Wellington and back on FXR150 [Archive]

View Full Version : Wellington and back on FXR150

EJK

2nd October 2008, 17:18

My tour has ended an hour ago. Now where do I start?

<img src="http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4436/day1gm3.jpg" width=400>

Day 1
5am in the morning I lid up my mighty 150 (with shit loads of shit carrying like an Egyptian camel), heads down to the Autobahn for McD Breakfast.

The weather was fine, however the forecast wasn't good. I didn't really care. Now when I sighted the "Auckland Farewells you", I shouted in my helmet "Fuck yeah bitch!", but I think I shouldn't have said that... I think I made the Waikato angry. The cold and misty land brought up thick fog (very thick) that I have never seen before. All the way from the Bombay hill to Otorohanga (approx distance of 160kms) I learnt how thick fog can be dangerous. There was no bin (yeah thats right!) however I suffered a terrible distraction of wiping my visor once every 3 seconds. Yes, 3 seconds. My technique was...

Lift my left arm (1 sec)
Clean my visor (2 sec)
Grab back the handle bar (3 sec)
repeat

<img src="http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/357/pic002ro0.jpg" width=400>
Holy fog!

Lets move on, Now riding from Te Kuiti all the way to Awakino was great. It was just awesome (this word "awesome" is a bit getting cliche ain't it?) However when I reached New Plymouth, it began to pour. Oh and did I mention 30kph north wind?

Oh S%&* Moment
Not long after I went into New Plymouth town, I encountered a metal debris, size as big as a subway 1 foot sub, and it had a sharp on one edge. I couldn't avoid it. I think it dropped from a vehicle in front of me. So I hit it. Well awesome me, I didn't bin! I had a small tank slap action but I did not bin.
After screaming and echoing "Shit shit shit...." in my head, I pulled over to check if I had a puncture... Thank goodness it was fine. On the next day I confirmed that I had no puncture (when I checked my tyre pressure the next day I found no drop of pressure).

When I was fueling up at a Shell station near Stratford, one Suzuki 750 (old old model) came to me and gave me a warning about strong winds down near Wanganui. If you are here, please put your hands up. I would like to say thank you.

<img src="http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/8153/pic019or4.jpg" width=400> <img src="http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/5263/pic018ys5.jpg" width=400>
At Stratford, Yes I cut across. Grrr... Maha and Mom took all the sunshine...

Day 2
This was the big day. I head down to Wellington (YES!!!), and when I went there, Nico was there waiting for me at a Caltex near the Airport. After a whole day of loneliness he was the first person to actually talk to! Note here, I've never met him before, Never talked on KB nor never knew who he was however he came out to escort me all the way to Johnsonville. We were going to go on a ride however I was so short on time. I am so sorry, maybe next time mate. Well it was a good ride through the Vic Tunnel heh...

From Johnsonville the one and only Sully60 came. He invited me to his place, had a cup of cappuccino, talked, checked my engine oil, recieved some presents (yay!), saw some nice drawings of sea mamals (Hahaha! So cute!!) and talked more. Man, what a good guy he is! And I got the Norft Welly Massie, AIYEE!! sticker! Jealouse fullas? ;)

It was a very short meet with Mr Sullivan, however it was really pleasant. I have never met him (in realife) before however we talked like normal mates.

After the very short meeting with Sully60, I then met Kiwikat, he also (read the italics adjectives above) came to escort(?) me up to Palmerston North. I mean... He came all the way down and back up (around 330kms) for a person he has NEVER met before? I possibly cannot thank him enough...

After Kiwikat escorting me to Ashhurst, he headed back home without joining us for the BBQ. (Gosh...)

Note: On my each stop when I check my cellphone, there was atlest 3 missed calls... Gah! I guess my parents are worried as hell... Well I was having fun!!.... sort of...

1) My little tourer... Never gets tired!
2) Fog!
3) At Otorohanga Kiwi house... Full of Kiwis
4) A quick rest stop
5) New Plymouth... It began to piss
6) A quiet (ghost) town of Wanganui...

EJK

2nd October 2008, 17:19

The BBQ

<img src="http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/845/pic035bw1.jpg" width=400>

That night's host was Meanie and Monie. When I arrived at his place, I could tell that he was/ is a good guy by the smile he had when he first saw me. As Mom said to me the other night, they are good hosts. Many thanks. It's such a shame that Thank you very much is the best English Language can describe.

