fortunate that I always find the flight to the American West fascinating, and the window seat is my in flight entertainment. Usually Punching through the thick layers of grey that invariably blanket and shroud these Isles, it's a left turn at Iceland over Southern Greenland and then South over Hudson Bay and into Continental America. The first time I flew this route I was an excited and expectant child staring with wide eyed wonder at the frigid expanse below. Greenland - the cul de sac at the end of the world, the seeming big nothing on the way to America. It looks like the bit of the atlas that we haven't got around to colouring in. The interior of Greenland is so sparsely mapped - there is little to draw, just thousands of feet of ancient ice, sculpted and shaped by temperatures that defy the existence of most forms of life. Greenland has four time zones - two of them probably don't even contain a clock. Most of the 56,000 Greenlanders live in Nuuk (the capital), whilst in the east there's reputedly 3,500 people stretched along a coastline that's longer than Western Europe's.
Heading South over Hudson Bay, on reaching landfall you are reminded by the occasional road or building that there is in fact life on this vast glacially ground out shield. Crossing the border past Winnipeg, it's not until the badlands of South Dakota begin to crumple up into the landscapes that I love. You only have to glance away from the window for a few minutes and then that rucked up carpet has intensified into the Rocky Mountains at which point North America rises up to greet you and literally say hello. When this majestic mountain range subsides into the huge expanse of the Utah desert, and the orange and tan hues stretch far away into the 200 mile horizon availed by flying, I feel ready to be swallowed up into this uncompromising landscape. But this time, I had a connection to make and the desert was far from my mind.
10175:1.jpg]
10176:1.jpg]
So flying into Vegas meant subsequently catching an internal flight to LA. I was carrying my booze - and switching terminals booked in at the Delta desk and retained all the drink with my hand luggage. Naturally when I came to board security took major umbrage to this, and I had to bin it all - despite the fact that I'd carried it over 5,000 miles in the cabin of another aircraft. The only option would have been returning to check in and placing it in the hold as baggage - but seeing as they were charging $35 per item and I'd already been hammered on my previous bags, I resolved that it would be cheaper to replace it in LA, which we did for a very lame case of Bud from the local gas station!! Next morning we awaited Jum in our hotel foyer.
10177:1.jpg]
I'm pleased to say that all was not lost, because at Vegas some very precious cargo had been fortuitously switched to the suitcase
Attachments
Arrabbiata1
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Before I continue, I want to mention two people pivotal to this experience.
The first is Jumkie. As we all know Jum speaks his mind, if he has something to say then consider it said, and although there are some on here who find this overbearing then might I suggest either try reading between the lines, consider a donor willing to part with some sense of humour genes, or bear testimony from those of us that have met the man. I loath insincerity, and I can honestly say that I have met few people in my life as genuine as Jum. Jumkie and his crowd are fixers, they only see solutions. Nothing is a problem, and if a problem arises then no sooner is it solved.
We retreated to out LA hotel - (it was 6.00a.m. UK time by then) and slayed the nasty jetlag beast with a massive 12 hours of slumber. Meantime Jum was preparing the RV, loading the vital victuals, whilst valiantly fighting the Holy War, a one man noble crusade fending off the latest assualt of rabid Rossi boppers on the forum. Next morning after only a couple of hours sleep, if I am correct, and having finished work at 11.00a.m he was haring around LA sourcing a spare tyre for the trailer having loaned out the previous one. He still had the presence of mind and consideration to call me at my hotel - and remonstrate with the idiots on reception...I mean how difficult is it to find a guy answering to the name of Arrabbiata in an LA hotel foyer? They probably succeeded in finding a Mark Salmoriglio, or even a Mark Marinara...but not it would seem the spicy one. The entire weekend Jumkie put others before himself and I was rapidly to discover from his friends that that is a common theme throughout his life.
The second person is Long Rider. I once covered 3,000 miles in one visit to the States - in an air conditioned hire care, that was draining in itself. What this guy has undertaken is unfathomable for most of us. If you are not aware of the magnitude of his journey - check out the itinerary on the OP, the current post or I encourage you to read the blogs. There is no ........ with this guy, no self aggrandising or egotism. What he's out there doing right now is breathtaking, and I'll wager we'd all give more than our left testicle, if indeed we had the bollocks (apologies to female PS fraternity), to summon up the courage and determination to ditch our safe staid existences to experience the same. Furthermore, as previously mentioned, he's one of the naturally funniest /deadpan guy's I've ever had the pleasure to meet. I mean my humour is pretty dry, but this guy is the Atacama of one liners. I never heard him complain, I never heard one word of negativity, and it seemed every time he opened his mouth he made us laugh. Massive kudos to Long Rider. Ride safe Mike
The first is Jumkie. As we all know Jum speaks his mind, if he has something to say then consider it said, and although there are some on here who find this overbearing then might I suggest either try reading between the lines, consider a donor willing to part with some sense of humour genes, or bear testimony from those of us that have met the man. I loath insincerity, and I can honestly say that I have met few people in my life as genuine as Jum. Jumkie and his crowd are fixers, they only see solutions. Nothing is a problem, and if a problem arises then no sooner is it solved.
