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Just uploaded a pici of the horn. (3rd extra bought - 1st being v&h , 2nd the tool bag)

16th Oct

Damp. The run toward Cardiff is overcast – the roads are wet and light spray has made my Chino’s damp around the knee down to the top of my boots. I refuse to stop and put on my waterproofs (I use the word lightly). Traffic builds up 4 miles out from Coryton and I am moving between the queues- not my favourite hobby on wet roads. Reach the Contra flow and the traffic stops – the next 2 miles I travel on the 10 inches of tarmac between the white line edge of the motorway and the gravel butting up to the central crash barriers. Traffic clears and motor on.
Homeward – peeing down. Journey is a battle with spray – like travelling alongside speed boats-keep speed down to around 78-80 arrive home sodden. Put boots and gloves upside down on radiator with jacket and leggings drapped alongside.

Cold dry sunny
Boots still damp use black cherry boots.
Good motoring, moving between traffic at a fair lick. Reach tunnels – slows a little but ahead on my inside is a window down and I have a reasonable gap to plug between me and the van in front. Wind it on and share the vance and hines with the fresh air freak – yippee.

Home and I am passed on the bridge by two bikes - one is a blue Honda (manage to keep him in my sights until he pulls off at Cardiff).
When braking at the Bridge tolls I hear the squeal of rubber- glance around – bugger its me- unsure of the Bridgestone now it is getting low on tread (although still legal).

Thursday (Saab to Dartford – 428 miles round trip for a £7.99 lunch).

Friday
Trip to work is via site and a supplier – takes me on side roads I haven’t been on for 15 years. Enjoy the bends and the sun flickering through trees despite temporary blindness. Arrive in Pontyclun and cross an old bailey bridge (wooden surface) gives a nice clatter as the VN trundles over it. The guy I need to see isn’t there but have a chat to a fellow who owns the business nearby – drives a Mercedes ML (and owns a moped) but when he hears the VN fire up, steps back and says must have one of them.
Back on to work and have to pull off at Newport to refuel at Morrisons. An enjoyable but blooming cold run in – still in Chinos and summer gloves. Knees and hands take around an hour to warm up.

The run home - bike is loaded with breakfast cereals/ grapefruit/ lemons etc, plus the laptop and documents. BMW cuts me up as I leave Cribbs – give the Welsh Archers wave with the left hand. Power up the M5 to M4,
M4 has a slow moving tailback (20 miles as I discover)
Weave my way through to bridge –clear over bridge but jammed other side. Pass motorists standing outside their cars. Following one motorcycle and between lanes the blue Honda from Wednesday passes. VN shudders as I get caught up on a rain channel but clear that switch lanes and I am alongside the Honda with the bike I was tailing behind me.
Out of the tolls and around 12 booths (lanes) are heading for 3. I am now working my way between lane 2 and 3 with the other 2 bikes behind. Catch up on a fourth. Pass at the point where the Police are in the hard shoulder with a motorcyclist. ( He may have been downed as there is a little wreckage on the carriageway.). The VN cuts a swathe through the queues for the next several miles with my fellows behind (except for one point when a car switched lanes forcing me to stop and walk the VN back to pass him as he was straddling 2 lanes.) Using all lanes keep moving forward until I am behind another motorcycle just after the Coldra. I remain behind him cutting through the traffic until we clear the Tunnels then as the jam begins to ease I pass. The rest of the journey to Cardiff (Culverhouse turnoff) I have the Honda on my tail. Road clear and back up to 85.
The journey home has taken 1 hr 25 mins – not bad.

Ade.

Just noticed that Shorts joined on 9th June.

9th June is my brother's birthday and on the 9th June 77 (at still 19) I collided head on with a TR6 whilst minding my own business on a T100ss. out of hospital on the 12th (my birthday) wow 20.
We were both doing 60 and the impact speed left me in the air. Feeling nothing, seeing nothing and hearing nothing let me with the feeling that i was about to meet St. Peter. After what seemed a life time I hit the tarmac. Bust my right leg but managed a cigarette whilst awaiting the ambulance.

Rebuilt the Triumph for c. £170.00 and the TRS cost £725. (as per my insurance).


in 2000 and 25 yrs of smoking (and paying my taxes) I have given up and hopefully set myself right for the future re the old ticker.

I was recently asked - do I smoke after sex.

I replied - I've never looked.

Ade

Well start to another week. Initial run in to site in Bridgend. The rest of the run is pretty good running at 80-85.
Oldie in outside lane in 50 zone on motorway holds 50. Hang back no rush. Traffic opens up toward high cross. Stay ahead of everyone. Cross the bridge at a good pace - it's cold today and whilst the gloves are summer type the leggings are on.
Open up to 90 as the m4's merge (old and new) and the lorry in front swings out and straddles the centre line - have to brake heavy - sod.
Pass and complete the last 4 miles ok.

Home run is getting darker. Again all is fine but as I approach Cardiff Gate pay too much attention to car closing in mirror. Double flash - that XXXX XXXX speed camera (58 ish in a 50). Looks like I have the wait to see if it's followed through. The rest of the journey is kept to 50 in 50 and around 78 in 70. Keep you posted.

ADE

After Monday, I've kept it down to 80. One advantage reduced fuel useage and if I don't slip into old ways should save around £25-£30 a month.
Well we do things bigger in the UK
Bigger Gallons than US
At almost £4.50 a gallon ($9.00) bigger prices
And most of all bigger taxes.
Wow I luv the UK.
Apart from that it's been ruddy cold. Waved at 13 bikers coming the other way on Wed and 10 today plus 4 I passed. Also waved to quite a number of Magpies - always salute the Magpies.
A typical jam



typical home run but it is getting darker




Ade

Just thought I'd post some pics of the wardrobe's I converted and the ceiling I painted for the boys.








Ade

I have not seen wood floors like yours since living in Mississippi. I like the ceiling.

Pat

Fitted carpet is expensive, and you can take your rugs with you.

I painted the boards

Ade

Monday

The clocks have gone back and it is lighter and warmer travelling to work. Damned mobile cameras at Bridge around Bridgend - slow down. Nice ride in otherwise.

Homeward - pass a Triumph 900 as I cross the bridge and am passed by a BMW moments later. (its dark and cold as the clocks have gone back).

Out of the tolls ahead of both Triumph and BMW. A bike is in my mirror for the next 8 miles ish. Rising from the Coldra and at the top of the hill prior to the tunnels I note a car closing - silver - and the words ECILOP on the bonnet. (I am at 78-80) move in to the middle lane and they pass the passenger glancing across. Through the tunnels with the bike behind and keep up the speed until Cardiff gate and the 50 zone where my tail leaves - The BMW.

Off on Tuesday and carve some pumkins for tonight. (also rec'd the notification to prosecute for the previous weeks speeding.)














Happy Halloween.

ADE