Cycling and Ruling out a Career as a Film Maker

Saturday 12th November 2011.

In the interests of keeping fit, and losing weight, we embark ona 20 mile cycle ride, using one of our "regular" routes, to Whitburn, along the coast to South Shields, and home via Jarrow.

I take the opportunity to use my new toy, ie my Drift Action Camera to record the event for posterity.

I am still very inexpert, the first half or more of the trip is shot with the camera in the wrong orientation (by 90 degrees).

Apart from playing, sorry, experimenting, with the camera the ride is quite enjoyable. We even see a squirrel hopping across our path, as we cycle through Jarrow. 

This time I make use of video editing software to join it all up into one piece and reduce the length. What a task that is!, it is so slow. The editing is bad enough, although I suspect faster disk drive(s) and more RAM in the computer may overcome that. The upload time to the internet is also painfully long, not really sure how that can be overcome!

It is all still very amateurish, but given I am a total amateur, I am reasonably pleased with the result. Now there is the whole area of adding a soundtrack and captions to explore!



Sunday evening I amuse myself copying the megabytes of precious recorded video to my PC, and learning how to edit it in the most rudimentary way.

The edit and uploading takes so long, it spreads over Monday and Tuesday too.

In moments of boredom, waiting.... I attempt a few shots of the birds feeding as if their lives depend on it (which I suppose thet do, actually) at the bird feeders.

I also try a few attempts with the video, but without much success.

It is clearly not designed for close up shots.

A weighty problem.

A quick check on the bathroom scales reveals that by riding about on a motorbike instead of my bicycle, I have managed to gain 10lb in weight.

I have now returned to my regular exercise regime, and have managed to lose 2lb, without having to significantly reduce my food intake (I like eating, and drinking). This is much to Kathleen's annoyance, since she has lost only 1lb!

The weather for the most part continues to be kind, quite amazing, since it is early November.




The sun shines on Sunday, and after filling the bird feeders, I feel I have done enough exercise to justify a spin out on my motorbike.

New Toy

I have been buying a new toy, or as Kathleen would say, "yet another new toy". A Drift Action Video camera. The idea is to capture some of my outings, so I can watch them in the future in the Nursing Home, which is probably where we are all going to end up unless we are lucky enough to just fall off the perch nice and neatly, no long period of dependancy or illness, just a nice quick end.

On that happy note.....

This is my first attempt at using the camera. It is on my bicycle. As you can probably tell, I did not manage to get the mounting angle correct, so the whole things looks like I am riding along at 45 degrees to the vertical!

All I can say of this rather poor effort is, the camera has done its job admirably, ie the quality of the image is spot on, the least said about my contribution the better.

What a great life I have!

It is the second last day of September, but the weather is like it is supposed to be in July, dry, sunny and very warm!

Hard labour in the morning, cutting two metres off the neighbours Leyllandi hedge (with his agreement of course).

 After lunch, I turn my efforts to fitting the rear hugger to my motorcycle.

The fitting instructions which came with it are scant to say the least, and yesterday evening I retired defeated.

But having slept on it, I have it cracked, the part which was giving me a problem was this bracket on the right hand side of the bike, it was not clear which way round it should go.

Not that any one is interested I suspect, but it goes with the studs towards the tyre.

I think I could do a better job than "Powerbronze" at writing the fitting instructions, that is if I wanted a job, which I most definately do not!

I am having a great time, I just have to be careful not to let Kathleen see how much I am enjoying myself, otherwise she will dream up some chore which needs doing!

By the time I have finished tinkering with my motorbike, Kathleen has gone out walking, so this leaves me free to go out for a spin, great fun.

I think I should have taken the winter liner out of my jacket and trousers however, because the weather is so hot, I am sweating profusely as I cruise around, it does nothing to add to my "cool" image!

Hey, what a great life!

Tuesday, Wednesday 27th/28th September 2011

The day starts with a beautiful morning. The weather certainly seems to be improving, not before time.

I manage to fit in a lot today,  a trip out on my motorbike, to have a check on Martin's allotment. At this time of year there is not a lot to do except pick the crops. Tomatoes, beans, beetroot. The fact I am on the motorbike limits me to just a haversack full!

The rest of the day is spent walking and gardening.

Wednesday and the weather is even better, it is like a summers day. After the chore of food shopping at ASDA, we go cycling.

I spend the evning attempting to fit the recently purchased "hugger" to my motorbike. I am usually pretty good at this sort of thing, but I retire defeated. I will have to consult Google for inspiration. 

Bikers Protest

Bikers are protesting because the EU are trying to impose new rules on riders and pillion passengers relating to Dayglo clothing, preventing modifications to bikes, and banning motorcycles over 7 years old from urban areas.

Not very well publicised!

Monday 26th September 2011

During our last campervan trip, we had (another) puncture. Our plan is for another trip away in the van next week, so I need to get the puncture fixed.

You need to understand that, according to Kathleen, I do nothing except enjoy myself, but today, almost before she is out of bed, I have the van spare wheel out from it's mounting under the van and in the boot of the car, ready to be taken to ATS Tyreservices.

