New Super Tenere....

This is the lovely new Super Tenere XT1200Z, First Edition, launched earlier this week by Yamaha. I still havn't seen any prices, not that I could ever afford one! My poor bike is stripped again in the garage, it blew it's main fuse on Sunday, when I was trying to go to Thruxton, to see the Thruxton Academy training guy's. Had to push it back, lucky it was only a couple of hundred yards.

General theory is the regulator has gone poof, does this a lot, so the forum members say. 50.00 quid for a new one, an Electrex RR98, which is much better.

Going back a bit, last week we attended BVE, a broadcast show in Earls Court, London. Andy and I drove the kit up on Monday and built the stand, then I did Tuesday with Ian and came back. Wednesday Barry and Ian did it, then I did it with Barry, Andy, Malcolm and Daniel on Thursday, before we broke it all down and sat in traffic on the way back.

Friday the kit was re-packed for shipment to Dubai, where we go next, for CABSAT.

Then I took Monday and Tuesday off, spent a bit of time working on fitting our new inner front door, which I have been painting on and off all week. Did two training sessions with Simon Davis this week in the evenings, and recorded the VOSB last night.

Wednesday Dan had another go at his timed run for Army entry, and another interview. passed everything except the run!

Hope to put the door up Saturday, afer radio show and seeing Roy about the Ludgershall in bloom competition. Exciting life, huh! Julie is off to a craft show in Newbury, and Dan is away at a mates, so I will be all on my lonesome.....

So Sunday Barry and I fly off to Dubai for a week in a hot, smelly exhibition centre, we are staying on the show site, so not much chance of going anywhere. Oh well. Will be back Friday 5th, in time to finish off Tashies brakes with new brake drums, if I can shift the bearings.....

Will try and blog next week if I can.

Bike is a pretty little BSA Bantam, stuck at 350.00 quid with no bids. Funnily enough it's in Shoeburyness, Essex. Nice, isn't it....

Julies Birthday Weekend........

Just had Julie's birthday weekend, which really started last Thursday when my mum arrived, 1st surprise! Friday Julie, her sister, her mum and my mum went out to a craft place, Saturday my brother and his girlfriend came over from Essex, and we all went to the Amesbury Archer for dinner.

Sunday I had invited friends and neighbours over during the afternoon, and most of them made it. Also my sister came over from Essex, and her boyfriend and Tom, her son. We had food, mainly from Tesco's, and a great time was had by all.

Monday I had to go up to London for a trade show (BVE 2010), which opened on Tuesday. Came home late Tuesday, day in the office today, and back up there Thursday to finish the show off and bring all the kit back. Friday have to re-pack it for CABSAT by 2pm!

Will be exhausted by the weekend, we are invited to Kate and Graham's for tea on Saturday, which should be fun!




The bike is a BSA Bantam D3 Major, somewhat in need of restoration!

Stunning Bike Riding in Snow video........

Winter in Finland - Way to Home from -W- on Vimeo.

Well worth a watch, and turn the sound on, too!

Fairly quiet weekend....

Bit of a quiet weekend, really, Saturday Julie and I tidied up the borders in the garden and in the afternoon we went to Andover on the motorbike! Julie was very brave, she does have trouble getting on and off! I've forgotten what I did Sunday morning, Sunday afternoon I went out on the S10 and got it muddy up over Salisbury Plain, having a bit of off-road practice in case our road run's in Wales with the forum get a bit rough.

Been reading the "Road to Gobblers Knob", by Geoff Hill, which is the story of his ride on the Pan-American highway. So far it's been amusing but not great, got to the bit this morning where he fell off at 60 mph when he entered a bend to fast. He managed to wreck the front of the bike (a Triumph Tiger) and loose a heck of a lot of skin from various places, but luckily he was wearing a helmet and jacket. The books not as good as the Ted Simon one's that I read last year/this year, but I will finish it.

Building up to both BVE and CABSAT shows at work, so lot's to do. Day trip to London on Tuesday, prospecting.

This picture is a lovely Triumph Tiger trail bike that's on Ebay, up around 500 quid already. It looks a super bike, although not road legal. Just what I want for a bit of gentle green-lane-riding. My S10 is far too big! maybe one day I will get something like it....




Anyway, must get back to work, more soon.....

MOT passed, thank god!

Well I took the S10 in today, and got the MOT re-test on the way in. And it snowed! Now it's horrid and wet and raining. Oh well....

Good day at work, so far anyway. The big order came in, total 99,955.17. Pretty good, huh. Had a staff meeting where it was announced by the boss.

More radio training tonite, to be honest I am blowing cold on it at the moment, probably just a bit low. Oh well....

Julie's arm/shoulder is worse, really painful. Went to the pub last night, had two beers, it was very weird.

Anyway, onwards and upwards.....

Happy Birthday to me...

Well it was my birthday today, 51st, I started this blog when I was leading up to my 50th, doesn't time fly when you are enjoying yourself! Pretty low-key day (on purpose), so I thought I would list what I got for my birthday:

* I-Pod dock/spkr (see picture), gives excellent sound for a little tube thingy, picture shows it with a I-Pod phone, I am using it (right now) with my I-Pod Nano that the wife bought me for Christmas. Bought by Julie and Tash.

* James May's Toy Story book, based on the TV series but with heaps more information, excellent! Bought by Julie.

* Ministry of Sound Electronic 80's Anthems CD, bought by Tash, and playing now on my I-Pod.

* The Road to Gobblers Knob, motorbike journey book, bought by me, from Dan.

* Yamaha Super Tenere Hi Viz jacket, bought by me, from Dan.

* Money from both mum and nan, already bought some new trainers, the others had just gone through the bottom's. Went into town this morning and bought them while Julie was in the hospital.

* Cards from everyone including Chris and Helen.

Dan's been out all day, Tashie is at the vets with the rabbit, so decided to stay in tonite. Julies got tea on, smells lovely (minted chop's!). Back to work in the morning, might take the bike in for MOT re-test if the weather is kind.

Will let you know how I get on....