Feb 2009 - Tour du Nord V: this time, it's personal

[wilsonrabbit]

We all need to get one of these toasty accessories for next year's trip. I need the fu manchu add on...

[MinorRoadsKill]

Quote: Originally Posted by wilsonrabbit (original)

We all need to get one of these toasty accessories for next year's trip. I need the fu manchu add on...

Surely someone got a photo of me in my balaclava during the trip...

[blalor]

Quote: Originally Posted by MinorRoadsKill (original)

Surely someone got a photo of me in my balaclava during the trip...

You looked like a bank robber.

[blalor]

I just realized that Ontario Northland Rail's charge/refund process cost me $1.82 USD. I've gotta imagine reversing the transaction instead of issuing a refund (or however that works) would have been cheaper for all involved. That's nearly a half-gallon of gas!

[tedsmini]

Wow; those pics are great blalor! I read through the thread and my hat's off to all you folks who partook of this event. It sure sounds like all the planning payed off and that you had an awesome run. Congratulations to you; I'm sure the memories will last a lifetime!

[blalor]

Thanks! The planning (of the itinerary, at least) didn't pay off in the least!

[geowit]

Quote: Originally Posted by blalor (original)

Thanks! The planning (of the itinerary, at least) didn't pay off in the least!

I think I'll respectfully have to disagree, Brian. No, we did not follow our planned itinerary but all the planning Ross did left us in a position to (best Clint Eastwood impersonation) "adapt and improvise". This being my 3rd Tour du Nord, only one went relatively close to the planned route. That's part of the mystique of a winter adventure, you never know what unexpected event will befall you. We all know how important preparation is for an ArcticMINI trip. It isn't like going to the beach or the mountains for a summer vacation. To me, that's the lure of it all.

[MinorRoadsKill]

Quote: Originally Posted by blalor (original)

I just realized that Ontario Northland Rail's charge/refund process cost me $1.82 USD. I've gotta imagine reversing the transaction instead of issuing a refund (or however that works) would have been cheaper for all involved. That's nearly a half-gallon of gas!

Most of what I buy is in US dollars, and most merchants don't know how to do proper reversals. So I pay not only for returns, but for mistaken charges by the merchant, and deposit refunds (e.g. car rental). This BS costs me 100s a year. I can bank accounts denominated in USD, but not CCs.

[MinorRoadsKill]

TedsMINI: "It sure sounds like all the planning payed off"

Blalor: "Thanks! The planning (of the itinerary, at least) didn't pay off in the least! "

I shouldn't have been drinking while reading. What a mess.

[MinorRoadsKill]

I recently got the following email, quoted below:

Is MINIInternational really the 'official' MINI magazine as they claim?

Is anyone interested in writing another article?

-------------------------------------

Hi there, my name is Christina and I work as an editor for MINIInternational, the official customer magazine for the new MINI. For further information about MINIInternational, please click www.minispace.com/de_de/magazine/
I am looking for remarkable storys and interesting MINI owners from all over the world and a story about the arctic run would be perfect for our magazine. Are you and the people who took part at the arctic run 2009 in the mood to tell us about your passion about the run, the idea behind and so on. We would be very pleased to have you in the next magazine. I am looking forward, to hear from you,
kindest regards
Christina Reiffert

[DUCTTAPE]

That looks familiar. I think it may be the 'official' mag

[Oldpaint]

My German is a little rusty, would they be interested in Cree?

ᐊᑎᒫᐲᓯᒻ ᐊᐱᔖᒋᔑᔑᐤ ᐱᒥᔅᑯᐱᐦᑖᐤ

[NHRef]

I have one early copy of MINI International and, as I recall, it was from MINI. A quick check found this at MINI Australia: MINI Australia > Current Issue

Now I'd better finish the Roundel article . . .

[Oldpaint]

My article is done and off to the British Marque.

Ross has that Radio Station followed up?

[MinorRoadsKill]

Quote: Originally Posted by Oldpaint (original)

Ross has that Radio Station followed up?

Nope.