Days 19 to 23; Friday 29th June to Tuesday 3rd of July.

Although the Harmony evolution presentation in Winnipeg went well as usual, it was also something of a disappointment; something we'd been trying to do for a very long time and which was again promised for that day, once again didn't happen.

On Friday we had a number of very useful meetings which, we trust, will bear fruit over the next weeks. We, additionally, found a nice whole food restaurant where we were able to get something really good to eat - not any easy thing to do on tour anyway and especially difficult in N. America.

On Saturday the 30^th we started the long drive to Chicago and that's when it did happen!

The first major truck fleet operator is testing the Harmony evolution! This is a new product, especially developed for the trucking and bus industry. All of them want the advantages which the technology promises but nobody wanted to be first! That's the breakthrough which happened today. Here is a photo of the special Chip in situ on the underside of the steering column. I also have photos of the truck itself but, until the owners have approved it, I cannot, of course, show them to you. It's very exciting, though to get the beginning at last.

In Duluth, Minnesota, on the shores of Lake Superior, we had the amazing experience of drinkable water straight from the faucet (tap). There's also an Indian restaurant (the only one in the city so you can't miss it) where the cook really knows how to make a biryani; a rare accomplishment like only Italians can make a really good omelette and only a Tyke can make really good Yorkshire pudding, you have to come from the Punjab to make a good biryani.

 MN / Wi border     Somewhere in WI

It took us until Monday morning to reach Chicago. An interesting place to visit but, being both country people, neither of us could imagine living there. The enormous phallic structures in the business district have an especially repugnant energy.

Ugh,   Ugh 2    Why? 

Lemm out       World's tallest building - for 4 months

   aged six, I had a toy garage just like this.

   Chicago sunset

On Monday evening we were invited to a jazz club in the old town where we were welcomed just as if we had always belonged there. A most pleasant evening.

   Chicago old town

Now, you may recall that we picked up a replacement car in Seattle for the drive to here. This was our opportunity to test the fuel saver on its own. The car was new, in very good condition and could be driven safely without a Harmony Super Charger. The results will be revealed in a special mailout later this week.

Tuesday morning saw a combination of a need to return quickly to Europe (more in a later blog entry) and, because of holidays, the proposed meetings in Pennsylvania just weren't going to happen. A call to United Airlines (with whom we almost always fly) brought an offer of a flight that evening and we jumped for it. Four hours later we were on the airport and on our way home.

The next North American tour is planned for October and dates will be posted shortly. It is even possible that we will have a stand at the exhibition in Portland, Oregon. If you would like to organise a meeting in your town, now is the time to let us know about it.

At check in in Chicago, there was a small and unimportant misunderstanding. Some kind person at United Airlines, however, decided that this was sufficient grounds to give both of us a free upgrade on our next transatlantic flight. How's that for an invite?

See you all in October.

Karma & Angela.