I can't keep my mind in one place at the moment.
Decided I'm not going to strip the bike down completely now, I'm just going to buy a new rear shock and new foam for the seat. If that all works, I may look at the fork internals to see if they need upgrading too.
Still not got my new log book from DVLA, so still can't ride the bike - it's been nearly a month now, and seeing lovely weekend weather doesn't help me much! If it doesn't arrive by Wednesday, I'll have to contact them again, mentioning Watchdog this time lol
Booked tickets with my brother to go up to Twickenham in early December to see the Final Challenge - the Barbarians vs New Zealand in the rugby. Should be a fun day out.
Monday, 26 October 2009
Monday, 19 October 2009
Londinium
Pete was over from HK for a quick break, and wondered if I wanted to meet him in London on his way back to Heathrow.
We organised a Travelodge near King's Cross station for Wednesday night and met up at the station - I'd got the train up from Yeovil to Waterloo, and then Northern Line'd it to Euston and walked over to King's X.
Dumped the bags and caught the tube to Oxford Circus and a quick trip to the Apple Store so that I could buy some bits I wanted. Then we wandered all over central London - sometimes on foot, sometimes by Tube, buying stuff and just generally looking around.
Back to the hotel for a rest and then back into town for tea and beers. Tea at Henry's in Covent Garden, then beer in a few pubs, ending up at the Salisbury on Charing Cross Road where we met Matt and Tess from Maryland and had a few more drinks.
Thursday and I wasn't feeling well at all - feet ached (Wrangler boots not right idea from tramping around London!) and lager not sitting well in tummy! Pete was flying out that afternoon, so we had breakfast in Guzel, a cafe at the top end of Gray's Inn road, and very nice it was too.
We wandered around the middle of London again, between Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, ending up back in de Hems Dutch bar on Macclesfield Street. I was on the Coke still as still not right from the lagers.
We went back to the hotel at about 4, picked up our bags and got back on the Piccadilly line - Pete heading towards Terminal 5 and his Hong Kong flight, me to Hammersmith for my second hotel at the Ibis in Earl's Court.
Silly mistake - I should've got off at Earl's Court where is was a half mile walk to the hotel, rather than Hammersmith where it ended up being a 1.6 mile hike! Boy was I shattered when I checked in - so much so that I just ate in the hotel restaurant!
Friday and I slept in - left the hotel at around 11, tube from West Brompton (third of a mile from the hotel - even closer!) and back into town for more wandering, even though my feet were now seriously aching! Brunch of a cheese and Marmite panini at a Starbucks and then, after more wandering, back to the hotel. I was meeting a guy from the Africa Twin website for a drink in the early evening, so wandered along to the Warwick Arms on Warwick Road, where we were lucky enough to have some free Indian fare as the landlady was throwing her birthday bash. A good night.
Saturday and my brother was driving up from Yeovil for the day - I'd bought him a tour of Twickenham for his 40th last December, and he decided to share it with me, so tube to Richmond and then £13 taxi far to Twickers :-O I got the bus back :-P Good tour, bought a couple items of clothing, then back in to the hotel for a quick rest and check emails.
Saturday night I met a couple of lads from the Adventure Rider website at the Princess Louise bar on High Holborn, so I had a pancake from My Old Dutch opposite the pub first (pancake, gouda, mozzarella, chicken and pepperoni).
Stayed on the Sam Smith's bitter all night, and that was lovely stuff! Home to the hotel by about 1am - I think I'll go for a closer hotel to the centre next time lol
Sunday dawned and time to check-out. Was on the train by about 11.45 and back into London one last time. I wandered around for a bit and then, as my shoulders got tired from carrying the backpack, I gave up and got the tube to Waterloo - a couple hours early for the train, but seats!
Train back to Yeovil, arrived at Yeovil Junction at about 20:20 where dad picked me up. Back home by 20:30-ish.
Didn't even really unpack, just started charging the Macbook, and uploaded the few photos that I'd taken.
Next time, I'll have to do the stuff I wanted to this time - Emirates, Highbury, museums, IMAX cinema, all that sorta stuff. Still, at lesst it means another trip - wonde if I'll have company for that.....
We organised a Travelodge near King's Cross station for Wednesday night and met up at the station - I'd got the train up from Yeovil to Waterloo, and then Northern Line'd it to Euston and walked over to King's X.
Dumped the bags and caught the tube to Oxford Circus and a quick trip to the Apple Store so that I could buy some bits I wanted. Then we wandered all over central London - sometimes on foot, sometimes by Tube, buying stuff and just generally looking around.
Back to the hotel for a rest and then back into town for tea and beers. Tea at Henry's in Covent Garden, then beer in a few pubs, ending up at the Salisbury on Charing Cross Road where we met Matt and Tess from Maryland and had a few more drinks.
Thursday and I wasn't feeling well at all - feet ached (Wrangler boots not right idea from tramping around London!) and lager not sitting well in tummy! Pete was flying out that afternoon, so we had breakfast in Guzel, a cafe at the top end of Gray's Inn road, and very nice it was too.
We wandered around the middle of London again, between Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, ending up back in de Hems Dutch bar on Macclesfield Street. I was on the Coke still as still not right from the lagers.
We went back to the hotel at about 4, picked up our bags and got back on the Piccadilly line - Pete heading towards Terminal 5 and his Hong Kong flight, me to Hammersmith for my second hotel at the Ibis in Earl's Court.
Silly mistake - I should've got off at Earl's Court where is was a half mile walk to the hotel, rather than Hammersmith where it ended up being a 1.6 mile hike! Boy was I shattered when I checked in - so much so that I just ate in the hotel restaurant!
Friday and I slept in - left the hotel at around 11, tube from West Brompton (third of a mile from the hotel - even closer!) and back into town for more wandering, even though my feet were now seriously aching! Brunch of a cheese and Marmite panini at a Starbucks and then, after more wandering, back to the hotel. I was meeting a guy from the Africa Twin website for a drink in the early evening, so wandered along to the Warwick Arms on Warwick Road, where we were lucky enough to have some free Indian fare as the landlady was throwing her birthday bash. A good night.
Saturday and my brother was driving up from Yeovil for the day - I'd bought him a tour of Twickenham for his 40th last December, and he decided to share it with me, so tube to Richmond and then £13 taxi far to Twickers :-O I got the bus back :-P Good tour, bought a couple items of clothing, then back in to the hotel for a quick rest and check emails.
Saturday night I met a couple of lads from the Adventure Rider website at the Princess Louise bar on High Holborn, so I had a pancake from My Old Dutch opposite the pub first (pancake, gouda, mozzarella, chicken and pepperoni).
About 16-18" in diameter - yummy!
After dinner, I wandered over to the Princess Lou where I met Paul and Ray from the website - Ray had ridden down from Manchester for the night, staying with Paul! Respect!
Stayed on the Sam Smith's bitter all night, and that was lovely stuff! Home to the hotel by about 1am - I think I'll go for a closer hotel to the centre next time lol
Sunday dawned and time to check-out. Was on the train by about 11.45 and back into London one last time. I wandered around for a bit and then, as my shoulders got tired from carrying the backpack, I gave up and got the tube to Waterloo - a couple hours early for the train, but seats!
Train back to Yeovil, arrived at Yeovil Junction at about 20:20 where dad picked me up. Back home by 20:30-ish.
Didn't even really unpack, just started charging the Macbook, and uploaded the few photos that I'd taken.
Next time, I'll have to do the stuff I wanted to this time - Emirates, Highbury, museums, IMAX cinema, all that sorta stuff. Still, at lesst it means another trip - wonde if I'll have company for that.....
Thursday, 8 October 2009
Monday, 5 October 2009
Stress - go away and don't darken my door again!
I was hoping that stresses would be lessened when I moved back to Yeovil and outside of work they have been.
Work though, there hangs another tale! 9 or 10 programmers creating work, and who is there to test it? Me
Too much stuff going on, too far behind in the work, too much work coming to me and not working as it should! It gets frustrating and a teensy bit demoralising.
Work though, there hangs another tale! 9 or 10 programmers creating work, and who is there to test it? Me
Too much stuff going on, too far behind in the work, too much work coming to me and not working as it should! It gets frustrating and a teensy bit demoralising.
Saturday, 3 October 2009
Houses...
I'd seen a house coming up for auction at the end of the month in Yeovil, so went over to the estate agent's in Crewkerne to get the details. While there I picked up details on a couple more places and went for a wander around the town centre.
There's some lovely unmolested houses in Crewkerne, a lot of hamstone terraces, so if the prices were to drop some more it could be an option - two supermarkets, banks, butchers, fishmongers, hardware store, all the stuff a small town needs :-)
Decided that the property, at a guide price of £80,000, would take up all my available funds to buy if I could get a mtge of 75%, leaving me nothing to spend on it which, bearing in mind it has been in the same family for 200 years with no central heating etc, could leave me a little short... Lovely little place though
I shall continue my quest for a new home though, in the hope that I can find something suitable in my price range :-)
There's some lovely unmolested houses in Crewkerne, a lot of hamstone terraces, so if the prices were to drop some more it could be an option - two supermarkets, banks, butchers, fishmongers, hardware store, all the stuff a small town needs :-)
Decided that the property, at a guide price of £80,000, would take up all my available funds to buy if I could get a mtge of 75%, leaving me nothing to spend on it which, bearing in mind it has been in the same family for 200 years with no central heating etc, could leave me a little short... Lovely little place though
I shall continue my quest for a new home though, in the hope that I can find something suitable in my price range :-)
Thursday, 1 October 2009
A new month, a decision made..
Well, having slept on it, I'm gonna keep the Africa Twin and spend some money restoring it.
The rest of my life? Meh, ups and downs still, drifting again, missing friends, needing some direction.
I'm losing some weight, which is good, although not trying to do it consciously, just comes from eating more healthily I suppose. Going to go look at some houses coming up for auction to see if the style, age, etc suit me - at least they'd give me a project, something to do in the evenings apart from come online, rueing my life and past decisions.