We retreated to out LA hotel - (it was 6.00a.m. UK time by then) and slayed the nasty jetlag beast with a massive 12 hours of slumber. Meantime Jum was preparing the RV, loading the vital victuals, whilst valiantly fighting the Holy War, a one man noble crusade fending off the latest assualt of rabid Rossi boppers on the forum. Next morning after only a couple of hours sleep, if I am correct, and having finished work at 11.00a.m he was haring around LA sourcing a spare tyre for the trailer having loaned out the previous one. He still had the presence of mind and consideration to call me at my hotel - and remonstrate with the idiots on reception...I mean how difficult is it to find a guy answering to the name of Arrabbiata in an LA hotel foyer? They probably succeeded in finding a Mark Salmoriglio, or even a Mark Marinara...but not it would seem the spicy one. The entire weekend Jumkie put others before himself and I was rapidly to discover from his friends that that is a common theme throughout his life.
The second person is Long Rider. I once covered 3,000 miles in one visit to the States - in an air conditioned hire care, that was draining in itself. What this guy has undertaken is unfathomable for most of us. If you are not aware of the magnitude of his journey - check out the itinerary on the OP, the current post or I encourage you to read the blogs. There is no ........ with this guy, no self aggrandising or egotism. What he's out there doing right now is breathtaking, and I'll wager we'd all give more than our left testicle, if indeed we had the bollocks (apologies to female PS fraternity), to summon up the courage and determination to ditch our safe staid existences to experience the same. Furthermore, as previously mentioned, he's one of the naturally funniest /deadpan guy's I've ever had the pleasure to meet. I mean my humour is pretty dry, but this guy is the Atacama of one liners. I never heard him complain, I never heard one word of negativity, and it seemed every time he opened his mouth he made us laugh. Massive kudos to Long Rider. Ride safe Mike
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Spent the week trawling through off-licenses for this stuff. Could only find Lambs - which is in comparison as gentle as the name suggests, and Captain Morgan, who should have been made to walk the plank years ago when there's pirate juice as potent as Woods to be plundered me hearties. There was only one person on the planet I could be assured of knowing where to find this buried treasure - so the call was made to the Jolly Roger himself. It goes without saying that Chop knew, and the answer was very simple for me - no more involved than a quick visit to Duty Free on my way out.
So before our flight left Gatwick, I ensured the hold was loaded with supplies, and when we took off we sailed out over Southampton in a fitting tribute to my friend. Actually making sure all my bounty was stowed in the hold would have been a good idea at this point. The fact that I chose to carry it in person was to have disastrous results in the Sates. Because I had booked this so late, we had to fly in to Vegas because it was substantially cheaper.
Air travel - isn't it a de-humanising experience? You are herded aimlessly like cattle - queue and queue some more and after an interminable period are coralled into some decrepit departure 'lounge' only to be penned into an inflated titanium balloon circulating a confection of lethal germs garnered from all over the populated world. Forget avian flu - this is civil aviation flu - and there's nothing remotely civil about any of it. If that doesn't get you, then perhaps there's the delights of international terrorism, or for everyone crammed into economy DVT. Anyone other than the most Pedrosa-esque amongst us is contorted into their cripplingly limited seat pitch and on anything approaching a long haul distance, to emerge unscathed at the destination requires David Blaine like endurance.
Fortunate that I always find the flight to the American West fascinating, and the window seat is my in flight entertainment. Usually Punching through the thick layers of grey that invariably blanket and shroud these Isles, it's a left turn at Iceland over Southern Greenland and then South over Hudson Bay and into Continental America. The first time I flew this route I was an excited and expectant child staring with wide eyed wonder at the frigid expanse below. Greenland - the cul de sac at the end of the world, the seeming big nothing on the way to America. It looks like the bit of the atlas that we haven't got around to colouring in. The interior of Greenland is so sparsely mapped - there is little to draw, just thousands of feet of ancient ice, sculpted and shaped by temperatures that defy the existence of most forms of life. Greenland has four time zones - two of them probably don't even contain a clock. Most of the 56,000 Greenlanders live in Nuuk (the capital), whilst in the east there's reputedly 3,500 people stretched along a coastline that's longer than Western Europe's.
