Only in real life... a week like that one

Over the fence at the back of our house, a neighbour was chatting about the weather, the other neighbours and the time of day. The subject of engines came into the conversation and the question did I know about narrowboats. (Barges). My limited knowledge about Perkins diesel engine resulted in an invitation to take a look at it and fix a few issues in exchange for a weeks free rental on the Bridgeater Canal. First visit I located a few leaks in the fuel system and sorted that out. Second visit saw us put-putting down the canal for about 3 miles only to find the engine over heating to 180 degrees, so we returned. The 'free week' coincided with Sharon having a week off work, and a bank holiday weekend so plans `to take the dogs for a few days in the Cheshire countryside at the top speed of 4mph was on the cards. The next berth at the marina had a live-on-board chap who said he was a marine engineer, so with permission to have a look, we set up our gear for a Wednesday sailing. The barge wasn't done and the week was running out, so a change of plan. Get the dogs 'sat out' with family, get the tent out, the motorbike and go to Wales to see the Cardiganshire coast. Early rise, loaded and we set off in a threat of rain but ready for anything. 40 miles down the M56 motorway, I pulled over for petrol, and the bike won't start. Battery flat, NO turn-over..... nothing. With the help of a passing Cheshire Police breakdown truck, I got a jump start and decided to go home rather than take a chance. Car loaded (with more stuff than we had on the bike), we set off again and eventually arrived in Bala with the rain looking inevitable. 15 minutes we were set up, kettle on and it started. Rain, thunder, more rain and a blessing that we were not on the bike after-all. Good old Fish n Chips in the town, a few pints, game of pool, darts and a bit of a shop for breakfast stuff, and we were in bed for 10pm. The campsite was mad busy due to the holiday weekend and the combination of the rain, thunder and partying families a fractious night was the result. The man next door had pitched under a tree that had the effect of bullets hitting a door as the dripping rain added some volume to the rest of the mayhem. In a short respite from the rain, the morning saw us pack up very quickly and hread for the coast. The coast road (A487) is very similar to Highway 1 on the west coast of America, though perhaps not quite as long, or winding, but with the sea on the right and hills on the left, it was close enough. The sun was out and getting warmer, we found a quiet site for £15 a night which though expensive for a 9ft x 4 ft patch of grass was not as bad as the £19 at Bala. With a visit to Aberaeron the highlight of the weekend, we enjoyed that essential English Saturday night meal................ a curry, and a Beer and live band across the road on the harbour. A real gem of a town, busy and very pretty with almost every building a different colour than its neighbours. A 'real' sunset and a 11pm return to camp, the weekend was a real result. We will return to the area, and would like to go back on the bike and I can recommend the area to any traveller. Back home now and with Monday off work, time to reflect and plan another trip.

Time for a major change in life.

What depressing times. Not much work to be had, and struggling to keep the bike (my only transport at the moment). Jobs are rare, and good money even harder to get. About a month ago iwas in contact with Stonecoat in Texas, who promised me a job over in the USA, all bell and whistles, and a month to see if we got on, and then possible long term career in the States. Then nothing.......... eventually and e-mail, stating that it was on hold. GREAT ! ....... Having to do some driver-multidrop work to try and make ends meet, even that has dried up today. 10-12hrs days take their toll, but even that will not settle the bike payment issues, though BMW Finance have been great. On a better note, I got the pictures back that Matt and Alexa had used for the single copy book I got for my birthday this year. So here are a few to see.

Funny how a reasonably simple month long road trip can alter ones whole 'being'. Seeing the other side of the Atlantic and being active on various forums within the Adventure Travel sector http://www.adventurebikerider.com/forum I find myself looking towards travel as a real must do. Sharon is getting the vibe too, as things here get into a daft state of wanting more and ending up with less. Talk of us selling up and moving on are in the throws of making sense...... keep watching.

15th July 2012 where has this year gone. 8500 hits to me blog.....................thanks guys. Fantastic. Funny how life pans out. I has been looking forward to a potential new opening in Texas USA. My proper job 'Decopierre stone effect', has ground to an all time low here in the UK, with NO new enquiries since March, and the other potential work in Bordeaux France suddenly was not forth coming, so contact with Stonecoat Texas, was a great surprie when the owner showed great interest in me getting over there ASAP to help out training, applying and generally becoming the Euro-Face of their operation. Flights planned, dates sorted, lots of calls and e-mails..................... then nothing !!!! No contact for 2 weeks, then a short e-mither saying, its not going to happen after all. Cheers guys ! No explaination, just not at the moment. So back to square one. In the mean time I am doing some multi-drop driving, and how things have changed. 50-60 parcels a day, used to be the norm. That was prettyhard work, but these days 100+ is normal. I have discovered one thing though. 70% of houses do not show the house number. 50% of homes with no number but a name, do not show the name on the gate post, or a legible sign that can be seen from a van, in the rain. (Can't imagine what its like in the dark winter months). and the bigger the house, the less likely it is that the owners add a sign or number though they find time to have a 'Private Road' or 'No Parking'or even better 'No Turning' sign fitted. IF YOUR HOUSE HAS A NAME, PUT A SIGH UP THEN DRIVE AT 15 MPH, IN THE RAIN, AND SEE IF YOU CAN SEE IT. AND putting the sign on the gate itself, then going out leaving the gate open, means the sign can NOT be seen ...... WHILST ON LINE ORDERING YOUR TAT, ORDER A bloody house number or sign. Or you might not get the tat at all. GRIPE OVER. Now this is a road............. NO TURNING signs not needed.

