Strangers on the A501: Bit of an update

Hi all!
Ok, before we get going with the udate, some housekeeping. Firstly, sorry about links going - I was fiddling with the format, deciced I liked what I had but that wiped my links....d'uh!
Spelling wise, we are using Mozilla instead of Internet Explorer and one of its quirks is it won't allow any pop-ups, not even the spell check pop up on blogger . Sorry! I would write on word and copy it in but for some reason I can't get blogger to do a paste action - any ideas round that one???

Ok, to start with the bike ride. My gosh - it was hell. I really underestimated the sheer lengh of 56 miles - its quite along way and roughly the distance between Brighton and London. Hill training in Harlow was not quite enough to prepare me for the South Downs, but that said, we did it and in a good time too. Our team raised over £600 for the British Heart Foundation - £10.71 per mile. I have some pictures of me looking less then lady like but I will just post the one of the line-up - Team Ofulue in all its glory:

This picture was taken after only 15 miles and me and Ranj were already on borrowed time!

Anyway, London to Brighton done and back home to pack as it was the Trading Standard's Institute annual conference the next day. Yes, I know, sounds numbingly dull but was actually brilliant. The days bit were good but I won't bore you with that but the evening events were really cool. Monday night was the London Branch party in Canary Wharf - fairly mellow but fait bit of drinking also done! Caught up with some folks from Newham (my first proper job after graduating) big gossip fest insued! Did some brown nosing as one must when your a woman trying to break the glass ceiling - but got this in early so I could drink! Nishi and I were a little confident and were knocked out straight away in the table football contest. Anyway, next day conference stuff blah blah and then a meal in Canary Wharf - all food and drink paid for by the Toy and Hobby Association who's two reps sat on our table. Both girls only a few years older then me - one a complete bore, the other was more approving of us lot form Hounslow (free drinks - we decided early on this could be a major money saver). After that on the Anti-Counterfeiting Group club night - a club was hired in Tower Hill somewhere. I was a little muzzled by the wine so started to follow the locals who I thought were in our group who were just showing us the way. The club was a dive - really sticky floors and very hot - but will be a special place for Ranj and I who formed the "will dance to a ringtone like demented monkies" partnership. At one stage half the dance floor was cleared by our flaying limbs. Taxi home with helium ballons to finish off the night. Poor driver - I was shouting in the back already under the influnece of Helium "take it all Ranj, take it all!". Next day sore head and more conference - nice lunch and then off to HMS Belfast for some cocktails - all free (when will they learn). I introduced Ranj to mothers ruin and it wasen't long before we were posing with the wax works below deck. Here's a pic of us trying to look sober!:

Sorry, its a bit dark - but probably for the best. So after cocktails it was off to bank for the Microsoft party night - which was awesome. More dancing and drinking and a much needed veggie burger and chips! I would like to say our dancing was getting better- but then I would be lying!:

Isn't it funny - at the time you think you really are the buisness!
Anyway, conference over - next year its in Manchester but as it coincides with Glastonbury we shall see.

So, Thursday or Gary's birthday. Dropped off Allie at the cattery and zipped over to Harlow. Went out for a lovely meal and then back to the Tovey-Davidson lovepad for some tea. Next day it was all hee hor hee hor as we zipped off contimentally to France on the first leg of the two country tour. Had a really lovely time - relaxed properly for the first time in ages and as result wanted to sleep an awful lot! The site was brilliant - pool complex, badminton courts - very very close to the beach and the sleepy Newport (not the right spelling). I want blog on to much as I am sure Gary will do a far better rendition of events but suffice to say - Plopsaland is for under 12s!!!!