So it seems that some of my readers want to hear more about Cuba.
Well, after looking through the many photos on Gail's phone, I am pleased to report that they are not all about cycling.
Of course there are some pictures of the bikes etc.
The cyclists had to share the mostly quiet (but rather bumpy) roads with a variety of horse drawn vehicles.
But Gail's friends also took a fun car ride in Havana. Maybe some of our American readers remember vehicles like these ones?
It seems there was beach time too. I have to say I don't think Gail has quite got the hang of the 'beach babe' look, but she says she enjoyed her swims in both the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean.
She also enjoyed a guided nature hike followed by a boat trip on Lago Hanabanilla.
The weather was not always sunny.
Apparently, in Cuba, you can't avoid hearing rather a lot (perhaps too much?) about Fidel Castro and Che Guevera, and seeing their images everywhere.
At the 'Bay of Pigs' museum the tour group was made to watch a video detailing the glorious defeat of the "Yankee Imperialists' in 1962.
Gail says the meal times were more memorable for the company than the food, and claims you wouldn't last long cycling in Cuba if you were a fussy eater.
Some of the hotels where they stayed look nice.
The diverse group, all friends and relatives of Jim and Lori*, ranged in age from 18 to 84. Most come from the Seattle/Tacoma area, but other tour participants were variously based in California, Illinois, Florida, and Calgary in Canada. And of course there was one from the UK! The tour was arranged by Jim through the Havana-based company Bicycle Breeze.
The group made three pre-arranged stops to donate miscellaneous old bicycle parts brought from home to aspiring young Cuban cyclists, whose clubs have great difficulty sourcing equipment.
OK, I think that's quite enough about Cuba. Now let me show you a picture of my weekend walk by the River Dee, to remind you whose blog this is...
*My predecessor Bouncing Bertie had the privilege of meeting Jim and Lori when they came to visit Gail in Scotland a few years ago.
Fantastic pictures, Nobby!! We don't mind sharing those with you...afterall, you did show yourself, too.
ReplyDeleteWhen our Auntie goes to Cuba, she always takes an extra suitcase filled with things to give to the maids in the hotels where she stays. Once she took all our unfurbro's shoes that they had outgrown. OMD! Baby clothes are always very welcome, too.
oh my this wonderful cars... a friend of the mama was there too... she loved the cars and the good mood of the most people there...
ReplyDeleteNobby it is very interesting and we wonder how they got old bicycle parts into Cuba but the best bit is your beautifully composed portrait at the end.
ReplyDeleteIt was good to see what Gail got up to with her friends, but better to see you in the last photo.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Indy xx
I can see by that last photo that you were in good hands while she was in Cuba, you look wonderful and we do know this is your blog.. we are happy to see the photos and the stories from Cuba.. during the 1962 thing, i was a senior in highschool and because Castro was threatening to bomb us, we had to drill once a week on how to hide under desk, how to get to buses. like that would stop a bomb. we were in Savannah Ga and the SAC airforce base is there. our town was full of soldiers, and they told us of being so scared at night, while marching around the borders of the base, one of the guys hear noise in the night and starting firing his weapon and killed a bunch of feral pigs. we do remember those cars, since we drove them and our parents did.. there was a documentary we watched about Cuba doesnt have new cars, they have to repair the old ones. did you see any new cars there?
ReplyDeleteGail replies: We saw very few new cars - these apparently belonging to people with money and government influence who had somehow managed to overcome the import restrictions. We saw an awful lot of Soviet era Ladas and car workshops!
DeletePS we live in a big city and do not let our dogs out in the yard unless we are with them, it is fenced but not for dogs to run in and out at will, so no flap door. besides getting up and down to let Beau out is part of our excercise
ReplyDeletepss I did not know you went alone, I thought you were going with a group you ride with locally.
DeleteGail explains: it was a great joy to be reunited, after a Covid-induced gap of 4 years, with my dear friend and frequent travel companion Marse. I first met Marse when we both worked in Oklahoma in1988. She now lives in Tacoma and I had also cycled with several of the group who live near her on previous visits to the Pacific NW area. So although I travelled alone, I was not with strangers!
DeleteOMDs Nobby Bryan will enjoy looking at the vintage cars.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful (mostly) blue skies for most of the rides.
I am very happy Gail got in a hike and the boat ride in between all the fun road treks. I do love all the tropical creamy colors and the water is beautiful
Hugs Cecilia and Bryan will read later
What wonderful photos and the scenery in the boat trip picture is just beautiful!
ReplyDeletePS Nobby
ReplyDeleteDid Gail receive a report on your kennel stay? If so,are you going to tell us tales about your 18 days romping and roaming at the Kennel OR does what happens at the kennel stay at the kennel.
Oh and did you enjoy your bath?
Sincerely an inquiring mind in NC
Gail replies: Nobby received an A* report. Apparently he had even made friends with reputedly grumpy new stud dog Bruno.
DeleteBut he did NOT enjoy his bath...
BOL BOL Nobby your perfect life with your human does require some give and take. At least you didn't have a bath for 18 days.
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteWell, Nobby - forgive my tardiness, but I's here now and thoroughly enjoyed this romp through the different sights and events of Gail's trip to furrin parts. I hope there has been no bother with jet lag and that your routine together is full functioning! You do look so handsome, there by the Dee... quite the contrast to the rest of today's post content! Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx
Gail replies: All settled happily back into the routine now. I was certainly tired after the long overnight journey with little sleep, but otherwise fine. Remarkably, the group had no accidents, injuries or illnesses the whole time we were in Cuba.
DeleteIt looks like Gail had a good time on her bike trip. We will never forget that this blog belongs to you, Nobby. You look like your vacation was good for you too.
ReplyDeleteOur Mama thanks you so much for posting a bit more about Gail's trip, Nobby. Cuba is a place she has always wanted to go. Mostly to visit the underwater reefs in the area, but it was great to see the beaches and what else there is in the area.
ReplyDeleteWe, on the other paw, are looking forward to seeing and hearing more on your hike!
All in all, it sounds like it was a very nice trip with friends. The seaside there is beautiful. And Nobby, that photo of you is stunning!!!
ReplyDeleteWoos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber
Such a beautiful country, too bad it is not allowed to thrive.
ReplyDeleteGail wholeheartedly agrees.
DeleteThe colors in the photos are so vibrant and we are sure it was nice to be warm for a bit! But it is also so good to be home and together, right?
ReplyDeleteIt looks like such a beautiful, sunny place. Glad you had a good time there.
ReplyDeleteI think those old cars predate me a bit. But my Dad always loved to put together little model cars like them.