It turns out, it is not a puncture, but a faulty valve, which the tyre fitter changes for free. I shall use ATS again, that is service.

I put the spare back in it's place under the van, and then knock off another little chore which is waiting to be done, ie apply silicone sealer around the frame of our new garage door.

It is a beautiful day, too good to spend it working, so I convince Kathleen we should go out cycling.

This is a beautiful time of year, even in urban Tyneside, the autumn colours are absolutely stunning.

This is the view from the track leading to Fellgate Metro Station, beautiful colours.

Soon we are past Monkton Village and heading along the disused railway line (now a cycle track), towards Pelaw.

Then along the banks of the Tyne, towards Newcastle.

Nothing to obstruct the view as we approach Newcastle, very nice for us, but not so good for jobs of course. Once upon  a time the river would have been full of ships, not any more.

We cross the Millenium Bridge at the Sage, and settle down in the sun outside of the Pitcher and Piano, on the Quayside, Coffees all round.

We are even treated to a trial opening of the bridge, which we have not seen before.

Suitably refreshed, we set off along the north bank of the Tyne, following the Hadrians Way cycle track, towards the Pedestrian/Cycle Tunnel. A pleasant surprise when we arrive there, the lifts are working, and we even have a choice of lift or escalator at the south (Jarrow) side. This is a bonus, it is not funny having to carry two bicycles up a broken down escalator I can tell you (from past experience).

The "Runkeeper" App on my iphone, says we have cycled 27 miles, I think it is confused, more like 19 miles I think, you can't always trust technology.

My plan now is have lunch and then slip out on my motorbike. Nothing doing, Kathleen insists we do some gardening. So instead of a spin on the motorbike, I get to finish off trimming the hedge in the back garden. At least it is one more chore out of the way, before winter comes.

Back to taking some exercise.

It is sunny, and warm, so out cycling with Kathleen.



Met brother John, he was just about to start a 50 mile, makes our 14 miles with a coffee stop look a bit tame.

After lunch, I indulge in my other hobby, ie practicing riding my motorcycle. I make my first "useful" trip, to the Customs House to buy tickets for a show.

I could not help but feel it was a bit incongruous to walk into the box office, dressed in my full motorcycle gear, and ask for two "Pensioner Concession" tickets.

I am slowly but surely feeling more "at home" on the ER6-F, beginning to relax and enjoy it.

Collect my Motorcycle, September 7th 2011

Having chosen the motorcycle I wanted to buy (Kawasaki ER6-F), on Saturday last, I of course wanted it immediately, at the very least, on Moday.

But as always, it was not to be, the bike had to be "checked over", serviced etc etc. Why is it that dealers (both bike and car), leave the final preparation until after you have said you will buy, rather than doing it before hand?

The promised delivery day was Friday (9th), but with a bit of pleading on my part, this was brought forward to today, Wednesday 7th.

Kathleen kindly bought me an early birthday present, in the form of a Motor Cycle jacket from Hein Gericke. It is very smart, and makes me look like a real motorcyclist!

Given that I already have Helmet and Gloves, I now have the basics. Suitable motor cycle pants are inhand, this leaves boots to be aquired, but in the short term I can manage with the old pair of walking boots, I used whilst learning.

Pick-up is arranged for 13:00, and Kathleen gives me a lift to Newcastle, thus saving me the dubious pleasure of travelling to Newcastle on the Metro, dressed in my motor cycle "gear".

The bike is all ready to go, when we arrive, Alan (the Salesman), gives me a full tour of the controls, and off I go, launched into the Newcastle traffic.

I am very pleased with the bike, it looks brand new, despite the fact it is three years old. It has done only 3780 miles, unlike the driving school bike which had done almost 30,000 hard miles, plus at 650cc, it is 150cc bigger. The result, as I see it as I ride off, is, it is very "sharp", throttle, clutch and brakes are all hair trigger responsive. This is recommended as a beginners bike, so I shudder to think what it must be like to ride a Super Sports job, best not think about it.

I manage to negotiate the Quayside, and across the Swing Bridge, without making a fool of myself. Kathleen follows at a respectful distance, and we even make a detour to call at Jarrow, Kevin and Maria's, (here we have a much needed cup of tea), and then home.

The weather is not kind, windy, and constantly threatening to rain.

But, I cannot resist a ride out, to familiarise myself with the controls, so, off I go for a run along the coast at South Shields.

I manage to resist the urge to park at Minchella's on the sea front, and join the "coffee bar cowboys" who are always in attendance there, drinking coffee, and admiring their motorcycles! 

Even if I say so myself (well, there is only me on the bike), I feel I am getting the hang of it, another few rides, and I should have it cracked.

I keep asking myself, "how did I end up here", I started with the intention of learning to ride a 100cc motor scooter, and somehow that morphed in a Direct Access course on a 500cc machine, and now I am riding around on a 650cc bike.

Great fun, I would recommend it.

