tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-222452342011-07-28T13:53:14.305-07:00Living in a strawbale home, with 1kW PV remote area power system (RAPS) and composting loo and riding a custom built short wheeled based (SWB) recumbent with front & rear suspension and Rolhoff hub (Recumbent built in Perth, Western Australia by Quantam Mechanics)Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.comBlogger761100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-43273209324269094352010-07-11T18:20:00.000-07:002010-07-11T18:20:14.501-07:00

Hi Folk ive stopped using this blog because it has been hit by spam and its not linked to my gmail address new blog is http://recumbentpatience2.blogspot.com cheers fleur

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-42438211837647924722009-07-15T03:44:00.000-07:002009-08-30T04:32:50.856-07:00

Sunday 21 July 2009 - WilunaThe day started early meeting Delia at the Airport, followed by a very quick tour of Kalgoorlie. We then set off for the almost 600km drive to Wiluna. On the way we stopped in to take a look the Ora Banda Pub, but alas it was closed. This didn't matter as I was keen to detour from Menzies by 60km to revisit the sculptures at Lake Ballard. Its a special spot, where

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-80592567344872874932009-06-27T02:26:00.001-07:002009-07-15T03:56:06.226-07:00

KALGOORLIEI arrived in Kalgoorlie (Kal) after a 7 hour train trip from Perth on a bright and sunny Saturday afternoon 13th June 2009. Kal is around 600k from Perth CBD heading due East and very slightly North. It is the heart of the Western Australian (WA) goldfields. Its been and still is a very important mining area for WA, holds extreme mineral wealth, over 150 years of gold mining history and

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-35990939259429110482009-03-25T05:51:00.000-07:002009-07-15T03:27:44.904-07:00

One of the 'bright' ideas i had for this year was to return to Uni to study physics. I never did it at school and felt it would help me working in the energy industry. I'm not sure I was all together ready for returning to Uni, but I jumped in to this idea as i usually do... with great gusto. Early February ish (16th Feb) had me stating lectures, tutorials and labs. The following week had me

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-88519203778748657602009-01-25T05:26:00.000-08:002009-06-27T02:03:54.234-07:00

I am writing this several months after my trip... It has been a busy 1/2 year... It started with me returning to Barrow Island for the Turtle Tagging season as a volly. I had a wonderful time. Though it was hot at times... even too hot to swim laps in the 15 metre pool... Then there was the humidity. One day it was 42 degrees and that night we had to work. Whilst the temperature had fallen

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-38381478954289235512008-11-25T05:43:00.000-08:002009-05-25T06:07:30.609-07:00

In November 2008 I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Gold Coast, Queensland for the Clean Energy Congress. I then travelled to Brisbane to stay a few days with a friend. I managed to either hire a bike, or borrow my friend Di's and ride around both locations. I've attached a few images from my days on a bike....

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-45579900377097562272008-07-30T05:49:00.000-07:002009-01-25T07:11:48.248-08:00

We had a couple of days in Kununurra to enjoy ourselves. Saturday 12th July, was a cycling day with out luggage visiting the Diversion Dam, Zebra Rock shop, visit Shoal Air to measure the bikes and get weighed, then coffee - real coffee at Boab Cafe... We then decided we liked the Kununurra show so much, we would go again :) Lots of fun just being still watch others use energy...Sunday 13th

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-49258040797060571342008-07-18T05:10:00.000-07:002009-01-25T05:39:28.467-08:00

Anyone who has ever driven, ridden or walked in the East Kimberley will understand the specialness of the place. Its where the rolling hills begin, dotted by big Boabs, wide open views and long winding roads. Our cycling resumes at Warmun Community about 435kms East of Fitzroy Crossing. I struggled with our decision to catch the bus... Whilst I was more than happy to catch the bus from Fitz

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-58492589541020974382008-07-18T03:47:00.000-07:002009-01-25T07:22:47.520-08:00

