It seems a long time ago I took my CBT and rightly so. 'twas July 2014 when I took the CBT and August 2014 when I began riding a 125 to work every day. The intention was the pass fairly quickly but several things got in the way.

The first was getting the bike - I got it in August but didn't want to take a test until I felt comfortable with the bike. By the time that happened, it was winter and I didn't want to take a test in winter, so decided to get winter riding experience and take the test in spring. Forward to spring and I ended up at university 2 days a week, so couldn't get the time off for the theory test, let alone the practicals. Idea scrapped till the summer. Forward to July 2015 and finally pass the theory test after getting a morning off to do it. All set to book module 1 practical right?

Nope. Looking at the licences I could get in July 2015, if I passed my test I'd have been on a restricted licence because I was under 24. Lovely government with their lovely licences for bikes... To get an unrestricted licence, if I passed in July, would have required me taking another test after I turn 24. Which was only 2 months later. So I put the tests on hold until after I turned 24 so I could go straight to an unrestricted licence and never have to worry again.

Came back from India with that plan and work just went manic for some reason. Like they knew I was going to be angling for a bit more time off for non-work projects.....

So I've only just been able to organise module 1, which I'm doing training and test for in a few weeks. If I pass that then I can book module 2 (hopefully before Christmas?) and hopefully get the unrestricted licence.

It's all fun and games getting a licence these days! I suspect Kingy has his tale of getting his licence when everything was black and white and it won't be as convoluted as it is now!

Have a look here for how to get your licence these days if you don't already know. It's only a 4 page government document 

In the past I've always fitted 'Crud Guards'. Very good mudguards which work really well. But, they are big bugger and mark wherever you fit them (especially front one strapped to the frame). I've also broken a couple with comedy offs. 
Had a look around and have decided to try MuckyNutz Facefender (front) and Buttfender (rear). It's the front that caught my eye as I want to stop the spray and crap flying up at me, but would prefer to avoid fixing a guard to the frame. 

Front: http://www.muckynutz.com/mudguards/face_fender
Fitting instructions: http://www.muckynutz.com/mudguards/face_...nded_black

Rear: http://www.muckynutz.com/mudguards/butt_fender
Fitting instructions: http://www.muckynutz.com/mudguards/butt_...nded_black

I did stick the rear on when I rode with Dave on Saturday morning. Horrible conditions with gusting wind and rain. I hadn't bothered looking at the fitting instructions and hadn't fixed it inplace properly. It still stayed where it should and must have worked as my camelback (unlike the rest of me!) wasn't covered in shite! 

I'll get the, fitted properly in time for a ride this week.

Anyone else using them - or similar?

We've been let down very badly by a supplier at work. This does happen more often than we would like, but usually any potential crisis can be avoided if the supplier just lets us know there is an issue. 
This time (last month) the supplier didn't bother to tell us there was an issue with our order (which meant we missed the cut off for October to order elsewhere) and has refused to return phonecalls or emails throughout. It's that last bit that really got to me, so I decided to see how you stick a blog up ...

I tagged the supplier into the link on twitter. 
The Commercial Director (and Partner) who has caused the mess is a connection of mine on LinkedIn - so I've posted on there and tagged the company. 
I've also posted on Facebook which has been shared and commented on. 

This is the blog: https://kingpak.wordpress.com/2015/10/23...-22-years/

I'm waiting to see if I get any kind of response from Longfield. Hopefully not a legal one    ... but I doubt it.

Not just the weather, which played ball for once and was fantastic, but one of those days that is just good fun. 
I'd appeased the family on Friday by a trip to see Spectre in VIP seats. Very good film by the way - Craigs best for me and more like a Bond film than any of the others. 
Anyway, family all happy I toddled off early for my fell run on Saturday as I was getting the train into town (Manchester) at lunch time. 

A nice steady run over Bleaklow. I was feeling a bet meh (man flu) so hoped this would sweat it out. Stopped at the Superfortress wreckage and had a quiet walk round. It's a place I never get tired of visiting ...





The plaque explaining ...



Then upto the Trig point for a quick look down towards Sunny Glossop:



I think someone took shelter in a purpose built 'mancave' in that bad weather last week ...



A mancave with a view



Back home, shower, food and off to the Northern Quarter (Manchester) on the 1pm train for Marks birthday drink. Some interesting sights along the way ...



