Wednesday 18th June 2025 Managua to Chinandega
Chinese meal last night was just around the corner from the hostel, we know what we are getting, a plate full of noodles and vegetables for me, same for Bingo with added meat stuff, also know they do not serve beers, rest assured we brought our own from the supermarket. Great filling meal, we both managed to finish eventually, little walk back to hostel then bed, tried to read for a little no way, fast asleep straight away.

Back to the normal routine, breakfast in the room, then an early depart at 5:30, little bit convoluted getting out of Managua, that’s understandable as it is the capital city of Nicaragua, unfortunately not enough time to tour the old city, would have been good to see the old cathedral which is just a shell now, following an earthquake in 1972. Though that storm yesterday was pretty bad, seems like nothing compared to you, another song, meant to say 1972.

Get back on to the ride, heading for Leon, or maybe a bit further, just see how it goes, good thing we were on the outside Managua, so it did not take us very long to get out of the city. Very still morning, no breeze as yet, as we get these beast rolling, just a pedal and they are off, I have trouble to keep up with mine sometimes, so busy singing and dancing through central America, my bikes just rolls, while my jukebox brain chucks out random numbers, honestly, not got a clue where they come from, some little fragment of still alive brain tissue, yesterday found myself singing “I have run out of pale ale, feel like I am in jail and my music bores me once again” had to goggle that one, turns out its by a guy called Brian Protheroe “Pinball” must have liked it way back then, who knows. At the time I was trying to think of a good Cockney Rebel song, Steven took me to see them in 1974, and will get a track out of that soon.

Still riding while my mind wanders all over the place, really going for it this morning, maybe cause we are back on the breakfast regime, full of goodness, the best meal of the day, as my lovely Mum always says, eat your fruit and have a good breakfast, Bingo keeping up the traditions. First stop a bit unplanned, always the best on the edge “Lago Xolotain” great viewing point, watching a couple of lads mastering their rowing boat in the swell, fair play to them it looked difficult. Off we go again full of zest this morning pumping the legs, enjoying the ride, Bingo spotting even more birds, every now again, usually while I am singing my head off, I hear a shout did you see that, obviously not most of the time, two great spots this morning:
White-throated Magpie-Jay (Cyanocorax formosus) and White Ibis (Eudocimus albus), sure we have seen this before, or maybe another Ibis.

We pull over at a nice little cafe, La Milpa Ecolodge have the hattrick again as the sun is shining, coffee, soft drink and ice cream, living the dream, hope the sun stays out, though it’s hot, better than the rain, least I can see a little bit when its sunny. On we go still riding hard and fast, pushing the miles, its only 11:00 and we are just outside Leon, have a chat, check the weather, see if we can push on a bit, as we hit the ring road before Leon, decide to ride around it and stop outside the town, see what our options are. All good, stop in a service station with good WIFI, me always checking the time, is it opening time yet, Bingo a stern no, looks like we have got another 30 miles to do! hey ho have a coffee and an ice cream then., I book a place up the other side of Chinandega, around 30 odd miles away, nothing can wrong, enjoy the break then head off.

To be perfectly honest very easy ride, just both of us got a bit of stomach cramps, for want of a better word the shits (sorry Mum), mate had to pull over a few times in the field, love the baby wipes we carry, neither of us felt ill just needed to go quick, not nice! Managed to complete the final bit with clenched bums, really not easy, but both of us felt fine, not de-hydrated or anything, it will pass, sorry for the pun.

Booked into the rather lavish place, you can tell I booked it, only for the soft toilet paper I might add, every little luxury helps. Lovely afternoon relaxing very close to the facilities and gingerly trying a couple of beers, sure it’s not them, it never is.

Both feel good, which is a relief, have a little meal just a stone’s throw away from the hotel, both feeling so much better, hardy souls with a constitution of an ox or more truthfully hiding it and still have a beer, all will be better in the morning. Good days riding nearly 80 miles all good.

The House family would like to send heartfelt condolences to the Miller family, loyal bastions of the Aylesham community, for their sad loss of “Johnny Miller” , a true family friend. The Millers & Houses go back a long time, My dad had so much respect for Mr Miller (Jack), he helped my dad so much throughout the early 1970’s, respect to the family RIP Johnny.