I was down to my final jaffa cake, I'd had four hours of Portuguese lessons (though the Brazillians still have a good snigger at my feeble attempts at their language), I had watched the Grand Prix on the telly - while quarter of a million locals trooped through the pouring rain to go and watch it in person at the course nearby and, most importantly Thelma´s gearbox seal was installed -
-- time to leave Sao Paulo

A farewell from the BMW garage who have been great and their many customers, I haven´t seen so many BMW bikes since I was at the BMF Show in England last May.I made it to Rio just in time to meet Lew, Achi and Punky (Horizons Celebs!) before they left for the States. I got a photo of Punky perched on my tankbag as if he is riding with me.
I am staying in what feels like the lap of luxury - a friend's flat overlooking Ipanema Beach. The sun is shining and life feels good - it's great to be back on the road again, even if that currently means daily battles with the mad traffic of Rio- I generally tag along behind a bike courier as they frantically weave and dodge between the cars, buses and trucks. Little realising they have got a big BMW right behind them. I get a good reaction as people notice my map on the topbox and give me a big smile and a thumbs-up - at that point they then realise that I am a woman on a bike and their eyes almost pop out of their heads; I take full advantage and make use of the space they have created and whizz on ahead.