A blog that has evolved over the years from simply about motorcycle trips, to include action against discriminatory legislation from the UK and EU. Then included football, dogs and motorhoming!!!
22 November 2007
Simpsonize Me!
21 November 2007
Parisienne Walkways!
I have several versions on my Muvo and it is excellent with the volume turned up!
Pukka entertainment!
20 November 2007
Frozen-Up - Sinterklaastreffen 1991
Had to add this photo that I found whilst going through a box of stuff. It's from 1991, the day before the Sinterklaastreffen and we were on the XJ900 heading for Ostend.
By the time we had got towards Veurne my visor, glasses and eyebrows had frozen solid. This pic was taken alongside the canal between Adinkerke and Veurne.
The only main route as the motorway between France and Belgium was some years off being completed.
19 November 2007
Croatia 2008 (2)
Map of roughly where we are going on Pag! Mandre
Slovenia 2008 (1)
The first time in 1986 when we travelled across the top of Istria to Trieste from Rijeka and the second in 1999 when Steve Hazlehurst and I dipped a toe in the country in the extreme northwest to "bag" the country as we rode northwards from a day trip to Venice to the Wassbüffel Treffen in Austria.
So maybe my first estimate of an hour was accurate after all.
In 2008 we have an overnight at the highly recommended Alibi Rooms Hostel in the city centre at Ljubjana.
This is the last full day on the road to get to Ljubjana and one of the longest of Week 2. Setting off from the Island of Pag that morning. It doesn't look far on the motorways but we'll have to see. I am hoping for a stop off in Postojna caves on the way, at east for a look even if there isn't time to go in.
I like to have accommodation planned in advance, and then leave the pace and route between stops take precedence and open to change. With accommodation booked, that is one consideration lifted off your shoulders.
18 November 2007
Chilli Heated Vest
When I bought it I took the option to have the optional extra Chilli Control unit, a thermostat, as well rather than run the jacket straight off the battery. It does mean that the heat level can be variable.
Dur to that fact that I wear it when it is very cold, I tend to have it turned on almost to the maximum. The know on the unit seems to have about 270° of movement and I bet I used the last 20° of that most of the time. In Chilli speak "full on" is 100% so I guess I use the top 10% at all times.
First Impressions: Suzuki Jacket (Part 3)
Mali Madness - 'ello Tosh!
I was joined by fellow SOC Kent member Brian Squibb and we had a long chat with Bert over a bacon sandwich. Excellent tales of Africa and a free brekkie.
Can't wait to see the pix when it is handed over. The laptop was owned by my company CEA@Islington and I hope that when the pics come back to get them on the website and maybe get a mention of the "Mali Madness" in the CEA newsletter.
The ride up was pretty cold and after an hour or more sitting in the warm cafe, the ride home seemed even colder. I wore my Chilli electric vest and it seemed okay on the way up, on the way back the power lead was so cold and stiff it kept popping the connection with the jacket. I suppose for safety it has to come apart easily, but this is too easy. Perhaps I need a longer wire from the thermostat to the jacket?
16 November 2007
Folkestone Invicta
15 November 2007
Mali Madness
If you are this before the 20th November or even if you don't please make a donation.
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=273
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=125011
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124155
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=125011
Good luck Bert and best wishes from me and Claire.
14 November 2007
Whitstable Toy Run 2/12/07
So. Meet at the Blue and White Cafe on the A20 for a 1230 departure for possible scenic ride to Whitstable.
The WTRA organise one of the largest runs in the South East and every extra rider that turns up swells the numbers greatly and increases the coffers of local charities, plus of course the main aim of collecting toys for under privileged kids.
Go on. Get to the shops and come and join us.
Croatia 2008 (1)
In all we'll have 3 nights in Croatia. Two in Split and I have been looking for another night further up the coast road. Not too far in case it gets clogged with traffic!
Plan A had the stay at the Youth Hostel in Zadar. In the end this will change as being oldies we don't do dorms, and although the hostel has loads of private rooms they seem unable to commit to letting us have one. The explanation being that they reserve them for tour guides and coach drivers. So it may be a case of "bollocks" and go elsewhere.
I have a first reserve lined up on the Island of Pag. It seems a shame to go somewhere with thousands of islands and a) not go on one, and b) not take a ferry.
Pag isn't that far off the mainland and the bottom end nearest Zadar has a bridge, but the top needs a ferry. Okay, according to the website it is only 20 minutes! But it is a ferry, and I do like a ferry.
12 November 2007
Drizabone?
The evidence of the last few days has to be a resounding YES!
Why get on a train with a thick waterproof coat and expect to sit next to some poor bugger that is already there, without taking your f*cking wet coat off!
Because you are a TWAT, that's why.
8 November 2007
Autozug again
It became a case of get their bank to call us and we can authorise the payment. Not as easy as it sounds with the bank being in Germany!
In the end the booking was made through DB UK, whom I found on the DB website. An email and a fax of the train details got it sorted. A cheque for £380.16 went off today.
Yes it is a lot but a price to pay for getting 650 miles each way whilst mostly asleep.
Paying now means there is plenty of time for putting money aside for when we get there.
6 November 2007
Autozug
In the end it was good really that when I tried to book the motorail tickets that Capital One rejected the transaction as it was for a large amount and the website was based in Germany.
About 45 minutes later I got a text message asking me to call them at the bank.
Must remember to keep them in the loop when we go away! Especially as Bosnia might be a little unusual.
5 November 2007
The Eagles - Long Road Out of Eden
I bought the album 'off plan' before it was released and am glad I did!
I've listened to it almost every evening on the MP3 player and each time I hear something more than the time before.
Blimey. I actually own the number one album in the chart!
Autozug!
So I did a bit of research. In the off season the difference between train and riding is much smaller.
I used Michelin's route planner to work it out for me - Dusseldorf to Villach. A route I did back in 1986 bit from Cologne on that occasion.
The train comes out more expensive but does the trip overnight. To do that I'd have to tranquilise Claire "Mr T" style.
So motorail it is!
2 November 2007
To SORN or not to SORN?
With the arthritis in my knee I thought a bit of time off the bike might be in order. But I hate not to have it there when I need it.
So when I couldn't find the renewal form I had to resort to the 'Net and cough up the extra £2.50!
It is so easy with the renewal or log book! Type in a few numbers and it automatically checks MoT and Insurance and then enter card details and it is sorted.
Now, if they can check insurance online why don't they target the bastards driving uninsured? Get the coppers round and sort the scum out.
Paul Devall - sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device