We wandered into the Northern Quarter. Love it there as it's always very quirky and eclectic. 
Had a few beers alsong the way. Sashas (to prove to Mark that you can get a beer for below £2 in Manchester), then Tib Street Tavern and Montpelliers (one of the 17 secret bars in Manchester).
We (well, Jason) had found out about a new bar called 'The Wash House'. This takes the 'secret bar' theme to a whole new level. You have to book to get in as it's reservations only. We got a two hour slot. Jason said it was very cloak and dagger when he phoned. You leave an answerphone message asking to book a service wash for Eg. four. (Four people). They then phone back and confirm when you can go. 

This is the place: 



People really do just walk past unaware of what the place is ...



You have to wait until the phone rings. You confirm your name and then they let you in.



You can get beer, but it's really a coktail bar. We just picked three drinks, then tried each one. Not cheap at £9 to £11 a drink, but it was a birthday so we just got on with it. nine coktails later we were fairly giddy and a few quid lighter! 



Few more bars and then onto Cain and Grain. Keeping with the theme we had 'Flaming Zombies' ...



This is how it goes ...



From here we wandered over to another favourite of ours - 'From Dusk 'Till Pawn'. From the outside its a Pawn Shop. Another place you would walk past, but inside is a busy speakeasy style bar. Great place. Tom Collins this time. Like Lemonade that blows your head off!
We started our wander back to Picadilly Station via another bar (as you do) and got the last train home (11.30pm). It's only about 40 mins, so I reckon we were probably tucked up in bed by half twelve. Good job really as Yaz was out of the house at 8.15am Sunday morning as she is in SanFransisco all week. Had a brew and a chat with her before she left then had a very lazy Sunday. 

After travelling to India in September which occurred without my partner, I've been bullied into going away again in December for some 'winter sun' (that's what she called it anyway) to Lanzarote. Managed to get a good deal (in my opinion anyway, but not having much holiday experience who knows?) on an all-inclusive booking. Anyhow, thinking ahead of things to do without spending all the time on the beach, has anyone been/has recommendations on places to visit or things to do on the island?

Being sent to a conference tomorrow to have a look at some stuff happening in my research area. All fairly standard researchy stuff. Go on conferences all the time.

So where is this exotic conference with all expenses paid by the university?

Toronto?
Paris?
Hong Kong?

Nope... It's in the barren land of Manchester.

If I don't return assume my body has been 'shanked' in an alley somewhere near Old Trafford!

Had a quick five mile road run on Saturday morning as I couldn't be arsed getting up at 7am for a fell run. Bed was too warm and comfy! I really hate road/pavement running as it just hurts, but it was a means to an end. Met a chap I know on the way back and had a natter. It was one of those times I really could have done with not stopping, but he's a fell runner and cyclist so always good to chat with.


The set up for getting to away games has just taken a very nice turn for the better. Out of choice we travel with High Peak Reds. They are an official supporters club and arrange mini bus' to the games. They are good lads and turn a blind eye to drinking on the bus. There is a stop before you get close to the ground to dump any alcohol so should the bus get stopped and inspected it is clean. No harm done.   The 'turn for the better' is that the guy that runs the Branch has just moved down the road from me. In turn the pick up point has altered from Marple to a pub five minutes up the road from my house. The pub is owned by a United fan who goes on the 'funbus' so he opens the front door so we can meet inside and have a beer.   

After a nice sociable drive over to Everton we got to the shit hole that is Goodison Park. 



How this is still allowed as a Premier league ground is beyond me. Wooden floors and cast iron framed wooden chairs in the away stand in this day and age is shocking. Its a Bradford 2 waiting to happen. 
Last time we were personally there (2 seasons ago) we were well beaten. This time we were hoping for some better luck. 
Got to our seats and we were pitch side. Not the best view, but with everyone stood up and being RIGHT next to the home fans it was a fantastic atmosphere. 



As fate would have it we battered them. 3-0 and it could/should have been more. The team wandered over to thank the fans after full time ...

 
... and we were back on the funbus, then a couple of cheeky pints in the Hare and Hounds when we got back. Like you do. 

All in all a cracking day out. 

Hey peeps...got home from Jockland and TV in dining room has died so new one required.  Would like a 'Smart' TV but NOT bigger than 28 inch.....MrsR has stood firm on this one and as space is limited she is right..............so any suggestions please?

Hi Peoples....well just read FG's India epic and it makes our just under 3 weeks in Jockland in the motorhome look tame.  Nice read FG ..looks like you had a great time and loads of memories...good and not so.

