Grumpy Old Git

Final destination on day 1 was York - No time for a stop. Maybe next time?

I must have a couple of beers in order to select that one (and Skipsea castle come to think of it!). Originally, I had selected the Lindisfarne Castle but, as you can only get there when the tide is out, I decided against it. Still, that road was built for motorcycles - Just like riding on a rollercoaster. Exceptional scenery as well.

I thought 'Buses' would be good - Say a Number 101; a 69 and a 6X. or dogs: A Westie, an Alsation and a Cockerpoodle (doo). No but seriously - next year, there will be 10 'common named' pubs. the only real issue is that if you live outside of England, then they are a tad more difficult to find (almost impossible in the North of Scotland). But, saying that, I think it is all part of the 'challenge' - Like trying to spot a small ruined castle, hidden behind trees, in a remote Cumbrian vale at sunset in November (I had just about given up when I spotted a house sign which had 'Pendragon View' on it and, once I had pulled over, there it was behind me! I had already rode passed it twice!).

I've had (almost) unique ones before (i.e. Moth and Lantern; Missing Sock; The Royal Children; etc.) and people complained. I was going to have the 'Slainte Bar' (East end of the Crinnan Canal) as one but.... Within England - the Pubs I use are quite common and easy to find. You can get all 10 in any of the English groups so, for the majority, they are not too far away. Maybe for 2018 I'll pick a 'unique' Pub within each of the tag groups so everyone can get at least one pub fairly close by. This will however, mean that to get all 10 pubs, you must have 'visited' all the tag groups - Not easy and apart from Priest, has never been done. Bottom line, you can please some of the folk some of the time but, you cannot please everyone ever. PS. Anyone from 'far, far away', is welcome to stop at my house if they wish to cover the S/E 'tags' - makes the journey 'darn sarf' a bit more manageable.

I think all footballers everywhere should go on 'strike' in protest (at least for a full year). Maybe then more Rugby, Cricket and Snooker can be shown on TV.

Of course - This may all be 'Bullsh!t'.

That is an old story - The 'trick' was that there is a 'loop' road which exits just after the first camera going up and then re-joins before the end so, if you are 'caught' all you had to do was state that you took the 'short cut' and they could not prove otherwise. Since then, there is another camera on the junction so - no excuse! However, the best bit is the actual 'Cat & Fiddle' pass which is from the Inn going down the other side (better 'twisties') and no camera (until the bottom).

Hi RT! Glad to here you are still OK and riding, albeit not as often as you would like. As you have a van - why not book yourself onto the rally - It would be great to see you there.

Xmas - ????? For Christmas, I would like: A CD (Latest from David Gilmour) A Book - Terry Pratchet's last one (the Long Earth Series) A 'Waterproof' Textile Motorcycle Jacket Some 'new bits' for t'bike (maybe a solo seat with backrest); twin spot lamps; etc.) Decent weather A 'better' UK Pound / US Dollar exchange rate Good food Good wine Good company That will do nicely!

Get some termites, they will drive the woodworm out! failing that - a couple of tame woodpeckers might work.

Brilliant! Especially holding the button down whilst 'spinning' the mouse.

I'd have thought that was obvious by my description but.... best to be sure!

Guess you've solved it for me, looks like I'm off to buy the Oxford Hot Gloves unless someone can convince me a different pair are better? Seems so easy to install, 2 wires on each battery terminal, thread the other end of the wires through your jacket. Jump on the bike and connect them. Boom. Route the feed through a relay wired to the ignition - That way, any short cct when you are not on the bike will not cause a problem! For a few quid, it is well worth 'getting it right'.

Wheel off and stand in a bath full of water - wait - wait. if no air bubbles, turn to cover the next area and repeat until you find the leak. Mark with crayon and get it fixed. Make sure the water covers the rim 7 bead as well as the valve (cap must be off).

Would be difficult to qualify my action as either subtle or slow Good one! Just a small point - why does your avatar look like a weird bra?

I've finished for the year having completed (almost) my 'North Run Plan' - I 'binned' the Borders / Southern Scotland as I was knackered and cold! Therefore I will not be getting first place this year - looks like Priest has got it sewn up (unless you know different!) - There are a few weeks left before 31st December! Anyhoo, I've almost finished the list of tags for next year and will be posting the list on evening of 31st December (all being well). I thought about 'ten common road signs' instead of the Pubs.....

Last run of the year (definitely!): Day 1 (in the snow!: Conisburgh Castle Spofforth Castle Knaresborough Castle Helmsley Castle Scarborough Castle Skipsea Castle Clifford's Tower Day 2 (warmer weather!): Middleham Castle Richmond Castle Tynemouth Castle Day 3 (another nice day): Warkworth Castle Edlingham Castle Norham Castle Prudehoe Castle Bowes Castle Penrith Castle Pendragon Castle Time to go home!

Less than 6 months to go!

As you hear the noise in two different circumstances: 1. Engine off, spinning the back wheel and 2. Engine on but stationary (in a car park), then I would suggest looking at your clutch. It could have 'warped' plates, be too slack or, the shaft bearing is shot.

Strange how Shaft Drives do not need to be cleaned weekly!

Fit a relay: Cheap, safe and easy to do. No worries about overloading any circuit, or getting a flat battery. Also, for even better 'safety', fit an in-line fuse to the (relay switched) feed from the battery (fuse rating dependant on maximum load of your heated grips and/or other accessories). If you want a wiring diagram and parts list, PM me your email and I'll 'ping' you one.

I've also used K-Seal before to good effect as well as having an old radiator re-cored (cheaper than I had thought!). I tend to use distilled water mixed with undiluted anti-freeze as a coolant mix (to prevent lime scale build up).

Small bags of soot (or Talc) accidently dropped from your pocket (in an upward motion) tend to work too. Ball bearings or marbles were good in the past but they are too expensive to throw away nowadays!

Although... Not too dissimilar to the screens used on trawlers!

Where is that 'Like' button?