That night at the BBQ, I met many Manawatu Riders. Horse on the Harley (fukn huge), mowgli the gentleman (Heal up well, But I hardly noticed that you had an accident!), Strang0r a nice and friendly dude, Cowboyz a funny guy (has a great sense of humor :laugh:), Yod A gentleman (Congratulations being a daddy!), 86GSXR (Grr we could've talked more about the 1050!) and many more... Did I met Bonez and Chanceyy? And who was the other guy we talked with after the supper (While listning to the "Uptown Girl")? They are all good (http://thesaurus.reference.com/browse/good) people.

We talked crap for hours (Mom this and Maha that... :shutup:), talked even more crap (Paintball this, 4 corner that...) and the night was set.

After all the party, I was sent to a nice (but high!) bed. So much to thank... It was an absolute honor to be your guest Meanie & Monie

Last note: If heaven is a place on Earth, then it's called Manawatu.

Here are more photos from that day...

1) Boys jumping like the Ninja Warriors
2) More. Show them this and I bet they will say "Oooh! We are on the internet!" and be excited to the max.
3) Harley and the 250R
4) Feast
5) Hello kitty...
6) Hello doggy...

EJK

2nd October 2008, 17:19

Day 3

On the next day I woke up and was invited to a self service feel free breakfast. It was strange to open other people's fridge... (Ever after I got told off when I was 5 years old...). After a quick Breakfast Meanie showed me around the area.

Pics will tell many tales..

<img src="http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/4337/pic044nd8.jpg" width=400> <img src="http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/1397/pic046th4.jpg" width=400>

And after that I went to PN town to meet an old friend of mine. Nothing much happened after that, I just went back to Wanganui for the night's sleep.
Oh I almost forgot, when I was cruising along the SH3 towards the Wanganui, I encountered a great force of nature, more like a wrath of nature. Trying to blow me to the side of the road, showing no mercy to my 120kg bike. It was a tough tough 56kms to ride... Now I have faced the bad, I am not afriad of the Harbour Bridge wind. Eat that!

Once again I say, thank you so much. Its a great sorrow that there is no better word to say thank you.

Day 4

It was my last day of the tour. Thankfully the sun was shining on my face and once again I was riding alone on the green field. It was an ecstasy (not elysium). Last night Meanie suggested a route way back to Auckland (which I exactly took) and it was great (http://thesaurus.reference.com/browse/great).

I headed towards my ultimate destination...

<img src="http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/7926/pic050fc2.jpg" width=400> <img src="http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/5163/pic052ar6.jpg" width=400>

Yes I had made it. Ever after seeing a photo from the Motorcycle Atlas, I have always wanted to go to the place... My ultimate destination. I was there atlast! When I arrived at the Grande Chateau, it quite felt like a movie scene in Dumb and Dumber where Loyd and the other fella reached Aspin. Quite ironic... (The place was cold too! :cold:)

It was quite awesome... Just awesome... Breath taking view... It was (cliche but) great.

1) Pic by Meanie. Btw that Red Concours is actually a Kawasa_i
2) OMG I'm here!
3) Read above
4) Nice view of the mountain
5) Scenic Lovely
6) My little tourer

Number One

2nd October 2008, 17:33

Hi EJK

Sorry I missed you enjoy your presents and display that brand with pride :blip:

gijoe1313

2nd October 2008, 18:17

Good to hear you did a good road trip, I guess in hindsight on Tuesday I could have ridden down to Wellington to meet you ... I was in Gisborne doing a bit of a pootle as per SOP ...

Always a learning experience when you are riding on your own, glad to hear you took everything in your stride! :yes:

Choco

2nd October 2008, 18:40

Fog sucks.<_<
Did you have your Fluro on for added visibility?

McJim

2nd October 2008, 19:10

Good tip for riding in fog or drizzle. Turn head left....hold.....hold....now turn head right...hold....hold..your visor is now clear (you need to do this while moving of course). On ya for doing a big trip on a small capacity bike. I won't be heading out of Invercargill on my 50cc any time soon though.

discotex

2nd October 2008, 20:57

EJK

2nd October 2008, 20:59

Your enthusiasm never fails to amaze and impress me EJ. Nice seeing someone go for it regardless of the obstacles.

