So what have you done today..?

Finally back from the bike show after the train journey from hell. A few thoughts: the Chinese bikes really appear to be upping their game in terms of equipment spec, but at the same time there does seem to be some degree of spoiling the ship for a ha’porth of tar about them; I can’t understand how some of the bigger manufacturers think it is acceptable to sell a 10k bike without adjustable levers; the price of bikes is getting very silly; if anyone fancies an HJC F71 carbon helmet you can get one almost half price; and if you want to avoid being fleeced by the food outlets there is a Londis outside where a filled naan, samosa and a drink was under £7.

 

I have an appointment with my GP on 5th December that the DVLA insisted that I make for a reason that nobody knows.

The GP has to request the eye hospital appointment because Specsavers can't, so I will see if he can do Bristol rather than Cheltenham, although I don't know if they can as Bristol is not my health authority anymore.

By then, I will most probably be banned by the DVLA, anyway.

I am really unsure what to do. Day to day life is fine and I am doing this on a small tablet lying in bed and although my compensation money is not easily accessible, I could easily get some if needed. I think that the difference between now and last time is that before it was all about getting my driving licence back after the 2019 accident where I felt that the DVLA were being unfair to me. The Specsavers DVLA eye test would be failed by at least half of everyone if they were made to take it - maybe not people under 30, but certainly over fifties. Then I didn't have the compensation and never knew for sure if I would ever get it. Now, that part of my life is done and I have moved on, although the DVLA haven't. I won't be buying any new car or bike for the foreseeable, but I am fine with what I have

At the end of the day, I am quite fortunate. I was able to buy out a cousin in Florida of £87,000 odd of company shares just to make my brother's life as company secretary of our family company easier in now not having any shareholders living outside the UK. It raised my own stake in the company and we intend to sell up in about four years time after doing up- one of the properties.

Pissing around with the DVLA is an annoyance but I will refuse to let it dominate my life. I have two trips booked and paid for to Spain next year with no need of a driving licence - in Spain or England. And according to Google aerial photos, Plymouth council have finished wrecking the centre, so I will spend time In Plymouth and might do some Channel Islands next year as well. So plenty to look forward to and be grateful for. Especially when I could have been killed quite easily in the 2019 crash!

 

onwards and upwards Perry, I like your attitude in the closing sentence.

 

That's the spirit!

 

To compound an awful trip to the NEC (due to the sudden ill health of my partner who is now recovering) the helmet I specifically went to buy has been mis packaged by Feradax and I have the wrong colour way, despite what the sealed box states. I’m sure Helmet City will exchange it but totally unnecessary faff for both of us Andy

 

Pleased to hear Carole is on the mend Andy

 

Had to be back home by 4pm for the local GP so only stayed at the show for just over an hour. Headed straight for Helmet City and then Infinity where Carole found a pair of Halvarssons all season “live long and prosper” gloves, https://halvarssonsmc.com/product/duved/. Sorry you had a nightmare of a journey and got home okay … eventually. Andy

 

Spoke to my mate earlier. He did his mod 1 test yesterday and a 3 hour lesson the day before when it was -5 degrees all day haha.

He’s a mountain climber biker and skier and he said he’d never been so cold hahahahaha.
He’s also said you can’t do mod one and two together anymore or it’s really hard because of a lack of instructors and testers.
Anyone else confirm this? I’ve not heard of that…

 

My partner’s eldest had to do his Mod 1 and Mod 2 about 3 weeks apart earlier this year and many of the IAM RS national observers that I know, who were DVSA approved instructors, have given up in the last 18 months. Andy

 

Been to the NEC.
Meh.

 

For what reason?

 

I went for an extremely wet trail ride with a group from the TRF who were on a mix of enduros and adventure bikes. The bigger machines on their 50/50 tyres really struggled and there were a few crashes but my little Gas Gas and the other dirt bikes which were all shod with knobblies just kept on trucking.

 

Not compatible with IAM advanced riding techniques. Andy

 

I have no other spirit - well, apart from beer, gin, whisky and wine (of which I have a glass of now) Since my driving license situation is now up on the air, I am not buying, but still look. If, say, by 2027, I have not been banned, I am still inclined towards a Ducati Scrambler rather than an automatic Yam MT07/09. The Ducati is thousands more (over the MT07, I think), but I don't know why, there is just something about it . . . . . .

 

Australian Pink Floyd are meant to be very good, you’ll have a great evening.

 

I never go to these copy bands concerts. Playing a cover of another bands song is fine but a whole show of impersonating one artist is all a bit too weird.

I also don't attend fake Rolex wearers reunions or Star Trek dress up conventions.

But each to their own.

 

if a band is no longer around but you wanted to get an idea of the experience then I can understand the appeal, and it's a big compliment to the original artists isn't it?

thanks to the media/the ability to use the media so easily, I think we all know that a Pink Floyd reunion ain't ever going to happen now, and it would never be the same without Rick anyway.

 

One of the best evenings I've ever had was watching a Malaysian Oasis tribute band when I was working in Singapore @29yrs ago.

Musically they were great, the Asian singing accent, so funny.

Utterly bonkers, utterly brilliant, utterly hilarious, and a great evening.