Motorcycle Module 2 test

My test was scheduled for 1st September, 2011.

Last lesson was Tuesday 30th August, what a disaster.

I did just about everything wrong, the high point of the lesson was probably falling off the bike at traffic lights in Newcastle City Centre, closely followed by pulling away from the curb without observing a large bright orange transit van comming up behind me. He was speeding by a significant amount, as van drivers do, but that is no excuse for not even seeing him!

So Thursday came, I gave myself a good talking too, and set off to the driving school, to go for my test.

It went great, a couple of minor faults for my favourite errors (ie sometimes missing my "lifesaver" blind spot checks after passing parked cars, sometimes not making use of the full lane width when passing parked cars, and on a couple of occasions not keeping up with the traffic flow), but I passed!, I was truly amazed.

So, Thursday afternoon, Kathleen and I went shopping for a motorbike. The sum total of our knowledge on the subject could be written on a pin head.

Saturday, after a bit of research on the subject, we embarked on the quest again, and I am now the proud owner of a lurid green, 2008, Kawasaki ER6-F, 650cc, with ABS.

Kathleen says the bright colour is an advantage, since other drivers will at least see me before they mow me down.

This not my actual bike, I have to wait until next week to get it. I have already been pestering the dealer to try and bring forward the hand over day from Friday (9th), to Wednesday (7th).

Motorcycle Module 1 Test

Several weeks ago, I embarked on what many people tell me is an idiot course of action, at my age, ie to pass my motorcycle test and obtain a full motorcycle licence.

To be honest, most people told me it was an idiot course of action an any age!

The initial idea was to be able to ride a small (ie 100cc) scooter, (with Kathleen on the back), during our campervan trips.

But, I listened to various people, some supposed experts and some just enthusiasts, and allowed myself to be persuaded that the way to go was for a full licence, thus allowing me to ride any size of bike.

Accordingly, I enrolled on a Direct Access Course with D and J Motorcycle Training, Hebburn.

It has not been plain sailing, no problem with D and J, the problems were all mine.

Since I have been driving a car for 46 years, and I can  ride a bicycle, I thought it would be a piece of cake to learn to ride a motorcycle.

How wrong can you be!

Before you are allowed out on the public roads, you need to pass your theory and hazard perception test and complete a CBT, (C)ompulsory (B)asic (T)raining Course.

Son-in-law, Dave, loaned me his book and DVD's to learn and practice the theory test and hazrd perception. Many a happy hour was spent on this, during our recent campervan trip to France, Germany and Switzerland.

The Theory test was duly taken and passed, I was on my way.

Then the CBT, this I did on a 125cc machine. Not too traumatic, for me at least, I am not sure if Lisa, my instructor will share that opinion.

My next lesson was a "cross over" to riding a 500cc Kawasaki machine. I do not mind admitting, I was terrified. Alan (Instructor), patiently took me through the simple stuff, ie pulling away from rest without doing a "wheelie", and then stopping again, without falling off!.

I know anyone reading this, who is a seasoned motorcyclist, with think a Kawasaki E5 500cc is pretty tame, but believe me, to a beginner it was very scary, just a little twist of the throttle, blink,  and you are suddenly over the speed limit in an urban area. Press those brakes too hard and you screech to a halt in a most undignified way. The prospect of loosing your balance and having the thing fall on you, just does not bear thinking about!

Eventually, with lots of calming words from Alan, out we went onto the roads of Hebburn. It was fantastic. About five minutes of sheer terror as I negotiated two right turns in a row, followed by a set of traffic lights.

After the initial terror, I began to settle down, I had been told by many people that riding the 500cc would actually be easier than riding the 125cc. I did not believe them, but, amazingly, it is true. It is like being part of the machine.

Two hours later, at the end of the lesson, I was hooked, it is great. No 100cc scooter for me, I have set my sights on bigger things!

I rewarded myself with the purchase of a Safety Helmet (mustn't call them Crash Helmets, Lisa tells me) and a pair of gloves.

While buying the helmet, I got chatting to the fellow who worked in the motorcycle clothing shop. "are you a motorcyclist?", I asked him. "Sure", he replied, "but I would not dream of going on the roads, far too dangerous, with all of those cars, I just do off road stuff". Interesting.

Now, reality settled in. I was going to have to learn to manoevre this thing, in an off road yard, in order to pass my Module 1 test, that was only the beginning of course, then I have to do the Module 2 test!

Lisa and Alan in turns (I don't think any one of them could stick it for too long), patiently instructed me how to weave between cones (without knocking them over) in a slalom, do a figure of eight around two cones, move forward at a walking pace, and do a "U" turn, all without putting your feet on the ground. In between manoeuvres it was necessary to bring the thing to a controlled stop, neatly between a set of cones, without knocking any over. Then, the real excitement, doing a controlled emergency stop, and a controlled collision avoidance (swerve), without falling off, or knocking any cones over, both from a minimum speed of 32mph (50kpm). I thought I would never get it right, in particular the "U" turn was my nightmare, as I messed it up time and time again.

