Steve_M

That bike’s cleaner after your ride than mine is after I’ve washed it…

So far managed to dodge the worst rain, but still got wet. Still, not bad progress so far.

Hissing down here. And we have a polytunnel to put up.

I remember how much work was put in to identifying, changing and testing programs that had poorly configured date formats to prevent it becoming an issue. I also remember a good bonus for working over the night of 31/12/1999 into 01/01/2000

Note to self. Proof read what you’ve typed when posting.

That’s a question I’m refusing to ask. I’m not that brave. Or stupid.

A friend who is involved in road safety training posted a link to this. Best for you to read the article rather than me explain about it… Ridefree

My good lady, bless her little cotton socks, has gone down a size after some serious dieting. Her old kit no longer fits so today we popped into Infinity motorcycles and bought her new jacket and trousers. Her old kit is, therefore, surplus to requirements. It’s been used on 8 tours and a few weekends away and leisure rides, so has only covered about 20,000 miles. It is clean and in pretty good nick. The eBay prices for secondhand kit suggests we would get much less than £100 for it. £50 seems about the ball park. It doesn’t seem to be worth the effort to sell. We’ll keep it somewhere clean and dry in case of emergency instead.

Happy birthday Bender. Have a good ‘un.

No, it’s alongside, but above, Kirkstone Pass. We see them below us often when we’re walking in the Lakes, there were a couple of F23’s from Lakenheath a couple of days ago - I was too slow with my phone on that occasion.

Good evening. Another little stroll up onto the fells today. Red Screes, Middle Dodd and Little Hart Crag we’re visited. We were given a fly by as we gained height…

Nice boat. I got as far as getting my Competent Crew cert, then realised I just wouldn’t have the time to sail… and the bike would have to go to pay for the boat. I might be slightly envious…

This. I’ve tried three Ducati bikes and liked one, and then not enough to replace the bike I had at that time.

My divorce was over 20yrs ago. I’m over it. When my good lady and I first shacked up (marriage isn’t going to happen) I suggested getting rid of the bike as it was a luxury item at a time when money was tight. Her response was “you’re not getting rid of that, it’s the only thing you kept from your divorce settlement”… At that point I knew I’d got the right woman.

Good point, well made.

Cheaper than ex-wives (or soon to be ex-wives) in my limited experience.

Ah, I’ve spent many an hour wandering purposely around foundries* (aluminium diecasting). They do get warm in summer, don’t they. *my apprenticeship was at a company called Aluminium Bronze, based in Wallows Lane, Walsall.

There’s a photo of me, age 15, about to take a dip in Loch Lomond at Rowardennan. I’ve hated swimming in cold water ever since.

Good evening. I have a holiday beer in hand after much meandering around Lakeland fells today. A short walk of seven miles with 3000 feet of ascent. A bit wearing as most ascent and descent was on steep or tricky to negotiate ground. Still, the views were pretty good.

We have used Booking dot com successfully for the last six years. Most hotels / b&b’s we stay in are in rural locations, and on rare occasions a small town. Perhaps you need to refine your search criteria?

Makes me think* that getting married isn’t worth the hassle. * should that be “confirms my belief”?

Good morning. We’re off to our holidays today. We’ve rented a cottage in the Lake District and will be travelling a whole hour to get to it from home. I’m looking forward to a week of chilling, and walking the fells.

There’s absolutely no requirement to do Bikesafe or equivalent before IAM / RoSPA. I would contact the local group and just take it from there. In my experience they are, for the most part, friendly and welcoming and supportive of anyone wanting to improve their Roadcraft.

Nice choice. I had an FJR before buying my GS and, like you, thought it was better in almost every respect. With hindsight I do wonder if I should have gone for the RT...

One explanation given to me was that capacity was reduced as a result of the 2008 crash, consequently the supply is unable to keep up with the upsurge in demand. No bloody idea if that’s a factor or not. I do know that the many bits of work and garden projects we have to do here are costing a bloody fortune.