Not sleeping well doesn't help, mind - my brain is going off on motorcycle journeys as I try to fall asleep, planning where to go and what to see. Why can't someone invent a switch so that I can turn that part of me off when I want to? The happy Ben is still inside me, and comes out to play every now and then, I just want him to be there more often - the question is, how to do that?
The rest of my life? Meh, ups and downs still, drifting again, missing friends, needing some direction.
I'm losing some weight, which is good, although not trying to do it consciously, just comes from eating more healthily I suppose. Going to go look at some houses coming up for auction to see if the style, age, etc suit me - at least they'd give me a project, something to do in the evenings apart from come online, rueing my life and past decisions.
Not sleeping well doesn't help, mind - my brain is going off on motorcycle journeys as I try to fall asleep, planning where to go and what to see. Why can't someone invent a switch so that I can turn that part of me off when I want to? The happy Ben is still inside me, and comes out to play every now and then, I just want him to be there more often - the question is, how to do that?
Saturday, 26 September 2009
Ténéré, Africa Twin, Ténéré, Africa Twin.....
Ack, just when I think that I've decided on selling the Africa Twin and buy a new or nearly-new Yamaha Ténéré, I go for a 75-mile ride on the Twin and she tries to talk me into keeping her.
Rode to Taunton on the A30 (the old London trunk road) through the beautiful Somerset villages and small towns, and into Taunton from the south for a change, avoiding all the Henlade/M5 traffic. A lovely ride, some nice roads and lovely old houses in the towns and villages.
Came back via the Somerset Levels, through Othery and Aller (a great short straight of open kinks in the road there - sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep) to Langport, out to Sparkford on the A303 dual carriageway and back home via the country lanes through Queen Camel, Marston Magna and Mudford.
She felt more stable on the dual carriageway than the Ténéré even with an almost empty tank - hmmm, alter the seat, new rear shock, maybe £5-600, or sell her and buy a Ténéré spending an extra £3000+. I already have the top box, panniers and racks, engine bars, tax and MOT for the Africa Twin - the extras would have to be bought for the Ténéré.......
I'm starting to think "better the devil you know" - for now, at least.
Rode to Taunton on the A30 (the old London trunk road) through the beautiful Somerset villages and small towns, and into Taunton from the south for a change, avoiding all the Henlade/M5 traffic. A lovely ride, some nice roads and lovely old houses in the towns and villages.
Came back via the Somerset Levels, through Othery and Aller (a great short straight of open kinks in the road there - sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep) to Langport, out to Sparkford on the A303 dual carriageway and back home via the country lanes through Queen Camel, Marston Magna and Mudford.
She felt more stable on the dual carriageway than the Ténéré even with an almost empty tank - hmmm, alter the seat, new rear shock, maybe £5-600, or sell her and buy a Ténéré spending an extra £3000+. I already have the top box, panniers and racks, engine bars, tax and MOT for the Africa Twin - the extras would have to be bought for the Ténéré.......
I'm starting to think "better the devil you know" - for now, at least.
Saturday, 19 September 2009
Ténéré
No, not the southern bit of the Sahara in Chad, the Yamaha version.
I took the latest version of the Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré out for a test ride today (the model that was launched in 2008). It's a 660cc single-cylinder adventure motorbike with a big fuel tank and plenty of suspension travel.
I took the latest version of the Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré out for a test ride today (the model that was launched in 2008). It's a 660cc single-cylinder adventure motorbike with a big fuel tank and plenty of suspension travel.
Took it for a quick 30 mile test ride from Branson's out through Mudford, Marston Magna and Queen Camel to the A303 at Sparkford, then along the dual carriageway to the Cartgate roundabout and back into Yeovil for some town work.
Very enjoyable ride - hmm, might be my next bike..
After that I rode out to Taylor's Motorcycles in Misterton to look at a Honda Dominator, but wasn't able to take it out and I just didn't like the vibe in the dealership, so that's off the list.
Rode on to Beaminster to my uncle's café and his wife's gallery - the Ann Day café and gallery - but it was shut for staff holidays.
Rode back into town as I'd said to my brother that I would go up and watch the 2nd XV rugby game at the club he belongs to, Ivel Barbarians. I took my camera along to take some pics, and put the best of them on my Smugmug gallery.
Home afterwards with a quite red face from the sun :-)
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Clients....
Why is it so difficult for clients to decide that they want some new functionality, to specify that functionality once agreed internally, and then send that specification to us?
I'd just started testing some new functionality, spend a day and a half on it, and then they decide that they want to do it slightly differently.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
On a brighter note, I've just ordered my new P&S digital camera today:
Canon Powershot A480 - a cheap one to carry around with me.
I've copied my iPhoto library from the Mac Mini to the MacBookPro, next up is the original images folders, and then I can start taking photos and storing them again, before uploading stuff to my Smugmug online photo album. Hmm, thinking on that, I don't think I added last September's motorcycle meet ride report to PixByMe
either - must do that sometime....
I'd just started testing some new functionality, spend a day and a half on it, and then they decide that they want to do it slightly differently.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
On a brighter note, I've just ordered my new P&S digital camera today:
Canon Powershot A480 - a cheap one to carry around with me.
I've copied my iPhoto library from the Mac Mini to the MacBookPro, next up is the original images folders, and then I can start taking photos and storing them again, before uploading stuff to my Smugmug online photo album. Hmm, thinking on that, I don't think I added last September's motorcycle meet ride report to PixByMe
either - must do that sometime....
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Brrr
It's only the middle of September and we've just put the central heating on boost for an hour - my hands were getting cold typing in the small bedroom-cum-office.
How can it be this cold in September? Hmm, maybe I need a break somewhere warm next year!
Train tickets for London arrived today in the post - pretty good service!
How can it be this cold in September? Hmm, maybe I need a break somewhere warm next year!
Train tickets for London arrived today in the post - pretty good service!
Monday, 14 September 2009
Londinium
I've booked up a short break in London for October. Train up on the 14th, overnight in the King's Cross Travelodge that night meeting Pete who's over from Hong Kong, then move to the Ibis in Earl's Court for the next three nights, getting the train back on the evening of the 18th.
Now to work out what I want to do/see up there :-D
Now to work out what I want to do/see up there :-D
Companies - bad and good
Why are some companies so uselsss? Cancelled my Sky satellite subscription on 4th August, giving the required 31 days notice, so it would end on 5th September.
Lo and behold, I get a bill for the month commencing 6th September!
Call them up - again - and the operator tells me that they can see my notice of cancellation on 4th August, but that the person I spoke to then marked it as 'Pre-Advance Cancellation Notification', not 'Cancellation Notification'. Dumbasses!
Hopefully, this new bill will now be null and void, but lets wait to see what happens.
Now for the good - I called Manx Telecom and the Youth Hostel Association and changed my direct debits over to the new bank account down here and all was easy peasy, just how it should be. I hope, anyway! :-)
Lo and behold, I get a bill for the month commencing 6th September!
Call them up - again - and the operator tells me that they can see my notice of cancellation on 4th August, but that the person I spoke to then marked it as 'Pre-Advance Cancellation Notification', not 'Cancellation Notification'. Dumbasses!
Hopefully, this new bill will now be null and void, but lets wait to see what happens.
Now for the good - I called Manx Telecom and the Youth Hostel Association and changed my direct debits over to the new bank account down here and all was easy peasy, just how it should be. I hope, anyway! :-)
Sunday, 13 September 2009
Weekends
Weekends are good, but they never seem to last long enough!
I get my own bed back tomorrow night - Dutch friends have been over and I've been relegated to the z-bed in the 3rd bedroom-cum-office.
Thinking about a new smaller camera than my super-zoom, one that I can carry with me most of the time. Top choice at the moment is a new Panasonic as it takes AA batteries - hate being left in the lurch when a Li-ion battery dies! Maybe I can get back into taking more pictures - my Deviant Art and Smugmug webpages are looking a little bare recently.
Just asked for a few days off in October - off to London for a few days R&R to meet Pete for a day on his way back to HK and then to have a wander around. Might stay at the Ibis in Docklands - relatively cheap, in London terms anyway! lol
I get my own bed back tomorrow night - Dutch friends have been over and I've been relegated to the z-bed in the 3rd bedroom-cum-office.
Thinking about a new smaller camera than my super-zoom, one that I can carry with me most of the time. Top choice at the moment is a new Panasonic as it takes AA batteries - hate being left in the lurch when a Li-ion battery dies! Maybe I can get back into taking more pictures - my Deviant Art and Smugmug webpages are looking a little bare recently.
Just asked for a few days off in October - off to London for a few days R&R to meet Pete for a day on his way back to HK and then to have a wander around. Might stay at the Ibis in Docklands - relatively cheap, in London terms anyway! lol
Life, the universe and everything
42
Well, glad that's settled!
Does that mean anything? Hmm, well apart from my age in just over 3 years time, I haven't reached that waist size - yet! I'm down about 9-10 pounds since moving back, even without the lunchtime strolls of around a mile or so that I used to do on the island - I now have about 30 minutes for lunch downstairs, and then back to work.
16
Another number, and my next target for weight in stone - only 1lb to go! 5lb to go to reach 100kg - I'm English, we use mutiple measurement systems depending on our whims.
38
My next birthday is in 69 days - interesting number there :-) Also my current waist size (no, not 69!) - do people realise how difficult it is to find trousers that fit when your a 38" waist with little legs - 30" inseam! At nearly 5'11", all my height must be in my upper body! Makes it a bugger finding a motorcycle to fit though..
80,000
Why can't I find any houses in this area for that sort of price so that I can move out? Yeovil hasn't particularly seen a drop in house prices yet - virtually full employment will do that for you, I suppose. There's been the occasional property in my price range, but definitely not in an area I'd like to live....
Well, glad that's settled!
Does that mean anything? Hmm, well apart from my age in just over 3 years time, I haven't reached that waist size - yet! I'm down about 9-10 pounds since moving back, even without the lunchtime strolls of around a mile or so that I used to do on the island - I now have about 30 minutes for lunch downstairs, and then back to work.
