We have bought the car!!

Well we have decided to buy the MG ZR! The pic's are not "our" car, but it is nearly the same, 3 door, same colour, even the same uprated wheels (the one pictured has front fog's, so I think it is a "+", our's is standard). It's being bought as Julie's car; let's hope it works out OK!!!!

It is being MOT'd and a new tyre fitted tomorrow, so we may well have it later in the week.

Will blog as we go along...but I won't forget the Enfield!

Well that was Christmas 2008!

Where to start, I guess in date order would be best...

24th came and went, I was at work until about 2.30pm, then we went to Tidworth last minute shopping. Julie went to see MP (a friend) and then we went to the pub (incl. Dan). Most unusual! Got to bed about 1am.

Christmas Day was great, it get's slower every day! Motorbike related stuff that I received included the crash bars, rear rack, "The Classic Motorcycle Diaries" by Paul Grace (read four chapters so far, very good), and "The Long Way Up", which is Paul's DVD of the Himalayan trip by Enfield. I also got both DVD and book of "By Any Means", Charlie Boorman's latest adventure. And my Aviator watch that I wanted from the wife.

Boxing Day I went to a classic car and bike gathering at Romsey, it was cold but great. Then we all went to Nan's for lunch. After lunch we walked out to see the MG ZR that we are thinking of buying, more about that later.

Saturday/Sunday passed in a blur, we had a look at the MG, discussed what to do with the Mondy, on Sunday we pushed it up the drive (Tash "drove", Dan and I shoved). Fitted the rear rack on Sunday. Did a bit of tidying etc.

Monday discussed what to do with Mondy, I had though of fixing it myself, when I read the manual and looked at the cost of part's and the fact that is still might not work I wavered. Rung the insurance company ref, the MG, not too bad (lump sum of 58 pounds for eight months plus installments as before (21.00). Went to MSC (garage), chap there reckons it would be worth a belt and tensioner for 150 quid to see how it run's, if it's rough change valves, at a 1000.00 pounds! So much for a cheap fix. So we rung Mark (owner of the MG) and had a test drive. It's not too bad, and Julie liked it.

Later I fitted the crash bars to the bike and went for a ride. As I got home the clock turned 37,000 miles. Then I moved Dan's X Box 360 to his bedroom, it's been on our TV in the lounge for 6 months. Now it's on his new 19" TV, and wired to the Internet. Now I am sitting here doing this blog, everybody else have gone to their rooms!


A developement as I blog! The guy with the car has just 'phoned and said he has someone who want's the car. I we want it we have to decide tonite and call him back!

Will blog soon with an update!

Well that was a bit of a weekend! Pt2.

So, we got to Essex about an hour and a half late, and set about eating and having our early Christmas. We had a great time with the extended family. On Sunday we went to St Andrews Church in Hornchurch, with Chris and his girl-friend Tracey. Monday I took mum to Stanstead first thing, for her 11.45 am flight to Dublin. Only she did not get home until gone 9pm, after boarding the 'plane they all had to get off again and wait for another 'plane, which took off about 4pm!

Anyway, we (me, Julie, Dan, Tash) went to Bluewater shopping on the way home, finally getting back about 4pm. After tea I sorted the PC (unloading ESET security software sorted them problem), watched telly and then tried to fit the crash bars on the bike. I need to move the indicators up to fit them, something that Hitchcock's forgot to mention!

So, what to do with the Mondy. Most "experts" here reckon for a car of it's age and mileage it should be scrapped. Other problems with it include:

* warped front disks
* dented rear doors (passenger quite badly) and bumper
* faulty central locking and passenger front window
* slipping clutch

Good bits include:

* it was running well and reliably (until the crunch!)
* new rear tyres fitted a couple of months ago
* taxed for a few months
* MOT'd until August time, and not too many advisories

Our choices include:

* scrap it now and try living with one car and the bike, at least for a little while
* try and DIY a fix (engine, Ebay, 150.00 quid?)
* buy a cheap car as a run around?
* buy a better car, would need a loan

Need to sit down and decide what to do with it. Problem is right now it is sitting right out the front of our house, immobile, and the only way to move it is to push it. No where to "hide" it in the Crescent, and, if I put it up the drive, what then?

