A web site dedicated to Tom Harrington's family containing news, gossip and tales of the unexpected. Fun for all.
If everone adds a few lines of news and information - others will look at this site and it will spiral into a web log of the Harringtons!
It is so easy to add comments even I can do it.
Tom
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What time is it there?
Tom's Training Routine
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Here are a few more pictures - I may add some new ones of Nora when I get round to it. Tom
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Sunday, February 29, 2004
Ok it?s only me again ? in the back of beyond. I am in Lijiang and it is truly amazing. A 12th centuary city enclosed in a modern 20th centuary city. I have found a caf? which has internet access so I stopped to rest my legs and have a coffee and a type. I have been walking and walking since 10 am ? till now 7 pm ? with a few stops for a Chinese tea and a restful appreciation of the views
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I do not have all your email addresses on me as I am traveling light so you bloggers will have to pass the news on verbally to anyone who is interested.
I am having a great time doing some real traveling and looking at new and wonderful sights. Living by the seat of my panes and learning from my mistakes. I should have taken the offer of a family run guest house last night at the bus station instead of trecking and getting lost looking ofr the number one traditional Naxi recommendation guest house in Phils lonely planet. When I eventually got there it was not as expected. V clean but a sparse room, cold, and the most fun of all communal showers and squatter toilets ? once I had accepted it then I had no problem ? it sounds bad but after after a world record short dump and a wonderful hot shower I felt great! And had no problem with this traditional Chinese way of doing things
I arrived last night (Saturday) from Kunming after a 10 hour bus ride which the first 4 where like being on a bucking bronco ? they bus was a reasonable modern affair but the road out of Kunming to the north was being rebuilt from an B road to a motorway of sorts. But for some reason the Chinese logic of doing road construction they have not completed a section then moved on ? they stripped the road surface of the whole length and are working on bits of it all along the route. This remnants of a road is fought over by vehicles going both ways and the uneven surface through me around in my seat and up in the air numerous times. We eventually got out of the district governed by the mad road planners on to a fine new modern duel carriage way. I was able to enjoy the views of the hills and valleys a lot more now interspersed with a bit of reading and nodding off. The views as we went through the mountains were spectacular but I also liked watching the everyday life of the locals as we passed. Farmers in the fields working on the rice paddy fields, workers in small workshops spilling on to the pavement, mad car drivers, hoards of bicyclists, a small number of animals - all loners stood tied up or penned in - all interesting to see in the Chinese countryside and small medieval villages we passed though
Then we came on something like las vegas out of the desert - the modern part of Lijing all lit up ? quite amazing to see this after miles of Chinese wilderness
When I got to the old city I was really impressed even though I was tired after walking for ages. I have spent today exploring the maze like roads no wider than a pavement and have had a fantastic time just looking in wonder and admiration.
I am of on a mountain bike for the day tomorrow
Off now for some food in a veggie restaurant I found earlier
Love to all
posted by Michael on 2/29/2004 11:25:00 AM
Thursday, February 26, 2004
Ye all
I did not force anything from anyone - I did not have to - it's just my natural charm - people just like helping me out - especially the ladies!
I am off west tomorrow on a plane to Kunming then an 8 hour bus ride up into the hills to much recommended beautiful part of China bordering Tibet and a town called Lijiang
I will spend a few days exploring here and then back to Beijing overland by train, bus or donkey - what ever I can find . So I will be out of contact for a while but I maybe able to text on my mobile - do not call me as I will keep my mobile off to conserve the battery.
that's all for now
I will be gone for a 9 or 10 days do do not worry if you do not see any updates on blogger - I will hassle the locals and insist on internet access in my b&b but this may not work
Michael
posted by Michael on 2/26/2004 01:19:00 PM
Monday, February 23, 2004
Mum - Do not be so ready to believe the stuff that comes from the voice of Chinese communist indoctrinated party member fil-long !! seeing is believing so have a look here
chinese holiday
I am planning to go travelling south at the end of the week but am busy now setting up PC stuff for P&C
posted by Michael on 2/23/2004 02:15:00 AM
Sunday, February 22, 2004
Frank – great to hear from you this is Kevins mobile number - 00353876593483
Michael
posted by Michael on 2/22/2004 02:23:00 AM
Wednesday 18th February
Shopping in Beijing markets with Phil’s friend Tolson who is a Chinese goods importer so he knows all the best places and gets me good Chinese prices!
Thurday 19th February
Visiting the zoo with Carin for the day, videoing her work and playing with the animals (endangered species only)
Friday 20th February
Today I had an adventure on my own – exploring the local Beijing countryside on a mountain bike,
I slept in until 6.30 today which means my body is adjusting to China time and I am back to waking up at my normal early morning hour. Phil was off to work at 7am and I abandoned my original plan to go with him in to Beijing for an alternative Michael “take it easy day”. I started of at the local café come restaurant which is just down the road from Phil and Carin’s house where I thought to start the day with a Chinese style “Desperate Dan slap up feast”. My Chinese breakfast of what appeared to be a large bowl of watery porridge (Zhong)and 4 white doughy donut looking cakes (Mantou) duly arrived . The taste of the “porridge” was just too bland and the bread cakes where equally disappointing – I could not understand as Carin had said what a wonderful breakfast they did. I assumed she must have been here too long and her taste buds where turning Chinese but I spooned some more rice soup into my mouth and followed this with a bite of the doughy substance as I needed some energy for the day of cycling ahead. But I could not believe Phil had eaten this so I asked the waiter if this was what Phil ate for breakfast? He said no not like this as it was “Chinese style – a non sweet breakfast” but Phil has the English sweet breakfast – surprise surprise, I said “I would like it the same way” ( I felt I had done the cultural learning bit) and he brought out a load of sugar to add to my porridge and some “milk honey” to dip my doughy cake in. Needless to say I munched the lot down in no time at all.
Fully Charged up I set of on Phil’s mountain bike from out the back of his compound / housing estate into the countryside towards the local river 3 miles away. I felt fine, cycling here was easy and Phils mountain bike was top of the range so I received a lot of attention from people as I passed them – just watching me closely and even shouting hello! All very friendly I headed for the river bank and once on here I was on my own as this was just a dirt track along the river bank where cars could not go. There were just a few trees and dried looking grass, the path was very bumpy and I had to be careful to dodge the bumps and mini ravines created by other bikes in more muddier days. The river did not look to clean but as it was a cloudy cold day maybe this caused it’s murky appearance. I passed a few people who seemed to be farming types collecting wood or just stood looking after their sheep. 7 miles later I left the river bank and joined a road to get a different perspective of the countryside. The road was quiet so I could relax and look around at the brick buildings and sheds that seemed to be shoddily put together. All the buildings were of a small size and seemed of have a little local industry of all types going on inside. Then there was large areas of just trees and fields with nothing much in them. There were lots of people for me to see and many of them were taken by me as their eyes followed my progress down the flat straight road.
My hands were red with the cold now as I did not realise the effect of the cold air - I was fine but they fingers were loosing there feeling. So I stopped at a garage and mimed gloves to the girl attendant. She did not speak any English but she got the point and took her gloves off and gave them to me and refused to accept any payment!
A pleasant surprise. Now my ride became fun once more and I decided against going home as I had only been out for 90 minutes. I carried on into the ever more desolate countryside and eventually came to a small village – just a lot of houses and shops and little industry blocks all built along the road side. There was a market of sorts with a few clothes stalls, many food stands selling to the punters and a big corner of pool tables all with players and all this out in the open. This was 16 miles now according to Phils bike satellite navigation system which was to prevent me getting lost. I was a bit peckish so I stopped at a small restaurant and went in - there was no one there just a Chinese lady watching TV. I pointed to the teapot in the side of the counter and managed to convey what I would like. I did not get the earl grey but a nice refreshing pot of Chinese tea which was really refreshing and warmed me up. I did not know enough Chinese to try and order some food but I made do with my fruit bar instead. 20 Minutes later I got up to go but the lady would not accept any money for the pot of tea. Strange - but she was adamant so I left a few notes on the table instead and was off heading home before she could complain.
Back the same way home again and I felt good and pushed it even harder on the bike – maybe it was the rest or my warm hands or there could have been something special about the tea but what ever I was flying back along the river standing up on the bike so at not to get my backside bruised by all the bumps in the track. I was back home to Phils in what seemed like no time at all but I was feeling tired as I tried to figure out which house was his. I had a great trip and will do another one again soon, but there was little time to bathe and get ready for our big night out at the “1001 Nights” Arabian restaurant we were dining out at that night. But that’s another story.
Saturday 21st February
Went to Beijing with Phil to look at the market while the the Iyee took Erin and Culi to the kids indoor adventure play ground across the road. I bought 2 jumpers for Rizwana and one for myself with Phil doing the all bartering in Chinese, then we met up with Carin for an afternoon meal at a Chinese restaurant
Tonight we are all gathering around the internet radio to listen to the Leeds united match!
I am having a great time with the brother and family but missing my soul mate Rizwana as I know she would love it here!
Bye for now
M
posted by Michael on 2/22/2004 02:22:00 AM
Friday, February 20, 2004
Phil
Can you get some more beer and DVD;s as I have run out of both so I will have to go out and see some local sights until you get home - as soon as your Iyee has finished making my veggie dumplings for lunch that is.
Mum - how was the golf trip to tenneriffe?
posted by Michael on 2/20/2004 04:16:00 AM
Thursday, February 19, 2004
Hi all
just a quick note to let you all know I am safe and well and having a great time in China. I spent today helping Carin at the zoo - just watching the animals and even getting in the cages of a few!
more later
love
Michael
posted by Michael on 2/19/2004 01:56:00 PM
Wednesday, February 11, 2004
Phil
I have put the picture of nice Erin on here - upload them here with the "Link to the image" option so it will appear in a separate page -
All of you should post your pics here instead of emailing them and clogging up the email receiving of your family who do not have broadband!
Madam
Phil you can send this link of this page to anyone you want instead of the picture.
Michael
posted by Michael on 2/11/2004 09:35:00 AM
Sunday, February 08, 2004
Michael's flight to Beijing:
So I have booked it at last - Phil the details are here incase you ever need them you can just get on blogger and see them. I will email this to you also. Let me know if there is anything else you want as well as the hair Gel !
I am sorry Shiv but I will not have time to set up web cameras but it is on my list of things to when I get back
We all had a great time skiing - the whole resort was open as loads of snow fell in the week before and it was hot and sunny on all our days on the mountains. We are back safely !
I have yet to unpack my case from skiing and as I am back at work this week I will pack again next Sunday.
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 | | | | Departure | | | |  | | | From | | | Manchester (International) to Amsterdam (Schiphol) | | | | Flight number | | | KL 1082 | | | | Departure time | | | Mon 16 Feb 2004, 12:25 | | | | Arrival time | | | Mon 16 Feb 2004, 14:50 | | | | Class | | | Economy (Lowest) | | | | Remarks | | | operated by KLM CITYHOPPER. Economy class only. | | | | | From | | | Amsterdam (Schiphol) to Beijing (Capital Airport) | | | | Flight number | | | KL 897 | | | | Departure time | | | Mon 16 Feb 2004, 16:50 | | | | Arrival time | | | Tue 17 Feb 2004, 09:10 | | | | Class | | | Economy (Lowest) | | | | | | | | | Return | | | | | | | From | | | Beijing (Capital Airport) to Amsterdam (Schiphol) | | | | Flight number | | | KL 898 | | | | Departure time | | | Tue 16 Mar 2004, 11:10 | | | | Arrival time | | | Tue 16 Mar 2004, 14:35 | | | | Class | | | Economy (Lowest) | | | | | From | | | Amsterdam (Schiphol) to Manchester (International) | | | | Flight number | | | KL 1089 | | | | Departure time | | | Tue 16 Mar 2004, 16:50 | | | | Arrival time | | | Tue 16 Mar 2004, 17:10 | | | | Class | | | Economy (Lowest) | | | | Remarks | | | operated by KLM CITYHOPPER. Economy class only. | | | | | | | | | Passengers | | | 1 Adult(s) | | | | Price | | | GBP 347.00 | | |
posted by Michael on 2/08/2004 01:49:00 PM
Thursday, February 05, 2004
Dad what was wrong with our shoulder?
posted by Michael on 2/05/2004 12:00:00 PM
Shiv pls put tom and babs new address on here now please. All having great time. M
posted by Michael on 2/05/2004 07:26:00 AM
Shiv pls put tom and babs new address on here now please. All having great time. M
posted by Michael on 2/05/2004 07:25:00 AM
Tuesday, February 03, 2004
Hi frank , read ur msg to all on the top of mountain in the hot sun.
posted by Michael on 2/03/2004 11:51:00 AM
Monday, February 02, 2004
Shiv where are you?
posted by Michael on 2/02/2004 05:43:00 PM
I am on top of the alps now having a gluvine before setting off for an afternoon skiing down a glacier. Just like touching the void!
posted by Michael on 2/02/2004 01:17:00 PM
Sunday, February 01, 2004
We are in france as fully explained in my blog of a few days ago. We are in the hotel bar now off for a meal soon as we can drag riz and annmarie from the bar.
posted by Michael on 2/01/2004 07:35:00 PM
We are in france as fully explained in my blog of a few days ago. We are in the hotel bar now off for a meal soon as we can drag riz and annmarie from the bar.
posted by Michael on 2/01/2004 07:34:00 PM
We are On the mountain sat in the sun at lunch time. Snow everywhere but it is v hot sat here.We are missing jo&luke &brian. Riz & Am are on lessons but are looking good.Good hotel right next to ski lifts. Tell brian there is no walking required! He would have loved it so would tom mac!. got to get back to the piste. M
posted by Michael on 2/01/2004 11:54:00 AM
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