16
Another number, and my next target for weight in stone - only 1lb to go! 5lb to go to reach 100kg - I'm English, we use mutiple measurement systems depending on our whims.
38
My next birthday is in 69 days - interesting number there :-) Also my current waist size (no, not 69!) - do people realise how difficult it is to find trousers that fit when your a 38" waist with little legs - 30" inseam! At nearly 5'11", all my height must be in my upper body! Makes it a bugger finding a motorcycle to fit though..
80,000
Why can't I find any houses in this area for that sort of price so that I can move out? Yeovil hasn't particularly seen a drop in house prices yet - virtually full employment will do that for you, I suppose. There's been the occasional property in my price range, but definitely not in an area I'd like to live....
Cha-cha-cha-cha-changes.....
Sold the Seat car on the island, and rode the Africa Twin down here. M & D sold me their old VW Bora so that I've got something to roll around in, those happening sounds of radio 4 blaring out of the open windows.....
I've got the bike through its first MOT test in nearly 3 years (last one was in Jan 07 in N. Ireland when I bought it as the IOM doesn't have them) with flying colours, so will have to go down to Exeter in the next week or so to re-register it.
I've been humming and hawing about what to do next for transport - I've thought about a 60s VW camper as it's been a dream for years, but I think I've missed the boat on those. They're so damned expensive - last time I looked at one in the early 90s it was £1500 - a similar condition one now would be closer to £8-9k! A good one is cloer to £12,000 - too rich for my blood!
So back to musing on a new bike - I realised that I've never bought a vehicle that was younger than 8 years old on day of purchase, so I think, at 37, it's time to treat myself! I thought about a scooter, but then nah, I thought about a sports bike but that's not my scene, man! Back to the adventure sports rides, and as I enjoyed my Dominatrix (Honda NX650 Dominator) a single cylinder bike might be back on the agenda.
I sat on a Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré at the local dealer yesterday, and (damn my little legs!) I could just about get both sets of toes touching the floor! It can be lowered, plus my bulk will probably lower it slightly as it all settles in, so I'm gonna arrange a test ride next Saturday
I've got the bike through its first MOT test in nearly 3 years (last one was in Jan 07 in N. Ireland when I bought it as the IOM doesn't have them) with flying colours, so will have to go down to Exeter in the next week or so to re-register it.
I've been humming and hawing about what to do next for transport - I've thought about a 60s VW camper as it's been a dream for years, but I think I've missed the boat on those. They're so damned expensive - last time I looked at one in the early 90s it was £1500 - a similar condition one now would be closer to £8-9k! A good one is cloer to £12,000 - too rich for my blood!
So back to musing on a new bike - I realised that I've never bought a vehicle that was younger than 8 years old on day of purchase, so I think, at 37, it's time to treat myself! I thought about a scooter, but then nah, I thought about a sports bike but that's not my scene, man! Back to the adventure sports rides, and as I enjoyed my Dominatrix (Honda NX650 Dominator) a single cylinder bike might be back on the agenda.
I sat on a Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré at the local dealer yesterday, and (damn my little legs!) I could just about get both sets of toes touching the floor! It can be lowered, plus my bulk will probably lower it slightly as it all settles in, so I'm gonna arrange a test ride next Saturday
Settling in
Over a month since my last post - "I'm not the Messiah, I'm a very naughty boy" (in best Life of Brian mimicry).
Settled back in to my old room at the parent's house now, built some shelving with my dad to hold my books and dvds - the CDs are still boxed up in the garage with nowhere to store them, along with umpteen other boxes (mostly kitchen goods, crockery, glasse, etc). Still haven't found my iPod Touch or torque wrench though
Hmm, I suppose the title of this blog no longer applies, having been off Mann for 6 weeks now (still miss some of the people though), so I shall think of something witty etc to rename it as.
Still got stuff to do here, but at least I've got a desk to work from when broadband was down for a couple of days, as I went up to Ikea in Brizzul. Connection to work can be slow sometimes, but it's great to
be able to wander in to work at 8.30 and finish when I want to, and when I can afford to.
Settled back in to my old room at the parent's house now, built some shelving with my dad to hold my books and dvds - the CDs are still boxed up in the garage with nowhere to store them, along with umpteen other boxes (mostly kitchen goods, crockery, glasse, etc). Still haven't found my iPod Touch or torque wrench though
Hmm, I suppose the title of this blog no longer applies, having been off Mann for 6 weeks now (still miss some of the people though), so I shall think of something witty etc to rename it as.
Still got stuff to do here, but at least I've got a desk to work from when broadband was down for a couple of days, as I went up to Ikea in Brizzul. Connection to work can be slow sometimes, but it's great to
be able to wander in to work at 8.30 and finish when I want to, and when I can afford to.
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Movement, finally
Had an email from my advocate, and the apartment sale is finally going through - meeting with him on Friday morning to sign various bits and pieces, and then the money comes from the buyer on the 31st.
So, M&D have now booked the Transit and the ferry crossing, coming over next Tuesday afternoon, going back on Thursday afternoon, and I've booked the single crossing for the bike on the Thursday too - should get home around 11pm or so, so long day.
Stuff to take to charity shop/chuck - dvd/cd rack, settees, bookcases (maybe), computer desk, double mattress, coffee table, old crockery, corner shelving unit -wow, lots of stuff, I'd better get a wriggle on!
So, M&D have now booked the Transit and the ferry crossing, coming over next Tuesday afternoon, going back on Thursday afternoon, and I've booked the single crossing for the bike on the Thursday too - should get home around 11pm or so, so long day.
Stuff to take to charity shop/chuck - dvd/cd rack, settees, bookcases (maybe), computer desk, double mattress, coffee table, old crockery, corner shelving unit -wow, lots of stuff, I'd better get a wriggle on!
Monday, 13 July 2009
Starting to feel more with it now - whoever heard of having to fax through a repeat prescription request in this day and age though??
Tired, but the end of the working day is nigh, and I'm going to see Ice Age 3 tonight, so that might help take my mind off its home-grown worries and strifes.
Will someone please hurry up and invent a switch for the back of my head that will turn off the bits of my brain that don't let me get off to sleep!
Tired, but the end of the working day is nigh, and I'm going to see Ice Age 3 tonight, so that might help take my mind off its home-grown worries and strifes.
Will someone please hurry up and invent a switch for the back of my head that will turn off the bits of my brain that don't let me get off to sleep!
Oh me
Well, the apartment passed the pre-sale inspection on Friday so another step forward.
Went out on Kaiy's 21st on Saturday night, had a few wodkas and home by 1, unlike Kaiy who had a couple too many rums.....
Woke up this morning to a few shakes and tears, and no beta-blockers around :-( Time to get a repeat prescription, I think.
Went out on Kaiy's 21st on Saturday night, had a few wodkas and home by 1, unlike Kaiy who had a couple too many rums.....
Woke up this morning to a few shakes and tears, and no beta-blockers around :-( Time to get a repeat prescription, I think.
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Moving forward
Well, contact with the advocate this morning, and stuff is progressing - he's sending the various forms to the Attorney General's office today. He sees no problem with hitting my end of July completion aim.
Still not heard anything from the government about viewing the apartment though....
Should get my iLap laptop stand in the next day or so, and just ordered 4gb or memory for the MBP - should make life a little easier.
Updated my travelogues website to include last September's trip to Dartmoor finally - it's only taken 10 months lol
Still not heard anything from the government about viewing the apartment though....
Should get my iLap laptop stand in the next day or so, and just ordered 4gb or memory for the MBP - should make life a little easier.
Updated my travelogues website to include last September's trip to Dartmoor finally - it's only taken 10 months lol
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Closer and closer
Well, been a few weeks since my last entry, but not been much to tell.
Apart from, I'm still going, but my flatmate hasn't been offered the apartment, so back to square one on that front. Joy of joys, the advocate dealing with the sale of the apartment is now moving to a new firm - he's taking my work with him, but I haven't got new contact details yet. I'll have to send an e-mail to his old address and hope he still gets them! Haven't heard anything from the government yet, which is annoying.
I've found out that paperback books and DVDs fit perfectly into lettuce boxes from the supermarket lol so first four boxes of things done. A friend might be popping over at the weekend with some more boxes to start packing the kitchen stuff.
Had a few texts from my parents, on holiday for 17 days in the south west of France - they hit 98f in the shade (36c) and told me I'm not allowed to move there as it's too hot in the summer lol Told them if I move to France it'll be to near the mountains anyway :-)
The boss has already asked if I'll be free to do a demo of the software in Honiton, Devon on the 7th August - hmmm, 32 miles each way at 40ppm, that's £25 earned lol
Starting to hit home that I'll be leaving some true friends behind (and I hope they know who they are), but with the marvels of computers and phones, we'll stay in touch, and once I get a new place, I'll open the door to all waifs and strays who want to come visit :-) Might even try and talk Kaiy into coming down for a break lol
Going to try and do more stuff, both on the bike and off, maybe hit Lunnon for a weekend or two, maybe see a show or three (you listening, boop? lol), go away for long weekends as the bank holidays allow, and try to get back onto the continent on the bike. Also got to fit in going to see Pete in HK before he leaves there - busy, busy!
Apart from, I'm still going, but my flatmate hasn't been offered the apartment, so back to square one on that front. Joy of joys, the advocate dealing with the sale of the apartment is now moving to a new firm - he's taking my work with him, but I haven't got new contact details yet. I'll have to send an e-mail to his old address and hope he still gets them! Haven't heard anything from the government yet, which is annoying.
I've found out that paperback books and DVDs fit perfectly into lettuce boxes from the supermarket lol so first four boxes of things done. A friend might be popping over at the weekend with some more boxes to start packing the kitchen stuff.