Anyway, back to work....only the rest of today and Wednesday to go until Christmas, and lot's of wrapping etc. to finish off.....

Well that was a bit of a weekend! Pt1.

Better work in chronological order, I suppose:

Friday night we had work's Christmas party, partly organised by me. We had booked a cruise on the Thames, with Christmas dinner and disco. Unfortunately the "captain" explained that the prop had picked up a tarpaulin on the way back from it's last trip and the river was flowing too fast to get a diver to go in and release it.

Party was OK, ish. I thought the food was basic and the upper deck a bit scruffy. Other than that Mike (CEO) ran a great raffle and prize-giving and I got a present for my part in organising it.

Saturday AM did the radio and then set about loading the Mondeo for our Christmas trip to Essex. We had planned to wait for Tash and go about 5pm. She 'phoned at 4.45 so we went off and picked her up, then went up the A303 towards the M3. About 10 minutes in we started to loose power, and I could hear a lot of "tinkling" noise from the engine. Pulled off the A303 opposite a petrol station, managed to get to the top of the junction before car stalled. Would not start.

We pushed it across the junction and had a look at the engine, nothing obvious. Cranking it just made a chug chug chug noise. Called the RAC. They were very good, and Kevin turned up from Basingstoke in about 30 minutes. He tried the electrics and tried to start it with carb cleaner but it would not go. He then decided the cambelt tensioner had gone and crunched the valves into the piston's, hence the noise. 7-800 quid was his guestimate!



So he offered a tow to the garage or home, we chose home. He hooked me up with a flexible towbar thingy, took Tash and Julie in his van, and left Dan in the car with me. The two was horrid, I had to steer in his tracks and do little else than indicate. It made me feel sick! Got home and dumped the car out the front, swapped over to the Focus and went off to Essex, an hour and a half later.

Well I have now spent two nights worrying what to do with it, and I have brought the bike in to work today so Julie can have the Focus to go Christmas food shopping (hope the boot is big enough!). Not sure what to do with the Mondeo, looks like it's dead!

Will blog the rest of the weekend later.

Nearly Christmas....

Can you guess what I have bought from my mum for the bike??

Well it's the Friday before Christmas and the day of our work Christmas party, which is a BBQ cruise on the River Thames! Hope it works out OK, especially since we saw the company when we were in Windsor and suggested it! If it all goes wrong guess who's fault it will be....

Today I brought the bike in, took a while to get fully dressed in all the warm stuff, but was not too cold, just suffering from the visor and my glassed steaming up. Stalled it once on the approach to the Magic Roundabout, and nearly again at the mini roundabout at the bottom of our road. Out of practice I guess, when I go out on Sundays there is little if any traffic, so no need to stop!

Going to Essex to see Mum/Brother/Sister etc etc this weekend, back Monday. Taking mum to Stanstead monday morning, will no doubt end up in Lakeside Ikea later that day, it's Julie's new favourite place!

Anyway, will blog from time to time over Christmas, just to keep up to date....


Bye.....

Just a quick update...

Actually had time on Sunday to get the bike out, refit the centre stand (new stand from India, new springs from Hitchcocks), went for a ride and ended up on Thruxton circuit. Well, not actually ON the circuit, but inside the inner ring, looking at the pit's and airstrip. After a few minutes a car arrived so I thought I had better leave!

Had to clean the bike when I got back, it was filthy from the country lanes. Tucked it away on a bit of red carpet. Will have a go at timing it when I get the disk and TDC tool this weekend, as a Christmas present from my brother Chris.

Will be up in Essex Sat/Sun to see mum and family, not long now 'till proper Christmas!


Bye for now.....

Well you can't avoid it, can you!

Well it's Sunday 14th December and the Christmas lights are up on the house, and most of the shoppings done. The bike's going to get crash bars (hope a never need them!) and a rear luggage rack, plus I have bought a timing disk and TDC (top dead centre) tool to try and time it. The bike's not been anywhere for weeks, due to cold/slippy and for the last two day's very wet (flood's!) weather. Maybe today will be the day for a ride.