July 3rd started early with checking emails. Once everyone else was awake we checked out what food we needed, planned our shopping day and took-off to town from the Crossing Inn. 1st stop was the local camping store for gas for Uwe stove and boxes for Steve to pack his bike. Yep Steve had told us last night he was returning to Broome/Perth on account of his knee not getting any better in the 5

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-12567072409612581362008-07-13T22:42:00.000-07:002009-01-25T07:39:34.356-08:00

I can't remember but for some reason we decided to get up very early today (1st July Tuesday) Uwe alarm sounded at 4.50am. It was dark when I got out of my tent, but watching darwn arrive was something one can never forget... the stars slowly fading as the horizon lightens from dark black, dark blue, light blue, pink, red yellow sun. At the same time the air changes from cold (4-degrees) to 10,

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-50306860000059105692008-07-13T21:57:00.000-07:002009-01-13T05:31:38.187-08:00

Saturday 28th June Best Ride day for almost any bike trip I have ever done! We left early 7.30am and by mid-morning had ridden 40kms, by luch 65kms and by camp 85kms. We have done about 20kms on dirt. Its good dirt, we are all slow on hte diret, me a little slower on account of the skinny front tyre. I need to change the wheel rm from 16 1 3/8 to the larger 16" so I can fit a fat tyre. The

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-68843594048264333232008-07-13T21:32:00.000-07:002009-01-13T04:45:30.510-08:00

We started our bike tour by taking an all day tour in 4x4 to Cape Leveque. Worth every cent. Stu our tour guide was good value and came in handy over the next few days during the bike ride.After and extra day in Broome and a minor panic that Steve wouldn't beable to join the ride on the account of his air susspension unit failing. This was fixed and we were all ready for an early morning

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-5371923355720006412008-06-24T06:16:00.000-07:002009-01-13T04:11:12.870-08:00

Its hard to beleive I'm sitting in Broome writing to you on my laptop... the hard to believe bit is that I'm taking the laptop with me on a bike ride across the Kimberley.. Very long story.I arrived in Broome on Sunday around 12 noon with my cousin, Steve on a flight from Perth. Jill, Denice, Uwe and Brigit were waiting for us at the airport. Actually they had been waiting for us since 9.30am

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-85724520242168190762008-05-25T00:20:00.000-07:002008-12-12T00:50:47.754-08:00

In 28 sleeps, myself and my brave big cousin, Steve, fly to Boome with two recumbent bikes and luggage to start our cycling trip from Broome to Kununurra, via Derby, Windjana National Park, Tunnel Creek National Park, Fitzroy Crossing & Halls Creek. The day before, on the Saturday 21st June I will have meet up with equally brave and game friends, Birgit & Uwe who have flown from Germany to

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-21316459080841797702008-03-23T04:08:00.000-07:002008-12-12T00:50:49.168-08:00

Yes I have a wonderful job.... This month, March 2008, I took a 3 day work trip to the town of Kununurra, about 3,500km from Perth or a 3 1/2hour flight (give or take stops along the way). I had two meetings and was also undertaking two climate Change presentations... This trip I flew with Skywest via Argyle Diamond Mind (ADM). Great view of the mine (if you happen to like mines), the Carr

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-50231723404207481372008-03-23T03:40:00.000-07:002008-12-12T00:50:50.306-08:00

I was lucky to travel to Broome for work in February. The Kimberley has two seasons known as either "The Wet" or "The Dry". The difference is generally self explanatory. The Wet (September - April) is wet, steamy, thunderstorm, cyclones, humidity, hot, very hot and sometimes extremely hot (especially when standing next to 1.5MW gas engine inside a sea container in full PPE), limited tourists

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-20778006710184479922007-12-25T14:45:00.000-08:002008-12-12T00:50:51.454-08:00

Some time ago, back in August my sister sent me an email about an opportunity to volunteer as a turtle tagger for two weeks over summer. This work was going to be at a place called Barrow Island, 70kms off the mainland and over 2,000kms north of Perth in in Pilbara. At the time I thought wow, love to do it, but thought they would be looking for people with experience or at least working in a

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-18206264083537666342007-11-30T22:00:00.000-08:002008-12-12T00:50:54.076-08:00

This is a short blog - I had a great time at my 40th dinner party and here are some images of the night..

