Last week I wrote a blog on Thursday but the Blooger software glitched and would not let me post it! Oh Well. So here's an update.

Dan and I did Shipton Bellinger Fete, and what a lovely sunny day it was too. We used the RRRR and four PA horns, and we operated as a PA and some music. Spoke to Peter Patrick (see pic) who had two scramble bikes on display, he rides them in pre-74 races, bit like classic car racing, only for bikes.

Today (Monday) I am in Paris at the Eurosatory show, with Barry. We flew out yesterday, set up the stand, and had a lousy dinner at the 4 star Pullman hotel we are staying at. Hearing stories now of train strikes, so might be stuck here for a while!

Will fly back Wednesday when Mark and Malcolm take over. Chute Fete Saturday (with trailer 2) and then Spain radio training next Wednesday. It's all go!

Well last night (Tuesday) Dan and I did B&Z, the kids disco that we do with the Really Red Radio Roadshow. It was okay. Just okay. Don't really like using I Tunes at a live disco. Well it's Baz the bosses turn next month anyway.

Today I have brought the bike in, very hard to start, but journey in okay. Sitting here at 5.20pm hoping it does not rain in the next few minutes! My new helmet has arrived, and it was much better, if a little tight.

This Saturday Dan and I are doing Shipton Bellinger fete, Sunday (fathers day) off to Paris for a huge exhibition with work, back late Wednesday. Will try and keep up with the Blog but who knows!

Yesterday (Sunday) we took it easy, it was so hot (for the UK!). Sorted garage and cleaned bike (soap and water and then Gunk on the engine), sorted tool cabinet (see pic). Checked spark plug on bike, which was well blackened with soot. Went out for a ride for 30 minutes. Stalled and it kicked back when I tried to start it, luckily no injuries!

Monday went to work on bike, still hot, specially in my winter thickness new bike jacket and gloves! Talked to Doug about servicing the bike, just check oil, sooty plug probably means too rich. Will need to look at getting the following to carry out a service:

• Oil filter
• Air filter
• Oil
• New plug?
• Points?
• Grease gun and grease

Oh yes, forgot to add insurance costs to last post's sums, approx. 57.00 pounds to insure 3rd party fire and theft. So now this bike has cost nearly 840.00 pounds. Still, nice ride in today!

Tomorrow (Tuesday) Dan and I are doing B&Z (Bluez and Zuzz) at Clarendon School, Tidworth, for the 11-15 year olds, with the Really Red Radio Roadshow. Should be fun, need to leave a bit early.

Saturday and the day starts with The Saturday Morning Show on Castledown Radio, although I must admit it was not one of my best. Too tired, what with everything going on.

Went out to Basingstoke to Motts Motorcycles to look at jackets, nice all black one for 80 quid, still prefer the Bourne Valley Bikes one. So went back to BVB! Bought the jacket, Tuzo (see pic above, jacket as per the one the bloke is wearing, no it is not me!), same as the gloves, and the wife bought me a red rolling tool box system that the guy was selling off cheap, result! Now the garage is looking like a real bike shop...

Time to talk cost's, so just how much has the bike cost so far:

• Cost of bike, with MOT for one year, and tax 'til September, £600.00


• Cost of Box Wired Helmet Nitro, Gunmetal, Medium, Ebay, £40.00


• Cost of Red Coyote Black Touring Motorcycle Leather Boots size 8, Ebay, £40.00


• Cost of Gloves, BVB, £20.00


• Cost of Jacket, BVB, £80.00


• Total to date: £780.00.

Well that's either a bargain way to save petrol or nearly eight hundred quid down the drain! Talking of petrol bought my first tank full on the way home last night, cost £11.00, don't know how many miles that was. Must try and find out.

Well it's Friday at last and I brought the bike in again, weather threatening to rain as I sit here looking out the window at 4.30pm, hope it holds off until I get home!

Bike stalled twice on the way in, I suspect it's out of fuel. Will have to top up for the first time on the way home.

Should be a quiet-ish weekend, no events etc, Monday's our 24th wedding anniversary, so will go out. Should have time to catch up a bit during the weekend.

Must go now. Have a good one.

Let me see now...by Tuesday night the Bullet's seat cover had arrived from India (five pound bargain on Ebay), so I spent an hour or so fitting it. You know what they say about getting what you pay for....well it looks a lot better than the torn seat, so it will do for now.

Wednesday the weather was better (monsoon rains yesterday), so took bike in, getting better at riding, I think. Enjoyed the trip in via Thruxton. Wednesday night went back to Bourne Valley Bikes (would you believe the only bike shop for miles, and it major's on scooters for the boy's and girl's). Tried on a couple of Tuzo jackets, sixty five and eighty pounds. Liked the eighty pound one, it's a bit longer in the body.

Thursday it's sunny again so brought the bike in, not bad but a bit chilly and windy!

A word about Castledown Radio, it is my local community radio, which has a license to transmit 5Kw's, a radius of a few miles. It officially covers the TCA (Tidworth Community Area), which is Tidworth, Ludgershall, Chutes, Collingbournes, Everleigh and Shipton Bellinger. About 22 thousand people, 75% of which are probably military. I currently present the Saturday Morning show from 8-10am. If by some amazing co-incidence you are in the transmitting area the frequency is 104.7FM, if not try http://www.castledownradio.info/. More about CR when I get time.

Next week is the final of the Apprentice (Series 4, I think). 4 finalists this year, Sir Alan could not make his mind up! Should be fun TV.

Well here we go. Please stick with me whilst I learn how to blog!

Last Sunday (1st June) I collected what is now my latest crazy hobby, a Royal Enfield Bullet 500 motorcycle, built in 1993 to a 1950's design under license in India. I first saw it a couple of weeks ago at work, one of my colleagues (Doug) brought it in, he was going to MOT it and sell it. So we slowly discussed it over the week, the MOT was passed with flying colours, and I made an offer, which was accepted!

Set off with the wife and trailer on Sunday to collect it, via another good friend, Graham, who has loaned me the leather jacket and helmet in the pic. Had a ride on the bike (first time I have been on a bike in probably 25 years), the trailer was too weak to take the weight so rode it home!

Got home in one piece, sat on it, popped out for a short ride, and put it to bed in the garage, where it will live with all the other hobbies/rubbish.

Monday 2nd was it's first journey to work, had trouble starting it, and it stalled half way in. Had more trouble starting it, realised that the lights/indicators were not working. Got to work. Graham and Doug helped out by charging the battery which got me home ok.

Took the battery out for more charging, cleaned the battery posts and replaced some grotty looking connectors.

Did NOT bring it to work today since it has decided to rain all day, and I am going to be a fair weather biker.

Plus points so far: the great noise it makes, the smooth bends, big grin on face.

Minus points so far: gearshift is difficult to master, lights failing, very hard to kick over. The rain!