Had a few texts from my parents, on holiday for 17 days in the south west of France - they hit 98f in the shade (36c) and told me I'm not allowed to move there as it's too hot in the summer lol Told them if I move to France it'll be to near the mountains anyway :-)
The boss has already asked if I'll be free to do a demo of the software in Honiton, Devon on the 7th August - hmmm, 32 miles each way at 40ppm, that's £25 earned lol
Starting to hit home that I'll be leaving some true friends behind (and I hope they know who they are), but with the marvels of computers and phones, we'll stay in touch, and once I get a new place, I'll open the door to all waifs and strays who want to come visit :-) Might even try and talk Kaiy into coming down for a break lol
Going to try and do more stuff, both on the bike and off, maybe hit Lunnon for a weekend or two, maybe see a show or three (you listening, boop? lol), go away for long weekends as the bank holidays allow, and try to get back onto the continent on the bike. Also got to fit in going to see Pete in HK before he leaves there - busy, busy!
Thursday, 4 June 2009
TT 2009
Isle of Man TT road races are now in the middle of practice week, and the weather has been great, helping the riders to some good times so far. Last night was the first 130mph average lap of this year, and unofficially the second fastest lap speed ever. Got some photos up on my Smugmug gallery, but not over-pleased with most of them, unfortunately.
As for the move, that's still on, and my current flatmate has been offered one of four apartments in the road, so we're both hoping that he can get mine so that a) he doesn't have to move, b) we only need to change the name on the utility bills and c) any post can be forwarded on to me easily.
Work have just ordered me a new laptop to take away with me for working from home in Yeovil, and just got to go through the nitty gritty of working out hourly pay rate etc prior to the move. Then I'll be self-employed in Yeovil, and, on nice days, dialling into the office to work from the back garden, sat in the sun lol :-D
I'll have to get Skype set up on the new laptop so that I can talk to people, but at least the BT Talk Anytime package for £5-something a month allows free calls to the IOM from Yeovil during the daytime.
A few things actually going my way at the moment, which makes a nice change for me as I'm often "the glass is half empty" guy - lack of confidence coming out again I suppose. Must be why I've fallen into the "friend zone" with the girls so often - so many I think about in more ways than just friends, but I don't think that any of them think about me in that way :-(
Still, re-start my life and hopefully things will pick up, working when I want to and for as long as I want - could give me a new direction to take, especially now I'm so much less materialistic than I was even two years ago. Even cleared my credit card this month completely, so only got the bike loan to go of around a grand, so could clear that by the time I leave the island! End up back in Yeovil with maybe £15k+ from the sale of the apartment, and no debts, ready to start my life anew.
As for the move, that's still on, and my current flatmate has been offered one of four apartments in the road, so we're both hoping that he can get mine so that a) he doesn't have to move, b) we only need to change the name on the utility bills and c) any post can be forwarded on to me easily.
Work have just ordered me a new laptop to take away with me for working from home in Yeovil, and just got to go through the nitty gritty of working out hourly pay rate etc prior to the move. Then I'll be self-employed in Yeovil, and, on nice days, dialling into the office to work from the back garden, sat in the sun lol :-D
I'll have to get Skype set up on the new laptop so that I can talk to people, but at least the BT Talk Anytime package for £5-something a month allows free calls to the IOM from Yeovil during the daytime.
A few things actually going my way at the moment, which makes a nice change for me as I'm often "the glass is half empty" guy - lack of confidence coming out again I suppose. Must be why I've fallen into the "friend zone" with the girls so often - so many I think about in more ways than just friends, but I don't think that any of them think about me in that way :-(
Still, re-start my life and hopefully things will pick up, working when I want to and for as long as I want - could give me a new direction to take, especially now I'm so much less materialistic than I was even two years ago. Even cleared my credit card this month completely, so only got the bike loan to go of around a grand, so could clear that by the time I leave the island! End up back in Yeovil with maybe £15k+ from the sale of the apartment, and no debts, ready to start my life anew.
Monday, 18 May 2009
Mid-May and Donington
May is now half over, and still no real signs of summer coming in, just the odd day of decent weather.
I went over to Donington in England for a morning doing the Ron Haslam Race School on a Honda CBR600RR. Harry, Mark, James and I caught the afternoon Seacat and drove down to the Melbourne View Hotel next to the circuit, where we met Al who came over from Norwich. A night in the hotel, and then up bright and early for signing on.
Annoyingly, the trip down on Tuesday had been in bright sunshine, but Wednesday dawned overcast and with rain forecast. We got changed into our leathers at the circuit, and then got called through for the pre-school information talk. Then, out to the bikes to be allocated to an instructor (one instructor to two riders).
Then we were straight out onto the circuit for the first session so that our instructors could see how good or bad we were :-) We came back in after about 20 mins and the instructors talked us through changes they wanted to see. As we were chatting, the heavens opened!
For the second session the rain was bouncing off the track, so much faith was put in the front brakes to stop us safely from over 100mph!
A great day all in, even though I didn't do as well as I'd hoped - but then coming from an adventure bike to a sports bike was always going to be strange!
We left straight after the third session and final talk, heading straight back up to Liverpool for the evening ferry, whch left us plenty of time to see the new Star Trek film at the cinema - very good film too!
I've sent my confirmation back to the IOM Government accepting their offer for my apartment, and have decided that my leave date will be 29th July, to allow for any delays in the funds moving. I've also measured up and found that all my large furniture will fit at floor level in a LWB Transit, so no need to spend £1,500 on a removals company! Mum and dad to organise the rental from down in Yeovil :-)
Still can't see much movement on house prices in Yeovil, but hopefully I'll be able to afford a 2-bed Victorian terrace house, and it'd be great if I could get one with access to the back garden from an alley - shed/garage for the bike!
A few people starting to tell me that they'll miss me, which is nice, but I'm not going to change my mind and with no romantic ties to keep me on the island, a new chapter is still on course to start! Romantic ties would've been nice, of course, but no luck for me on that front, unfortunately.
Back to work, I suppose!
I went over to Donington in England for a morning doing the Ron Haslam Race School on a Honda CBR600RR. Harry, Mark, James and I caught the afternoon Seacat and drove down to the Melbourne View Hotel next to the circuit, where we met Al who came over from Norwich. A night in the hotel, and then up bright and early for signing on.
Annoyingly, the trip down on Tuesday had been in bright sunshine, but Wednesday dawned overcast and with rain forecast. We got changed into our leathers at the circuit, and then got called through for the pre-school information talk. Then, out to the bikes to be allocated to an instructor (one instructor to two riders).
Then we were straight out onto the circuit for the first session so that our instructors could see how good or bad we were :-) We came back in after about 20 mins and the instructors talked us through changes they wanted to see. As we were chatting, the heavens opened!
For the second session the rain was bouncing off the track, so much faith was put in the front brakes to stop us safely from over 100mph!
A great day all in, even though I didn't do as well as I'd hoped - but then coming from an adventure bike to a sports bike was always going to be strange!
We left straight after the third session and final talk, heading straight back up to Liverpool for the evening ferry, whch left us plenty of time to see the new Star Trek film at the cinema - very good film too!
I've sent my confirmation back to the IOM Government accepting their offer for my apartment, and have decided that my leave date will be 29th July, to allow for any delays in the funds moving. I've also measured up and found that all my large furniture will fit at floor level in a LWB Transit, so no need to spend £1,500 on a removals company! Mum and dad to organise the rental from down in Yeovil :-)
Still can't see much movement on house prices in Yeovil, but hopefully I'll be able to afford a 2-bed Victorian terrace house, and it'd be great if I could get one with access to the back garden from an alley - shed/garage for the bike!
A few people starting to tell me that they'll miss me, which is nice, but I'm not going to change my mind and with no romantic ties to keep me on the island, a new chapter is still on course to start! Romantic ties would've been nice, of course, but no luck for me on that front, unfortunately.
Back to work, I suppose!
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Decision made - mostly!
Well, after a chat with a neighbour who is selling his apartment, I've decided that I'll be offering mine back to the government first-time buyer's scheme department this weekend - just have to write the letter and decide when I want to move.
At least I'll be going back to the UK with more money than I arrived on the island with, which will hopefully help me get started in the new chapter of my life. Lots of things have been nudging me along since last autumn, so now is the time to set things in motion. At the moment, I'm thinking end of July as the move date, but I'll think over it some more over the next few days.
In some ways I don't want to go, as I've made a couple of good friends on the island, but I also feel like I'm stagnating in my life and job, so I need a kick start and there are more opportunities in the UK, and cheaper housing too!
At least I'll be going back to the UK with more money than I arrived on the island with, which will hopefully help me get started in the new chapter of my life. Lots of things have been nudging me along since last autumn, so now is the time to set things in motion. At the moment, I'm thinking end of July as the move date, but I'll think over it some more over the next few days.
In some ways I don't want to go, as I've made a couple of good friends on the island, but I also feel like I'm stagnating in my life and job, so I need a kick start and there are more opportunities in the UK, and cheaper housing too!
Sunday, 26 April 2009
April nearly over
Well, another month nearly done, getting somewhat caught up on the outstanding stuff at work, helped by the boss being off for a week and not thinking of new stuff to do! Not helped by him and another guy being off at the same time, so I had to deal with a lot of the customers queries and whinges :-(
Took a ride around the course on the bike yesterday in my leathers to keep breaking them in - just over 2 weeks to race school at Donington now!
Life changes are coming in the next few months, hopefully I can re-start my life successfully - new job, new house, new everything (well, who knows!) I just need something, but I don't know fully what.....
Took a ride around the course on the bike yesterday in my leathers to keep breaking them in - just over 2 weeks to race school at Donington now!
Life changes are coming in the next few months, hopefully I can re-start my life successfully - new job, new house, new everything (well, who knows!) I just need something, but I don't know fully what.....
Saturday, 11 April 2009
A long day
Thursday was a very long day - didn't sleep well, as normal for me before travelling, waking up every hour or so, even though I wasn't getting up any earlier than a normal day, really. Got up at 7 eventually, abluted, took my beta-blocker, travel pill and diclofenac pill to prepare myself for the journey.
