Volcanic Ash Update

[Alan]

Since I'm "stuck" (used ironically) in Paris, despairing at not being in Sardinia, I thought you'd be amused by a volcanic ash update is in order.

Language lesson of the day: "ash cloud" in French is "le nuage de cendre".

Here's how my friend in Geneva interpreted my situation:

Au lieu de m'éclater dans une course cycliste en Sardaigne comme prévu, je me fais casser les couilles par la SNCF en attendant que le nuage du volcan achève ce qu'il reste du tourisme en France.

Rough translation:
Instead of crashing in a cycling race in Sardinia as predicted, I'm having my nuts cracked open by the French National Train service (who picked a good time for a labour strike) while waiting for the volcanic cloud to destroy what's left of the French tourism industry.

We may need to be rescued by the navy, like the Brits. Mike Lawless, can you get us a ship?
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/04/1 ... ights.html

[G.Reid]

Allan Hello from the Bastille. I am also in Paris, been here for two weeks, two weeks in Morocco and a week in Bordeaux. Did you catch the bike race ysterday, in the Bastille? Garth

[Alan]

I'm in Geneva now---went for a bike ride around the Eiffel Tour before getting on the train...Sorry I missed you.

[Greg Miller]

Alan, sorry to hear you missed the race. I hope you and family are enjoying Europe. After 4 days of being stuck in Frankfurt I made it on a plane to Seattle today.

It is amazing to see the level of bike infrastructure around Frankfurt - dedicated lanes everywhere, and lots of trails to explore. Had a few nice rides on the 3 spd rental bike (complete with basket and kick stand) along the Rhine.