Been busy with a couple of community events, last Tuesday was Bluez N Zuz Christmas Party, and very good it was too, and Wednesday we went carol singing in Tidworth and Ludgershall. Take a look at the news on www.castledownradio.info for an update. And on Thursday I had the pleasure of two hours of teenage high jink's when I stayed with the 1st Helmsdeep Explorer Scouts, when none of the leaders could make it. Played table tennis for the first time in ages, which made me realise how unfit I now am! I used to say that running around after scouts kept me busy, and I think it was true!

Just renewed my brothers 1300E Owners Club site (it's a classic car club, if you don't know). Designed it earlier this year using Mr Site, and although it's not exactly exciting, it has worked out okay. We can both edit it (we are 100 miles apart), and it's been reliable in terms of hosting (with Daily.co.uk). Take a look if you are interested, www.1300eownersclub.org.

Today Julie and Tash are off to Basingstoke (hopefully that will finish the present shopping!) and maybe Dan and I will finish the Christmas lights, sort out the tree (bought yesterday for 28 quid!) and maybe even get the bike out for five minutes. Would be nice!

Dentist at 8.15 Monday morning, then work, sales meeting at 11am, not looking forward to it. Wales on Wedesday, in the office rest of the week.

Must go now, see you.....

NEC Bike Show Pic's

Just a few pic's from the NEC last Friday, top to bottom:

* Me on the Triumph Scrambler (for more details see earlier post)
* Me having a go on the BMW F650GS, probably just before I fell off!
* Dan on a Pari-Dakar KTM
* Dan on the KTM stand on some sort of KTM! (our favourite bikes, I think!)
* Me on the Royal Enfield stand with a new unit construction 500 Bullet Classic

We had a great day out, thanks to Charles for driving and Doug for coming with us.

Bye....

NEC Bike Ride

Had a great day at the NEC last Friday, actually rode one of these BMW's, just indoors in first gear! Going out now, will do more on the NEC later.

Jack Lilley special Triumph Scrambler

Motorcycle News have an article on-line about the lovely Triumph Scrambler pictured above, it's based on a standard 2009 Scrambler with satin black wheels and other painted bit's, high level exhaust and uprated shocks. And it's available to buy from
www.jacklilley.com. For the full article go to www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2008/December/1-7/dec0408-Jack-Lilley-special-Triumph-Scrambler.

I wonder how hard it would be to make a RE Bullet version, I suppose it's a cross between the military green RE and the trail bike version. I bet with lot's of time and bit's (try www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com)you could make one.

Off to the NEC tomorrow, looking forward to a great day out. Of course I must see the new Enfields and visit the Triumph stand, plus all the other stuff! Will blog it when I get time.

Bye......

Been away again....

Been away to France overnight, and just so you don't get the idea that it is all 5 star, take a look at the pic, which is the view out of my hotel window! The other pic is the famous bronze statue at St Pancras.

Decided to use Eurostar, because of the timing of the meeting, and had to travel Monday. Left home at 11am for the 10 minute drive to Andover, caught the 11.37 to Waterloo, then two tube trains across London to Kings Cross/St Pancras. Arrived a bit early so had a look around. Checked in at 2.45 for the 3pm Eurostar. Once it was going the Eurostar got to the Channel Tunnel in about 30 minutes, then waited 20 minutes for a "comfort break (smoking break!)when we got to France. Got to Gare de Nord at 7.10pm, French time. Used the Metro to find the hotel, arrived at 8.10. Just over 8 hours!

Hotel was basic, went out for a meal, slept OK, mtg next morning, then travelled back as follows: French overground (RER) 4pm train to Gare de Nord (nearly got crushed when loads of people squeezed onto the train!). 6.45pm Eurostar to St Pancras, 2 tubes, just caught 9.20pm Waterloo to Andover train, home by just before 11pm. About 6 hours.

Would I use Eurostar again...not likely! Ive had enough of trains for a while.

Other than that all's well, no biking due to the weather, last Saturdays Day In Radio was great fun (Hi Simon if you are reading this!). This Friday going to the Bike Show at NEC.

Bye....

Eddie Pinchbeck on his remaining Royal Enfield 1965 motorbike after his Norton Commando 1971 was stolen.

Hi Blog, sorry I've been away so long!!! Went to Istanbul, very interesting, been back to Warton on business, having a day off today to do something with Dan (not sure what yet and he is still in bed!).

