Riaan and I want to test you tube videos and blogging.

So far I have to admit that I absolutely love it. Took some time to get used to Office 2007. Now it is just brilliant – little changes from 2007 to 2010 – but it is an improvement.

I really do like the new Office.

Now going to give the “publish to blog” feature a test.

Not sure if I will be very impressed with the formatting options – just first impressions.

Being a resident of Braveheart’s country (Scotland is part of the UK and the prime minister is Scottish so I can claim residency of Scotland and any way I am in pain so do not argue with me) I though let me follow the advice from old Julius – “When in Rome – and all that shi..” so off I went to capture Cantina Mexicana, to be precise “La Rancherita”.And before you all jump to conclusions – it is not a whorehouse and I don’t have the clap.It is a “fine” Mexican restaurant.

So let me tell you about my hideous injury.

It all started with the tortilla chips and the dip served with it – when they asked me if it is to hot I said no it is actually quit mild.This was taken as a grave insult and a declaration of war.I then order some Burritos a la Diabla (for all you ignorant people back home – Diabla is Spanish for Devil!!).O holy sh.. (this is exactly what is currently wrong with my behind) – it was served with a side order of peppers.Well since I regularly buy bottled Jalapeno peppers when I make wraps I though this I will enjoy.

Well for the record – there is a MAJOR difference between Jalapeno and Habanero.I put one (yes it was little whole chillies) in my mouth.CARDIAC arrest – my heart rate shoot up to 500 beats per second – my eyes popped out – I could not see – I could not breath – and I definitely could not talk – my survival instinct was all that saved me – downed my beer – downed my glass of Pepsi – crawled over the table to the bowl of guacamole and allow me to say – even while the valley of darkness was opening in front of me I still could appreciate the fact that this was indeed very good guacamole – the avocado was the star of the show – not overpowered by too much tomatoes and cilantro (O for G… sake – it is coriander – you Philistines of culinary knowledge) – and THEN!!I took a bite of the burrito.I now know what it must have been at Chernobyl.One small nuclear device went off in my mouth.The good news was that the pain from the Habanera was now wiped out – so was my tong, any feeling still left in my body – any dandruff that I may have had – my stomach lining disappeared in one nanosecond – the other diners though I am a gymnast – why else would I be doing summersaults? – my hair turned into an Afro style – it was as if I’ve gurgled pure Napalm.

This is what great food is all about – I am an addict – can’t wait for tomorrow – I am going back and this time around will ask for extra chilli in my Burrito.

Viva Mexicana.

Ps.Can only imagine what senorita Rancherita must have been like.

Never, never, never think about dieting and then flying with your old clothes. The one thing that Slimming World did not warn you about is the dangers in having to go thru airport security with a pair of jeans that is two sizes to big. They will ask you to remove your shoes and belt. The scanner will go "beep". They will ask you to stop and lift your hands for a body scan. YOUR PANTS WILL FALL DOWN!!

This is not something anybody should suffer in a crowded Birmingham departure hall. THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT SOMETHING YOU SHOULD THEN ALSO EXPERIENCE IN A CROWDED SCHIPOLL AIRPORT ON THE SAME DAY.

I did not sign up for Slimming World in order to loose my dignity – I signed up to loose weight – that’s all. Not pants and who knows what else.

I am typing this sitting in Detroit airport. I should have boarded hours ago but is currently refusing to go through another security checkpoint. I am now going to wolf down a half pound cheese burger and fries with a extra serving of onions rings and two pints of beer. Hopefully this will keep my pants up and enable me to continue on my journey.

The rest of my US experience will have to be in another post. Until then – do not diet and fly at the same time.

This is what it is all about.

A quality stand for a quality product.

Never to young to start.

No – we did not go hungry

See you at the next game fair. Happy hunting.

Visited the Gourmet Burger Emporium last night.Was confronted by a monster burger.There is no way that I can do justice in trying to describe this burger.Maybe the photo will help you to understand.

How am I going to eat this?

Note the bottle as indication of the height of the burger.

And to top it all – it is the real thing!! When you are asked how you would like your burger patty you should start to suspect that the name (Gourmet Emporium) may not just be a marketing trick.

One word: Unbelievable!! Just unbelievable – the best burger ever.

All that really matter is that I am fortunate in that I enjoy doing this. Still gets a real thrill coming in to land at Schippol and looking down onto a winter wonderland. Not the snow cover of Ludlow – real snow – people skiing on an ice covered hockey field.

Takes me about 20 minutes to go through passport control, collect my baggage and be outside the airport. Straight to the automatic ticket machines (like an ATM – only for train tickets) – Sorted. Since the inter city train always leaves at 12 minutes passed the hour and it is now 20 past it means I can now proceed to phase two of the airport operation. Phase two consist of taking a leisurely walk through the food hall to decide what I would like for my supper / dinner (after 2 years in the UK I still do not understand the difference between supper, dinner, lunch and tea. At least I am very good at doing breakfast.)

For tonight I have tried a sandwich shop which I have not visited before. As with most of these types of endeavours the sheer volume of different options makes this a mini adventure in itself. Unlike the country of which I am a passport holder, here everybody is friendly and help full and more than willing to give advice. The fact that I can’t remember which sandwich I bought may have something to do with blue eyes and very nice “dimples”.

Normally I would be on the earlier flight and train in order for me to reach Antwerp early enough so that I can still catch the restaurants open. In the block in which the hotel is there must e at least 8 restaurants. In a 4 block radius it must be more than 40. The choice is mind blowing – Italian, Argentinean Steakhouse, Lebanese, Greek, Belgium Bistro, Friete (= French Fries / Chips), Seafood and everything in between.

I will make an effort and start bringing a camera with on my trips. For instance – we’ve just crossed on hell of a bridge. Rotterdam – not sure if it is the river or part of the sea which we’ve crossed. This is the amazing thing about Netherland – you are never far away from water. The main road to Antwerp is a 6 lane motorway – even so traffic sometimes is stopped for boats and barges that require a draw bridge to be raised. Yes 3 whole lanes at a time are lifted through 90 degrees. Mind boggling.

On our left side we’ve just been passed by a double decker train!! In South Africa they will most probably forget to build the tunnels big enough.

Another hour more or less before we arrive in Antwerp. Since it is dark outside the best use of this time will be to read the magazine that I bought on the airport. A “Delicious” in Dutch!! And no I will not only be looking at pictures. My Dutch is really improving by the day – and believe me it is not close to Afrikaans any more – it is completely different.

So on this note.

Met Vriendelijke Groeten, Danke Well

I will use this as a opportunity to expand my blogging skills.