This is a double first for me; my first photo on a blog and (more importantly) my first image of a bird - I usually go for things that either dont move so quickly, or move in predictable circumstances.
Sunday, 10 January 2010
Thursday, 31 December 2009
Last Day Of The Year
This the last day of my 'official' holiday from work, tomorrow being a Public Holiday - and my body chooses today to breakdown with a heavy cold. I've a headache, sneezes, the works. So, we wont be going out tonight to celebrate the New Year and New Decade, we'll be jealously keeping our diseases to ourselves and having a quiet celebration of our own, probably accompanied by various films and TV programmes to let us know When The Bell Tolls... :-)
Friday, 25 December 2009
I'm Dreaming Of A...
White Christmas.
Its been sooooo long since we had one here, it's almost a novelty. Can it really be true? Has Santa decided its our turn?
Whatever, even though I've had to use trains, buses and trams to get to work instead of the bike, I think its absolutely great.
Merry Xmas and a Happy, Safe, New Year!
Its been sooooo long since we had one here, it's almost a novelty. Can it really be true? Has Santa decided its our turn?
Whatever, even though I've had to use trains, buses and trams to get to work instead of the bike, I think its absolutely great.
Merry Xmas and a Happy, Safe, New Year!
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
I've Been Neglecting Betty
After several days of travelling to and from work in the dark, I had a late start one day (after the rush hour) - and after parking up at work I realised how filthy Betty* (the bike) had become.
From front to back, the damp roads had done their worst - red paint was visible on the tank and top part of the fairing, but going further south, it degenerated though a grey haze into mucky black.
Saturday morning is now allocated to giving Betty a good going over...
*Betty - named after the previous owner had 'Betty Swollocks' printed in the bottom of the number plate.
It's as good a name as any. What a wag :-)
From front to back, the damp roads had done their worst - red paint was visible on the tank and top part of the fairing, but going further south, it degenerated though a grey haze into mucky black.
Saturday morning is now allocated to giving Betty a good going over...
*Betty - named after the previous owner had 'Betty Swollocks' printed in the bottom of the number plate.
It's as good a name as any. What a wag :-)
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
(G) P.S. ...
... a quick post script - as a benefit of joining the IAM, the members area of the website has a page of links to companies offering discounts - one of which is Garmin.
Kelly's mother wanted a simple Satnav for Xmas, so a quick browse of the site showed up a Nuvi 1210 on offer for less than the price of a 'cheaper' lower grade model in the shops. Ordered it Sunday evening, it arrived Tues afternoon. Brilliant.
Kelly's mother wanted a simple Satnav for Xmas, so a quick browse of the site showed up a Nuvi 1210 on offer for less than the price of a 'cheaper' lower grade model in the shops. Ordered it Sunday evening, it arrived Tues afternoon. Brilliant.
Monday, 9 November 2009
Its been a while....
IBAW...since I posted a blog, so here's a few musings that I've been meaning to put down on virtual paper. Mum's been quite ill recently, but after a stay in hospital the medication appears to be working and the illness is reducing. her mobility is a little slower than normal, but she's getting used to the walking aids and the wheelchair, bless her. Still looking remarkably upbeat and determined to confront whatever else life throws at her. Way to go, Mum!
IBAW...since I bought a new lid, but as the visor on my old one has been converting light sources into kaleidescopes, I took the plunge and went to my local J&S in Kimberley. I got everything I wanted - flipup-front, integral drop-down dark(-ish) visor, and pinlocked visor for an anti-mist liner. £80 for the lid and £20 for the anti-mist liner, and (because I spent over £50), 3 free gifts from a choice of about 6 or 7. Bargain!
IBAW...since I rode in fog, but there was a hint of mist this morning as I got near to work, and fog all the way home tonight! And its getting worse as I write, so there may well be a pea-souper by tomorrow morning.
IBAW...since I bought a new lid, but as the visor on my old one has been converting light sources into kaleidescopes, I took the plunge and went to my local J&S in Kimberley. I got everything I wanted - flipup-front, integral drop-down dark(-ish) visor, and pinlocked visor for an anti-mist liner. £80 for the lid and £20 for the anti-mist liner, and (because I spent over £50), 3 free gifts from a choice of about 6 or 7. Bargain!
IBAW...since I rode in fog, but there was a hint of mist this morning as I got near to work, and fog all the way home tonight! And its getting worse as I write, so there may well be a pea-souper by tomorrow morning.
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Rain, Rain, Go Away...
As I sit here writing this, the sound of tonight's rain is hammering against the windows - hopefully it will have gone away by the morning, when an early start will mean a ride to work in the dark; rain would be one more thing to be concerned about, another method of hiding Yours Truly (even with fluorescent vest) from myopic car drivers.
That said, I just read on Highway Lass's blog that she thinks that car drivers are getting better at moving out of the way - on reflection, I come to the same conclusion; the commute to work is definitely getting easier. This could be for a couple of reasons
a) 4+-wheeled motorists are getting the message to look out for bikes (ShineySideUp campaign fronted by John Reynolds - lives near me, you know!)
b) my recent IAM training is making me a more responsible and smoother, patient rider
Hopefully its b), but a) definitely has its place.