Our Jockinese excursion was pretty good.  Weather was excellent....almost everyone we chatted to said it was the best yet this 'year'....bloody hell.  Anyway we arrived in Moffat, nice dinner in a local hostelry then journeyed to Loch Lomond.   Next day saw us backroading to Inveraray for no other reason then it's where they keep the 'rarys' that it's along way to tip    got a great view over Faslane on the way.  The rest of the trip was mostly road trip stuff with sightseeing, castles, scenery etc making the reason for travelling.  Fort William to ascend the cable car up the mountain, motored onwards to the Commando memorial followed by the Glennfinnian viaduct (Harry Potter fame  but still amazing piece of construction).  Got to Oban and did the islands trip to Mull, then bus down to 'tother end of the island, another boat to Staffa and Fingals cave then back to Iona to look around the Abbey...still a place of pilgrimage, then back over to Mull, another coach to the ferry and back to Oban.  Had a couple of nights at Arisaig right on the beach then the weather closed in so we scooted over to Inverness and the East coast.  Scenery quite different but wildlife amazing......Moray Firth is teeming with sea birds and watching Gannets divebombing for fish is amazing.  Moved onto a small site right on the coast...amazing pebble beach went on for miles and yet more sea birds by the hundreds.  Mrs decided we should venture inland so off to Braemar.....another castle and Balmoral nearby but unfortunately both were closed.  From there back over the border to Berwick upon Tweed..........lovely place but pi55ing down most of the time we were there so eased on to Whitby after a couple of nights.........fabulous place.  Very picturesque and pretty good fish and chips.  Found a site pitch that gave us a good night time view of the Abbey.......no sign of the 'fanged one' though and we did venture into the Abbey to check.  From there it was on to Scarborough (just passin through....yuk... full of kiss me quick tat) then Filey...much nicer...then Flamborough Head just to see what's there...and it's pretty nice but no decent sites to stop at so off to Stamford Bridge.  Old here's 'One in the eye for you' Harold was a busy boy....fighting there then getting done over at Hastings in the same year!!  Then the next day it was onto Warwick via York for the last night before home.  Nice site right at the racecourse and minutes from the historic town so we shall return at some point.  So just under three weeks motoring and we're back home......now where to next ??

I may not have mentioned it ...   ... but I went to Prague at the weekend. 

My brother Jason, Mark and I set off early Friday morning, returning Sunday night. We were in one of the nice airport lounges early Friday before flying off just before 7am.

None of us had been to Prague, but we've heard lots of good things about it so were looking forwards to the trip. 

I'd read about the stag/hen culture and about pickpockets, muggings etc. - but before I get onto a few pics I have to say we didn't see any stag/hen parties where we went and didn't have one issue with anyone trying to con or rob us. I think if you stay in the main tourist areas (where prices are *much* higher anyway) then you may possible see some of this. We pass through the main areas and ALWAYS search out the local culture/ bars so get to see a bit of the 'real' Prague. We had the same experience in Budapest. 

Anyway, Prague was ready for us and even sorted a nice little welcome for me! 



Once we were checked in at the hotel we went for a wander to get our bearings - and enjoy a couple of beers. As you do. 
This was next door to the hotel, so we bobbed in ... http://en.ufleku.cz/interesting-facts/
It's a huge impressive place with lot's of history. The dark lager was a surprisingly nice drink as were the honey flavoured shorts. 



We had a surprise though as two rounds and a shorts came to about £20. We hadn't budgeted our Prague currency for that! So, onward we went. 

We wandered toward Wenceslas Aquare. We were told by some friends that this was one of the main places to go. 
Passed a rotating head sculpture on the way. Really effective. 



We quicly established that this Wenceslas Square where we might see stag/hen parties so had a look and took some pics. Oh, and tried the light larger too. Being more 'canny' we were now in the £80p to £1.00 a pint bracket. Really nice beer too, so we were happy and suddenly felt like tin pot millionaires!   



By chance we wandered into an old cinema complex where we found another interesting sculpture. Its King Wenceslas riding an upside down horse. Like you do. 



This is the original sculpture in Wenceslas Square. The upside down one is a two fingered gesture towards this and the Goverment. 



Another beer and some food before (tried the local goulash with sliced dumplings - very nice) we moved on. 



We wandered back via 'Old Town' with its famous astranomical clock. We much preferred 'Old Town' as it was more spread out with more going on and lots of side streets to explore. 




Wandering back toward the hotel we tried another bar and another brand of beer. What did surprise us is that you can still smoke in bars. We really arent used to that and struggled with the smoke in smaller places. This was a rather nice smooth beer ...



One of the recurring things we saw was graffiti. It was a shame some fantastic buildings were spoilt by 'tagging'. Very little of it was graffiti art and the only thing that stopped it was cameras on buildings. No cameras = graffiti. 






Although this did catch my eye ...



To be continued ....