Last night the place was mayhem. First the UEFA Football final was on (Liverpool vs. Real Madrid). The crowd was noisy as could be until Real Madrid took the lead midway through the 2nd half.
But, that's not all. There were at least 3 Hen Parties in the hotel. You can tell them: The participants are all wearing t-shirts calling themselves "Bride's Tribe" and, in one case, the bride was carrying a blow up doll. No photos - I probably would have gotten hit.
And, the bar was open late & loud. So, it was late getting to sleep.
More tidbits:Here's an (unfortunately poor) photo of another cycling option: the party bike. Everybody appears to be having fun and also drinking (surprise, eh?). The advertising sign on the back says, "Stags & Hen Parties, Team Building & Sightseeing Tours."
Another interesting use of the bike: Just Eat is a meal prep and delivery company. The food carrier looks suspiciously big enough to carry a large pizza box.
Street vendors a couple of streets over. I bought some strawberries. Small, flavourful and nicely ripe - certainly not like the imported from California ones we get when the local berries aren't in season.
A couple of photos from yesterday. These are the docking posts used way back when sailing ships (like the one in the background) used to come up the river. Doesn't happen since any of the low bridges have been built across the river.
And, a nice statue.
Now for the confusion: lots of people arriving today. There are 11 boxes in the basement, not including those in people's rooms. Henry Gold, the owner of TDA (the tour company) is here, but his bike isn't. It got lost before it left Toronto. So,that's two missing bikes we know of.
Later now. Everybody in the hotel is having trouble with the Internet. I can't get e-mail, but composing this blog seems to be fine. I even tried to go to MacDonald's and use their free Internet. The problem there: the Internet is free but you need a mobile to receive a confirmation code. So, Greg without a phone is SOL (Shit Outta Luck). So, if you get this, send me an e-mail telling me you did - except I can't get e-mail 😟
Back to the bikes. There is a tour mechanic Catilan (sp?) who was busy assembling people's bikes. He gave Laura and my bikes a once over tune-up and a couple of service pointers, so I owed him a beer. Next chapter of the small world department: I don't know his nationality but he is currently living in Lund, restoring an old wooden sailboat.
There was a meet and greet in the pub for the cyclists. Lots of Canadians & Americans, which is to be expected. A couple from Tasmania & some New Zealanders plus more whom we didn't talk to.
Last photos - Laura took this one of me on my 3rd pint of Guinness. The pint of Guinness isn't as big as the perspective makes it out to be, but one can hope(That's a mural in the background, but it does make the location seem exotic)
And here's Laura, showing me my picture. The Guinness is still there, but not for much longer. No mural behind her.
Rider's meeting tomorrow morning, where we find out all the details.