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-78774405516318325612007-09-27T21:23:00.000-07:002008-12-12T00:50:56.110-08:00

What a month! It started last month with an invite from Cathy in Melbourne to attend her 40th party, then got a bit more hectic when I needed to arrange a work meeting in Onslow (about 2000kms north of Perth) for the end of the month, then I had a bright idea that Tracy and I wouldn't tell Cathy we were both visiting which added to some logistically manovering and on top of me wanting to visit

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-72101720213543998542007-07-10T05:30:00.001-07:002008-12-12T00:50:56.584-08:00

Been wondering what I have been doing? Mostly planting a vegi garden - photos later when the seeds have germinated and having fun at work... Last week I did something very different - I was interviewed about my Strawbale house, power system and composting loo by the ABC - it was a lot of fun...Its all about making a change about gobal warming... As individuals we can make a difference in the

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-75452228757890792202007-03-30T21:29:00.000-07:002008-12-12T00:50:59.254-08:00

WOMADelaide March 9-11 Botanic Park AdelaideI arrived in Adelaide on Thursday 8th March and met up with my hosts for the weekend John & Chris... They have a true permaculture garden the whole garden its just magic. I set up my tent under the fig & pecan nut tree.. Wonderful spot. It was so warm in Adelaide i didn't need the tent fly. On my 1st day we spend time at a local cafe and then had

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-71714559254491401832007-03-17T00:08:00.000-07:002008-12-12T00:51:00.923-08:00

Flight QF 648 departs at 23.55 on Friday 2nd March bound for Melbourne. I'm on it. I'm also flying business class :) Yep I thought bugger it use all your point up and get some sleep. I did go to friends in the avro after work and to get 3 hours rest... I did manage to sleep on the flight - you can in business class the seat folds out not totally flat but good enough you also have a very wide

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-74598168018952819962007-03-16T23:41:00.000-07:002007-03-16T23:54:58.043-07:00

Okay this wasn't as flash as Florence. It was great to go... there were 5 of us from Horizon Power that turned up to either all of the conference or justs bits of it. It kicked of on sunday 4th in the Arvo with the screening of the Al Gore movie and debate. This was the 1st time I had sean the movie. Its a great flick.. well worth seeing - I did prefer going to the Al Gore dinner b4 Christmas

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-25224784093299439842007-02-25T22:35:00.000-08:002008-12-12T00:51:01.464-08:00

The tailend of January saw me at the 'Day on the Green' concert at the Sandleford Winnery in the Swan Valley. It was a scorcher of a day 42 degrees - needless to say I didn't get to the all day concert until sometime after 5pm - I had been on a 70km bike ride in the morning and need to have some time out of the sun and heat. I met up with friends and we found a cool spot in the shade under a

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-13169331824165507182007-01-25T18:01:00.001-08:002008-12-12T00:51:03.828-08:00

I write today on Australia Day - 26th January 2006. Its our national public holiday to celebrate being an Australian. In recent years the young teens have symblised with this national day - proud of being an Aussie... they dress themselves in the Australian flag and spend much of the day at the music events in the CBD or beach. Tonight there will be fireworks on the Swan River in the CBD

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-90972815852801483572006-12-24T05:23:00.000-08:002008-12-12T00:51:06.336-08:00

Thought I would add some photos of the area I live in and some of my house. I live north of the city of Perth in a wine and orange growing area. I don't have any farming activites on my land, but the locals do... So one rainy day in December I took some photos. My land is remnent bush and is doing just fine with out any intervention from me... As for my house... its straw bale, solar

