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Filled the bike up and saddled the tent. Off to Scotland in the morning for an 8-day trip on my lonesome. Second NC500 trip in six months (anti-clockwise this time).

Metzeler Roadtec 01SE. Great service centre but painful.

I was forced to bend over the bike and get right royally rodgered to the tune of £384 for two tyres.

Having two new tyres fitted on my bike. When they quoted me the price I said it's not a quad, it's a two wheeler!!!

Very good clean condition jacket in medium. Less than a year old and not used a great deal. Tiny mark or two on the waistline as in picture. £30 delivered.

Currently, I don't hold some motorcycle dealers in high regard. My current dealer who I have purchased two bikes from in a year is disinterested in getting a lambda sensor replaced on a bike that is only months old. Three time I have had to call wrt any progress. I suppose had I bought a more expensive bike his behaviour might be different. A Honda dealer who I arranged a test ride with said he would call me back with a date for the test. He never did. When I have visited the showroom (twice) not one of the sales team even spoke to me whilst walking the showroom and yet I was the only member of the public there. A Yamaha dealer who said he wouldn't part ex my bike but called me to ask me if I want to come in and have a look at the bike I was after. Yeah right pal! Overall, pretty underwhelmed with dealers.

The RAF international Air Tattoo is on in Gloucester the weekend so a bimble around the surrounding lanes should offer some excitement. In themselves the roads are a delight so park up and watch the action without paying £60

Just got back today from Lake Garda and wife made the point that in 33 years of marriage every holiday I would always seek out the lovelies on the beach. Seems my head has done a complete 180° since I got into biking last year. What a smorgasbord of bikes there is adorning the lay-by's and car-parks of that lake.

Today I took on the Whinlatter, Honister, Wrynose & Hardknott passes in the Lakes. .beautiful day for it. As a new rider I was a bit nervous especially for the Hardknott but I felt attacking it was required and it paid off. Momentum is your mate.

I have the Techalogic DC-1 which provides front/rear recording; very good footage for insurance purposes. For an action camera I use the DJI Osmo action 3. Too many failed recordings means I have moved away from go-pro altogether.

Replaced the ABS ring on the rear wheel. Delighted it all went well.

Completed a Bikesafe day with West Mercia Police (Bridgenorth). 14 of us on the course so all their police riders were occupied with us so anyone local needn't have worried about getting caught speeding Very informative and having only been riding for four months I was the least experienced in attendance. It showed, I just don't ride at the speeds of the others and a few times the group had to wait for me. I rode my own ride which is what I hear so often so I only wanted to be safe and that's what the lead told me. It's spurred me on to consider further training with a group so I'll see what's about in my area. Have to say the whole event was very well presented on the day.

Not there until the morning Mike. I'll come back tomorrow (hopefully) with an update of how it went.

Bikesafe day with Bridgenorth police.

I proudly displayed bug splatter which I have never experienced on my bike until today.

Filled the tank with E5 fuel and understanding the difference between E5 and E10. I honestly thought something was wrong with my bike until I refuelled with E5. Never again. Oh, and taking the E10 sticker off the tank!

I was at a family function and half hour before the alert there was a lot of discussion re the pro's and cons of it all. Despite the pre-event interest when the alert came there was generally a lack of interest and certainly not enough to interrupt the other topics being discussed. Not what I expected at all.

Replacing my garden gate with a much wider one so I don't have to dismount the panniers getting it in and out.

But I've used it, can't take it back like that surely.

A week old and obviously mint in every way. Bought for my trip around the highlands and now no longer needed. Cost me £399 last week from Argos. Comes with a brand new 256 memory card. Selfie stick unused. Three batteries in the smart charger. Chest harness included. Basically a new unit with a saving of over £80 on new. £350 to your door. In South Birmingham should anyone close enough wishes to view. Footage is very impressive. SOLD

I took in six nights accommodation at various stops and they were £42, £56, £64, £90, £50 and £42. Whilst the £90 job was sheer desperation it was a luxury room yet didn't provide breakfast whereas all the others did. In fairness all of the rooms were of a decent stamp. I'd expect prices to go up as high season approaches. When I go again in warmer weather I'll camp

Just completed 3000 miles on my new bike with Pirelli Angel GT tyres. Whilst riding around Scotland earlier this week I felt a very obvious shift at the rear whilst taking the bike around the bends. The front remains perfectly round yet I noticed a flat area around the circumference of the entire rear, almost what could be describes as a "ledge" developing. Don't suppose it can be sorted just riding so is it new tyres time?

Yesterday I returned from doing much of the NC500 by myself and it was a most enjoyable adventure having only passed my test in November. I read so many reports about dangerous road condition (potholes), bad weather and a lack of accommodation it was some trepidation that I set out. As it happened I was greeted with four out of five days of beautiful bright weather and some recently re-surfaced roads where I experienced very few bottom twitching moments. The scenery is stunning, truly stunning and I have been to Austria for many years on holiday. The nature spectacular (my hobby is birding) and seeing eagles, stags, kites, harriers in the same glen (Garry) made the trip so enjoyable. No point in trying to describe Skye, no words can do it justice but I was blessed with the weather. On the day I went from Ullapool to Durness I did not have a single vehicle in front of me for the duration. Annoyingly my Techalogic front/rear camera packed up mid-journey so I was left with only my iphone to record any images. One of note was the aforementioned Eilean Donan castle. It's the only decent picture I took and I hope you like it. Must convince the wife to join me even if it's by car.

Setting off on stage two of my tour around Scotland. First stop the lake district.

I went to see a faith healer last night. He was so shit the bloke in the wheelchair walked out.