Not sure if you've watched Long Way Round (and/or Long Way Down) but I can so see you trying it on the FXR :lol:

You'd probably bump into gijoe pootling around Mongolia too :eek:

lol I began the tour by trying to do what no other big bikes can do but I end up finding something else... will tell more later

discotex

2nd October 2008, 21:02

lol I began the tour by trying to do what no other big bikes can do but I end up finding something else... will tell more later

Such a tease! :soon:

KiwiKat

2nd October 2008, 21:12

:banana:

A fantastic write up. You have a unique confidence and lot of guts. Go EJK MicroSuperbiker Extraordinaire.

Bonez

2nd October 2008, 21:15

Good effort. Unforturnately I was layed up ill so never got to catch up with you. Didn't want to pass it on.

Once again good effort. Prooves you don't need a megaseeseewhatzimicallitthingymebob to traverse this fair land ;)

EJK

2nd October 2008, 21:23

Such a tease! :soon:

lol no its nothing like that

I want everyone to understand that this tour wasn't for "My bike is smaller but my cock is way bigger than yours!" (Well it started kinda like that...)
However many have done this on GNs, or even on 50cc scooters (all over NZ on 50). So there is no cigar. Well I know Justin is just jealouse cause I am doing what he did at the age of 19 :whistle: Eh Justin? *wink* *wink*

When I left Auckland (Over the Bombay hill), I said to myself "Hmm why am I doing this again?" then I continued "Meh, I'll find that along the way". That was true. I DID found it along the way.

The truth is this, I have just turned my fantasy into my reality. It was hard along the way however it was a dream to reach the goal. I mean... FUCK! I SAW the Chateau with my two eyes! :eek: Gaaah! The excitement still lives!!!!! :love:

86GSXR

2nd October 2008, 21:24

Very nice write up and what a great adventure. The Chateau's pretty swish huh! Good to meet you too EJK, you're a cool guy and next time you'll have to check out the 1050 in person :yes:

EJK

2nd October 2008, 21:35

Furthur note:

Last night I told my mother to stop calling me (since my voice mailbox was piling up, and preety much those messages were silent nothing). But when I reached near Hamilton, I kept getting these missed calls... I mean... What part of "Don't call me I'm riding" did they not understand?! :thud:

Well yeah I know.... <_<

Here are more random pics. I will write more if I can think of anything else that happened during the tour...

:banana:

A fantastic write up. You have a unique confidence and lot of guts. Go EJK MicroSuperbiker Extraordinaire.

You over rated me :sweatdrop Thank you once again... (How many times "Thank you" is this :scratch:)

Very nice write up and what a great adventure. The Chateau's pretty swish huh! Good to meet you too EJK, you're a cool guy and next time you'll have to check out the 1050 in person :yes:

I CANT WAIT!!! :D

1) Ehh?? What happened while I was gone? Have I gone back in time??
2) Hmm is that so? So the first 4 ingredients are Electric Fence, Dogs, Security, and a Building?
3) Pic taken from Mr Sullivans
4) More Kiwis at Otorohanga. Kiwiest place in New Zealand I'd say...
5) After riding pass the gorge, Awakino
6) One other good thing about doing a tour is that I can buy fast foods AS MUCH AS I LIKE! :love:

cowboyz

2nd October 2008, 21:41

good write. pleasure to meet you. little bit of a shame it was in the middle of the working week. Bloody good turnout considering. Pretty sure the guy you would be referring to would be farmer phil. Hardly every posts on here but super nice guy.

xwhatsit

2nd October 2008, 21:59

Good job! Very jealous. Wish I had the money and time to disappear like that :D

FXR held up OK? How's that carb on the open road? Starting OK in the cold fog?

EJK

2nd October 2008, 22:02

Good job! Very jealous. Wish I had the money and time to disappear like that :D

FXR held up OK? How's that carb on the open road? Starting OK in the cold fog?