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-20351266781674375212006-12-12T19:29:00.000-08:002008-12-12T00:51:07.391-08:00

So what have i been up too? Well apart from riding to work 25kms (one way) 3 times a week, swimming or at least trying to twice a week, kyaking on Saturdays actually again this is trying to and my usual Sunday bike ride with mates, i go to work... Lucky for me in the past 3 months i have managed to travel for work... I'll be loading some photos on my works trips soon once i work out how to use

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1157476924502749662006-09-05T10:21:00.000-07:002006-11-21T04:50:04.009-08:00

There is no place like home... and i have been home for around 10 weeks... back at work for 9 of these. its taken a bit to get back in to going to work each day and noticing i only have weekends to do things like sort out my photos, read, clean a house (and not my tent) catch up with friends and pay bills.I have found that i'm too fit now to just settle back into riding 12kms to work each day..

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1157476889380269622006-09-05T10:20:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:50.965-08:00

(Written 20/10/06 based on diary notes)The WREN was a hoot! and i needed to make sure i wasn't flat from having all those fantastic people around me 4 a week... so i booked to do a cycle ride tour in the hills around Florence with Tuscany Bike Tours... It was a great day... only 3 people and one was the tour leader. We visited a winery and oil maker in an 11 century castle. From here road the

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1156691655181108702006-08-27T08:07:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:50.699-08:00

You know you´re in Italy when u get to Florence... and when you get to the conference u know u are really in Italy and things take time and you need patience!Sunday 20th Augusti was in a great mood... Florence does this to you. I had managed to buy 2 dresses before i left Berlin to ware at the conf no way once can spend a week in Florence in cycling shorts! So sunday i set out to find the Conf...

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1156689392767958452006-08-27T07:30:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:50.523-08:00

World Renewable Energy Conference 9 Florence 2006So what does a girl do when she has a Mini Cooper, a road map or two, three weeks and a HUGE interest in RE? She drives to Florence, pays $680 Euro (i'm still in shock over this) to attend the WREN Conference.....So with Judith's car and BH driving instructions on Friday the 18th August i drove out of Berlin on the A something motorway heading to

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1156687856561617962006-08-27T06:35:00.001-07:002006-11-13T19:47:50.357-08:00

What a ferry trip from Oslo to Kiel! i Was on a floating 5 star hotel... complete with my own room, shopping mall and casino. The trip out of Oslo was just a hoot... sitting on the deck of the ferry as it slowly sailing past all the small island in the calm waters,with the sunshine on my back and face reading or trying to read my book... I was in the lap of luxuary for the 1st in weeks...what I'm

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1156436095423547242006-08-24T09:00:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:49.768-08:00

The train trip over the mountain is just wonderful, but sad, as all the time i can see where i should be riding my bike... I guess i could have just tried, but with the mountains and lots of tonnels its just not that much fun riding all day to find yourself on the wrong side of a tonnel that you can't ride through or at the end of a big day having to ride over a mountain....Now if i thought

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1156431877278086302006-08-24T07:59:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:49.515-08:00

Yes i know your asking why anyone would not be happy in Norway when its sunny and u haven't seen sun, real hot sunburning sun for months, when the country is just wonderful with its Fjords and lakes and i have a great bike to go riding...Well i arrived in Bergen, Norway early morning it was a magical day. I was up on deck of the ferry early and i just stood and watch the slow arrive to the port,

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1155643519584902442006-08-15T04:52:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:49.379-08:00

Well what can i tell u about the Shettland Island.... not muchThe ferry arrives at the port of Lerwick at 9pm... Our whole arrival was punctuated by the ferries horn sounding every 3 minutes. This was because no one could see the port of Lerwick, let alone make out the Shettland Islands due to thick fog... This fog had been with the ferry since our departure from the port of Torshaven... it was

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1155640653271985042006-08-15T04:11:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:49.123-08:00