Next Friday we are booked to go to the Motorcycle Show at the NEC with Charles from work, should be good fun.

The following report is from the local paper, the Andover Advertiser, if anyone has any news on the stolen bike, leave a comment.

Ram raiders steal rare Norton bike
3:40pm Thursday 27th November 2008

A RARE motorcycle worth up to £7,000 has been stolen in a ram raid on Pinchbeck and Sons garage in Abbotts Ann.

The 1971 black Norton Commando with gold piping is the pride and joy of garage owner Eddie Pinchbeck who has offered a £3,000 reward for information leading to the arrests of the thieves.

He said: “I feel bad. I was brought up that if something’s happened it’s happened, but I would not like to tell you what I would do if I found them.”

Mr Pinchbeck, who has owned his main garage in Middle Wallop for 45 years and raced motorcycle and sidecar for 20 years, said he bought the machine in bits from Norton Villiers about seven years ago and restored it. The Norton Commando make has a very special place in his heart because he ended up racing them. His speciality was speedway, but he also ice-raced in Canada.

It was the only vintage machine at his second-hand car showroom in Abbotts Ann but it was a determined raid.

Not only did the intruders ram-raid the offices to get in, they had to lift the 392lbs machine into the back of the van because the wheels were chained and locked.

Police say that a man who keeps an eye on the site and lives in a mobile home next door woke as the van crashed into the premises at 1.20am on 20 November.

He saw two men get into the white Transit and speed off towards Salisbury.

All things to do with sales and business on tv...

I've not mentioned this before on my blog's, but I will now....I have a fascination for any TV programme to do with sales/business/entrepreneurs etc etc. For example The Apprentice on BBC is a must when it's on(the first series was the best to learn from), the US version of The Apprentice, BBC's Dragon's Den, Peter Jones's attempt at the Apprentice (Tycoon, not that great), the recent Natural Born Sellers (moved to a late slot by ITV and therefore killed, a good, down to earth series, with a travesty of a winner), and now, The Last Millionaire on BBC3. Sounds like a lot of TV but when mixed with the hours of X this and Get Me Out of that a minimum amount of time really.

I guess I like to try and learn from all the show's how to sell, and I've read quite a few books over the years on sales techniques from all sorts of people (avoid Richard Branson's book Screw It, Let's Do It). And that's what I have been trying to do more of over the last few weeks (sell, not read books), hence the lack of blog's.

Bike's also been parked up, although not for the whole winter, I hope. No time this weekend for a ride, and I am off to Istanbul (for the first time) Wednesday, so unlikely to use it this week. Julie, Tash and Margaret Snr are off on a last minute holiday to the sun on Sunday, leaving me and Dan to fend for ourselves. Should be fun!

Hi Blog...no that's not a picture of me, I would not ride without all the protective clothing on!

Can't believe that I have not done anything for over a week! Back end of last week I went to Birmingham/Cambridge for work, managed to get into Hitchcocks (Enfield parts) and buy a rear carrier and crash bars for the Bullet, as Christmas presents to me! It was a very interesting place, a right mecca for Enfield fans, in fact I met two of the local RE owners club members in there, completely by co-incidence!

Weekend was busy but quiet, if you see what I mean. Went to Tidworth for Remembrance Sunday with the Scouts, did some radio work as well. Pretty foul weather, went for a very muddy walk Saturday, and Sunday afternoon Dan and I walked to the Media centre. It rained so hard Julie came and picked us up!
Finally got round to taking pic's of both the bike and the car, note they both end in CFS, both from Scotland, another co-incidence.

Baz will be doing Bluez and Zuzz tonite, our turn in December. Other things going on at home included big upset between Tash and her (now ex) boyfriend, and Dan has a bursary from the Army, if we can complete the paperwork!

Lovely sunny day today, after yesterdays monsoon rain, so brought the bike in. Doug's trying to fix and flog the Moto Guzzi (don't think he likes it), and has bought a Triumph 750 of some sort. I quite like the Triumph Tiger (newish type, see pic from Ebay). Sort of poor man's BMW, maybe one day....

Pretty average weekend....except for the F1!