Heading South over Hudson Bay, on reaching landfall you are reminded by the occasional road or building that there is in fact life on this vast glacially ground out shield. Crossing the border past Winnipeg, it's not until the badlands of South Dakota begin to crumple up into the landscapes that I love. You only have to glance away from the window for a few minutes and then that rucked up carpet has intensified into the Rocky Mountains at which point North America rises up to greet you and literally say hello. When this majestic mountain range subsides into the huge expanse of the Utah desert, and the orange and tan hues stretch far away into the 200 mile horizon availed by flying, I feel ready to be swallowed up into this uncompromising landscape. But this time, I had a connection to make and the desert was far from my mind.
So flying into Vegas meant subsequently catching an internal flight to LA. I was carrying my booze - and switching terminals booked in at the Delta desk and retained all the drink with my hand luggage. Naturally when I came to board security took major umbrage to this, and I had to bin it all - despite the fact that I'd carried it over 5,000 miles in the cabin of another aircraft. The only option would have been returning to check in and placing it in the hold as baggage - but seeing as they were charging $35 per item and I'd already been hammered on my previous bags, I resolved that it would be cheaper to replace it in LA, which we did for a very lame case of Bud from the local gas station!! Next morning we awaited Jum in our hotel foyer.
I'm pleased to say that all was not lost, because at Vegas some very precious cargo had been fortuitously switched to the suitcase
Jesus people, and that was just the play by play of the flight over! I don't think I've ever enjoyed more reading somebody's description of the flight across the pond. And really, I'm fumbling here, as most of us here appreciate reading, as most everything on the forum is communicated through basic writing, but this, this, no... no such thing, this can only be described as POETIC PROSE.
Arrabbiata1
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OK kids - back to the adventure. Just let me pour a glass to get the creative (pirate) juices fully flowing.
So as you will recall, Ros and I, being safely ensconced in an LAX hotel the night before are awaiting our pick up in the lobby. I'm too much of a dip .... to have got my cell working in the US on an American network, but it was receiving messages; (a fact I neglected to inform Jum until Sunday - who was understandably aghast when he found out that I'd never thought to mention this). Slightly bored with the obligatory 'Kenny G' type hotel lobby muzak, I turned it on, and Rog had texted me to say that Jum was trying to contact us. I immediately called him from a payphone and we told him we'd be outside.
10178:1.jpg]
We didn't have to wait long before a Jumkie and FlyHigh steered into the car park RV and trailer, and ready to go grinning from ear to ear. the door was flung open and I was so enthused that I leapt aboard to embrace both, hurling my bags inside, leaving poor Ros outside in a futile struggle with her suitcase
So as you will recall, Ros and I, being safely ensconced in an LAX hotel the night before are awaiting our pick up in the lobby. I'm too much of a dip .... to have got my cell working in the US on an American network, but it was receiving messages; (a fact I neglected to inform Jum until Sunday - who was understandably aghast when he found out that I'd never thought to mention this). Slightly bored with the obligatory 'Kenny G' type hotel lobby muzak, I turned it on, and Rog had texted me to say that Jum was trying to contact us. I immediately called him from a payphone and we told him we'd be outside.
10178:1.jpg]
We didn't have to wait long before a Jumkie and FlyHigh steered into the car park RV and trailer, and ready to go grinning from ear to ear. the door was flung open and I was so enthused that I leapt aboard to embrace both, hurling my bags inside, leaving poor Ros outside in a futile struggle with her suitcase
Attachments
10178:1.jpg]
We didn't have to wait long before a Jumkie and FlyHigh steered into the car park RV and trailer, and ready to go grinning from ear to ear. the door was flung open and I was so enthused that I leapt aboard to embrace both, hurling my bags inside, leaving poor Ros outside in a futile struggle with her suitcase
Yeah cheers for that Dad, you inconsiderate w
Eloquently put, Arrabiata.... outstanding.. Thanks for pm'ing me that you updated the thread with your post
And thank you for the kind words in regards to myself.. I am sincerely grateful to have had a positive impact with yourself, some one who I found genuinely interesting, entertaining, intelligent, and considerate.
I do admit though, I DID say the parade lap was pretty ...... because of how slow they made us go
I'm not perfect.
And thank you for the kind words in regards to myself.. I am sincerely grateful to have had a positive impact with yourself, some one who I found genuinely interesting, entertaining, intelligent, and considerate.
I do admit though, I DID say the parade lap was pretty ...... because of how slow they made us go
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Yeah cheers for that Dad, you inconsiderate w
Who you calling "Dad", isn't it "Daaaah"?