Wrapped up with plenty of layers and was on the bike heading for the ferry by 7.30. As soon as all the artic trailers were loaded I was waved on board, getting the only motorcycle on this crossing stowed before letting the cars on. I wandered upstairs and asked if there were any spare cabins but all were booked, so I went on the list in case someone didn't show.
The boat set sail a few minutes early and I started to feel a little queazy as soon as we rounded the breakwater - great, I thought, over 3 hours of seasickness ahead! Then, saints be praised, I heard my name over the tannoy - I got a cabin! £42 well spent, and I collected my bike gear and headed up to the cabin. Got myself settled, turned out the lights and lay on the bunk, and lo and behold, even though I was now on a higher deck, I felt a lot better, and even managed to doze off and on for the entire crossing!
We docked in Heysham about 10 minutes early at 12.05pm, and I was one of the first off - rode through the Heysham and Lancaster lunchtime traffic with a bit of filtering, then onto the M6 and southward bound. The lack of sleep was catching up with me so I stopped at Charnock Richard services for a bite to eat (first food of the day!) and a can of Red Bull to try and wake up.
20 minutes or so there, then off again, pausing at Sandbach services to fill up, but only after hitting the first lot of heavy traffic, for 10 miles, filtering off and on - something I don't do on a regular basis as I live on the IOM!
Once I had a full tank in the bike, I set off south again, hitting more heavy traffic on various stages of the M6, and then hitting the Bristol section of the M5 just after 5pm - on the day before the Easter weekend, so not the best plan! More miles of filtering through stationary traffic, until finally clear and really homeward bound!
I walked in the door at my parent's at 7.15, 7 hours after leaving Heysham, and boy did my arse ache from sitting on the bike for that long! Luckily, no bright red monkey butt though!
Food, sleep, wake, spend all of Good Friday re-installing Mum and Dad's computer - today a rest day, bought some new t-shirts in Street Factory Village reduced down, and now falling aslee..............
Wrapped up with plenty of layers and was on the bike heading for the ferry by 7.30. As soon as all the artic trailers were loaded I was waved on board, getting the only motorcycle on this crossing stowed before letting the cars on. I wandered upstairs and asked if there were any spare cabins but all were booked, so I went on the list in case someone didn't show.
The boat set sail a few minutes early and I started to feel a little queazy as soon as we rounded the breakwater - great, I thought, over 3 hours of seasickness ahead! Then, saints be praised, I heard my name over the tannoy - I got a cabin! £42 well spent, and I collected my bike gear and headed up to the cabin. Got myself settled, turned out the lights and lay on the bunk, and lo and behold, even though I was now on a higher deck, I felt a lot better, and even managed to doze off and on for the entire crossing!
We docked in Heysham about 10 minutes early at 12.05pm, and I was one of the first off - rode through the Heysham and Lancaster lunchtime traffic with a bit of filtering, then onto the M6 and southward bound. The lack of sleep was catching up with me so I stopped at Charnock Richard services for a bite to eat (first food of the day!) and a can of Red Bull to try and wake up.
20 minutes or so there, then off again, pausing at Sandbach services to fill up, but only after hitting the first lot of heavy traffic, for 10 miles, filtering off and on - something I don't do on a regular basis as I live on the IOM!
Once I had a full tank in the bike, I set off south again, hitting more heavy traffic on various stages of the M6, and then hitting the Bristol section of the M5 just after 5pm - on the day before the Easter weekend, so not the best plan! More miles of filtering through stationary traffic, until finally clear and really homeward bound!
I walked in the door at my parent's at 7.15, 7 hours after leaving Heysham, and boy did my arse ache from sitting on the bike for that long! Luckily, no bright red monkey butt though!
Food, sleep, wake, spend all of Good Friday re-installing Mum and Dad's computer - today a rest day, bought some new t-shirts in Street Factory Village reduced down, and now falling aslee..............
Sunday, 5 April 2009
April showers?
Woe, woe, and thrice woe! After a couple weeks of pretty much decent weather, why does the forecast change to rain and wind just when I'm getting close to a ferry crossing and 240-mile ride on my motorbike down to my parents in Yeovil for Easter??
Seven hours overtime yesterday at a client's site - OK, I was there for 7 hours, but probably only did about 30 minutes work lol Tired today though - couldn't get to sleep last night until about 1 am, so nearly fell asleep watching the second World Superbike race from Valencia on Eurosport up at Harry's! I'm now lying in bed just chilling.
Found a few Victorian terrace houses in Yeovil at decent prices online, all needing refurbs naturally, so interesting thoughts running through my head. No, not those sort of thoughts - I don't think of houses in that way, but those sort of interesting thoughts do run through my head about certain females of the species :-D
Three days of work this week and counselling on Wednesday, then ferry at 8.45am on Thursday, docking in Heysham around 12.15, so hopefully get to Yeovil around 5-ish. Back to the island late Tuesday night, and back into work for three days, then jury selection on Monday 20th! Do I want to be picked or not, I don't know really!
Hopefully my leathers will arrive before I leave, so that I can at least try them on, but I bet I'll need some chopped off the legs to fit me properly!
Right, best think about food for tonight - chicken breast and baked beans, I think. I'm a real 2-star Michelin chef, me :-D
Seven hours overtime yesterday at a client's site - OK, I was there for 7 hours, but probably only did about 30 minutes work lol Tired today though - couldn't get to sleep last night until about 1 am, so nearly fell asleep watching the second World Superbike race from Valencia on Eurosport up at Harry's! I'm now lying in bed just chilling.
Found a few Victorian terrace houses in Yeovil at decent prices online, all needing refurbs naturally, so interesting thoughts running through my head. No, not those sort of thoughts - I don't think of houses in that way, but those sort of interesting thoughts do run through my head about certain females of the species :-D
Three days of work this week and counselling on Wednesday, then ferry at 8.45am on Thursday, docking in Heysham around 12.15, so hopefully get to Yeovil around 5-ish. Back to the island late Tuesday night, and back into work for three days, then jury selection on Monday 20th! Do I want to be picked or not, I don't know really!
Hopefully my leathers will arrive before I leave, so that I can at least try them on, but I bet I'll need some chopped off the legs to fit me properly!
Right, best think about food for tonight - chicken breast and baked beans, I think. I'm a real 2-star Michelin chef, me :-D
Monday, 30 March 2009
A new week
Lots of thoughts while I was off work last week with a bad back, thinking about my future and stuff - daytime TV is soooooo bad that anything is better :-)
I always have trouble getting off to sleep when my head gets in a thinking mood - it only needs a small nudge and off it goes. First one was always a bad one - reading people's rider reports on ADVRider always gets my feet all itchy, my brain going off planning long rides.
The second was watching the movie Ten Inch Hero - no, not those ten inches! The plot of the movie itself wasn't the nudge, but the vehicle owned by one of the characters:
No - not the girls, although they were also a redeeming feature ;-), but the VW bus.
My parent's had a '72 for a while back in the early 90s, and I drove it occasionally when I was between cars, and it was fun:
I did have a couple of these when in my late teens, but not sure I want one again:
But a camper could be cool, all set up mechanically for a life of cruising around at 55mph :-D
A couple of times I even had to turn my bedside light back so that I could read something to switch my brain off going round in circles!
My back is probably 80% back to normal now, still get the occasional twinge, so will have to be careful of it from now on I spose.
Another good session with the counsellor today, getting closer into my issues - it'd be nice to have someone else to talk through them with up here though. Can't have everything I suppose, but that's partly my fault for only having a very few friends and not knowing who I can talk to.
Just over a week until I get on the Ben My Chree for my Easter trip on the bike to see my parents - all being well I'll get a ride in on Easter Sunday and maybe Easter Monday too. Depends on the weather I suppose, and how relaxed/stressed/tired I am - I don't tend to ride when my heart and mind aren't in it as I don't think I'll concentrate enough, and concentration is all when riding a motorbike. Especially when just bimbling around with nowhere in particular to go.
Ooh, yeah, and for the third time in the last 10 years, I've gone for a change of look on the facial front, heading back to the ginger minger goatee look:
Whadda we think?
TTFN
I always have trouble getting off to sleep when my head gets in a thinking mood - it only needs a small nudge and off it goes. First one was always a bad one - reading people's rider reports on ADVRider always gets my feet all itchy, my brain going off planning long rides.
The second was watching the movie Ten Inch Hero - no, not those ten inches! The plot of the movie itself wasn't the nudge, but the vehicle owned by one of the characters:
No - not the girls, although they were also a redeeming feature ;-), but the VW bus.
My parent's had a '72 for a while back in the early 90s, and I drove it occasionally when I was between cars, and it was fun:
I did have a couple of these when in my late teens, but not sure I want one again:
But a camper could be cool, all set up mechanically for a life of cruising around at 55mph :-D
A couple of times I even had to turn my bedside light back so that I could read something to switch my brain off going round in circles!
My back is probably 80% back to normal now, still get the occasional twinge, so will have to be careful of it from now on I spose.
Another good session with the counsellor today, getting closer into my issues - it'd be nice to have someone else to talk through them with up here though. Can't have everything I suppose, but that's partly my fault for only having a very few friends and not knowing who I can talk to.
Just over a week until I get on the Ben My Chree for my Easter trip on the bike to see my parents - all being well I'll get a ride in on Easter Sunday and maybe Easter Monday too. Depends on the weather I suppose, and how relaxed/stressed/tired I am - I don't tend to ride when my heart and mind aren't in it as I don't think I'll concentrate enough, and concentration is all when riding a motorbike. Especially when just bimbling around with nowhere in particular to go.
Ooh, yeah, and for the third time in the last 10 years, I've gone for a change of look on the facial front, heading back to the ginger minger goatee look:
Whadda we think?
TTFN
Thursday, 26 March 2009
Ouch
A quiet week last week, not getting up to much, until the weekend.
First thing Saturday morning I took a friend's scuba regulators over to his house (I'd picked them up from being serviced a couple weeks ago), then I rode over to Harry's to say hi. Got talked into helping him start to clear out his garage, so off we trotted to B&Q to buy some shelving. It's funny how much stuff is left over when you put items back into a space in a tidy fashion.....