..with some incredibly wet and wild weather on the Saturday (we went to Basingstoke, mostly indoor shopping), and a grey Sunday.

Saturday morning after the radio show I washed both cars (quickly!), then had to go back up to the media centre to fix the logging. Then we went shopping.

Sunday was slow, grey weather, took the bike of for a short spin but it was cold and rainy. Pig to start (at least 12 kicks), when we were climbing the hill out of Tidworth it was pinking, so timing is out. Must attend to that soon.

Sunday afternoon watched the Brazil F1 final leg, Hamilton came fifth by a whisker, good enough to be world champ by one point. Pretty boring race except for that last 30 seconds when Hamilton had lost the world championship until Glock slowed and Hamilton passed him for 5th with 18 seconds to go to the chequered flag! Weird.

Found this Enfield report on the web, quite interesting what they have to say about reliability. Mine hardly travels anywhere except work and back, hopefully will get some pleasure out of it next summer, but it sounds like I ought to knuckle down and get some work done over the winter.



1995 Enfield Bullet 500

"Life with a classic bike isn't always straightforward. Steve Hickling has more than his fair share of problems with his Bullet (and it's not even very old)...

When he passed his bike test in 2002, Steve Hickling decided that he'd like a traditional motorcycle, one which 'looks like a bike should, with a kick-start and right foot gearchange.' So he bought a 1995 Indian-built Bullet which, if we're being honest about it, doesn't come from a period when the factory's build standard was particularly high. Bullets from this era are infamous for needing considerable owner input. And Steve knew next to nothing about bike mechanics. But the Bullet appeared to be unmodified and in 'very good' condition. And it cost less than a grand!

The first issue was minor but tracking down perished carb rubbers 'caused this biking virgin a few problems'. The Amal concentric was 'too complicated and temperamental.' However, a clogged carb was the least of Steve's trouble - his learning curve suddenly steepened when the piston disintegrated while travelling down the A11. 'I started doing the work myself but quickly realised it was beyond me. So the engine was rebuilt by Dave Wicks in Norfolk.' Good thinking, that man!"

For the rest of the story go to http://www.realclassic.co.uk/bullet08020100.html

Last day of the month....

It's just after 5pm and as usual it is pitch black out the window at work...I hate this time of year, I guess it's that winter depression thingy...don't want to say too much in public but life feels a right struggle at the moment, and I feel quite depressed.

Boss at work Barry has just invited me to my annual appraisal next Friday 7th, so I need to be out of my pre-winter funk by then. maybe a good weekend (although there is nothing planned) will sort me out. But then maybe not.

Been using the car last couple of days, too cold for the bike, might get to take it for a spin at the weekend. Would really like to go on a long(ish) trip and go camping, but not at this time of year. Next May (2009) Tiny Tim is planning to attend a French RE meeting (in Belgium!), would be a challenge, not sure Julie would go all that way on the back, though!

Must make some plans for next year soon, big year for us, not sure it will be a big year financially! Make myself a promise, CHEER UP!

All about Castledown Radio.....104.7FM

Pretty quiet here so I thought I would update you all with some info on Castledown Radio, which is a community radio station based in Castledown School, which is half way between Ludgershall and Tidworth, in Wiltshire.

We cover the area called "Tidworth Community Area", TCA for short. This was "invented" when it was realised that the local area lacked the community spirit, not helped by the fact that a large number of Tidworth residents are military, and tend not to stay too long!

Castledown Radio is run by the Station Manger, Baz Reilly (on the left, interviewing local resident John McConnell), Rick Young does the weekday morning show and lot's of other things, Xina Hart works mostly behind the scenes with "Pulse", a bi-monthly local newsletter, she also goes out and interviews people and helps run the local skatepark project. Mike Winterbourne does a lot of the admin and works hard with meetings etc, and it is all overseen by Steve Lawton, the big boss of Tidworth Development Trust (TDT).

There are a handful of volunteers that do live and pre-recorded shows, plus interviewing, editing, events etc etc. One regular event is the Bluez and Zuz, every second Tuesday of the month, held at a school in Tidworth for the kid's. It's great fun, most of the time!

