The ramblings of an old Pensioner on "news" items, rants, observations of the world around me, my daily life or whatever else attracts my attention.
If I have not posted anything for a while, it may be because I am roaming about in a campervan see www.kenandkathleen.blogspot.com
Please comment if you feel inclined, at least then I know I am not talking to myself (again).
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!
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