Yep the carb was great. However the not properly sealed rubber ring seemed to leak abit... just a little bit nothing major. I also took it onto the ATNR (And dropped it once before refueling at Shell :Oops:) It still runs nice :)

Well I hardly could afford to do it so I stole my mothers credit card :laugh: Maybe that was the reason why she was keep calling me :killingme

Now, If I did not have a ski trip on Friday (Tomorrow), I would have gone down to South Island... No I'm not kidding...

good write. pleasure to meet you. little bit of a shame it was in the middle of the working week. Bloody good turnout considering. Pretty sure the guy you would be referring to would be farmer phil. Hardly every posts on here but super nice guy.

Yeah thanks for comming. Well I guess the word "BBQ" is the Manawatu Magnet :lol:

MVnut

2nd October 2008, 22:05

Great writeup, you're a brave man doing that run on a 150:rockon:

sinfull

2nd October 2008, 22:25

Now, If I did not have a ski trip on Friday (Tomorrow), I would have gone down to South Island... No I'm not kidding...

Why am i doing this again ??? I love it man haha a wanderer has awakened !

Oh and the sth island ! Mate you aint seen nothing yet !
I challenge you to make that trip mid November EJ aim for it and you wont regret ! Call it a Burt munroe challenge

EJK

2nd October 2008, 22:29

Why am i doing this again ??? I love it man haha a wanderer has awakened !

Oh and the sth island ! Mate you aint seen nothing yet !
I challenge you to make that trip mid November EJ aim for it and you wont regret ! Call it a Burt munroe challenge

lol my little one has done enough now :laugh: It is now time to hybernate

Robbo

2nd October 2008, 22:30

Great write up EJK on what was obviously an awesome road trip and all done on a little 150. Just goes to prove that size is'nt everything. Well done. :niceone:

gijoe1313

2nd October 2008, 22:40

:niceone: I love reading about riding to all parts North, South, East and West! :yes: That little FXR is becoming world famous in NZ ... after all its been through, it has the heart of a true touring machine ... :scooter:

Good to see the young'uns getting out and seeing the world as it should be, on the back of a two-wheeled steed and feeling the journey personally.

Great write-up!

Horse

2nd October 2008, 22:52

Great writeup, big ups for making the ride! Nice to meet you, and yes those Ashhurstonians do put on a good BBQ (if you don't mind the neighbours).

Maha

3rd October 2008, 06:37

We talked crap for hours (Mom this and Maha that... :shutup:), talked even more crap (Paintball this, 4 corner that...) and the night was set.

Dont beleive all that they tell ya down there EJ, only the good stuff is true, they dont get out much....and seeing new people make them laugh funny and talk with thier mouth full. Na good bunch eh? Cool right up and yeah sorry about the weather, but I paid Mr Hickey very well too have the sunshine....:eek:

NZsarge

3rd October 2008, 06:56

Nice write up dude, sorry I missed you at Meanie and Monies place, farkin' nightshift.

Number One

3rd October 2008, 06:58

3) Pic taken from Mr Sullivans

Ahem! That's Mr and Mrs Sullivans ;)

EJK

3rd October 2008, 07:00

Nice write up dude, sorry I missed you at Meanie and Monies place, farkin' nightshift.

We were mostly talking "Sarge, blah blah sarge blah blah sarge.... and blah blah blah sarge.... etc" haha. Maybe it was better that you missed it? :laugh:

Ahem! That's Mr and Mrs Sullivans

I honestly didn't know you were Sully60's partner! (I quite realised just before the trip tho...) Haha!

Here are some stats I recorded during the trip.

Total spent on gas: $150.94

Total spent on crap (Food): $167.63

Total kilometers covered: 1716kms

Total spent (incl Accomodatioin): $378.57

Best moment: When I saw the chateau :love:

Worst moment: After the long trip when I saw my house. Damn that felt crap

Best equipment carried: My mother's credit card :shifty: and 2 plastic bags.

Worst equipment carried: Engine oil, basic tools and all that junk. Well they were for emergency afterall...

What I should have carried: A spare undie

The trip was overall fantastic :sunny:
Will I do it again?
Err....

Ummmm...

Hmmm......

Grrr.....

:yawn:

Btw, guess where I am going to ski this afternoon.....

......Mt Ruapehu... :thud::thud::thud::thud:
(I should have stayed a night at the Chateau! :love:)

Swoop

3rd October 2008, 07:14

Now, If I did not have a ski trip on Friday (Tomorrow), I would have gone down to South Island... No I'm not kidding...
You have been hanging around Gijoe1313 far too much...:rofl:

Nice work!

