Hello. How are you? Wonderful I hope. I actually have an excuse for not updating this bit - I've been away. Which was nice. Two weeks ago I jetted off to Sweden for Jimmy and Annas wedding. It were right grand - nothing too huge, just friends old and new in a bunch of cabins in the middle of a huge forest. LOTS of snow, the possibility of seeing an Elk and the Northern lights, low percent Tuborg beer (whos brother is Mr Carlsberg - interesting egh), tree runs, floodlit boarding, 70mph coach drivers on snow tyres and narrow roads, £5 pints, dog sled wedding transport, beautiful blonde Swedish girls, reindeer sausage and naked saunas followed by snow rolling. Oh and Ikea. A land of amazing clichés. The ceremony was great - small church, all wood, didn't understand a word of it but it was great. Group photo outside then off to the hotel next door for pheasant, reindeer, fish eggs and dancing. The party on Sat was great. Spent a lot of it dancing with Mrs Sue Horton-Stephens. Shame we were leaving the next day and couldn't ride with the rest of the clan but cest la vie. Thanks to Kathy for the stress free taxi to Oslo - and right back to my front door. Jim, Anna & family for amazing organisation and hospitality, Ian & Emma for the best taxi service in Saalen and everyone else for cooking, riding and general funtimes. Amazing. You rock. The photos will be on a link here soon.

12 hours back with Pugh which was very well spent. She's ace. Then back on a bus straight back to Stanstead to fly to Pisa. Bobs tours were out in Abetone and I caught up with them on Monday evening. Tuscany is brill - reminded me a lot of the job last year driving that Alfa but with a lot more snow. The resort was good - small but perfectly formed. Lots of tree lined runs, steep and fun and really weird snow which was so light even though it hadn't fallen recently. Covered myself the first day making some heavy turns where I expected it to be a bit mushy - was amazing. Snow sticks in the beard and makes me look like Bonnington! Also got dad a treat with a couple of well timed turns. I'm sure it makes him love me more...

Anyway - wasn't all fun. I got a bit sick and had some very delicate rides down the mountain but still didn't miss a day on the slopes. Even though it was a bit risky at times... If you get the chance and want a cheap (very cheap) trip somewhere with 3 board parks, £33 ski hire for the week, amazing off piste potential, bad food and good snow, head to Abetone. 1hr 45mins from Pisa in the northern Apennines. Was a brill Bobs tours destination (thank you) and we'll probably be there again next year.

Back in L-D-N now for work and bike prep before the big France trip. Will be an adventure for sure... If you're around on Friday and fancy a pint at the Jolly Farmer in Ladywell, pop along as it's my birthday. Can't think of much else to say except that the first 2 months of 2008 have been proper bo and I hope the rest of it is just as good - for everyone. Met some brilliant people (hello Gary, Gokay & Kutlu) and been to some great places and it's not even March yet. Wow.

Be in touch - always ace to hear from you.

RB

PS: Link bit - check out Als theatre piece which you take part in... follow this link and all will be clear - ish. Was going to try it today but it's about minus eleventeen outside and I might have not given it my full attention. Go see.