Weather you like it or not

If it’s ‘Brownie Points’ you are after, or just because you have to, riding in the rain is a definite feature of this years basic requirement for many BB’s (British Bikers). “It will rain or go dark before midnight”, as my father used to say. I actually enjoy the kudos and the knowing glances from car drivers. That second glance or nod that indicates ‘this guy knows what he is doing’. After all who else would be daft enough to ride in this weather. The inner feeling that ‘Yes , I really am a hardcore biker’. Though the extra time needed to get into a one-piece suit designed for someone with the agility of a Russian teenage gymnast, and not a fat 50 something with si2e 13 boots, is a bind, it would be a YouTube winner if ever I film the 10 minute version. Let’s not forget the glove issue and the lack of full waterproofy-ness, though the addition of bright yellow Marigolds under them works for me. (The ones with the fluffy insides of course) The challenge of doing the distance in bad weather became a part of my daily chore, when riding through the USA last year, when for seven days it rained Datsun Cogs for over 1200 miles. Being on a mission to complete 9600 miles in 33 days, there was no option but to get on with it and put those damp gloves back on, add the one-piece when damp, and the fun really begins. If you have ever seen Houdini escape a straight jacket…. in reverse Once back in Blighty, the rain was never enough to stop me going for a spin and a recent misadventure with my old Volvo and loss of job, means my trusty GSa is my only means of transport at the moment. Out looking for work this week, I wrestled the one-piece into submission, find my marigolds, expect the drips on the slightly open visor to get me right in the eye, watch out for grids, white lines, diesel spills, dopey drivers and puddles the si2e of boating lakes, and weather or not, I will probably enjoy it.

Raining again....... this must be July in Manchester, England. PS I have lost the 'last letter of the alphabet' and the forward slash keys on my laptop. They keys are still there, they just refuse to do there thing, so 2 in the new 2...... if you get that , oh ! question mark has gone AWOL too.

I am going post raw video footage from yourtube, no editing, here is one of the first May 13 2011, 9am, Manchester UK for biketorque.tv Gawd I look fat......

Fish n Trips.......

Enough Said.

On the 13th May 2011, I was getting ready for the flight to the USA. Shock, worry, apprehension, excitement. I wasn't sleeping too well and Sharon was getting more used to the idea, yet still not 'happy'.
On Friday 13th at 10am I walked down the corridor of Terminal 3 Manchester Airport leaving my wife Sharon, Daughter Alexa and niece Rebecca (Becks to me) behind. A slight tear, a deepbreath and I was on my own, the journey had begun.
That morning had been a whizz, BBC Radio Manchester at 8.30am, BikeTorqueTV at 9am and a radio interview by Capital FM at the airport. The next month and a half would be a whirlwind of which many have followed and some have shared. I thank you all.
A year later almost to the day, I reflect on a year that has flown by and a realisation that over 16,000 page hits to my blog from 8500 visitors since I added the 'Revolver Globe' to my blog.
2011-2012 has been a strange year, I have struggled to find regular work, had a constant nagging feeling to get the book written (though finding work has taken priority), and carried on using my bike as much as possible.
BMW Finance have been great and helpfull along the way. I can recommend them.

Having been self employed for many years, and now at the ripe old age of 54, I am struggling to find a new career, and the small amount of jobs I have had are not enough to realise the plans and dreams Sharon and I have.

One thought came to mind when surfing the web (seems to be my main pastime at the moment). Motorcycle Touring has become massive over the past years and many of my Facebook friends, Forum chums and Twitterarti plan big trips and adventures.

Being on the edge of Europe is ideal to travel east across to the middle and far east, Europe and even north Africa. All within land locked roads once across the English Channel.
But what about those from other countries, that want to visit the UK on a motorcycle. There are a few motorcycle travel companies in the UK, and what about another.

I know the UK very well. There are not many places the England Scotland or Wales I haven't been in thirty odd years of work, play, and travel. On a bike, car or truck.

For all those motorcycle riders wishing to visit the UK and see more than London, Stone Henge or the M1 a tour organiser, leader, to show the way around the real UKis now available.

Planning a tour to suit $$$, sights, interests, time, accomodation choices and per day miles is unique.

Your thoughts would be welcome.

THUNDERSPRINT, NORTHWICH CHESHIRE THIS WEEKEND

For those in the North West area, the Classic Bike speed trials and bike show at Northwich (4 miles west of M6 Junc 19) This weekend 12-13th May.

Saturday is a quiet day, but Sunday see's the racing around a car park (better than it sounds), which is a sprint time trial of old classic bikes of all styles and types. The streets on Northwich are closed off and over 10,000 bikes, riders and fans turn up for the event. Sunday weather is supposed to be good.

AND ITS FREE.  (NB: A Spitfire fly-past most years is worth the wait).

http://www.thundersprint.com link to.

I was invited to read and review Ted Simons new book Rolling Through the Isles and received a pre-release copy last week. Spending a few good sessions reading the story of Teds youth, the war years and his recollections of the places and people that had an effect on his life.
Having travelled around the world twice, written Jupiters Travels , Jupiters Return and a few other books, his latest story is a pleasant meander and worth a read if not just to discover some new places to visit.