Grumpy Old Men On Bikes

HOUND DOG I forgot to mention the airport dog loo.  Having built my bike, I went looking for a loo for changing into my cycling skimpies.  I saw signs for one nearby and headed that way then realised it was a special loo for dogs. I am both curious AND lazy so headed on in.  It was basically a public toilet but, where the stalls would normally go, was a big patch of astro turf and a hose. I wriggled into my cycling shorts but then couldn't resist cocking my leg and watering the grass before I left. BRILLIANT MISTAKE I should probably also update you on the bottle of Port.  Our debate went like this: Are we in Portugal...yes Is Port delicious...yes Is Port in Portugal expensive...No Is Port available for purchase nearby...YES I scuttled off to LIDL to purchase the cheapest bottle of Port in the store.  I returned with the most expensive bottle of Port in the store.  The moral of this...

We plan our trips, as far as is practical, to enjoy decent weather but this is never a given. A bit of rain is to be expected, and nothing to be afraid of, but the forecast for Lisbon was wetter than a wet thing.  Faced with the prospect of finding shelter for building our bikes then 20 miles of sub-aqua cycling to our hotel we resolved to get a taxi. Arriving into Lisbon, there was a noticeable absence of rain so figured we might as well revert to plan A and cycle.  The promised long queues for biographic data capture didn't materialise.  Those cunning Portuguese had found a way round the problem...they didn't bother trying.  As a man who has been preparing his stool sample for several days this was a bit of a disappointment. Finding a good spot to build the bikes is always a challenge and today we came up with a corker.  We hauled the boxes off the oversized baggage belt and built them right there.  This created the tantalizing p...