S-Westerly

Thought the inventor was Barnes Wallace but I'm probably confused.

Yep that's pretty hideous. Bet it's made in China but who in their right mind would even design something that vile. Cuckoo clocks are bad enough but that thing? Jeez.

Richa do some really good winter gloves. I've a pair of their Arctic gloves which have the bonus of goretex so stay dry. Not cheap at £115 but nowhere near the most expensive. SBS sell them i think.

One of the things I like being at sea for. Zero light pollution and in the southern hemisphere particularly much less high altitude haze due to there being much less landmass down there. Sometimes when it's really clear and there's no moon there are so many stars visible in the Milky Way it's almost like a white cloud.

I only steer with counter steering unless I'm going really slow. Only way so far as I know.

Absolutely - look where you want to go. If you look at the hedge get that's where you'll end up.

Coming up to good evening out here. Had a quick ride out to ship at least which was interesting given the swell. Felt like a stone being skipped across a river.

Me. 60 miles from home, 30 miles from Heathrow- did you pick up your passport? Uh no? Missed flight so now on the overnight one and no jolly in Dubai. Idiot.

Now that one I really like!

Has anybody heard from Mississippi Bullfrog? He had his birthday, his mother went into hospital and he got quite ill. I hope he's OK!

Either balls or a complete lack of sanity!

Don't mind to be honest as I still enjoy work. Also at least the weather will be warm. Planning on staying away until May possibly even June if I can but it'll probably be May.

Took it to son-in-law's for putting to bed for 3 months or so. Flying out to Dubai on Wednesday morning, hey ho.

Yesterday was really good weather but I was recovering from Friday night over indulgence. This morning and the rest of he day is horrible. Blowing a gale and pissing down. Worse than last Friday actually.

Might rethink my bucket list Great Atlantic Way. Looks like Ireland is even worse than us which is saying something.

I'd rather just break the arms of the scrotes but that's just me.

So far this winter I've not had my Keis gear more than low and it's quite warm enough. I use liner gloves and they attach to the sleeve ends and control via the jacket.

I've always had my bikes serviced by the dealer during the warranty period - never more than 2 years. After that it's variable. If I've got a good dealer I may stick with them if not I look elsewhere.

Yesterday got new tyres. Continental Road Attack 4's and they seem really grippy. Given the weather yesterday I didn't give them a decent thrash but what I did do felt much more planted than the Pirellis had become after 7200 miles.

Dislikes - open faced so-called jet helmets. The only serious off I've ever had would have seen me dead if I'd been wearing one of those.

Really!? I'd never guess the large green frogs with red eyes were motorbikes.

Full price in my hand or bank and insurance cover and / or written undertaking to pay for any damage caused. If test rider turns up on a decent bike or in a car his vehicle keys as well.

Having got back from the north (by car) I went out for a good thrash. Really glad I'm getting new tyres tomorrow as on these greasy roads I had a few squeaky bum moments and the least said about white lines the better. The Pirellis were great when new but much less so now especially on these greasy roads. Hopefully the Contis will be an improvement.

Rant - whoever re-designed the road access to Newcastle RVI hospital needs to go back to school. The main road outside has been reduced in width by a third to accommodate an enormous cycle lane. The hospital car park has a one way system which isn't too bad but leaving its left turn only which means to get back to the patient pickup point can take up to half an hour which is ridiculous. The short section of road has at least 3 pedestrian crossings and the Newcastle University students wander across them regardless of the lights like bloody lemmings. That's assuming they even bother with the crossings as opposed to just randomly wandering across the road. I suppose when one does get mowed down they are at least handy for the hospital.

Thought he'd been very quiet! Obviously missed the excitement.