Yet More Pictures From Germany - "Race Scooter!"

[BobFV1]

Okay gents,

I'm in the lovely London suburb of Richmond-Upon-Thames at a little cyber cafe called "Quarks" catching up on a little work (or I will be in a minute). Here are some random musings ad observations from my trip so far (note: I am here about 4 times a year so I have a little bit of perspective, but some things continue to surprise me...)

So I jump on the Southwest Trains in Farnbrough for Waterloo this afternoon, where I had a train transfer. By the time I got to Waterloo, at 1830. I had to take a wicked p*ss. If you've never been to Waterloo, it makes Grand Central look like the Boise, Idaho Greyhound station.

So I get to Waterloo and the place is the size of about five blimp hangars end-to-end (kind of looks like that too) and I can't find the "pissoir" or male public convenience to save my life. It is getting close to time for my next train, so I give up and ask the nice man at the information desk where the men's room is, using my best USA accent. He looks at me as if to say "...you bloody wanker..." but he politely indicates it is all the way at the other end of the 5-blimp hangar-sized station. So I double-time it all the way down there, go down the stairway which is redolent of those who have gone before me, and at the bottom there is a turnstile and a sign that says "Public Lavatory, Fee 20p" the turnstile only takes 2 10p or 1 20p coins. I reach in my pocket and all I have are five 1 Pound coins, 2 USA quarters, and a 2 Canadian Dollar coin. D*mn! Where's the change machine!!! Ah - there it is, with a sign on it that says "out of order". I consider jumping the turnstile but there is a Pakistani-looking dude in a hi-vis vest who I assume is the pay-toilet police, so I just let it go. Missed my train, had to wait 15 minutes for the next one, and got back to my hotel about 30 seconds before complete renal failure.

Well, I guess this could happen anywhere - except maybe not in America - land of the free PUBLIC TOILETS!!!

It has not been all bad - I saw two lovely BMW's on the street, a scruffy looking GS next to a beautifully preserved and extremely clean old Airhead. I snapped a photo for you but when I downloaded it I realized that a darn bollard is in the way of the cylinder! Maybe that's the "dog's bollard" - or would that be the "dog's bollocks" - never can get their allusions, metaphors, and other "bits" of colorful speech right.

Cheers!

[Gord]

Great story Bob!

Have to admit I found the same problem in Germany when I was there in July. Be prepared to pay to relieve yourself! Course I always used that as the excuse to go into a beer garden to have a beer! Then I could use the facilities gratis.

Have a safe trip

[Biff's R]

Bob, I believe that the airhead is a GS, too.

Your story reminds me of a trip I took to Pikes Peak in Colorado. I was suffering from some effects of the change in altitude and had to puke, but I did not have the proper change. I crawled under the door to the stall, but I probably should have just let loose on the floor. BTW, it was snowing on Pikes Peak on the 4th of July(I was in shorts and a t-shirt).

I would follow Gord's advice, and find a nice pub, have a beer, and then use the w/c.

[Kevin Markwell]

Good to know. I'll remember this when in London. The ol' prostate ain't what it used to be.

[Boxerboy]

Old airhead?! Looked nice and modern to me Mines a '81 model!

One tip..if you do the Heineken factory tour in Amsterdam, you must use the "pissoir" before you leave. There are no toilets to be found anywhere close...

[jonothan]

Pay toilets?

Everywhere in London now (a rather irritating import from continental Europe). Last year I paid £1.00 to use the toilet at Harrods which was ridiculous but it was very nice and clean and there were lovely fluffy towels and stuff. Plus the reason for my visit made it worth it, if you get my drift. If I'd spent a quid just for a p*ss I'd have felt robbed.

Hope your visit to our little island is otherwise going OK. Just remember to look right first before crossing the road, mate!

Jonothan

[BobFV1]

Gee I hadn't been here in a while, and of all the beautiful places in this wonderful country, my conference is in a (nice) hotel right next to the Hauptbanhof in Frankfurt - next to one of the seedier districts in this part of Europe.

Anyway, I was able to get out for a walk along the Main river yesterday:



Their advertising here on The Continent sure is a lot different than that in the USA - I don't know what this ad is for, but it is on the side of a building:



Last but not least, on a sidewalk in the red light district, right outside one of the rambling bordellos this part of town is famous for, I ran accross this bone-stock beauty - had to rush the snap, I think the owner was one of the thugs at the table in the background:



Anecdotal observations:

Bikes most common on the street here in Frankfurt:

Yamaha "Fazer" (FZ-6 and FZ-1)
Honda 600RR

Euro-bile most commonly seen here:

BMW R1150GS

Most ridiculous bike spotted on the street on a Saturday afternoon:

A big old Harley Wide Glide with apehangers being ridden by a fat guy in a leather jacket and a black beanie helmet...

Well, time for me to focus on healthcare in China, a topic which will occupy my Sunday afternoon conference session. I'd rather be out riding.

[BobFV1]

Okay - last post nobdy will read - here are my snaps from Heidelberg today - back to the USA tomorrow:

This is me next to a giant wine barrel - it smelled good!



Seen on the street - a "Williams-F1" race replica scooter!:

[DJ Downunder]

Nice seat belts on that scooter...

DJ

[NoRRmad]

I wonder where the Center of Gravity is on that thing. Must feel like walking around with a flagpole strapped to your back.

[Biff's R]

I would like to have that barrel of wine.

[L E E]

I wonder where the Center of Gravity is on that thing. Must feel like walking around with a flagpole strapped to your back.

The C1 must be the only thing you have to gas fully when in a bend and then get off once you're coming through. You learn that pretty quickly after the first corner and you're thinking shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttttttt!

You still look a dork in one - but don't need a helmet in most European countries

[scottybooj]

nice nipple on that pic

[BobFV1]

I would like to have that barrel of wine.

Me too - I was looking for the bung hole but I couldn't find it