Slowlycatchymonkey

Good luck. Hope its an adventure. Make sure you're on the right side of the dam! I think itchy boots did an interesting one about the dams, she did quite a lot of stuff about the Netherlands when Covid hit. I got bored of it but if I was moving there Id probably have found it a bit more interesting!

Nice work. Do you need to have stuff like a horn on the bike for an MOT type thing or do they not have vehicle safety inspections there?

No thats not worth it! What are the rental costs like in NL?

Id assumed it was your wife not you It might not be a drain but money in the right place makes more money. Could you rent it out? I know renting is dodgy as hell in Spain but if it was someone reliable it would be good for the coffers, maybe you could work less then? Might be a bit cold for Tara n Terry

When you recognise crumbliness is upon you being near family is priceless. But Im concerned you'll find it too cold and expensive. Could you rent there for a year or so without selling up your place in Spain until you're certain? You obviously did a good job with your kids if they want to have you around, hats off n all that My own dear mother has just realised frailty is on her and now keeps coming down. She left nearly 30 years ago and has previously shown no interest in her children or grandchildren. She got married 2018 and didn't even tell us because apparently "its none of our business" He then carked it in 2019 and in the last 6 months she keeps turning up down here will waggling. She is very wealthy and I find it all very distasteful. TBH it pisses me off that after fucking up the first part of my life she arrogantly assumes she can walk back in and have me look after her. Im not doing it, I refuse to have her screwing up the last part of my life too so Ive told her I won't be about cos I'm going to travel and will be based in Spain for the start. She said "But who's going to look after me?" I shrugged. So my plan is to just avoid her and say Im in Spain whether I am or not. Im not sure if Im ok with lying but I reckon its alright if its to protect myself? I told her outright I wouldn't be around and if she ends up with dementia like her mother did (she is showing the early signs) she might want to pick out where she wants to go now while she has her marbles. I know this sounds harsh but I can't handle her lies and manipulation, it messes with my head. What do you reckon?

ps @MooN I think you know I think turned out just dandy.

Woah dude. You had to consider your heritage more than most of us ever will and Im sorry to hear that. But this is exactly the place to let rip about the why's n wherefores cos crikey man your ma cudna keep you, thats a proper heartbrake `nd no mistake.

Thats the shortest family history Ive ever heard!

Softener bottle next year?

When you let go of preconceptions a lot of the combos work. You have to release preconceived notions. I had one just recently. The crisp sandwich. What an awful concept. Until my ham n cheese crisp was masticated (that words specially for you Pete ) I could not of understood the joy.

Staple carbs is staple carbs. You'd struggle not to enjoy bread, potatoes, pasta or rice with the majority of the worlds dishes. We all have them, starchy filling bases that make food satisfying. Theyre surprisingly interchangeable. Ever made a mash potato volcano with your gravy? Thats all curry is- a variable spicy gravy.

Am I to understand you are a fair weather riding sensitive tummied welsh boy?

But Petes distressed by puddles so..

Curry and mash? is that a real thing?

You be one of that there them London types I was born nearby in Northwick Park Hospital. Was the Germany bit forces related?

Wow some of that scenery is really beautiful. 10 shots, yep that'll do it

That lenor bottle would be a frightening size for a tent urinal, the moment when you realise you need to stop quickly would be on you before you knew it. Same with a pint glass. The pint glass is also a bad idea cos the person youre sharing with can wake up thirsty then tell you they know why you didn't drink the apple juice.. true story, don't ask

Got your curry powder then? We're having slow cooker curry tomorrow, Chinese curry chicken, its surprising how well those flavours mix together. Ive eaten all the prawn crackers though, the hangover made me do it.

For @Tym https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-60334402

Im off to supervise the making of garlic mushrooms to go with the steak and to try and shake off this feeling of uselessness! Laters

Nearly. The whisky fixed it completely but Ive got a feeling there's some sort rule about using alcohol for pain relief and being in charge of a vehicle

Thats great news. Spain has just dropped the requirement for teenagers to be double jabbed because the hotel association ripped into the government for causing them to already lose millions in cancellations. The Spanish travel and tourism minister did such a fast uturn he could get a job with Boris

Hungover. The pleasure pain ratio for whisky is well out of sync. Might wander down to a Chiringuito get a medical emergency glass of plonk and stare at the sea for the rest of the day. Or maybe just fester here eating crisps, watching crap on Netflix and wait for my son to get hungry enough to cave and cook the steaks. I don't know what to do, this is why hangovers suck

Once it realises how many miles its going to do and all the things it'll see that'll be one happy bike.

Moved down to the west country when I was just 3 but born in London from London hippy parents, got called “LONDAAAN” for years n years and my parents believed the ‘carrot crunchers’ thing so I did too. If you want my direct ancestry just from my most recent ones youre only looking at Irish, English, Scottish, Welsh, Russian Jew, French and African.. and that’s just what I know for sure. I’m a proper mongrel baby My parents still call them carrot crunchers now What about everyone else? You Pete?