I´m sad to sayi´m on my way, my heart is down,my head is turning around,i had to leave little Seydisfjordur in IcelandMy last few days in Iceland were great... I had a great day riding to the fishing town of Hofn, where i battled a side wind and gentle rolling hills... on this day i chatted to other riders heading the other direction and having have a much harder ride than me..or at least this

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1155307580576806432006-08-11T07:29:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:48.949-08:00

The day after rest day i decide to leave the park... there is more rain coming and low cloud so the planned walk i wanted to do i wont see anything... I'm also keen to get to spend some time at Jokulsarlon. Now i would suggest you hire the last James Bond movie and checkout the ice hotel and floating ice... something like 'to die another day' of some suchEverwhere you go in Iceland you see photos

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1155302869901474622006-08-11T06:21:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:48.739-08:00

I'm a bit behind in my weblog... Ferry's dont have the www so i can spend 4 days on a ship reading, eating and doing nothing and trying not to be sick.Vik to Skaftafell National ParkI have calculated the number of days i have left in Iceland and the kms and have worked out i need to catch two more busses. I could actually ride the whole way but that is all i would be doing and i'm very keen to

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1154974034541677832006-08-07T10:56:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:48.552-08:00

So some of you already know about the interviewed for ABC Local Radio 720 for the segment called 6 degrees of seperation... now i have to tell you the url so you can listen and enjoy or laugh....now with a bit of technical luck the link below will work.... but you need realplayer to listenhttp://www.abc.com.au/perth/stories/sixdegrees.htmnow some info on how the interview was done and where i was

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1153826902142320012006-07-25T04:07:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:48.299-08:00

Saga´s are a part of Icelandic folk law. They are usually very long, sung and involve death, near death, love, hate, food, a viking or two and many take a few days to tell.... This is my saga.Its a really good idea to be in a great mood all day when something is not going to go right... Something so simple can go a bit wrong... The Netherlands tour group i passed on the my morning hill climb

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1153753572150988042006-07-24T08:00:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:48.107-08:00

What a few days... let me see where do i start. I set off from Claudia´s on Friday 14th July with a short ride to the bus port. Yep bike and i are taking a bus to a place called Porsmork or at least thats what we planned in the morning. Now the P is a Th again here, a second elephant stamp if your saying it right.The day is wet.. but i´m getting used to being on a bus when its raining. Better

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1153676793335280402006-07-23T10:43:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:47.957-08:00

When i left you i was making my way to Reykjavik with the assistance of Claudia and her car...Well much has happened since then...here goes....Reykjavik TownSo what does a girl do on her own in a big city? yep same as Berlin... shop! This is a 1st in my life but i have managed to do my christmas shopping in one day. Why now you may ask, it takes 12 weeks to send things home so thats around

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1152809356033472182006-07-13T09:43:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:47.733-08:00

I got off the bus Gullfoss. It was cold but a sunny day. Very welcomed after the highlands. Gullfoss is a waterfall, very impressive... anything ending in foss is a waterfall. The photo is not this waterfull but one in the National Park. From here i road about 10kms to camp at Geysir. And yes this is the original Geysir all others in the world use this world from Iceland. Its also very

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1152808859377342292006-07-13T09:37:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:47.536-08:00

Kjolur TrackNow there is an 85k ride from Akureyri with very limited places to camp along the way, then from here I could take the ring road or take the dirt road called the Kjolur Track through the highlands. The ring road is very long and not much to see and the dirt road is much shorter, lots to see, but hard riding. I um and ah for some time, then decide I´ll do the dirt road the Kjolur Track

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1152808661601036792006-07-13T09:29:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:47.348-08:00

Artic yes... in the sence of being in the Artic Circle but more on that...Hailstorm1st i want to tell you about my attempt to walk from Krafla back to Myvatn and the hailstorm. I took the bus up to the Krafla area north west of Myvatn. Its only a 13km walk back through a lava field and i thought it would all go so well. I did the walk around the big crater, steaming vents and troll lava field..

