He is off again

Well Dad is off tomorrow. He is heading up north of the border. He's having a few days in Oban visiting friends, a few days in Fortwilliam and then he is heading over to Skye and then back to Scotland. He'll be away 3 to 4 weeks. He's taken the tent, the bike, a chair and they've also got hostel accommodation booked !

He'll send me some updates so I'll keep you posted on his whereabouts in and around bonnie Scotland.

Dougie Mac cycle ride

Dad took part in the Dougie Mac cycle ride today. He was on the 50 mile to Nantwich. He managed to get off by 9.30 ... it took an hour to "check-in". A bit of a blustery day out on the road but the rain that threatened most held off.

I headed out to met him on the way back. However Dad had given me duff instructions as to which road they were heading down so I decided to wait at the drink station in Wrinehill - at around the 38 mile point. I text Dad to tell him I would be there.

I had around half an hour wait, chatting to the cyclists as they stopped off for a drink. I then spotted Dad heading down the road.

I gave him a shout and he waved at me. Shouted again and that's when he noticed me, so he pulled in for a drink.

Had a quick chat, a drink and he had his photo taken.

and then he was back on the road again.

 He was back at Michelin by 1.30 pm. It had taken him 4 hours with a 15 minute puncture repair.

Some photos

Well Dad took with him a disposable camera ... I wish he'd move into the digital age - as disposable cameras don't give the best results !  Anyway here are a few photos from his trip

Some of the old cars in Havana and a yellow taxi

Old Station in Havana

Dad's taxi ! The Casa he was staying is just behind

Carribean sea - just outside Santiago de Cuba

Casa in La Boca

Evening meal at the Casa in La Boca. Fish, veg, salad and fruit.

Bay of Pigs

Casa at Cienfuegos - roof top view

Guama - reconstruction of a Taino village

Local transport !

Giant Crab ... Dad said there were lots on the road - not sure they would be quite that size !



Here's one I caught earlier. Guess what's on the menu for tea ! This was a Dad's Casa.



The north coast of Cuba - Playa Jibacoa

View from Casa at Vinales of the Mogotes

Vinales - Mogotes

Playa Baracoa

Motorbike and sidecar

Tall ship Havana

Dad told me he'd done this trip on his own ... but look what I found in his photos ! Looks like he had quite an entourage. They were a group of Italian cyclists.





He's back !

Got a text off Andy last night to say Dad had landed and was just waiting for his bike. Had another about midnight to say they were home !

Just spoken to Dad and he slept like a log last night. He was off to Asda to stock up on supplies !

Day 28 - he's on his way home

Well I got a text in the night to say "flight delayed five hours" so I've been keeping an eye on departures from Cuba and his flight has now left Cuba destined for Gatwick Airport.  On the last check he was roughly half way - some where over the ocean. Still another 4 hours 45 minutes to go. He should get into Gatwick around 8.00 ish this evening.

Unfortunately I'm out this evening but will update later.

Day 27 - Havana

Well the bike is boxed and ready for the journey home. Dad is spending his last day in Havana on foot ! 

His flight home is just after midnight Cuban time (5.00 am our time).  He is due back at Gatwick at 3.00 pm tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully he'll  have a good journey home.

Will update if I hear anymore off him ...

Day 26 - Havana

Well Dad is back in Havana today. He had an easy day and was back by 11.30 this morning and the weather is cloudy ! I assume he's staying at Casa Galeano because his plan was to leave his bike box there.

He text to say he was in Baracoa last night which is about 8km inland. Wasn't a paritcularly good night ... in Dad's words it was a bit like Blackpool ! The Casa was very busy and there were alot of people around the pool which was very noisy.

Today it's rained for the first time since Dad arrived in Cuba - told Dad it hasn't rained here for weeks! He's had his first mishap - the frame for his bar bag has broke. It's a good job he's heading home tomorrow !

Day 25 - possibly still Baracoa

Had a text from Dad earlier to say he'd got not signal at the Casa. He was down by the beach. He'd been for a swim in the pool at the Casa and he'd been watching the May Day parades in the towns and villages. What he didn't say was where he actually was ! He'd had a good night last night ... I should think so he'd got the bed while the family slept on the floor !

Tomorrow he is heading back to Havana.

I'll update if I hear back as to where he actually is.
Updated to say yes he was still in Baracoa !