I present the Saturday Morning Show for two hour's each Saturday morning, with a mix of music, local events, things to do etc. etc. I also manage the Voice of Shipton Bellinger, well I go see her every month and record the local events in her area and edit the audio before we use it on the radio.

The "station" is in a portacabin, installed by the army, we have two studios, Red (normally live) and Blue, an office, and a computer suite. As well as the radio and Pulse, we do training, events with the Really Red Radio Roadshow, and many other community based things. All "not for personal profit", mostly as volunteers. We do take adverts and sponsorship, in fact we need funding right now, if you want to offer anything!

If you happen to be within the 5 km radius of us we are on 104.7FM, or you can listen live anywhere in the world courtesy of the www, at http://www.castledownradio.info/. Give us a listen sometime, you can email us from the website with your comments (nice ones only please) and with your requests.

Lovely mornings we are having....

Brought the bike in this morning, despite the frost, and the wrong type of leaves on the road. The bike ran well, after a good few kicks to start. It was pitch black last night when I went home, at 5.30pm, but the roads were dry.

Looked at the VMCC website, was thinking of going out with the local group (Stonehenge), but you have to join (28.00 pounds) before you can go on their runs. Might suggest that the local RE group do something, if I go next Tuesday. http://www.vmcc.net/

Been updating brother Chris's 1300E Owners Club site, it's written using Mr Site, the idea was we can both update it (he lives 100 miles away in Essex), and it's worked out OK. Pretty soon we will have to pay a monthly bill to keep it going, but it's not too expensive. Last night we talked about the updates, and, in general, he thinks it's been good for the club, with some new members joining because of the website. Take a look at http://www.1300eownersclub.org/, it's a small site but we hope interesting to those with a love of the 1300E (which is a Mk1 Ford Escort, for those that don't know).

Nice and sunny at the moment, although cold, max 8 degrees C, maybe rain later, 2 degrees C tonite. Might have to take a wheel off the bike to stop me using it!

UPDATE: Yes it rained really REALLY hard, about 4.45pm, and it's pitch black. Looking forward to going home and getting wet!

Bye for now....

I'm back....after a week away....

Been away for a week in Dubai at a trade show, sounds great but basically all I saw was airport-hotel-exhibition-hotel-airport. Anyway, came back Friday and spent the weekend recovering.

Sunday finally got round to looking at the bike, and decided to change the oil. Found all the drain plugs, and removed the filter, made a right mess (my draining tray sprung a leak!), but it worked out OK in the end. Put in 1.5 ltrs of 20w/50, cheap stuff, will change it again in a few miles. Also put in a new filter.

Since it had been standing for a week I had trickle charged the battery, and it showed full charge. I took the plug out and cleaned it, and checked for a spark, which was small but OK, I guess. Checked fuel to carb, OK. Tried to start and it took a while. Took the plug out again and could not smell any fuel. Kept trying and eventually it started.

So I took a quick ride around the block, and put it away for the night. Brought it in this morning, although it was cold. Started after half a dozen kicks, not too bad, could be better, ran well all the way in. Would like to find out why it is a poor starter....

Yesterday I found a couple of links to people that had made trips on Bullets, worth reading if you have time:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/gregfrazier/news/2001-03-20.shtml

http://the-enfield-strikes-back.blogspot.com/

Half term this week, so Dan's at home, nothing to do. Julies trying to rest, Tash is looking forward to her holidays!

That's all for now...

Interesting and busy weekend and week so far...

Been a busy but interesting weekend and week so far, so here's a quick catchup. Saturday went to Essex to see my brother Chris and sister Helen, visited Ikea at Lakeside on the way, got a little hungry so had KFC. Sunday we went to Canvey Island to the Castle Point vehicle show, Chris was showing his 1300E Mk1 Escort, and there were loads of buses and other vehicles to see as well. The RE Bullet was in the bike's section, it seemed to be a bit of a "bitsa", with lots of added extras. The T reg suffix makes it a 1999, but it had bits that looked old and bits that looked newer. Anyway, it was very interesting, no owner to talk to, and then it disappeared.

Pic show brother Chris with his new Sony alpha 200 DSLR


We walked around looking at all the classic cars etc. took an open top bus to the seafront (actually the mouth of the River Thames), sat on the beach, and had a great day.

