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An English Tradition...Triumph
This is Graham's motorbike which I was lucky enough to have a go on. Graham is adjusting the bike in the picture. I'll try and get a better one of him soon. Sometimes, one of the best things about living in a busy city, is getting out of it. And today was definitely that day! After spending the morning getting some shopping done, I met up with a bloke called Graham. He is a native Englander and has lived in Leicester, the city I am staying in, for most of his life. He also has a shiny Triumph ST, which is a rather sporty motorbike made here in England. He offered to take me out of the city to a place called Foxton Lock (another part of the canal system here in England) to The Foxton Locks Inn/Restaurant, about twenty minutes outside of Leicester.
I happily accepted the invite and he was good enough to loan me a jacket and helmet for the trip. So, having never been on the back of a motorbike before, I climbed on wondering if this was such a good idea. But, as soon as Graham throttled back and released the clutch, I was completely hooked! Not only did I start out on my first bike ride, but on the wrong side of the road no less. I'd tell you how fast we went, but surely someone
Foxton Locks
This was the view from the Foxton Locks Inn veranda where we had dinner. The Inn had heat lamps and blankets for its patron to cuddle up in. (namely my mother) would have a complete fit....so I'll leave that to the imagination. Don't worry, we were as safe as one could be on a bike...I think.
Riding out of the city at around 6:00 pm and into the country, it was easy to feel less like a tourist and more like a local, which for me is the goal in international travel. Don't get me wrong, I love to see the tourist highlights of a country, but more than that, I like to get to know people and see their world from their point of view. The countryside was lovely and off in the distance were hills filled with sheep lazily grazing about. It was such a thrill to see all this from the back of a bike. After winding through some country roads, Graham and I arrived at the restaurant safe and sound, if a little bit cold.
As I regained composure after this amazing first in my life, Graham ordered up some mushroom soup, which came to our table with a warm loaf of bread and later we had a traditional English dessert called Treacle Syrup Sponge and Custard. I am making a
Treacle Sponge Syrup Pudding & Custard
Yummy and warm, this traditional English dessert was soooo good! point, at the request of Graham, to report back to the United States that English food is not bad at all. And it's true. The soup and dessert were amazing and I really can't say that I've had a bad meal since I've been here. While the English do have meals such as bangers and mash (sausage and mashed potatoes) and fish and chips, the truth is, it is hardly a staple in their diet. From Indian to Italian, the English eat well and it's all very tasty indeed! Graham has promised to cook dinner for me while I'm here and I agreed to make him the secret Jambalaya recipe which some of you know about, in exchange for more rides on the Triumph! Let's hope we avoid food poisoning and laying the bike down!
Until next time...Cheers!
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peggy beck
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I am jealous
I am so happy for you!!!!. I am enjoying the pictures and the educating tips. Have fun and keep us posted