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1152807619985241912006-07-13T09:13:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:47.176-08:00

So when i last wrote i told you i did something fantastic but not what... well now i can and include photo´s...On Friday 30 June.. i have to mention the date for all my accounting mates i did a tour into the centre of Iceland to visit Mt Herubreid and Askja Crater. Now this was 13 hours on a bus on some prity bad roads. Some bike riders choose to ride the 100kms but not me.. i´m not silly as i

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1152018409197781712006-07-04T05:55:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:46.993-08:00

I ride the 57kms to Reykjahlid or what is better know as Myvatn in one day... It starts out to be a great day, only a small hill climb out of town and a slight breaze.. then I have to turn left and south and things change... A raging side wind, its too hot to ride with water proof clothes but its going to rain. Then to top it off the road is dirt for about 25kms in the middle... not bad dirt but

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1151496662789490592006-06-28T04:45:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:46.835-08:00

Just spent the morning lazing about in 41 degree spa with the warm sun on my face and cool Alantic breaze... just heaven... but i'm getting ahead of myself and i guess you might want to know how i managed to get to such a spa...Iceland Arrival Thursday 22 JuneI'm suffering I´m sea sick... it was fine as long as i stayed horizontal. This is not so easy to do when you get your 5.30am wake up call

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1150897308236465762006-06-21T06:11:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:46.664-08:00

I´m in Thorshavan... had a great day cycling on Monday 19th June... The Ferry arrived at 6am... we all got our wake up call from the captain at 4,30am - just wonderful.. to get out of our cabins... The sun was shining, the port was just loverly. Its hard to capture but the houses are very colourful, yellow, red, blue and some have grass on the roof! Lots of wooden boats in the harbour... with

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1150190190672013822006-06-13T02:02:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:46.482-08:00

Changing my booking to IcelandI have just got of the phone after being on hold for 20 minutes about changing my booking to Iceland... I´m very keen to get there now and the weather is so nice that its making me think I should go now!...Also it would be better to catch up with Cloudia as she is having so many visitors in July. So I´m planning to catch ferry on the 17 June... This only gives me 4

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1150185890394886852006-06-13T00:55:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:46.325-08:00

Hello folksWhat a top time i´ve had in Demark...Train & Ferry to GedserI left Berlin in fine weather. I left Berlin from the new Berlin Station - very flash... and it had lifts for the bikes :) The train trip was pleasent and I arrived in Rostock in 3 hours. I had a map to ride to the ferry but didn´t know how to get out of the station.. a young guy said i could catch a train and helped me get my

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1149091859198172692006-05-31T08:53:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:46.179-08:00

So what does a girl do when she gets to Berlin? Go shopping of course!I´m now the proud owner of some snazy new walking boots...German made of course! I decided i need these as my current cycling shoes are not the best things to walk in and i have the feeling i might be doing some walking in Iceland! There are also holes in the soles for the clip-less bits and i have found that the water gets in.

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1148848310524683202006-05-28T13:23:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:46.012-08:00

I left Prague at about 8am Tuesday 23 May. It was cool weather and had rained all night... so much for the sunblock cream i used yesterday. Struth the weather over here is moody....The ride to the zoo on the otherside of the river was resonable simple, but i shouldn´t have taken the advice of the bike riding lawyer and used the road. Up hill through the park would have been simplier...The

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1148288383112228182006-05-22T01:57:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:45.810-08:00

Hi folksGetting your comments is great, but can you please add your name at the end of message otherwise i don't know who its from.taFleur

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1148288209468755662006-05-22T01:46:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:45.679-08:00

What a city. Well worth the trouble getting here. I had a ball yesterday (Sunday) walking around the place looking at all the attraction, parks and towers.... I spend lots of Crown but i was happy doing so...Last night I went to a symphany concert which was great. Its music week here nowt and you could spend a week listening to clasical music. Its also a bit like United Nations - all the