It took us a while to get home, the M25 was terrible, jams in two places, but there is little you can do except sit in it and wait it out.

Monday we found out what was wrong with Wife Julies leg's, she has stress fractures, and has been signed off sick for a month. By the end of the evening she had resigned from her job as well, so that's a change of circumstances for us all. Hopefully complete rest for a month will sort out the leg problem, further doctors appointment later this week.

Tuesday night we (Dan and I) did the B & Z kids disco, at a school in Tidworth. It was Halloween fancy dress night, we had a big crowd of 80 plus kids, and Dan did an excellent job of playing music, with the help of Olly and Issac. By the end of the night we had interviews and photographs and happy punters, so a great outcome all round. We packed and then emptied the RRRR (Really Red Radio Roadshow) trailer back at base, so that the aerial can be fitted on Wednesday.

That's it really, off to Dubai with work this coming Friday to next Friday, so, depending on Internet access and time, blogging may well have to wait!

Interesting trip to work this morning...and Doug's "new" bike..

Had a really weird trip in this morning on the 'bike, it was misty/fog, and the visor steamed up and was covered both inside and out with wet, then my glasses went the same way! So I stopped and took my glasses off so I could see, of course the bike stopped as well. Then it would not start. Went eventually and got here in one piece. Been a reasonably sunny day since.

Doug at work has bought the Moto Guzzi as a "winter" bike, it's a V Twin 500cc V50 Mk2. Or at least that's what I think it is! Bit of a beast, electric start only, two carbs, three disk brakes, quite a complex looking set of dials and indicators to look at. Broke on the way here (charging problems), he's gone off to MOT it now. Best of luck to him!

Out tonite (works Chinese in Ludgershall), car tomorrow.

Twice in one day!....new Bullet Classic launched in Germany...

....but I just could not resist sharing these pics and the new Bullet Classic website with you!

http://www.bulletclassic.com/ Not only is the bike good looking but the website is pretty sophisticated but fast as well.

I had missed all the excitement of this launch until I looked at David Blasco's blog http://www.royalenfields.com/

Unveiled yesterday (7th October) in Cologne, the new bike looks just terrific, I just can't wait to see on in the flesh, as they say.

From David's site:

"According to Sunday's press release, Enfield's newest model celebrates the early Bullets."The new 'Bullet 500 Classic' harks back to the 'G2' Bullet of the early 1950s, retaining the quintessential classic British style that is inextricably linked to the Royal Enfield name. The new 'Bullet 500 Classic' is powered by the new 500cc 'Unit Construction Engine' (UCE) and is homologated for Euro III norms."This new model is expected to be in the Europe Distributors showrooms by January 2009," the press release concludes."

Wessex REOC mtg....and riding in the dark!

Well the bike's battery took enough charge to take me (in the dark!) to last nights REOC meet, it was an interesting ride, my first time in the pitch black, at least the day's rain had stopped, and the road was a little drier. Riding in the dark reminded me of Dan's video games, like riding in a tunnel. Dipped headlight on the bike is good, main even better, if you can put up with the bright red indicator light that you get on main beam. The speedo is lit by two tiny chink's of light from the two lights either side of the headlight, but you cannot really see it.

By the way, the bike's battery was charged by a £4.99 charger from Lidl's, it's a trickle charger that you can use all the time, so I put it on again today, to try and top up the battery. Yesterday it did not quite go to a full charge, but it may not get there, due to the age of the battery. We will see.

Picture shows the bike with our "fleet" of cars, the Mondeo is officially Julies car, and we use it for longer journeys, the Focus is officially mine, although we often swop around. The Mondy drives a bit like a boat, you sit in it rather than on it, and it is great on motorways and long journeys. The Focus is the opposite, you sit on the seats, rather than in them, it feels lighter to drive and actually does quite well on long run's as well. Engine wise they are both exactly the same 1.8 litre Zetec engine, and both have over 100K miles. Daughter has a 1.3 litre Luxury KA, another Ford.

Tomorrow (Thursday) is the staff meeting at work, we record it visually and audible for internal consumption, and tomorrow night we are going to the Ludgershall chinese for a Sports and Social dinner.

I could go on but lot's to do so bye!!!