Three Men in a boat,car,bicycles Pt 1

It seems like years since I have sat at my computer to engage in blogging. The main reason for this has been a recent visit from England by my twin brother Philip and his friend Simon.
The main reason for their visit, apart from drinking all my vintage wine was to compete in the Hotter than Hell 100 in Wichita Falls.
Of course I would be failing in my duties as a host if I did not indulge in some tourist like activities en route. So we had the idea of a road trip.

For those of you who have not ventured into 19th Century humor there is one classic that you have to read. It has the fundamental ingredients of such a trip...

• Good Friends
• Lots of Pubs
• Comical Calamities
• and A Dog

Heck even the Great bard himself sprinkled a few Canine characters into his plays to keep his actors on their tows.
The Book in Question is "Three Men in a Boat"
In the original story the book opens with the three men in question spending an evening discussing every possible ailment or illness they fancy they are suffering. They naturally conclude they are all suffering from 'overwork' and need a holiday. A stay in the country and a sea-trip are both considered, then rejected. Finally the three decide upon a boating holiday, up the River Thames, from Kingston Upon Thames to Oxford. A great narration of it can be heard by Hugh Laurie of "House" Fame.

Unlike the adventures contained in the classic novel, of a trip down the Thames our water adventures were limited to Tubes down the Comel river in New Braunfels, Texas. The process is actually very civilized as they provide you with an additional tube to put your cooler in to ensure your beers stay COLD!!! Of course hanging onto that Tube and warding off BEER Pirates is another challenge all of its own. There were casualties!!!

Comel River 1 Phils Camera 0.
The evening took us into lovely San Antonio with its great dedication to Texas Heroes, The Alamo, The River Walk and a fantastic Mexican Dinner!!!!

After the first day on the road we all three shared a room in a hotel (Separate beds - I hasten to add). In the middle of the night I awoke to the sounds of the Serengeti, could it have been a wilder beast? a warthog? NO!!! Phil & Simon Snoring!!

Pt 2 Coming Soon!! as we head North through Austin, Waco and Fort Worth to Wichita Falls