Gerontious

The risk with using a phone is that vibrations could knacker the camera. This is the primary reason that I will not use my phone as an upgrade for my now antique Garmin. not least because my phone cost twice as much as the top of the range Garmin XT. I would rather buy a used, but still supported Garmin.. and they are all supported at least going back to 2009.

No. there are two mid winters. One recognised by the meteorologists for whom winter begins on December 1st. so, mid winter for them is 6 weeks after that. But that's only related to the weather. The traditional midwinters day is 21st. The shortest day of the year.

They may be made in China but look at it this way. BMW originally had a partnership with Aprilia producing the earlier F bikes and there’s a reason they ended that and it wasn’t solely about money. You can buy one of these with as high a level of confidence as any bike originating in Berlin. As with any BMW what is important is condition and service history also be wary of bikes that have changed hands multiple times in a relatively short span of time. The ideal is always one careful mature owner from new, or nearly new. Any add-ons are worth looking for too.

and wannabes !!

Well, this has been another bizarre experience. Nominated for no reason that I can fathom and then just to make it that little bit weirder.. No votes. Not even from who ever it was that nominated me in the first place!!! Never mind.. if I'm numbered with the forum owner and Rennie, that's good company.

It’s difficult to get him to understand something when his entire position depends on him not understanding.

I don’t want a new one. What new one is there? I’m not going backwards to a standard manual bike. I’m completely smitten by the DCT. Another Honda? There isn’t one that appeals. And the new 1100 is no good for me as they made it physically smaller. Lower seat height.

just had my account statement from Klarna for the luggage I bought for the bike interest free. and happily have just made the final payment. So, will add that to next years overpayments for the bike. Ive done the sums and doubt i'll manage to pay off the loan next year, but should be rid off it inside 18 months.

this is hearsay, but apparently not. in 2018 these bikes had a single colour tank. 2019 two colours and 2020 a single colour again, from one supplier that's part owned by Honda in Japan. all the bikes came from one factory, again in Japan. there have been a few, a very few instances of this issue in the UK and in the EU. But, a lot in the USA. Far East and parts of Eastern Europe and Russia. I've had no problems with my bike at all. if it does become subject to this recall then I will get to see the filter and if its clogged or partially clogged with debris from the welds.

It certainly does. I expect to hear from Honda at some point in the near future when this recall arrives here. It's being rolled out in stages worldwide, country by country so the suppliers for the parts needed can keep up. But... its an odd problem. hit and miss. and more prevalent in some countries than others. Its very rare here in the UK and in the EU. it has happened but nowhere near the numbers in the USA and Far East. There are many owners on this side of the pond who think its fuel related. some additive the yanks use... or don't use, causing a reaction. for almost 2 years there has been an after market non-approved fix available worldwide. But this is Honda being forced to act, first in Japan and now by the American Authorities.

Im still waiting for the 2021 calendar to go up in the office. but, It wont be a problem. other than that I just need to book the tunnel which can wait until the new year. Then nail down the actual number of rooms we need and reserve them. After that its just a waiting game, ticking off the days. And they go by remarkably fast. Its all a bit grim right now and is likely to get worse before it gets better. Easter Holidays are just 100 days from now and that should be the first proper test of any new regime for going to Europe. I'll be closely watching the experiences of others and then its not all that long after till the summer holidays begin and the same again. only advice I have is that if you are offered a vaccination. take it and see if you can get proof. Its very possible that might be a requirement. so get proof and keep it safe. and then start saving. Currently our hotel in Neuerburg has the rooms priced at €40 for a single or €45 for a double including the single occupancy fee. This for bed, breakfast and evening meal. aside from that the biggest cost will be fuel. Germany has always been a penny or two more than here.. not a huge difference so whatever the cost is here when we go you can safely assume it will be fairly similar over there. We eat out for lunch most days and because the breakfast is huge there's little need for a massive lunch. a good ballpark is €10 per day for that. plus drinks and snacks during the day. The bar in the hotel operates on either a 'tab' basis, that is totted up and added to the final bill, or you can pay as you go. I tend to operate on a €100 per day 'all-in' and then expect to have some change left over. You can pay the hotel bill in cash or by card.. due to covid they are now allowing credit card payments. they didn't used to. German business tend to not like credit cards due to the fees. but that's changed. Unless they have a change of heart.. we can safely assume that the hotel restaurant will be closed on Sunday and Monday evening. This will mean costs for those two days are B&B and we head into the village to the Saray Grill for either a kebab or pizza. Last time we did that on the Sunday and on the Monday went to the supermarket for an al fresco 'cold buffet' with beers out of the supermarket fridge. And make use of the seating in the outside terrace to eat if its fine.. and it usually is. And that's about it

New key for my bike is £70.54 and then there is the cost of having it programmed to work. £40

Theres little point in worrying just now.. but my heart goes out to all those people who are trapped on both sides of the channel. so close to Christmas and stuck and then having to deal with the backlog once the ferries planes and tunnel restart.. that's assuming they do. Looks to me like mainland Europe is seriously freaked out by this new strain of the virus. Is this what the leave campaign meant by taking back control of our borders?

Last night of the week finished and just waiting for day staff to arrive, back on Wednesday. Working over Christmas and new year this time. Just waiting now for the calendar in the office to be changed so I can book my holiday for September.257 days to go.

No. Bonio is tediously over educated and he likes everyone to know it. obviously the play on words excited his baser instincts.

Bikes. Riders. Race podiums.. all sorts of that ilk and mostly British. TT. etc. Its a Motorbike themed hotel.. but its not a "bikers" hotel in any kind of a traditional sense. Its not overdone.. the corridor to the toilets has a "who's who" of famous riders and marques of the last 60 years. more photos in a similar vein in the toilets. An unused room on the ground floor has a lovely old bike on display.. and throughout the inside of the restaurant, more historic photos and memorabilia. But, its been done with some subtlety and care.. if you're not paying attention you could quite easily not notice any of it. Theyb dont push themselves as a "Biker Hotel" But, if you were to happen across the webpage and ride a Motorbike.. you would recognise it as welcoming immediately.

When we went to the saarschleif viewing spot. There were a number of tourists there taking in the quite stupendous view. When all of a sudden 3 nude men appeared and everyone pretended to ignore them. But the reaction was very funny from some of the tourists and some in our group. Just one of those odd events that make these trips endlessly entertaining. Every year something happens that makes me laugh out loud just thinking about it.

Bonio Slowlycatchymonkey smallfrowne igloo snodblatter bungleaio rob m me snoddy is likely, but uncertain due to "events" and one other due to health issues. he knows who he is and I'll just wait until he tells me one way or the other. plenty of time. no pressure.

Coffee and Cake at the Bakery in Birresborn. And the Saarschleife near Mettlach, shame you didn't photograph the Bisto-Dipped nudists!!

I voted for the bully.

No. if It was about you. I would have quoted you.