One week left of 2007 in the office and lots to look back on.

Working backwards over the last 2 weeks, lots happening over this festive season. “No one does Christmas better than us Brits in my book.”

Last Saturday saw TTRide Staff and the 2007 Riders reunite in London. 9 months on from an emotional Durban departure and 12 months on from an exciting arrival, the night started a 7.30pm and to be quite honest, never looked back. Great to see everyone again and with the turn out at near 100% same time, (maybe) same place next year.

Christmas is a busy time for us, finalising plans, talking to our Riders an just generally getting everything ready for the our 2 Zero to Hero 3 month Adventures.

Portugal Trips have been pretty non stop with Exeter University enjoying great waves all last week and with Plymouth University also enjoying offshore winds and pumping Atlantic swell as right this there is plenty to smile about for our TTRide European Uni Adventurers.

Linley and the Nov Road Trip crew have arrived back with plenty of stories about their travels. It was pretty obvious to see who the wintered workers were as Linley strolled in last week having spent 6 weeks in SA loving the TTRide Lifestyle with a what Linley and Chris described as an epic Road Trip with an amazing group of people. Time for me and Tim to head south to sunny SA shores next and with a full house of new Riders and an action packed itinerary we cant wait.

School holidays has seen a dramatic rise in the number of bookings for our July 08 Summer Road Trip and with one of our Jan 09 Zero-Hero Trips already reaching max capacity with all remaining places either already sold out or on hold over Christmas, the second trip is expected to fill out just as quick.

As always, lots of exciting developments with regards to future plans coming out of the TTRide HQ. There never seem to be enough hours in the day. All I know is that with the right people, the same TTRide approach and the levels on interest in what we do, watch this space as we look to move Ticket to Ride into a New Year, because as far I can see, we are already there.

TTRide UK Staff Christmas party tomorrow night, always a good one and with the amount of early starts and late finishes throughout 2007 we deserve it, even if we do say so ourselves.

Reading back through this, it has turned out to be rather a long update, so if you’ve got this far, thanks for taking the time, and if you are booked to come with us this Jan, then see you on the sunny side,

Happy Christmas

W

TTRide SA has also got a new base, and as you an see from the photo's it's an absolute beauty! A balcony sea view over looking the local break of Long Beach, and it's just a short walk from where all the Riders will be staying. An ideal location!

The minds are starting to swing strongly on to January now. We've got two groups heading out to South Africa, which will make for a very exciting 3 months. Having been out there and laying the path for the trips it's great to see all the local South African's amped for us all to arrive.

Since my return the others cannot wait to get out there and enjoy their turn to bask in the sunshine while I get left behind working in the London office, life works in swings and roundabouts!

Over and out L

Pic: TTRide Cape Town Instructor Dene Botha in the shade during a memorable TTRide Durban Dawny.

Dark by 5 is a depressing thought...... true if you have no plans until May.

Winter here means that all the planning, marketing and Rider selection trip logistics is nearly finished for our 07/08 TTRide Adventures and the best bit of Ticket to Ride upon again

Linley landed in Cape Town today, and the surf is there to greet him, his team of Riders fly out on Thursday and the closest I get to the action is meeting Riders at the Airport.

We were featured in City Magazine this week which will give our Career Break Trips a further boost. The September Zero to Hero trip is aimed at those taking a Career Break, and as alway we take extra special care in our selection process to make sure that all our Riders are well suited to our Adventures. Anyway enough about that....

it's dark already, Linley is in South Africa running the TTRide Road Trip, Tim is taking a week off next week, this leaves me with the prospect that EVERY TTRide HQ job is now my job!!! or to be more positive ANY TTRide HQ job is now my job!!!

Pub Lunch anyone????

W

The time has finally arrived. The past few weeks have been spent in excited anticipation preparing all the necessary details so that this 1 Month African Road trip goes as smoothly as possible, but it always comes round sooner than you think!

Checking the surf report, and looking at the weather forecast it looks like we'll be in for a great start to the trip. The swells on the way, as is the sunshine, and with a bit of luck the wind will be perfect to create those imaculate lines that have gained a reputation as the best learn to surf spot in Africa down in Muizenberg Corner.

I'm travelling out there on Nationwide Airways, which none of us have tried. Starting to worry as to whether they will be showing the latest feature length films, and whether or not I'll have the choice about which film I want to watch, and at what time, will the food be good, free booze, what about a bag of nuts when I board? All these questions are starting to become a main priority in my thought pattern. Tim and Will could not be less interested.

I'll be getting a load of photos up over the next few weeks, so keep your eyes peeled for constant updates.

My next post will be from the Southern Hemisphere (how good does that sound!!), that is unless I get board in the departure lounge, or maybe on the plane without my first choice of films.

Over and out... L

Ah bliss,

Got the office to myself this morning. Will and Linley are out for a meeting so i'm holding the fort and getting a few things done in their absence. About to head out for lunch so thought i'd put a quick blog up there.

I experienced the full Ying / Yang of London life for the first time last night. Having never spent more than a few days here at a time, it's taken a while adjusting to actually living here but i've now just about got my head around it. Anyway, i went up to Kings Cross last night to catch some live music. A really good night watching a fella called Seasick Steve - some good old fahioned hillbilly blues with some old friends - one of the many reasons for living in the Captial. We went on for a few beers and returned on a high after a good night only to round the corner into our street to see my bike, so kindly lent to me by Linley, had been nicked. The culprit vaulted my garden fence, cut the chain and made off with all