But, wonder of wonders, today, I managed to pass my Module 1 Test!

Module 2 here I come!

Sunday 14th August 2011

I have been a bit, well completely, out of touch on the blog, since I came back from my Campervan trip.


My only excuse, not a very good one, is that I have been busy doing my motorcycle driving lessons.


Today, went cycling with Kathleen on her new bicycle.

All very uneventful, we cycled to Whitburn, then through Sunderland to Dana's house. Arrived to find that Dana, Martin etc are out at the coast, but we are ably looked after by Emily, Lauren and Lauren's friend Nadine.

We head back, not so good now, a big black cloud has appeared, we are going to get wet. We make it to the Queen Alexandra Bridge, at which point, it begins to pour with rain.

We shelter in a bus shelter until it "brightens up" and is only raining quite heavily, before we cross the bridge and wend our way home by the shortest route we can work out.

Easter Sunday, waiting for lunch

Why "New Labour" got us into this mess, and the Coalition are keeping us in it.



And a preview of the dress rehearsal for THAT! wedding;



What has "T Mobile" got to do with it?

McCaffery's Comeback Tour 2011

Sorry this is a little bit late to appear, I had to figure out how to post to YouTube, and I am past my "best before date".

McCaffery's Come Back Tour 2011, Grey Horse. The performance is split into four parts, because I could not contain my excitement. At the end of their session, to save them from their admiring fans, the group were led from the stage (amid wild applause) via a rear exit from the building. Once in the safety of the car park, they were driven off at high speed by their roadie (Val). A return session is promised, but, the Police ask, could the audience please park their zimmer frames and mobility scooters with due consideration to the needs of nearby residents.

There are, as yet unconfirmed, reports that the Group are to appear at the Cricket Club, East Boldon, next Thursday evening.

Beautiful Weather

For the past week, we have enjoyed beautiful sunny weather, with temperatures up to 18C. This is most unusual for April in the North East of England (in fact it is unusual for July!).

We have made the most of the sunshine with plenty of cycling and walking, and I have become a technology nerd, using RunKeeper on my iPhone to log the distances and times, and post them to Facebook.

Today, I thought I had better do some work around the house and garden, there were rumblings of discontent from you know who.

Got the ladders out, to unblock the rain gutter at the back of the house. This is the second time, in only a month, I have had to do this. Pesky birds try to build nests in the guttering and block the water channel. This time a starling has completely blocked the down pipe, by stuffing straw and other nest building materials down it. I have bought and fitted some bird spikes, to prevent the birds from perching there and filling the gutter with crap and debris.

The products are supplied by Jones and Son , they are really effective, but rather expensive (I think), it is this latter point which was my downfall. I tried to skimp on the number of strips of spikes I put on the rain gutter. This was a mistake, the birds simply perched in the gaps and crapped as usual. So today, I ventured up the ladders and added more strips of spikes, to fill any gaps.

Just have to do the front of the house now.

Work was brought to a stop by rain, (my prayers were answered), hence I am wasting away my day on the computer, whilst the boss is ironing.

Non Jobs

Just Beautiful, so well put.

How can you possibly not support the poor little things?

Libya, what on earth are we doing now?

Based on what Joe Biden (current Vice President of the USA) said in 2007, could Obama be impeached over his actions against Libya?

Red Nose Day (over for another year thank god!)

Why all Governments are crap at actually doing things.

Watch and think about it, how frighteningly true it is, we have to survive in this world, so isn't it time we got stuck into doing new things, in new ways  and stopped doing the old things in old ways?

Bird variety, shy birds

The goldfinches continue to gorge themselves on sunflower seeds from the bird feeders.

I have started to be slow to re-fill the feeders, because they are going through sunflower seeds at an incredible rate. I am buying 20kg bags of the stuff on the internet, just to keep pace with them!

I predict a worldwide shortage of black sunflower seeds, or of obese goldfinches!

We do get different types of birds (in addition to the goldfinches and the more common sparrows), visiting the feeders, but they all seem much more nervous than the Goldfinches and so far I have not succeeded in getting photographs of all of them.

We get what appear to be two types of tit. They both look very similar, but one is significantly bigger than the other. They are both very nervous and quick, and are therefore very difficult to get a photograph of.

Today I managed to snap this fellow, a blue tit I believe.

The bigger version which visits has a prominent black strip down the centre of its chest, and I think it is a great tit.

I use the RSPB  website to try and identify the different birds we get.

Today we got a couple of new ones.

I managed to get a slightly blurred photograph of one of them. It is very slightly bigger than the goldfinches, and cannot quite manage to perch on the feeder to get at the sunflower seeds.

I am not sure what it is, a Chaffinch or a male Linnet, is my guess.

The other new visitor I have not succeeded in photographing, it must be camera shy. It is a small bird (ie about the size of a robin) and has yellowish green plumage with some white markings on its wings. A Siskin of a Greenfinch I think.