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1148284535606222512006-05-22T00:37:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:45.527-08:00

Where do i start! iám a bit battered and brused from train but iĺl explain my Saturday 20 MayTrain 4,16 am Koblenz to Nurnberg arrive 8,24amI get up at 2,30am as i´m stressed about getting bike up stairs in hotel. I do it and it doesn´t take long but i´m shaking like a leaf from the energy and effort both physical and mental to do it. Its a cold morning but not for me i get to station 1 hour

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1148049377473687392006-05-19T07:32:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:45.373-08:00

Those of u following my progress will haved noted that I'm back in Koblenz. I was here on Easter Sunday. It was cold & wet then... now its wet and cold...Tomorrow morning at 4am I catch a train to Prague... very excited.... From here I'll ride up to Dresden and if going well will ride on to Magdeburg. From here I'll catch train to Berlin...So it might be a week or so before I update this

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1148049123915985082006-05-19T07:24:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:45.196-08:00

What a great 4 day ride.... I started riding from Remich on the Mosel... this is south east of Luxembourg (ish)....I have good wether for two days, almost hot... the next two days a little wet, but okay still.It's hard to describe this part of the world... it is rolling hills, grapevines growing on very steep slopes, old old villages and flat cycling. It is very nice... U can spend the whole time

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1148048627590466342006-05-19T07:09:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:45.049-08:00

What a wonderful weekend...Thought getting there was a bit of a concern. A thunderstorm hit when we were in the car and the hail was about the size of pea. We (Thierry and I) had to stop driving as u couldn't see. Then the road flooded.. Glad I wasn't on the bikeWe arrived late on Saturday arvo. Paris come alive at night and this was Saturday night so get very alive..We had dinner in a Tibetan

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1147273035798847562006-05-10T07:21:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:44.887-08:00

Hi FolksWhat a week. I have cycled over 300kms through rolling hills, winding rivers, pitctureques? villages, with rain and sunshine. I have stopped for a bit resting in Bouillon on the border of France and Belgium. Nice town to stop in. Though the most interesting town on the ride was Rocroi a fortified town in the shape of a star. Here I met pilgrim - Dutch guy walking 3000kms to Spain and I

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1146393696971789852006-04-30T03:24:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:44.718-08:00

So glad I did and MBA - though somehow it didn't prepare me for the decisions I have needed to make on where to cycle here... Work is easy by comparison...I have learnt so much about reading a map, fixing my bike, asking for help and being on my own.. but now it get moves to a new level.Tomorrow, Monday 1st May I make my way to Luxemburg. This will be a bigger test than what I have already done

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1146235574182662062006-04-28T07:37:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:44.588-08:00

Hi folksUpdating this weblog is very time consuming. I just spent the past two hours trying to get some photo's loaded'. It has told me 3 times that it worked but I can't see them so no idea. As for spelling and editing I'm not checking what i type... it costs $5 euro/hour to use the web so I'm typing very fast and not checking - bad i know but hay i'll type less from now and try harder on the

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1146165067612466082006-04-27T11:59:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:44.446-08:00

Where have I been?Rest days in AmersfoortMy first rest day in in Amersfoort began with a bit of a sleeping in and a breaky surrounded by maps of where I could ride too next.. So much fun so many decision - Wonder if I should ask my boss for a more leave? Just kidding David if your reading this!I repacked my stuff and found that I could send back some spare stuff. I was to discover that I I could

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1145821710727708632006-04-23T12:43:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:44.259-08:00

Bit more of where I have ridden...Stressing in SturzelbergThis was not such a good day for riding basically a very industrial area - but the big highlight before I got to much in to the industry was Koln and it's cathedral. Amazing building and so was the number of visitors considering this is off-season. The size, stain glass windows and gothic design is something to behold. I didn't stay inside