James Dean memorial (Hwy 46)
10184
1060937.JPG]Walking down Cannery Row
10187
1070206.JPG]10188
1070205.JPG]Dancing at Sly McFly's
10185
1070271.JPG]10186
1070261.JPG]Attachments
Arrabbiata1
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Yeah cheers for that Dad, you inconsiderate w
I apologise, it was the anticipation and the realisation of the moment. Anyhow, I made up for it by lugging the damn thing across half of California.
Safely aboard, we had in store one of the best road trips ever courtesy of the man!
10180:1.jpg]
But not before we had stopped to pick up Cali Kid from the valley, where we were treated to a truly inimitable LA experience. Go suck on yer 'White Castle' ..... cause when Tommy's in town......
10181
1030281.JPG.jpeg]That filled a gap to say the very least; one blocked aorta and several congealed arteries later it was time to wash it all down with the first of many...
10182:1.jpg]
I swear to God people, that gut wasn't there before we stopped at Tommy's
Anyway, onwards for a rendezvous with Burrito Boy...and definitely high time to dutifully crack another tin, or two.
10183:1.jpg]
At this point - half a case of Tecate, and a box of Tommy's burgers to the better, I figured that it was time to reciprocate, and conjure up the one item of booze that I'd managed to retain..............it was time to summon, The Spirit of Chopperman!!!
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.....and the highway unfolded before us
10190:1.jpg]
10192:1.jpg]
Sacky, we were headin' your way
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As they say, no good deed goes unpunished...
Por Longrider...these are the ones that got away, eh buddy! Longrider was dancing with these chicks then there was some mix up and somehow, all his hard work went to .....
10193
1070262.JPG]Then we are waiting for a cab. This girl, very friendly, is hanging out with some guy, so Longerider doesn't make his move. Then the cab comes, chick doesn't so much as say goodbye to the other guy and gets in the cab...alone. Longrider starts hitting himself on the head..."Dude, had I known she wasn't with that guy!"
10195
1070276.JPG]Attachments
Arrabbiata1
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"sprit of chopperman"
you guys make out im on a bottle a day. I've cut down to a bottle of woods every other day FYI
I think ive started a ps trans atlantic tradition here
Incase i didn't tell you (im sure i did at least a 1000 times) Woods is distilled and bottled in Southampton
I got to say arrab, i will never look out of a plane window in the same way again
next time im on long haul im going to research my rought so i can truly appreciate what im seeing. Also don't beat yourself up about not telling jumkie you could receive texts, i told him that he should be able to text you. i had the same problem when i was there. Technology and jumkie take a while to get working
Longrider. Reading what you said about your parade lap bought back a memory. I was riding it and thought 'why is everyone riding sooo slooowww'? So i opened the throttle of the gixer jum lent me and started bombing past everyone. Then to my horror i saw a cop bike, it was too late by the time i saw him. I shot past him at a rate of knots looked in my mirror and saw his flashing red and blue lights
I thought 'fuuuk' but it was ok. Guess he was there just to ride the lap and have fun rather than chase idiots like me
next time just drop back from the pack then pin it bro!
Good thread guys
I got to say arrab, i will never look out of a plane window in the same way again
Longrider. Reading what you said about your parade lap bought back a memory. I was riding it and thought 'why is everyone riding sooo slooowww'? So i opened the throttle of the gixer jum lent me and started bombing past everyone. Then to my horror i saw a cop bike, it was too late by the time i saw him. I shot past him at a rate of knots looked in my mirror and saw his flashing red and blue lights
Good thread guys
Who you calling "Dad", isn't it "Daaaah"?Hi sweety, hope you're doing great back home. We asked for the company of your Daaah, and got 10 fold in return by having you along. Eres familia now!
James Dean memorial (Hwy 46)
10184
Walking down Cannery Row
10187
10188
Dancing at Sly McFly's
10185
10186
Thank you so much Jumkie. My Daaah and I are home safe thank you. Not really revelling in the English weather: cold and wet, a bit of a contrast to the gorgeous California sun
I'm eternally thankful for the hospitality that you gave us Jumkie, we were both treated like one of the group and I believe I can speak for my Daah in saying that it truly was appreciated!
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Thank you so much Jumkie. My Daaah and I are home safe thank you. Not really revelling in the English weather: cold and wet, a bit of a contrast to the gorgeous California sun. My Daaah and I are definately lamenting the loss of the stunning California scenery that you have at your fingertips as well as the fact that we are no longer in the company of so many warm and fantastic people who were present at Laguna
I'm eternally thankful for the hospitality that you gave us Jumkie, we were both treated like one of the group and I believe I can speak for my Daah in saying that it truly was appreciated!
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN3GbF9Bx6E[/media]