Sunday and I was back over helping out again - Harry's mate James had bought his old Honda NSR250, and in return had sold him his hydraulic bike lift, so load the NSR into the MPV, drive it over to James', take the NSR out, move the bikes around in the room, take out the lift, put the bikes back in, put the lift in the MPV and back to Harry's, where we took the lift out of the van and put it on the drive. All good so far.
More tidying of the garage to make enough room for the lift, and then we picked up the lift - bugger! Bugger, bugger, bugger, ouch, ouch! I strained my back picking up my end badly! There endeth my assistance - took some Nurofen and then rode home.
Spent the next day and a half in and out of bed, dosing up on paracetamol and ibuprofen, struggling to move, and eventually went to A&E on Monday night. Saw the doc and got some Co-Codamol and Diclofenac to try and calm it all down. Still struggled so only went back to work today, and my back still sends shooting pains every now and again - enough to make me stop whatever I'm doing and freeze until they've passed!
Hopefully it all recovers soon :-(
First thing Saturday morning I took a friend's scuba regulators over to his house (I'd picked them up from being serviced a couple weeks ago), then I rode over to Harry's to say hi. Got talked into helping him start to clear out his garage, so off we trotted to B&Q to buy some shelving. It's funny how much stuff is left over when you put items back into a space in a tidy fashion.....
Sunday and I was back over helping out again - Harry's mate James had bought his old Honda NSR250, and in return had sold him his hydraulic bike lift, so load the NSR into the MPV, drive it over to James', take the NSR out, move the bikes around in the room, take out the lift, put the bikes back in, put the lift in the MPV and back to Harry's, where we took the lift out of the van and put it on the drive. All good so far.
More tidying of the garage to make enough room for the lift, and then we picked up the lift - bugger! Bugger, bugger, bugger, ouch, ouch! I strained my back picking up my end badly! There endeth my assistance - took some Nurofen and then rode home.
Spent the next day and a half in and out of bed, dosing up on paracetamol and ibuprofen, struggling to move, and eventually went to A&E on Monday night. Saw the doc and got some Co-Codamol and Diclofenac to try and calm it all down. Still struggled so only went back to work today, and my back still sends shooting pains every now and again - enough to make me stop whatever I'm doing and freeze until they've passed!
Hopefully it all recovers soon :-(
Saturday, 14 March 2009
Recovery
Went out for a couple drinks last Saturday night, meeting some mates who'd been watching the footie in Jaks pub - felt good to be out, but that'll be my last time until pay day - spent too much money last weekend on clothes and the like.
Good session with the counsellor on Wednesday, I'm feeling less depressed now than before I started seeing her, and I have actually started to try to come out of my comfort zone - went up to Ard Jekyll MSPCA rescue home to ask about volunteer dog walking, but the opening times were different to their website, and no-one was around to ask - but at least I tried! I'd hummed and haaed about going up, as I had the night before on going out, but on both occasions I followed through with the plan I'd made.
Work went better this week, which no doubt helped my outlook on life, and I'm off on Monday for a diabetes test at the docs and for the gas boiler in the apartment to be serviced.
Rode the bike up to Harry's this morning for the World Superbike races on the telly from Qatar, so no lie-in for Ben - Qatar is 3 hours ahead, so the first race started at 9am UK time! Took the new chain and sprockets up ready for a nice weekend to change them too. Watched the races, chatted, had a go at the PS3 MotoGP '08 game, and sucked mightily! It did give me some idea of the way Doningtion circuit goes for our race school trip in May.
Staying in tonight as I'm skint, so munchies and TV, I think
Good session with the counsellor on Wednesday, I'm feeling less depressed now than before I started seeing her, and I have actually started to try to come out of my comfort zone - went up to Ard Jekyll MSPCA rescue home to ask about volunteer dog walking, but the opening times were different to their website, and no-one was around to ask - but at least I tried! I'd hummed and haaed about going up, as I had the night before on going out, but on both occasions I followed through with the plan I'd made.
Work went better this week, which no doubt helped my outlook on life, and I'm off on Monday for a diabetes test at the docs and for the gas boiler in the apartment to be serviced.
Rode the bike up to Harry's this morning for the World Superbike races on the telly from Qatar, so no lie-in for Ben - Qatar is 3 hours ahead, so the first race started at 9am UK time! Took the new chain and sprockets up ready for a nice weekend to change them too. Watched the races, chatted, had a go at the PS3 MotoGP '08 game, and sucked mightily! It did give me some idea of the way Doningtion circuit goes for our race school trip in May.
Staying in tonight as I'm skint, so munchies and TV, I think
Thursday, 5 March 2009
Marching on
Mad as a March hare? Not particularly, in either sense of the word 'mad'. My counsellor doesn't think I am in the sanity sense, but is still trying to get me to find some self-confidence and raise my self-esteem, keeps telling me to do something out of my comfort zone, but my comfort zone, by it's name, is very, very comfortable.
Mad in the other, angrier, sense has reared it's ugly little head on occasions at work this last week or so - think the start of the movie Four Weddings & A Funeral, and you can imagine the Anglo-Saxon sounds being heard from my desk :-) Some stuff is getting very frustrating here. :-(
Went on my friend Amy's work leaving do last Friday - a bit strange only knowing two people out of the 20 or so there, and felt a bit lonely for an hour or so with nowhere to sit and no-one to talk to, but then some others left and I could sit down and join in the conversations, although had to focus hard to understand her colleague from Glasgow lol We then went off to another bar where we met her brother Ewan and his mate Andy who were watching the France v Wales rugby game, so I sat with them and had a good time, both there and the nightclub we went on to.
Still got home by midnight, as I didn't want to turn back into a pumpkin :-D
I'm feeling a bit better this week, but tired as I'm getting too involved in a book at home, and not been putting it down before 1am! Must stop that as I need my beauty sleep, obviously!
My flatmate John is on his first night out with drinks for four months this Saturday, so I'll go on that one too - that's me, out of the flat of an evening, for three weekends in a row! I have no idea what is happening to me :-D
Got Monday 16th off for a diabetes test at the doctor's as my brother was diagnosed Type II at the end of last year, and have also booked off two extra days at Easter to go down to see the family in Yeovil - only got to book the Steam Pirates ferry crossing now.
Mad in the other, angrier, sense has reared it's ugly little head on occasions at work this last week or so - think the start of the movie Four Weddings & A Funeral, and you can imagine the Anglo-Saxon sounds being heard from my desk :-) Some stuff is getting very frustrating here. :-(
Went on my friend Amy's work leaving do last Friday - a bit strange only knowing two people out of the 20 or so there, and felt a bit lonely for an hour or so with nowhere to sit and no-one to talk to, but then some others left and I could sit down and join in the conversations, although had to focus hard to understand her colleague from Glasgow lol We then went off to another bar where we met her brother Ewan and his mate Andy who were watching the France v Wales rugby game, so I sat with them and had a good time, both there and the nightclub we went on to.
Still got home by midnight, as I didn't want to turn back into a pumpkin :-D
I'm feeling a bit better this week, but tired as I'm getting too involved in a book at home, and not been putting it down before 1am! Must stop that as I need my beauty sleep, obviously!
My flatmate John is on his first night out with drinks for four months this Saturday, so I'll go on that one too - that's me, out of the flat of an evening, for three weekends in a row! I have no idea what is happening to me :-D
Got Monday 16th off for a diabetes test at the doctor's as my brother was diagnosed Type II at the end of last year, and have also booked off two extra days at Easter to go down to see the family in Yeovil - only got to book the Steam Pirates ferry crossing now.
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Another month nearly done
Second month of 2009 nearly over, just been paid (whoopee!) and just had my 3rd session with the counsellor.
She's nudging me towards leaving my safety zone and trying something new - maybe I'll try horse riding with Janie as she's been asking if I'd like to for months now. It'd get me out of the apartment, anyway, which'd make a nice change.
Told her about the Myers-Brigg test results and she wasn't surprised - it did lead on to talking about why I haven't done more, and about how strong my safety zone feeling is. Fear of rejection and embarrassment is so high, yet I've never really been rejected that I can remember, so I don't know where that one comes from. Embarrassment is due to me taking ownership of too much stuff, I think, even when the outcome is not under my control - I have too much self-control, not enough self-confidence....
She's nudging me towards leaving my safety zone and trying something new - maybe I'll try horse riding with Janie as she's been asking if I'd like to for months now. It'd get me out of the apartment, anyway, which'd make a nice change.
Told her about the Myers-Brigg test results and she wasn't surprised - it did lead on to talking about why I haven't done more, and about how strong my safety zone feeling is. Fear of rejection and embarrassment is so high, yet I've never really been rejected that I can remember, so I don't know where that one comes from. Embarrassment is due to me taking ownership of too much stuff, I think, even when the outcome is not under my control - I have too much self-control, not enough self-confidence....
Saturday, 21 February 2009
Jung and Myers-Brigg
Your type is
You are:
[*]very expressed introvert
[*]moderately expressed sensing personality
[*]moderately expressed thinking personality
[*]very expressed judging personality
Guardian™ Portrait of the Inspector (ISTJ)
The one word that best describes Inspectors is superdependable. Whether at home or at work, Inspectors are extraordinarily persevering and dutiful, particularly when it comes to keeping an eye on the people and products they are responsible for. In their quiet way, Inspectors see to it that rules are followed, laws are respected, and standards are upheld.
Inspectors (as much as ten percent of the general population) are the true guardians of institutions. They are patient with their work and with the procedures within an institution, although not always with the unauthorized behavior of some people in that institution. Responsible to the core, Inspectors like it when people know their duties, follow the guidelines, and operate within the rules. For their part, Inspectors will see to it that goods are examined and schedules are kept, that resources will be up to standards and delivered when and where they are supposed to be. And they would prefer that everyone be this dependable. Inspectors can be hard-nosed about the need for following the rules in the workplace, and do not hesitate to report irregularities to the proper authorities. Because of this they are often misjudged as being hard-hearted, or as having ice in their veins, for people fail to see their good intentions and their vulnerability to criticism. Also, because Inspectors usually make their inspections without much flourish or fanfare, the dedication they bring to their work can go unnoticed and unappreciated.