EJK

3rd October 2008, 07:17

You have been hanging around Gijoe1313 far too much...:rofl:

Nice work!

As you said, this time I took more than one pic during my trip :sunny:

I've got a short video too, it's not really knee-down entertaining but it shows some scenic of SH4 from Wanganui to the National Park.

May post it up later... or next week...

Ah, furthur note: Last night GIJOE was talking unusually ALOT about riding to the West and East... He was teasing me by saying "Hmmm should I ride my 250 or the 900 :scratch:". Psychologically speaking, I think he IS jealouse ;)

Don't worry GI, you still holds the title of The Master Enduro :niceone:

sinfull

3rd October 2008, 07:27

What I should have carried: A spare undie

Holy crap do ppl still wear them ?

EJK

3rd October 2008, 07:29

Holy crap do ppl still wear them ?

You like the leathers huh? ;)

:dodge:

sinfull

3rd October 2008, 07:34

You like the leathers huh? ;)

:dodge:
Ha ha they soak up the smell better than kevlar or denim, i know that much lol must get me some !

(tilts his head sideways pondering any underlying conotations of EJ's comment)

Meanie

3rd October 2008, 07:36

Awesome write up EJ, it was a pleasure having you come and stay
Life is great when you just go out and do it eh especialy with mums credit card
Thanks to all the Manawatu crew coming out on a week night to meet you and Celebrate Brandons 15th birthday
See you up your way one day

EJK

3rd October 2008, 07:36

Fog sucks.<_<
Did you have your Fluro on for added visibility?

Fluro? Ah the vest? Yeah ofcourse lol I wore it from start to end. (Saved my life a few times...)

Awesome write up EJ, it was a pleasure having you come and stay
Life is great when you just go out and do it eh especialy with mums credit card
Thanks to all the Manawatu crew coming out on a week night to meet you and Celebrate Brandons 15th birthday
See you up your way one day

Happy birthday to the boy aswell. The cake was nice :D

Ha ha they soak up the smell better than kevlar or denim, i know that much lol must get me some !

(tilts his head sideways pondering any underlying conotations of EJ's comment)

I never tried leathers before :dodge:

...Or maybe I'm trying to avoid it ;)

Squiggles

3rd October 2008, 07:55

Sounds like you had a good trip, chain need retensioning?

EJK

3rd October 2008, 07:57

Sounds like you had a good trip, chain need retensioning?

An oil change would be nice too :whistle:

Number One

3rd October 2008, 08:05

Holy crap do ppl still wear them ?
Yeah I reckon I wear gruts mate! :niceone:

Others wear boxers, or knickers and SOME even wear panties tee hee hee

Choco

3rd October 2008, 08:19

:crybaby:
I want to go touring again now! Summers finally coming around and that urge to travel is coming back again.

Thanks for sharing your story EJ and I would love to see the video haha, have you seen my attempts on youtube?

Choco

nico

3rd October 2008, 08:20

EJK

3rd October 2008, 08:23

nah comando is the way hey ej no probbs m8 twas to breif and i would have liked to show ya some roads rounds here next time eh and yeap gota watch that bump in the terece tunnel she'l bite ya lol planning on heading north next weekend not qwuite as far but going up kaitahia xmas tme mte run into ya a
have a good one fella and for the record that takes balls dong a mish of a ride on the little bike i did get a suprise when i saw you turn up on that fxr i was expecting a big ole 1400cc tourer

you da man :2thumbsup:2thumbsup

lol I thought so when I saw the emotion on your face. Kiwikat had "wtf" on his face when I saw him :rofl:

:crybaby:
I want to go touring again now! Summers finally coming around and that urge to travel is coming back again.

Thanks for sharing your story EJ and I would love to see the video haha, have you seen my attempts on youtube?

Choco

Ofcourse! It's now Touring Time! (extra sunlight too!!) I'll try and upload the video by next week. It's only a minute and 30 second so it wont cause me a lot of trouble lol

marioc

3rd October 2008, 08:40

Truly epic,I salute you sir :third:

GrayWolf

3rd October 2008, 10:23

Absolutely top effort mate, :done:
I look forward to reading your future tours when you take on the world trip.

