End of the week....

Well it's got to the end of the week already, and what a busy one as well! Went up north to a place near Liverpool with work on Tuesday night for meetings Wednesday, which went well. Thursday saw Helen B for Voice of Shipton Bellinger, and this Saturday it is "A Day In Radio", when Baz and I teach a group how to do interviews and make a radio show in a day.

Julies not well, a cold, and Tash is still planning her holiday, but not getting anywhere! Weathers looking good, brought the bike in earlier in the week but no chance since then. Slightly misty mornings which should burn off into nice day's. Or at least that's what they say!

Other than thay just plain busy at work.....better get on with it!

Pretty good weekend weather wise...

Well that was a nice weekend, sun shone and it was reported at 17 degrees, pretty good for late September! On Friday I think they said it was officially the end of the wettest, dullest summer ever.

Saturday we pottered around the garden, I tried to changed the sensor on the Focus but could not get it out! It is in the worst place possible for access, even with the car up on ramps. Saturday evening as the sun set I did a circuit on the 'bike, out round to Thruxton and back through Appleshaw. Apart from the tractors everywhere it ran OK, once started. Brought it in today and again it ran OK. Bit chilly though!

Sunday we went to Avon Beach at Mudeford, our favourite spot. Slow journey down and a pain parking (had to use a telephone service since we had no change), lovely and sunny, got burnt what with the wind and the sun. Had KFC and got home in time to see Charley Boorman, Ireland to Sydney by any means. This week he road a Royal Enfield Bullet in India, and it poured oil through the air filter! It's a good series (BBC2, 8pm, UK time), worth a look, although it is a bit of a dash through all the countries.

Lot's to do at work and home, planning next trip(s) for work and there is the IBC follow up (and tidy up!) to do. Next Saturday Baz and I are running a Day In Radio course, and I have some stuff to do for that as well. Probably out three night tonite, trip to Warton, and see Voice of Shipton Bellinger on Thursday.

Better go, work to do....

Well I'm back (again!)

Well we are all back from our trip to Amsterdam for IBC2008, which is an International broadcasters trade show. We took a van and did some 770 miles, mainly in the two day trips there and back across Europe. Channel Tunnel caught fire whilst we were away, but we were able to use it on a limited dervice to get back. Show was much better than last year, we had a magician on the stand which helped, and bacon sandwiches! Picture is of my colleague Simon with the comapny logo that was mounted on the stand.

Got back last night at 7.30pm, so haven't done much else except unpack and sleep, back in today with van to take back lights to Salisbury and return van to Andover Self Drive. Nice sunny day, if tomorrow is the same may take bike out.

More later when I have time!!!

Sunday busy Sunday....

Catching up a bit: Friday the battery had charged, even though the ammeter on the charger did not work! Stuck the battery back on and eventually it started, with quite a bit of smoke. Went out round the block in the dark and the rain. Ran OK, with a little bit of hesitation.

Saturday it rained a lot, Julie and I went into town and I "restored" Tashies rabbit hutch, with wood from the last crate at work. It came out okay.

Sunday was dry and I lifted a load of potatoes for Julie, then went out on the bike. On the way to Thruxton I was followed by another bike, which I waved by when I couldn't get any gears after a turn. Went through Appleshaw and up to Chute, where the bike stalled as I came to a halt. It started again OK. Took today's pic and came home, tucked the bike away whilst I go away.

Off to Amsterdam tomorrow by van, will take until tea-time. One night in Utrecht and then the RAI centre, to build up for IBC. If I get time (and internet access) I might be able to blog whilst I am away.

Great weather (if you are a duck)!

Here in the UK the weather people are predicting "two weeks worth of rain in 24 hours". Great! We are loading the van today, so bound to get wet!

Last night I checked the bike over, checked the valves go up and down, took carb off, checked and re-gapped points, would not start. Then I realised I had no lights, and therefore a flat battery. Put it on charge overnight, will try tonite and see if it starts.

Oh well off into the rain I suppose!

Preparation for IBC 2008...

Busy at work preparing for IBC, which is a major trade show in Amsterdam. Myself and a colleague drive out next Monday, then we have Tuesday-Thursday to build up and prepare the stand. Show opens Friday until Tuesday, then it's pack and drive back Wednesday. IBC is at the Rai Centre, Amsterdam.

So not likely to do much blogging over the next two weeks, unless I get bored at night, which is highly unlikely! If I get a chance over the weekend I will look at the sick bike, other than that it's going to be taking it easy (I wish!)....

REOC Wessex meet and WD/RE pictures..

Last night we attended the monthly meeting of the Wessex branch of the REOC. Although it was dull, looked like rain, and was windy, we (Julie and I) got the bike out, but it ran real rough(popping and banging and missfiring with a loud bang and flames out of the exhaust). So we went by car, which was lucky really, because a) it pelted down with rain and b) it was dark and I haven't been out in the dark on it yet! So I need to sort out what's wrong with it, soon!

The pub was very nice, and, when the REOC members had been out for a run (one of the members, John, had his recently restored RE Interceptor at the meeting for the first time), we followed them outside for a look at the bikes, which were 50% RE and 50% others (an Ariel, a nice 650 Kawasaki (classic Japanese), a Honda and a BMW). Met the members and listened in on the meeting, which was brief! Will probably go on my own next time.

The pics show a WD/RE at the museum we visited recently (see last Blog), if you click on the one with the date on you can read the text.

Last weekend......

....was a busy one, the last of the so called "Summer Holidays". Saturday was warm and sunny after a foggy start, I was booked to help with a PA for the Ludgershall Flower Show, and I did some interviews and pictures for the radio, and Julie and her mum went out. Sunday we had hoped to go out if it was sunny, but it wasn't. I decided to go to the "History on Wheels" Motor Museum, up near Windsor

We drove up the M4 in mist that turned into rain, a journey of about 70 miles. The museum was interesting, with one large(ish) barn with military vehicles, and two other galleries of stuff. I took a few pictures, and found some military RE's. http://www.historyonwheels.co.uk/. Well worth 2/3 hours if you are in the area and interested in military vehicles, many of which have been used in films and on TV.

Above pictures show a Norton Despatch Riders bike, with full kit. I will publish the RE pic's when I can.

This is a 1943 Cushman Scooter, used by the US army to get around airstrips etc. Fascinating!

Yesterday (Monday) Dan started at college, tonite is the local REOC meet, but it's turned very rainy, so might not go. Busy at work with equipment for IBC, so blogging is going to have to take a back seat for a while!