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1145729218768473662006-04-22T10:40:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:44.113-08:00

When last I wrote I was telling you about my 1st Castle visit... I have moved on a bit now.Klimbing in KoblenzThis day (15 April) was a big day I road 65kms but it was loverly watching all the castle along the Rhein... I arrived in Koblenz to discover the hostel was a castle on the top of avery big hill up the steepest hill I have ever seen... needless to say i didn't ride but walked, pushed

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1145295790054584542006-04-17T10:19:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:43.946-08:00

Now updating this site is going to be a tad harder than expected or I'll have to learn to read German as unlike hotmail is done's convert to English... On top of that the keyboard is a little different to use as the y & z are swapped and things like shif work differently.. But u don't want to know any of this.. u want to know where I have been for a week or perhaps not.. Highlights of my week

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1144754063870405002006-04-11T04:02:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:43.765-08:00

Made it! And not even tired... Not sure why as I didn't get much sleep on the plane... But at least I did sleep. I caught a taxi from airport on good advice from Barbara...On 35 euro... I managed to find a nice court yard in the sun to rebuild bike.. Have some snaps to load latter on... Bike when together well I only suffered 1 bruise...at 6.30am it was 3.5 degrees here. The sun has a nice warmth

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1144159909981764142006-04-04T06:32:00.000-07:002006-11-13T19:47:43.644-08:00

Only 5 sleeps to go... Last Saturday was the somewhat stressful event of packing down Patience. Alas I had hoped I wouldn't need to remove the steering head system and cables, but alas the bike was just too tall to fit into the QANTAS bike box - so it was undone. I am reasonable confident to getting it all back together again... but will plan to do this somewhere very quiet and with lots of

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1143629646000002862006-03-29T02:46:00.000-08:002006-11-13T19:47:43.448-08:00

With only 12 sleeps to go I'm planning on packing my bike on the weekend. I have managed to ride the bike fully loaded and it rides very well. Quite stable. I did however forget to take a photo so will have to post a shot when I'm actually touring.My touring weight is to be around 25 kg. I have around 4 kg in both my large front panners and both bags are full. The smaller second bags hold only 2

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1139923863203286012006-02-14T05:31:00.000-08:002006-11-13T19:47:43.265-08:00

Aldo giving me some advice on the bike before I go for my 1st ride. Ride was 20kms return and it was great to be on such a sorted little bike. (Dec 16 2005) 

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1139923719440433692006-02-14T05:28:00.000-08:002006-11-13T19:47:43.020-08:00

Happy customer on her 1st ride of new bent 

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1139923440315738992006-02-14T05:24:00.000-08:002006-11-13T19:47:42.836-08:00

Aldo 

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1139923425036170742006-02-14T05:23:00.000-08:002006-11-13T19:47:42.606-08:00

1st Ride 

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1139922799749282932006-02-14T05:13:00.000-08:002006-11-13T19:47:42.385-08:00

Construction (2005) photos  

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1139921752006366332006-02-14T04:37:00.000-08:002006-11-13T19:47:42.182-08:00

Patience was built in North Perth, Western Australia by Aldo Contarino (Quantum Bicycle Manufacturers) and was completed on December 16th 2005. The building process took slightly longer than I and Aldo planned, thus the name, but the result is a very special bike. Patience has front & rear suspension (Custom designed by Aldo) and has a Rolhoff 14-speed hub, rear disk brakes, hub front brakes

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22245234.post-1139576022843545602006-02-10T04:33:00.000-08:002006-11-13T19:47:41.959-08:00

Pre-trip planning is underway. Panniers have arrive, bike pump is here, new bike computer is running..Where am I going - Europe on my new SWB Recumbent called Patience (photo soon)Departure is 10th April to cycle in Germany, Netherlands & Iceland. If time permits will look at Czech, Poland and Norway. But time is short only have 22 weeks.

Fleurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16157824892929578685noreply@blogger.com6