While not as talkative as Supervisor Guardians [ESTJs], Inspectors are still highly sociable, and are likely to be involved in community service organizations, such as Sunday School, Little League, or Boy and Girl Scouting, that transmit traditional values to the young. Like all Guardians, Inspectors hold dear their family social ceremonies-weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries - although they tend to be shy if the occasion becomes too large or too public. Generally speaking, Inspectors are not comfortable with anything that gets too fancy. Their words tend to be plain and down-to-earth, not showy or high-flown; their clothes are often simple and conservative rather than of the latest fashion; and their home and work environments are usually neat, orderly, and traditional, rather than trendy or ostentatious. As for personal property, they usually choose standard items over models loaded with features, and they often try to find classics and antiques - Inspectors prefer the old-fashioned to the newfangled every time.
Queen Elizabeth II, Harry S. Truman, Warren Buffet, Queen Victoria, James K. Polk, and J.D. Rockefeller are examples of Inspector Guardians.
Hmm.......
| Your Type is ISTJ |
| Introverted | Sensing | Thinking | Judging |
| Strength of the preferences % | |||
| 89 | 50 | 38 | 78 |
You are:
[*]very expressed introvert
[*]moderately expressed sensing personality
[*]moderately expressed thinking personality
[*]very expressed judging personality
Guardian™ Portrait of the Inspector (ISTJ)
The one word that best describes Inspectors is superdependable. Whether at home or at work, Inspectors are extraordinarily persevering and dutiful, particularly when it comes to keeping an eye on the people and products they are responsible for. In their quiet way, Inspectors see to it that rules are followed, laws are respected, and standards are upheld.
Inspectors (as much as ten percent of the general population) are the true guardians of institutions. They are patient with their work and with the procedures within an institution, although not always with the unauthorized behavior of some people in that institution. Responsible to the core, Inspectors like it when people know their duties, follow the guidelines, and operate within the rules. For their part, Inspectors will see to it that goods are examined and schedules are kept, that resources will be up to standards and delivered when and where they are supposed to be. And they would prefer that everyone be this dependable. Inspectors can be hard-nosed about the need for following the rules in the workplace, and do not hesitate to report irregularities to the proper authorities. Because of this they are often misjudged as being hard-hearted, or as having ice in their veins, for people fail to see their good intentions and their vulnerability to criticism. Also, because Inspectors usually make their inspections without much flourish or fanfare, the dedication they bring to their work can go unnoticed and unappreciated.
While not as talkative as Supervisor Guardians [ESTJs], Inspectors are still highly sociable, and are likely to be involved in community service organizations, such as Sunday School, Little League, or Boy and Girl Scouting, that transmit traditional values to the young. Like all Guardians, Inspectors hold dear their family social ceremonies-weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries - although they tend to be shy if the occasion becomes too large or too public. Generally speaking, Inspectors are not comfortable with anything that gets too fancy. Their words tend to be plain and down-to-earth, not showy or high-flown; their clothes are often simple and conservative rather than of the latest fashion; and their home and work environments are usually neat, orderly, and traditional, rather than trendy or ostentatious. As for personal property, they usually choose standard items over models loaded with features, and they often try to find classics and antiques - Inspectors prefer the old-fashioned to the newfangled every time.
Queen Elizabeth II, Harry S. Truman, Warren Buffet, Queen Victoria, James K. Polk, and J.D. Rockefeller are examples of Inspector Guardians.
Hmm.......
Monday, 16 February 2009
Riding? Maybe soon
The back end of the cold was still kicking my butt so I didn't go for a ride at the weekend, too tired and concentration levels not there, and unless I have to be somewhere I don't ride when my head is off with the fairies.
I took a quick drive down to Ballasalla to try and pick up my mate's diving regulator that he put in for service last summer(!), but the place was all shut up, so came back into town and just picked up some bits and pieces - Wall-E dvd and iLife '09, plus some groceries.
I sat down and watched Wall-E that afternoon - some very funny bits, and very reminiscent of both ET and Johnny 5 from Short Circuit
Still trying to catch up on some missed sleep on both nights, but was up eventually mid-morning on Sunday, and rode over to Harry's - to find he wasn't in! Rode back to home, had some lunch then sent him a text to check he was back in - he was, so back on the bike again and over to his for a cuppa and a natter (and to get roped into helping him fit a blind in the bathroom - any excuse to get the grinder out though
Had a good chat, then home for Time Team on the tv. Two jobs to do on the computer this week - add iLife '09 (maybe removing the previous iLife '06 data, adding '09 and then re-importing all the photos in a more meaningful fashion) and to update my Pix By Me website with the aborted trip last autumn.
Spoke to parents on Saturday - firstly to wish my dad a happy 64th birthday (the old fart! lol), and secondly to find out where all my photos from my late teens and early 20s were - they think they have them, so that's a bonus!
I took a quick drive down to Ballasalla to try and pick up my mate's diving regulator that he put in for service last summer(!), but the place was all shut up, so came back into town and just picked up some bits and pieces - Wall-E dvd and iLife '09, plus some groceries.
I sat down and watched Wall-E that afternoon - some very funny bits, and very reminiscent of both ET and Johnny 5 from Short Circuit
Still trying to catch up on some missed sleep on both nights, but was up eventually mid-morning on Sunday, and rode over to Harry's - to find he wasn't in! Rode back to home, had some lunch then sent him a text to check he was back in - he was, so back on the bike again and over to his for a cuppa and a natter (and to get roped into helping him fit a blind in the bathroom - any excuse to get the grinder out though
Had a good chat, then home for Time Team on the tv. Two jobs to do on the computer this week - add iLife '09 (maybe removing the previous iLife '06 data, adding '09 and then re-importing all the photos in a more meaningful fashion) and to update my Pix By Me website with the aborted trip last autumn.
Spoke to parents on Saturday - firstly to wish my dad a happy 64th birthday (the old fart! lol), and secondly to find out where all my photos from my late teens and early 20s were - they think they have them, so that's a bonus!
Thursday, 12 February 2009
Survived
Just about clearing this coldy thing, and without missing any work - hmm, I think I got that wrong somehow!
Another good sesh with the counsellor this week, talking about the values instilled in me by my parents, and the Transactional Analysis Parent-Adult-Child theory - I'm too much of a 'Parent' not enough of a 'Child', I think, always looking out for others to the detriment of my own well-being. Some stuff to think about until my next session on the 23rd.
This cold thing has kept me pretty quiet of an evening, not much appetite for food and so on, and running out of books to read - or re-read, anyway!
My best mate has now left the island for his secondment to Hong Kong, so another area to work out in my head.....
Another good sesh with the counsellor this week, talking about the values instilled in me by my parents, and the Transactional Analysis Parent-Adult-Child theory - I'm too much of a 'Parent' not enough of a 'Child', I think, always looking out for others to the detriment of my own well-being. Some stuff to think about until my next session on the 23rd.
This cold thing has kept me pretty quiet of an evening, not much appetite for food and so on, and running out of books to read - or re-read, anyway!
My best mate has now left the island for his secondment to Hong Kong, so another area to work out in my head.....
Monday, 9 February 2009
Toughness
It's been a tough week - caught up a bit on work, which was good, then my best mate heard that he'd got his secondment to Hong Kong on Thursday, so he leaves the island on the 10th, flying to HK on the 13th. Went out with him Thursday night, then got sick in the middle of the night, so didn't go to work on Friday.
I felt a little better on Saturday, so went over Pete's house to help him go through clothes and the like, packing for three months minimum in HK, chucking a load of stuff too. Back over there on Sunday too, but both nights I was pretty much done-in by 5pm - the sickness from Friday still kicking my butt, I think.
In bed by 10pm last night, woke up this morning not feeling great - achy, headache, coated throat, stuff like that. Hope I'm not getting my flatmate's sickness from last week :-S Little bit of anxiety over the weekend too, probably due to Pete going - 10 years of being best mates will do that to me - and my brain making it much worse than it actually is as we'll still be in contact.
Second counselling session at 1.30pm today - we'll see how I feel afterwards....
Decided to keep my Africa Twin bike for now - no point spending out on a new bike at this moment, so I'll speak to Harry's mate James to see if he can help me clean it up (rust removal etc) as I don't have a garage and go from there.
I felt a little better on Saturday, so went over Pete's house to help him go through clothes and the like, packing for three months minimum in HK, chucking a load of stuff too. Back over there on Sunday too, but both nights I was pretty much done-in by 5pm - the sickness from Friday still kicking my butt, I think.
In bed by 10pm last night, woke up this morning not feeling great - achy, headache, coated throat, stuff like that. Hope I'm not getting my flatmate's sickness from last week :-S Little bit of anxiety over the weekend too, probably due to Pete going - 10 years of being best mates will do that to me - and my brain making it much worse than it actually is as we'll still be in contact.
Second counselling session at 1.30pm today - we'll see how I feel afterwards....
Decided to keep my Africa Twin bike for now - no point spending out on a new bike at this moment, so I'll speak to Harry's mate James to see if he can help me clean it up (rust removal etc) as I don't have a garage and go from there.
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
My mind
Well, following on from my anxiety/panic attack last September, I had my first session with a counsellor yesterday - 50 mins starting to go through my mind. A very strange place it is too, with various things coming out - bonus of talking to someone you don't know, I suppose. She gave me an anxiety booklet to read, which I will do before next Monday's session (I get 6 free sessions on the NHS).
Got to get into a happy place and out of my shell, so going to try and do more - plan is Harry's tomorrow night for a chat, up to Kirk Michael for a quiz at The Mitre with the motorbike lot on Thursday, and then to a pub on Saturday to watch the rugby. If that all comes off, it'll be a good start.