However, there was one moment of indiscretion - the other night on the way home I was confronted by the Owner Of The Whole Damn Road switching to the outside lane as I approached whilst filtering (at a reasonable speed, honestly!), then when I was alongside him he wanted his share of the nearside lane again, even though I was near enough to chat to his passenger and had my air-horns sounding a retreat - regretfully, I resorted to violence and thumped the side of his car (yes, I was still that close) to gain his attention and then waved goodbye to him with just the odd finger or two...
I can't think of any other recent occasion where a rogue driver has caused a similar incident - still see people on the phone or texting while queueing in traffic, and general laziness in lane discipline, but I reason that because I've seen them doing this, I'm more aware than they are, and make an effort to get away from them.
Oh, and the rain has subsided now - time to lighten my mood!
That said, I just read on Highway Lass's blog that she thinks that car drivers are getting better at moving out of the way - on reflection, I come to the same conclusion; the commute to work is definitely getting easier. This could be for a couple of reasons
a) 4+-wheeled motorists are getting the message to look out for bikes (ShineySideUp campaign fronted by John Reynolds - lives near me, you know!)
b) my recent IAM training is making me a more responsible and smoother, patient rider
Hopefully its b), but a) definitely has its place.
However, there was one moment of indiscretion - the other night on the way home I was confronted by the Owner Of The Whole Damn Road switching to the outside lane as I approached whilst filtering (at a reasonable speed, honestly!), then when I was alongside him he wanted his share of the nearside lane again, even though I was near enough to chat to his passenger and had my air-horns sounding a retreat - regretfully, I resorted to violence and thumped the side of his car (yes, I was still that close) to gain his attention and then waved goodbye to him with just the odd finger or two...
I can't think of any other recent occasion where a rogue driver has caused a similar incident - still see people on the phone or texting while queueing in traffic, and general laziness in lane discipline, but I reason that because I've seen them doing this, I'm more aware than they are, and make an effort to get away from them.
Oh, and the rain has subsided now - time to lighten my mood!
Monday, 28 September 2009
Cycle Road Racing
I just did a day as a Bike Marshall at a cycle road race (the Derby Mercury 2009 event)- what an interesting experience! 3 of us (Ray as Lead, myself and Andy) lead the race from the the Race HQ to the start point, then split as a junction required 'marking' - basically attempting to stop or at least slow traffic to protect the cyclists - and for a short while I was Lead Bike which meant warning oncoming traffic of the group of Race Control vehicles and cyclists coming their way.
The route was an 11-mile circuit near to Burton On Trent - six and a half laps brought the riders back to the Race Finish. At times I was required to mark junctions so eventually I ended up in the middle of the race as the pack split into several sections. After marking, I had to re-pass the vehicles and the riders to get back in the lead. As far as I know, there were no incidents with general traffic, everyone was more than willing to wait for the riders and accompanying vehicles to pass.
There were static Marshalls placed at busy roundabouts and T-junctions, it was fun seeing them scurry into place as I approached - they knew the riders would be close behind - they also did a great job in protecting the riders from traffic.
Added bonus - as Marshalls, we get free drinks and food from the organisers...
The route was an 11-mile circuit near to Burton On Trent - six and a half laps brought the riders back to the Race Finish. At times I was required to mark junctions so eventually I ended up in the middle of the race as the pack split into several sections. After marking, I had to re-pass the vehicles and the riders to get back in the lead. As far as I know, there were no incidents with general traffic, everyone was more than willing to wait for the riders and accompanying vehicles to pass.
There were static Marshalls placed at busy roundabouts and T-junctions, it was fun seeing them scurry into place as I approached - they knew the riders would be close behind - they also did a great job in protecting the riders from traffic.
Added bonus - as Marshalls, we get free drinks and food from the organisers...
Sunday, 27 September 2009
I am an IAM now, I am
Good day, yesterday - passed my Institute of Advance Motorists Bike Test, so now a qualified IAM member!
Friday, 25 September 2009
Who Was Jackie Storer?
I got home an hour or so earlier than usual today, early enough to take the dogs out for a walk, before it started to get dark. We walked down to Shipley Country Park, around Osborne's Pond and up a hill crossing a couple of fields. At the top of this hill, in the middle of the field was a fairly new park bench.
It had a plate attached - "Jackie Storer 1947 - 2009" "Loved to walk across this Park" was inscribed on it. I think this was him - memorium notice
We sat on the bench for a few minutes, and watched (well, I did, the dogs sat on the grass patiently waiting to carry on) a magnificent sunset. Thanks, Jackie.
It had a plate attached - "Jackie Storer 1947 - 2009" "Loved to walk across this Park" was inscribed on it. I think this was him - memorium notice
We sat on the bench for a few minutes, and watched (well, I did, the dogs sat on the grass patiently waiting to carry on) a magnificent sunset. Thanks, Jackie.
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