Good on Ya :first:

Graywolf

martybabe

4th October 2008, 16:38

Well done mate. enjoyed reading that, I'm gonna load up and piss orf one of these fine days, no itinerary just bugger off and come back at the end. Thing is I'm a bit short of cash, could you send me your mom's credit card soon as mate. :laugh:.

EJK

5th October 2008, 21:37

Thanks everyone. I don't think I'll tackle the world just yet :rolleyes:

Here I have a small video, a basic slide show and some video. It's nothing exciting.

Hope you like it Choco lol

<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/z-JRQjpraS4"> </param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/z-JRQjpraS4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"> </embed> </object>

The song: I listened to this song about... a gazillion times during the ride. It has a memento... :rolleyes:

Jerry74

6th October 2008, 00:41

Gald to hear you had a good trip

Meanie

6th October 2008, 11:45

Nice little vid there EJ
Love that red bike in the last pic with the windmills :love:

BANZAI

7th October 2008, 13:40

WHOAAAAAAAAAAAA:gob:

Man I wish I could have gone with you....

I had to pay my stupid fines so have no money for it!!!! :pinch:

The vid is cool! Nice choice of music LOL

If you can do this on your FXR, I should do whole NZ trip on my GN :p (only If I can save up and cover the loss of $550 XD)

You hardcore biker!:first:

raftn

8th October 2008, 18:14

Great vid, great story, I am sure you will have many more! ANd it is great that you have kept a diary of it all.

sweetp

12th November 2008, 19:41

Elysium

12th November 2008, 21:14

How fast was that little 150 able to go? I rode a Yamaha Scorpion and it struggled to get past 80.

cowboyz

12th November 2008, 21:48

eat less pies. Even I got a volty up to 115!

Meanie

12th November 2008, 21:50

eat less pies. Even I got a volty up to 115!

Down hill with the wind behind you :gob:

cowboyz

12th November 2008, 21:54

I must admit. I did fart for the extra power.

Owl

13th November 2008, 05:48

Mechanic out the back of work used to use an FXR150 to run errands and ride to work on. He reckoned it would go anywhere at 120kph and loved it. Certainly didn't seem the type to be full of shit either!

Badjelly

13th November 2008, 08:01

I rode a Yamaha Scorpion and it struggled to get past 80.

Would that be 80 m/s or 80 furlongs per fortnight? It can't be 80 km/h.

EJK

13th November 2008, 12:50

Well done you! I learnt to ride on an FXR and they are such great bikes. Took mine on the 1000k capital cruise last year and it held its on. Really miss it actually - did the C1CK on my SV650 this year and didn't enjoy it half as much! (well except for going up the hills). Anyway enough about me, just wanted to say good on you. And yes the wind is a bitch on a light weight bike but you survived!

Whoah now thats a difficulty! Capital Cruise on FXR... Wow...

How fast was that little 150 able to go? I rode a Yamaha Scorpion and it struggled to get past 80.

The vehicle is capable of cruising at 110kph easily (seems alright...). However I belive that Scorpio can manage 110kph too (easily), cause I had one too and it's not that different to FXR. And no, I'm not calling you fat :rolleyes:

Choco

13th November 2008, 18:33

Hope you like it Choco lol

haha, finally found the video and yes I did like it! :niceone:
I've been making some more videos myself trying to find a place with less vibrations (on a hornet!?!?).

Keep up the good work mate!
Choco

samgab

1st December 2008, 17:51

Mate! I rode my FXR back from Hamilton to Auckland, and had a very sore rear when I arrived... You must've been sore as with this road trip! :spanking: I wonder if it's possible to get a place like Stu's Trim Shop to change the padding in the seat to something a bit more comfortable, but leave it looking good?

EJK

4th December 2008, 15:32

adam1194

15th December 2008, 21:58

Sounds like fun.
Well Done :):clap:

KiwiKat

15th December 2008, 22:11

Hmmm I dunno, after about 2 hours of riding i got used to the pain(?) The seat wasn't the main problem! :lol:

So keep the seat. Get rid of the problem. AND BUY A BIGGER BIKE.

Merry Christmas my young friend. If I get to AK over the Summer you'd better have a beer ready.

Did you you pass the EXAMINATINONS?????