Bede Walk

Some months ago, in fact, it may even be some years ago, I printed a map of a local walk, called "Bedes Walk".

The walk is between St Pauls Church, Jarrow and St Peters Church, Sunderland. According to the literature, the distance is 12.01 Miles, but more of this later.

I very much doubt there is any historical evidence to suggest Saint Bede ever actually made this walk, but let us not be spoil sports and get in the way of a good Public Relations line by the local tourist board.

I repeatedly suggested to Kathleen that we should do this walk, but always she had an excuse not to do it. Then, on a day when I was busy with the cycling group, she took my map and did the walk with her brother, Peter.

This of course, I fully understand, it gave her a chance to check out the route, and to ensure she could be "in charge" when we did eventually do the walk. Kathleen likes to be "in charge".

We have been experiencing a few spring like days recently, plus, eldest daughter, Dana, had a few days holiday (she gets almost as much holiday as a school teacher), so, it was decided we would do "the walk" today. Monday 7th March 2011.

Kathleen and myself set off to catch the (approximately) 9:30 number 9 bus, to Sunderland, using our "pensioners" bus passes.

It does not start well, as we board the bus and flash our "Pensioner" pass, the bus driver looks at his watch and informs us, it is not yet 9:30, (apparently bus passes cannot be used before 9:30). This is news to me, but I adopt my best friendly, smiling approach, explain we did not know that, we are, after all, only just pensioners, and offer to pay the fare if he wishes. Kathleen as an apprentice argumentitive, sharp elbowed, pensioner, tells him this is supposed to be the 9:30 bus. I am not sure which approach won him over, but we are allowed on the bus.

True to form as we progress through Boldon Colliery, West Boldon, and East Boldon, the bus fills up with pensioners, all of course flashing their bus pass.

We get off at "the Wheatsheaf" pub, Sunderland, this being the nearest stop to St Peters metro station.

We walk towards the Metro station to meet up with Dana, and then on to St Peters Church to begin the walk.

This being 2011, the latest technology is called into action, and Dana starts the "Cardiac Trainer App" on her mobile phone to monitor our progress.

At this point, there is a perfectly good walkway along the banks of the River Wear, away from the main road and the associated traffic noise.

But, the official route is clearly sign posted. and we must follow the official route.

As you can see from the photographs, it is a beautiful spring day. There is a bit of a chill in the air, but the sun is shining and it looks set fair.

We walk on towards Roker and the coast,  along a road I believe is called Roker Avenue.

We reach the coast, here the road turns sharp left to run along the seafront.

For any fellow pensioners who may be inspired to follow in our footsteps, after reading this, there is a toilet stop here if you want or need it.

We are "young" pensioners, with working bladder control still, (well, Dana is not actually a pensioner at all, but she is approaching a birthday with a zero on the end), we walk on.

The walk continues along the seafront, on a beautiful day like today, Roker seafront looks magnificent, particularly since, in a photograph, you cannot feel the cool wind blowing in off the North Sea.

If the tide is out, which it was for us, you can make a small detour onto the beach, and thus continue on the promenade all the way to Seaburn, but if the tide is in, you need to rejoin the footpath along the coast road for a short distance.

Because, I suppose, it is a sunny day, almost everyone in Sunderland is unemployed, and the world (well the UK) now seems to be filled with pensioners roaming about using their bus passes, there are a surprising number of people, walking their dogs, or sitting outside of beach front cafes drinking coffee.

None of this idling in the sun, reading the newspaper and drinking coffee for us, of course, we are doing a serious walk, and so we walk steadily north along the promenade admiring the view as we go.

Dana is the official photographer for today, tasked with recording the walk for posterity.

This, of course, means Dana will not be in any of the photographs, whilst Kathleen and myself will feature in many of the photographs, as you can see, as we walk past Seaburn seafront.

No need to despair, they are almost exclusively pictures from the rear, since the walk leader does not believe in pausing for any reason, certainly not something as trivial as photographs.

The route continues to the edge of Whitburn, where there are some rather nice "fishermans cottages". It is a long time since a Fisherman lived in any of them I suspect, they are all very gentrified and expensive looking now. Unfortunately the official photographer omitted to take a picture of them, so you will just have to take my word for it.

At the fishermans cottages, the route crosses the coast road and follows a footpath alongside Whitburn Park, to reach this rather imposing house.

The house is next to the parish church, and is very unusual for this area.

I must remember, on the next rainy day, to employ the ever reliable Google to find some information on the place, surely, such an impressive looking house must have some history associated with it?

The route follows the small lane, past the church and into the very pretty Whitburn Village.

At the road through the village, cross the road, turn left and then right (via what I think is called "Sandy Chare"), then follow the "Bedes Walk" signs to go slightly to the right, and then along a road lined with fairly modern houses.

Continue until you come to a lone, imposing, stone built house (no doubt once a farm house) on the right, surrounded by more modern properties.

At this point on your left, there is a well defined farm track, signposted "Bedes Walk", which takes you towards Cleadon Hills.

