Situation Goes Pear Shaped.

As per usual when arriving into the United States of America from a foreign port, we were welcomed with open arms... Well, fire arms actually and although we were greeted we were certainly not welcomed. The three armed customs officials had all been on board at least once, if not twice in this past year and the familiarity was totally lost on their humourless demeanor. One of these officials must have had the body mass index of a large hippo! As he sat down I was worried about his gun. I winced a little as the gun became enveloped in the folds of his body fat. Guns just make me a little nervous, especially when carried by professionals such as these! God only knows what would happen if this bloke wanted to use it.

Next is the US agriculture, (complete with guns) they inspect the ships fridges for non USDA approved meat, foreign fruit and vegetables. Any garbage that we have collected on the trip between the last port and arrival must also be inspected. We are wise to this these days, so we make sure we use anything up, fruits are juiced veggies are used up because if you don't, these guys basically make you chuck it. It must then be thrown into a large garbage sack, marked foreign garbage and collected by a special truck that probably takes it to the same tip as the rest.

The next day the truck comes. There were two Mexicans (probably illegal workers) and three armed men to make sure we threw six avocados and 3 bags of cardboard and food packaging that was our complete complement of garbage from the passage. The laugh of it is that the avocados that we will buy in the shop up the road to replace the contaminated foreign ones, will probably also come from Mexico!

A Sunday run

I will be sad to move on from Mexico. It has taken a while to suss out the area. My Sunday morning runs have taken me into some remote and beautiful places. This weekend I took a picture of one of the sand tracks that I have been taking. You can just see the road stretching into the distance. The first day I came over this hill I was unsure of where the road would end up. It ends up at another hill with another remote road and then another.
California will not be the same however and it will take some time to discover the trails. Soon though we will be in Hawaii and I have been taking to some guys in a club called 'HURT' (Hwaian Ultra Running Team) and hopefully they might show me around. Lucky me!

Real Men Wear Tights

I have even bought a pair for myself but I am worried that I might not be man enough to wear them.
While in the French alps this summer I was slightly inspired by the upper echelons of the Sussex men's fitness league (committed tight wearers) Who after running/walking over 200kms in a few days and during that distance went up hill for a staggering 18-20,000 Meters! They were still able to run over the finish line and then, not happy with that in itself started to dance as well!
The long and the short of it is that I have foolishly entered an event next spring called the Eco Trail Du Paris and am now in training... In my eagerness to fit in, I have purchased tights, a lightweight rucksack and the piece de resistance a cleaver GPS watch that is astounding me daily. I have been testing this with my gadget savi mate, Dai who is confusing me with his seemingly extensive knowledge on the beats per minute of my heart. I will have to see if the tights make a difference!

But Now it is time for work

So here I am in Mexico. Everyone continues to believe life is all sun sets and gin and tonic for me so might as well keep up the illusion. It has to be said that occasionally life at work can be good. No one can actually work 24 hours, seven days a week, so on the odd occasion between work we are lucky to be able to enjoy our surroundings. I know that it has been howling a gale and raining all weekend in England, so in order to cheer you up, here is a picture of the beach club near to the boat that we are able to use.

checking in

Hello... A whole month has passed since arriving back at work. This is a good time to reflect on my time off at home. In summary 'Very Good' seems to do the trick. Lots of time with Mrs P junior and a trip to California and Nevada including the Canyon and Las Vegas. I also made a trip to the Alps with some members of the Sussex men's fitness league. Basically to watch a few of the division one boys show off quite a lot. Meanwhile Dai and I found very uncomfortable places to sleep and drank some wine! I also spent lots of time generally in and around Sussex, friends, family, some sporting activity and some drinking of beer. All good stuff.

And then he flew to Mexico

My arms are killing me....