Can't stand the rain

Can't stand the rain
Originally uploaded by d_j_critchley

Just to make those of you in the UK feel better, it does rain here occasionally. We had a big storm yesterday with loads of thunder and lightning admittedly the air temperature and rain were warm. Oh well at least I don't have to top the pool.

I went for a ride on my new bike using the fixed gear on Saturday which was fun. It was difficult to get used to not coasting round corners and going down some of the big hills was crazy with my legs spinning round like mad.

An odd time

Lower Deck
Originally uploaded by d_j_critchley

The weather has mainly been hot and steamy with the odd storm passing through to clear the air for a day or maybe two. The cycling has been good and I've managed to swim every day, at the weekends I've been out playing on the computer under the shade of the tree and then plunging into the pool to cool down; bliss.

I had a meeting in Long Island and decided that it would be as quick, and more convenient, to drive as fly. So armed with the new GPS as an insurance I headed north. I was either brave or foolhardy and headed through mid Manhattan but apart from some heavy traffic it was a great experience. On the way back I tried the GW bridge (pictured) and the road was jammed through the Bronx until I got onto the lower deck of the bridge. The queue for the upper deck was massive, probably because lorries aren't permitted on the lower deck. The journeys were pretty boring because it was mainly freeway and apart from Manhattan, the most exciting thing was trying to find a restaurant that I could eat at on the way back.

This week I'm in the UK and I'm sat in the Virgin Atlantic lounge burning time before I get on the flight. I was with Helen the last time I left the US and it felt like a holiday, but this time, late on Sunday evening, it feels distinctly odd leaving home to go to the UK.

Hopefully I'll see some of you this week and please, if you're thinking of coming over, drop me a line or give us a call.

Squirrel Yoga

Squirrel Yoga
Originally uploaded by d_j_critchley

The fourth of July was interesting, I left the union flag flying alongside the stars and stripes and hoped I wouldn't get lynched by the locals. I had my first BBQ with Spencer from work and his wife Clare and then we went up to the Capitol building to watch the concert and fireworks. Little Richard rocked and it was odd watching Tony Danza host the show. It took us an age to get back home because the Metro was packed and the lines were different to a normal day.

I've been using the pool every day and it's great for cooling down after the ride home. It's a glorious day today very sunny and hot, I felt my skin crisping as I went outside to start the pool pump and it's only 0930! I'm sitting inside at the moment watching the Tour de France; I am delighted to see it's stopped raining in the UK. It's odd to see the riders going through London, which looks almost unrecognisable from the motorbike cameras.

Last night I had to boost the airconditioning because it is so hot at night, oh how I suffer ;o)