We have now left the coast, and, although we are just on the edge of the urban area, we are walking through open countryside, with excellent views of the countryside and the urban sprawl which is South Tyneside, as the ground rises towards Cleadon Hills, the derelict windmill and the always distinctive and  impressive water tower, built in the style of a chinese pagoda.

A picture would describe this so much better than I can, but, it is nearing lunch time  and the official photographer is probably feeling faint.

At the water tower, we turn left, following a well trodden track, called I believe "Occupation Way", which eventually brings us to Sunderland Road, on the edge of Cleadon Village.

There is a strategically placed pub here (The Ship), which is a convenient stop for a cup of tea, coffee or something stronger if you prefer. It also of course provides a useful toilet stop.

The pub also does a good range of meals, but we have come prepared with our picnic in the form of sandwiches. Kathleen cannot wait, and eats her sandwiches secretly whilst having a cup of tea, Dana and myself show suitable restraint, and opt to wait until we find a convenient seat along the walk.

At this point, we have covered just over five miles, so we are just slightly under halfway to our destination.

After crossing Sunderland Road, the track continues along the back of the houses, until it crosses King George Road.

An alternative toilet stop / feeding station is available here in the form of the White Ensign pub.

We march steadily on, past the site of what used to be the South Shields Girls Grammar School, then later King George Comprehensive School. Now a new school is taking shape on the site.

Just past the school, there is a crossing point and a sign to direct you to turn left, walking along a small road with the school on your left and the houses of Holder House Estate on your right.

Continue past the allotments at the end of this road, and then bear right along the more well defined path, initially the path is bounded by small trees, and then crosses a field, before continuing along the back of more houses. 

Continue straight ahead, until you cross the bus turning circle at the end of Whiteleas Way, continue straight ahead with an infant school on your right, this portion of the path is actually called (and signposted Linnet Way). The path eventually crosses the old South Shields / Sunderland Railway line (now a footpath / cycleway).

At this point we go wrong. What you should do, is turn left along the old railway line, to Tile Sheds, then turn right over the Sunderland / Newcastle metro line and walk along New Road to Boldon Comprehensive School. At this point you turn right into Colliery Wood, follow the path until it comes to the River Don, turn left and follow the banks of the River Don. We will get there eventually.

I am told it was my fault we went the wrong way, if you are reading this, I am sure you will agree from the photographs, at no point am I, "in the lead", it is quite clear who the walk leader is, and remember, only one person has done this walk before, and that is not me, or Dana.

I leave you to draw your own conclusions.

We continued straight across the old railway line, to Benton Road, crossed the road and then turned right and then left to follow the continuation of "Linnet Way" toward Biddick Hall and Brockley Whins Metro Station. 

At this point, Kathleen and Dana have recognised where they are, and scenting that the finish line is in sight, they have put on a spurt leaving me puffing along behind, breathless old man that I am.

To be fair, this route is probably more quiet and pleasant, than the official route, I am sure Bede would have come this way if he had known about it.

As I said, I have fallen behind, but the walk leader takes her duties seriously and waits patiently / impatiently (delete as appropriate) for me at the point where the path turns to the right.

The route then passes through the houses, but always keeping parallel with the metro line.

Just after the point where the road begins to curve to the right, there is a blue cycle track sign, which leads to a bridge under the metro line, the path then turns right and continues until it comes alongside the River Don, at the point we would have been, had we followed the official route.

Here, stay on the right hand bank of the stream, and take the wooden duckboard walkway over the swampy part, the path then bears left rising slightly, and then down, still keeping left, until you come to a footbridge over the stream.

Cross the footbridge, and follow the tarmac path alongside the left bank of the stream.

I have fallen behind again on the incline, the walk leader waits patiently / impatiently (delete as appropriate) for me to catch up.

I think in this case the body language says it all, the camera never lies.

The tarmac track follows the stream, and then climbs steeply out of the dene, continue on along the gravel path between the metro line and the back of the houses, until you reach a set of steps down to a tarmac path alongside the main A19. Continue, north, to the footbridge, cross the bridge over the A19, turn left and walk south alongside the A19 on the tarmac path until just before the metro line. At this point, turn right following a track alongside the metro line which takes you first behind some houses, and then through the houses, to emerge at the Greyhound Pub (another likely stop if you need it).

Cross the road and head down the hill, taking the footpath on the left which follows the river Don, towards the Robin Hood pub (more toilets, probably necessary if you have availed yourself of all of the stopping points so far).

Cross the road, and again take the tarmac path, following the stream on your right.

A short distance along here is a convenient seat to have a short rest, a drink, apple whatever you fancy, and have with you.

Then you come to a pond, formed as part of the stream, where there are ducks, geese and today even a couple of swans.

There was, in the past, a "community farm" here with rabbits, goats etc to amuse children, but it appears to have met it's demise, all that remains is a sign saying "do not feed the animals grass cuttings", but there are no animals.

The path continues with the stream on your right, and you need to bear right at the junction with another path to your left, until you come to some houses on the left and then to a footbridge, cross the bridge and turn left.