Got to get into a happy place and out of my shell, so going to try and do more - plan is Harry's tomorrow night for a chat, up to Kirk Michael for a quiz at The Mitre with the motorbike lot on Thursday, and then to a pub on Saturday to watch the rugby. If that all comes off, it'll be a good start.
Saturday, 31 January 2009
Another week done
Another week finished, more overtime, although less stress than the previous week.
Still waiting on a possible purchaser of my Africa Twin to come back off sick at a friend's work, to decide whether they want to buy the bike. If they do, at that point I can start thinking about what to get next. Harry's booking/booked the ferry for Ron Haslam Race School at Donington in May though :-)
Still not sure what I'm doing for a holiday this year - it might be Slovenia with the ADVRiders, it might be something else. I'll just have to wait and see.....
Still waiting on a possible purchaser of my Africa Twin to come back off sick at a friend's work, to decide whether they want to buy the bike. If they do, at that point I can start thinking about what to get next. Harry's booking/booked the ferry for Ron Haslam Race School at Donington in May though :-)
Still not sure what I'm doing for a holiday this year - it might be Slovenia with the ADVRiders, it might be something else. I'll just have to wait and see.....
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Colour Quiz
 | Ben took the free ColorQuiz.com personality test! "Hopes that ties of affection and good-fellowship w..."
|
Hmm, some things are right, some way off the mark!
Friday, 23 January 2009
Ahhhh, relief - well, slightly
At least the thing at work that has been bugging me for the last two days is finally working properly - some stress has gone, but not as much as realising it's Friday, and two days off! Yippee!
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Stressful Times
Not getting any better at work - still here at 6.30, not sure when I'll be leaving, pressures from the boss on stuff for two clients, more work going into my 'In Tray', the bit I'm testing at the moment not working - hopefully will be now though, after an hour of searching through the code.
Don't know what I'm going to do for tea tonight - depends what time I eventually get home, might just fall straight into bed.
Don't know what I'm going to do for tea tonight - depends what time I eventually get home, might just fall straight into bed.
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Work issues
By job, I'm a computer software tester for a small company, and at the moment work is getting pretty crappy - virtually everything I test for bugs has to go back to the developers because it doesn't work (either at all or in the right way). Add that on to being a fair way behind due to other work requirements, and life is not at all peachy today
Monday, 19 January 2009
Size
Size isn't everything, or so they say, but when your trousers are a tight fit, something has to give.
And I mean around my belly
Weigh-in time - before Christmas I was 16st 12lb (so that's 236 lb or 107kg), currently I'm down to 16st 6lb (230lb or 104kg). First bonus was on going out Saturday night, I had to cut a new notch in my belt as it wouldn't tighten down enough! Yippee! Checked my trouser belt for work this morning and although it'll do up another notch, I reckon I need to lose another half inch or so of my waist to go there - now there's a challenge that has been laid down!
And I mean around my belly
Weigh-in time - before Christmas I was 16st 12lb (so that's 236 lb or 107kg), currently I'm down to 16st 6lb (230lb or 104kg). First bonus was on going out Saturday night, I had to cut a new notch in my belt as it wouldn't tighten down enough! Yippee! Checked my trouser belt for work this morning and although it'll do up another notch, I reckon I need to lose another half inch or so of my waist to go there - now there's a challenge that has been laid down!
Sunday, 18 January 2009
Travel?
Although I've not been great mentally for travel for a couple years now, with it coming to a height for the planned trip to France last September, I seem to be getting a little better - work trip before Christmas had me with a shaky arm on landing at Birmingham, but the trip just over a week or so to Manchester, Skipton and Reading didn't show any signs of wobbliness - very strange!
The question becomes - is my long-planned trip to ride around the US by bike back on? If I can afford it, we're talking a few months wandering around the lower 48, and maybe Canada and Alaska too! Finances will dictate, naturally, and it'd mean either shipping my bike (whatever I have by then) over, or buying something similar near my port of entry.
Then there'll be all the fun of DHS and, presumably, a visa request as it may be longer than the 90 days that the normal visa waiver program allows, IIRC.
Decisions, decisions - although planning routes and things to see is always fun
The downside is, once I get into the planning stage, sleeping gets harder to come by as my brain fires on all cylinders day-dreaming about what might happen!
The question becomes - is my long-planned trip to ride around the US by bike back on? If I can afford it, we're talking a few months wandering around the lower 48, and maybe Canada and Alaska too! Finances will dictate, naturally, and it'd mean either shipping my bike (whatever I have by then) over, or buying something similar near my port of entry.
Then there'll be all the fun of DHS and, presumably, a visa request as it may be longer than the 90 days that the normal visa waiver program allows, IIRC.
Decisions, decisions - although planning routes and things to see is always fun
The downside is, once I get into the planning stage, sleeping gets harder to come by as my brain fires on all cylinders day-dreaming about what might happen!
Another day, another dollar
Well. not really - we don't use dollars as a currency, and I definitely didn't earn anything yesterday or today.
In fact, I spent money yesterday, with a few pints at The Highwayman pub in Peel with my mate Pete. Before that, I decided that the bike needed some TLC as it hasn't moved for nearly 3 months! Washed it (mmmm, shiny!) and then waxed the chain - the very rusty chain, hmm, might need a new one soon!
Very windy and wet last night, although the rain stopped around 8pm, but the wind kept coming, and it was biting - brrrrrr.
If the weather looks OK next Saturday I might even get to go for a ride - I'll see if Jason Griffiths motorcycles down in Castletown have one of the BMW G650X-Xountry bikes in to have a look over and maybe test ride. I'm still trying to decide on what bike to get next - speed and long-distance travel with the Honda VFR800, or around-town and slow travel lightness of somethinig like the X-Country.
In fact, I spent money yesterday, with a few pints at The Highwayman pub in Peel with my mate Pete. Before that, I decided that the bike needed some TLC as it hasn't moved for nearly 3 months! Washed it (mmmm, shiny!) and then waxed the chain - the very rusty chain, hmm, might need a new one soon!
Very windy and wet last night, although the rain stopped around 8pm, but the wind kept coming, and it was biting - brrrrrr.
If the weather looks OK next Saturday I might even get to go for a ride - I'll see if Jason Griffiths motorcycles down in Castletown have one of the BMW G650X-Xountry bikes in to have a look over and maybe test ride. I'm still trying to decide on what bike to get next - speed and long-distance travel with the Honda VFR800, or around-town and slow travel lightness of somethinig like the X-Country.
Thursday, 15 January 2009
Memory is not my strong point
Didn't realise it had been so long since I looked at this - even pretty much forgot that I'd started one! Where to begin on the interim.....
In Feb 2008 I took a trip to New York with my friends Pete and Fe, staying on E 17th Street in the hotel from the Manhattan Murder Mystery film, doing all the touristy things plus seeing the NY Giants Superbowl victory parade, which was a bonus :-)
In June there was the Isle of Man TT for which I took the race week off work as holiday:
Straight after TT was my parent's 40th Wedding Anninversary, so I flew to Liverpool, hired a car and drove down for the weekend. With the nice long lens on my camera, I tried to get some candid photos of the guests
After that was just the wet summer, with only occasional rides and wanders, seeing my friends Harry, Kaiy and Pete a fair bit though.
Come September and I had three weeks booked off work. First week was the UK Honda Africa Twin group meet on Dartmoor, with a few rides over the moors, and one very cold dip in a shallow ford:
The plan then was a few days at my parent's, my mate would come down from the island, and we'd head off to Biarritz to play on the bikes in the Pyrenees. A couple days before we were due to leave, the Channel Tunnel had a fire closing one of the two tunnels, and then on the day we were to depart, I had an anxiety attack!
Holiday cancelled :-( After seeing the Doc and getting some tablets, I was able to still do some rides with Pete, in the local West Country area where my parent's live.
Portland Bill lighthouse, Dorset, England
Glastonbury Tor and Abbey, England
Apart from some work trips away, that was pretty much it until Christmas - even the bike didn't move once I'd got home! With 6 days holiday left to take, I decided to go to my parent's for Christmas on a whim, and as it was my brother's 40th birthday on the Saturday before, it seemed an ideal time.
Christmas passed quite peacefully, and even managed to drag my Dad out for a walk on Boxing Day with the cameras.
And thus ended the year.
This weekend I'll try to get up to date, but no promises :-)
In Feb 2008 I took a trip to New York with my friends Pete and Fe, staying on E 17th Street in the hotel from the Manhattan Murder Mystery film, doing all the touristy things plus seeing the NY Giants Superbowl victory parade, which was a bonus :-)
In June there was the Isle of Man TT for which I took the race week off work as holiday:
Straight after TT was my parent's 40th Wedding Anninversary, so I flew to Liverpool, hired a car and drove down for the weekend. With the nice long lens on my camera, I tried to get some candid photos of the guests
After that was just the wet summer, with only occasional rides and wanders, seeing my friends Harry, Kaiy and Pete a fair bit though.
Come September and I had three weeks booked off work. First week was the UK Honda Africa Twin group meet on Dartmoor, with a few rides over the moors, and one very cold dip in a shallow ford:
The plan then was a few days at my parent's, my mate would come down from the island, and we'd head off to Biarritz to play on the bikes in the Pyrenees. A couple days before we were due to leave, the Channel Tunnel had a fire closing one of the two tunnels, and then on the day we were to depart, I had an anxiety attack!
Holiday cancelled :-( After seeing the Doc and getting some tablets, I was able to still do some rides with Pete, in the local West Country area where my parent's live.
Portland Bill lighthouse, Dorset, England
Glastonbury Tor and Abbey, England
Apart from some work trips away, that was pretty much it until Christmas - even the bike didn't move once I'd got home! With 6 days holiday left to take, I decided to go to my parent's for Christmas on a whim, and as it was my brother's 40th birthday on the Saturday before, it seemed an ideal time.
Christmas passed quite peacefully, and even managed to drag my Dad out for a walk on Boxing Day with the cameras.
And thus ended the year.
This weekend I'll try to get up to date, but no promises :-)
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