Comfort Inn University District Spokane

Finally got the truck back, all fixed and running beautifully. Decided to get on the road, though it was already 2 pm. Headed south along Flathead Lake through green forests and valleys to I-90, then west, west, west. All uphill, what a climb, to Coeur d'Alene in Idaho, then downhill into Washington State. Spent almost two hours trying to find Riverside State Park in the city of Spokane, finally set up the camper and tried to settle down for the night.

... most of the UK are patriotic but I could not imagine the response in the crowd if we were all asked to sing  “god save the queen” every time One Man and his dog started. 

Unfortunately we were unable to stay for the Tom Addis Dodge PRCA Rodeo or the Rhinestone Roper or watch the Canine Demo let alone the Cabela’s Dutch Oven Cook-Off (heaven knows what that is about). Another recommendation - stop by if you see any state fairs, especially for the rodeos. 

... that his bistro will not be open by the time we get to San Fran.

We were entertained on our last evening by Bear Grass, another country sing-along with a couple who played banjos and guitars.  The kids had fun with the wranglers, Fynn crashed by the fire on the rugs supplied and slept in front of the fire and stayed there until we were ready to carry them back to the cabin.

The final ride was our best – we were taken out by Randy ...

The golf trip was organised by Steve and I was looking forward to a decent round of golf at a local course to see if my game could recover from the disastrous run I'd been having in England. So four of us (Tim, Rob, Steve and I) set off at lunchtime in Jim’s hire car to drive the supposed 45-minute route around the lake with Tim driving. Tim normally drives an Aston ...

... with our up and down motion when trotting – Wyatt looked back at me and was not happy with what was happening in the saddle.     

We went for a scenic trek across the mountain and thoroughly enjoyed the views of the mountain ranges around us.  The children went off on their trail too, Edie being led by Jeannie on foot. They loved the cowboy feel.

The afternoon Ian and I went clay shooting experiencing 12 and 20 gauge guns.  I ...

... our fellow guests and identified that one family (the RV drivers) were from the UK "where from" (always the first question) “London” “oh where” (second question if familiar or connected to London), “Wandsworth” “never, where do you live”  and then we find out that we are with Tim and Elizabeth Green who used to live on Frewin Road and whose children went to Finton House.  They were here with Elizabeth's mother ...

... pay the overage. Trying to decide how little you can get by on for 3 months is daunting. The clothes aren't actually difficult. Once you have decided that you are going to look dorky and only wear things that you can wash in the sink and have dry by the next morning it is easy! No fashion plates on this trip! Shoes are a bit of a problem. I think 4 pair for 3 months isn't ...

... me that he and his companions were African refugees, and that Mr. Pineapple was their teacher. Oh, of course, I thought to myself. He would be a selfless teacher of refugees, giving of himself day in and day out in order to advance the causes of social justice. I sighed dreamily. Then he, my very own Mr. Pineapple, turned to me. At that moment, as choruses of angels sang alleluias over the Safeway loudspeaker, I realized that I looked like absolute ****. Why today, of ...

... back into the college life: tons of people to mess with, lots of pretty ladies, and plenty of alcohol. When people asked "are you brothers?" I would respond with "yes, we're identical twins". This was met with a look of confusion, but before they could ask the followup question I would add "but he was hit in the face with a brick when we were little". Peter would then begin telling the story of ...