Cross another footbridge and bear right, still following the stream until you emerge onto a road (generally called "cemetary bank", not sure if that is it's official name.

Cross the road, and follow the tarmac path with the cemetary on your right, the track eventually passes beneath the A19 road, just before the Tyne Tunnel, follow the path around until you are walking alongside the A19 (heading north) and just after passing under the railway bridge, turn right through a gap in the low wall, following a tarmac track parallel to the road to South Shields.

A new Tyne Tunnel has just recently been openned and here at the moment, major works are underway, as you can see from the photograph, to realign the approach roads for the new road tunnel under the River Tyne.

The disruption is short lived.

Soon we are walking alongside the River Don again, along a section which I always think is quite amazing.

It is within a few hundred yards of one of the most shabby parts of Jarrow (and that is saying something, since Jarrow is quite shabby), but if you just forget that, it really is quite pretty, here, in this particular corner.

In fact you can almost imagine St Bede and the other monks walking along here chanting their prayers on a nice sunny day like today, well that is assuming St Bede ever actually walked along here.

 Finally we reach St Pauls Church.

The magic of Cardiac Trainer and GPS tells us we have in fact walked 13.7 miles.

Now we have another 2 miles or there abouts to walk to Jarrow bus station.

Here we indulge in Kathleen's favourite passtime, and get the bus (free), back to home.

Dana, not yet being 60, must pay, one of only two people who did so as far as I can see!

Choosy Birds

The birds continue their feeding frenzy.

When it reached the stage they were eating £10 worth of Sunflower seeds and Nyger Seeds per week, I decided they would have to go on an economy drive.

I bought less expensive feed from my local supermarket (ASDA).

The birds are not keen on it however, it is lasting much longer simply because they are not feeding as much, fussy little blighters that they are.

You can see here, the dark coloured seed is Nyger Seed (expensive) and they are eating that, one chap is actually sitting on a branch waiting his turn. The light coloured seed is the less expensive stuff from ASDA, and they are ignoring it. 

They must be socialists, ie they are getting something for nothing and still they are not happy!

Warning for Cyclists

Amusing, but true!

Have a Laugh

This guy is funny!

There are four parts.

Fat Birds, an obesity problem?

The Goldfinch population of South Tyneside continue to dine at my expense.

They are incredible troughers, I have been feeding them Black Sunflower seeds and Nyger seeds, and they have been going through 250grams of seed, of each type, per day.

Now according to the British Garden Birds website they weigh about 15 grams each.

Typically we get a "flock" of about 12 birds, of whom a maximum of 8 are feeding at any one time (there are only four feeders, each with two perches). I assume it is the same 12 birds who come to feed each time, but since they do not wear visitors badges with their names on them I cannot be sure.

You can see one chap here, looking impatiently at the empty feeder, while perched at a feeder with some remaining seed, greedy little devil, doesn't he know there are birds starving in the world?

I do not want to appear mean, going on about the amount of seed they are eating at my expense, but if you do the maths, they are eating 500 grams of seed per day between 12 birds, that is 40 grams each (approximately), which is almost three times their own body weight, per day.

Kathleen is getting seriously concerned about their figures, she thinks she may have to develop an exercise and fitness programme to keep their weight under control, as well as restrict their intake, ie breakfast, lunch, and dinner with no snacking between meals.

At this rate, I can see our Goldfiches being candidates on the Biggest Loser!

As I sit watching them pig out, great excitement in the household, we have a woodpecker.

Kathleen even breaks off from drying and straightening her hair to come and look!

It is the first time either of us have seen a woodpecker in the wild!, that is, if you count our front garden as being "in the wild".

A quick check of the British Garden Birds website and I  think it was a Greater Spotted Woodpecker, but it may have been a lesser spotted woodpecker.

I was too slow in getting the camera ready to take a photograph, before it flew off, so we will have to wait and see if I can get a photograph if it comes back.

Got the the little blighters!

After saying yesterday that I could not get a photograph of the birds (Goldfinches) feeding, I managed to get this.

OK, it is not "Wild Life Photographer of the Year", but at least I got a shot.

I am actually pretty pleased with it, it is taken with a fairly ordinary digital camera (Pentax Optio E85 12.1 megapixels, but set at 5 megapixels so the images don't swamp my hard disk drive). I had no extra equipment, not even a tripod, and being a man I have not even read the instructions for the camera since I got it about 18 months ago.

I got so excited there, I posted it on the wrong blog!, I need to get out more.

The Birds

A few years ago, after watching an episode of Springwatch, with Bill Oddie and Kate Humble, I was motivated to buy some bird feeders for the garden.

We had them in the back garden, where we could watch the birds feed as we sipped our red wine.

But, the birds did not have any table manners, and spread the seeds from the feeders all over the place. Some of it even took root and we had a variety of plants of undefined type growing in the borders, where Kathleen had decreed that only flowers should be.

So it was no contest, the birds had fallen foul of her who must be obeyed, their feeders were consigned to the refuse bin.

