Well, all good things come to an end. I am now back in Manchester. It remains for me to thank everyone who was gracious enough to put up with me on my travels, so, thanks to...

• Pierro
• Trisan
• Chelle
•  Jenn (grr argh)
• The chaps at St.Catharine's Motorcycles
• Jenn & Erin
• Lara & Larry
• Steph & Mark
• Sheena
• Gina & Amie
• Lily
• Syd & Simon
• Leia
• Kyle & Sarah
• Mum

Best wishes to all of you, come and see me some time :)

As one wanders across the states one certainly becomes aware that people hold wildly differing views about things. The most extreme contrast was between Texas and California. Texas being very right wing, anything goes in it's thinking. Big gas guzzling pickup trucks are the order of the day, speed limits at 80 mph. Carrying guns is fine, permission can even be obtained for a concealed weapon. Burgers for the poor and steak for the well off, people are not exactly svelt. The sun shines out of George Bush's behind.

Crossing from Arizona into California the price of petrol jumps from $2.20 to $3.20 now I know what it is to be Californicated. Before one can be so affected one has to overcome the bizarre fuel pumps the Californians have introduced. One arrives at a petrol station on the bike, inserts a credit card into the pump and the usual message advising that one can begin fuelling appears. No fuel is forthcoming however. Another first, I had to get help operating a fuel pump. In California green is good, they are intent on reducing emissions of any kind, even the small amount of petroleum vapour released when filling up a tank. A cumbersome plastic bellows covers the normal fuel spout, which when compressed by inserting the spout into a car activates the fuel pump and one can commence refuelling. Of course this does not work at all on a motorcycle and one has to pull up these bellows with one hand and pull the pump lever with the other in a rediculous contortion. The Californians seem to hold opposing views on pretty much everything to the Texans, with the exception of the Support our troops message that is pushed pretty much universally. They eat healthily, drive smaller Japanese or European cars and are much more 'in your face' generally.

I had been hoping to drop by to see a friend in Denver but work kept her away. Plans were knocked about a bit as I had arranged somewhere to stay in Omaha, Nebraska for a couple of days time. I tried to contact the person in Omaha to reschedule but technology was not on my side as the couchsurfing web site was not functioning properly. So, I just kept on driving. Much to my amazement, my little van has made it all the way to Madison, after a 26 hour drive. Pierro is delighted with his new toy so all is well with the world.

The time to head back to England and face the music and the credit card bill is rapidly approaching. Alas.