Recently, while felling a tree in the front garden, a neighbour was telling me he had occasionally seen a flock of Goldfinches in that very tree.

This tugged at my heart strings somewhat. Not only had we created a bird starvation area in the back garden, but now I was making a flock of Goldfinches homeless. This combined with the fact that grandson Daniel likes to watch (well ok and to chase) the birds in the garden, when he visits us, similarly I am sure grandson Gabriel will be interested when he visits, clinched it. I decided I would acquire some new bird feeders.

Amazon duly obliged, and four hanging bird feeders arrived within  days.

After a warning from Kathleen, along the lines of "remember the mess we had last time with those things", I had a plan to outwit the birds messy feeding habits, I located the feeders in the lower branches of the large tree in our front garden, so they were over the lawn. Reasoning that any debris dropped would land on the lawn, where regular cutting would prevent it being a problem.

I was taking this very seriously!

I checked the RSPB website to first of all check that the brightly coloured birds I had evicted were in fact Goldfinches, having confirmed that, I went on to discover their favourite food. Nyger seed and Sunflower seed it would appear.

A quick visit to the local pet shop, and I had a bag of nyger seed and a bag of black sunflower seeds.

The feeders were filled, and put in place.

We waited patiently.

Nothing!

But after about a week, presumably when the birds had decided it was not a ruse to further disrupt their lives, they began to visit the feeders regularly.

Now we have an almost constant flock of Goldfinches feeding there, Kathleen is even worried we will soon have a bird obesity problem, and have to provide bird aerobics.

I have tried several times to get a good photograph of the feeding frenzy, to post here, but so far without success, I will keep trying.

The idle pointless things you do when you are retired, great!

Devices are getting smarter

You've heard of a smart phone, well here is a smart printer!

Cycling and Gardening, the opium of the retired

The weather has improved enough to do a bit of gardening.

Nothing too strenuous, a little bit of tidying up, plus cutting down a conifer, which had grown too tall, in the front garden. I now have a neat pile of logs for Geoff and his wood burning stove.

Having allowed my cycling activities to fall by the wayside, I have shaken off the lethargy after christmas and got myself back on track. Got to do something to work off the extra pounds.

On Tuesday there is usually a group cycle ride beginning from Marsden Grotto at 13:00 (I think).

The normal pattern is to drive to the meeting point, then use one of the groups bikes. But today I did not have use of the car because Kathleen had to drive Claire to hospital for a "quickie" one day operation.

Not to be beaten I cycled there, through Colliery Wood, to East Boldon, along Mill Lane to Cleadon, then to Whitburn and along the coast to Marsden. Not the shortest route, but the one with the least traffic, an important consideration when you are on a bicycle! But when I arrived there (having already cycled six miles), there was no sign of anyone else, have I got the time wrong?

It was a beautiful day, as you can see from the photograph. Bright and sunny, but with a stiff (and cold) breeze blowing from the North East.

We have a beautiful and mostly unspoiled coast here, but that wind ensures it will never be a tourist trap!

I even managed to get a small Container Ship in the shot as it made it's way from the Tyne. Not too many ships visiting the Tyne these days, nothing like it's heyday.

I continued along the coast to South Shields, then along the river to Tyne Dock, not very scenic on this stretch. Followed the disused railway line from Tyne Dock to Biddick Hall, then took the Linnet Way to Brockley Whins metro station and home.

Eighteen miles, not bad.
  

Wicked Coalition and the Council Cuts

You may or may not know it, but as from the end of January 2011, Local Authorities are required to publish details of all expenditure exceeding £500.

My Local Authority (South Tyneside), have a "funding gap" of £35million, so I thought I might help them out by looking through their expenditure to see if I could spot any savings.

Yesterday, it was raining, and I was bored, so I checked South Tyneside Council's website, to see if they had complied yet, and supplied a list.

No they had not, so I EMailed my local Councillor to ask how and when they intended to comply. She passed my EMail on the the Council's Legal Department, and I recieved a very nice reply from:

Andrew Wainwright

Corporate Risk and Resilience Manager
South Tyneside Council

Now I ask you what the hell is a "Corporate Risk and Resilience Manager"?

But wait, try a Google Search on "Corporate Risk and Resilience Manager", and you will find they are as common as muck, EVERYONE has one.

It appears, that among other things, they produce useful information , like this, how to walk when it is slippery.

Silly me, I thought my Local Authority were just there to empty the bins, clean the streets, maybe do a bit of Planning Control etc.

Madness

As our taxes go up and up how about Asylum seeker fun.

How gullible can we get?

Between June 2004 and May 2010, Muse, from Neasden, north-west London, claimed a total of £261,358.14 in income support, disability living allowance for one of her children and carer's allowance for herself.

This included child benefit, child tax credits and housing benefit from various local authorities.


One person can claim £261,000 in 7 years ie £30,000 per year, not bad "work" if you can get it.


Makes Bankers appear positively moral in my opinion.

The unity of the left: