I took my first holiday from work last week (not counting the Friday's I book off to go to Race Meetings of course) to wind down from coursework and my current research project before I make a start on the next. I was getting quite worked up with all the deadlines so decided to have a week off to unwind. Something nice and relaxing I thought...
Over 9 days I believe I relaxed for all of 3 hours when I started watching Spooks (never seen it and had 3 hours spare so went Netflixing). For a 'relaxing' start I had to rebuild the back fence that had blown down over winter, luckily the weather was brilliant for the Saturday and Sunday that I did that task but it took a long time to figure out (having never fenced before) but I soon got the hang of it, ripped up the remaining old fence and replaced it so now it looks all neat and tidy.
Then I had to mow the lawn (which has not been mown since we moved in because of the fence blowing down, we haven't used the garden much!) which took a couple of hours due to the height of the grass. This was followed by a trip to see family briefly before coming back and thinking "now I can relax."
Nope, the misses had other ideas and said now was a good time to change the upstairs doors (which was on the long term to-do list but not originally for this week!) which she would 'help' with cause she was on half-term as well. So that was a trip to B&Q to buy the new doors and associated equipment and (I blame the 'help') that took Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday to do and I still have one door left to complete!
Friday and Saturday were filled with Oulton Park with Bemsee and following the demise of Hottrax on social media.

All in all, not the best holiday I've ever had. But to make myself feel better I booked 2 weeks in Goa for September instead

How was everyone else's week?

I've started to work on the old Kwak.
Hopefully I'll get a day booked in at Oulton quite soon.
The only fly in the ointment; besides a chronic lack of funds, is the silly buggers at my company forgot to order a tow bar fitment on my new car. So I'll have to get one fitted on the 1st service.
Saying that, I am going to be a wuss and book in the novices. Watch this space; hopefully.

Hi folkses...........well I'm back once more in the land of overcrowded roads and 'normality'. For those not in the know my better half retired at the end of January and we decided to blow the kids inheritance and jet off to New Zealand via Sydney outbound and Bangkok on the homeward leg of the journey. We had been saying for years we wanted to go but with holiday limitations we couldn't until Judith retired...it's not worth going to NZ for two weeks. So with no restrictions other than finance we considered, planned, researched and finally jetted off............4 days in Sydney in a lovely hotel alongside the Harbour Bridge overlooking the harbour and Opera house then on to Christchurch. We had two nights there in a hotel and then collected our 4 berth (extra space for comfort...two berth vans are just that...two berth and very small) motorhome and set off for 43 days. We journeyed around South Island for 4 weeks having planned on 3 and 3 split between South and North but South Island was so amazing we split 4/2 instead.

My only 'MUST' do was to get to Invercargill and see the Fastest Indian..........and I DID. I have to admit to it being quite emotional standing there.....on the other side of the world next to that awesome bike. I even got to sit in a replica used in the making of the film. We also visited the Burt Munro memorial bronze statue in Invercargill park and also paid respects at his resting place.

Once we had done a circuit of South Island it was across the Straits to North Island where it is more like home but with a whole lot less congestion. 2 weeks travelling around up there there and we were done with the motorhome. A few days in a waterfront apartment in Auckland and we flew to Christchurch, Sydney and onto Bangkok for 10 days in a riverside apartment on 25th floor overlooking the river and city. We did some touristy stuff.....private tour to Ayutthaya the ancient capital of Siam......river dinner cruise etc but other than that it was enforced relaxing in the pool or indoors as the 'feels like' temperatures were always in the region (daytime) of 45 degrees.

Anyway we had an amazing time.......we did over 5500kms in NZ......completely ran out of awesomes, WOW, amazings, bloody hell look at that's just in NZ. It is just that........ AMAZING. Lovely people, empty roads, a total population of just over 4 million so everyone knows everyone else....(hehe)....well it seems like it.

So now back to 'normailty'..........something must have happened to me living 'upside down' for two months because after only 4 days back another of my bikes has gone........that's two now 'sold'........strangely it feels good to 'de-clutter'

Anyway I hope all is well in Monkeyland and everyone is fit and well.........I would say it's good to be back but in all honesty if I could move to NZ I would in a heartbeat.......but as that's not going to happen I'm pretty content to be here. Take care people........TTFN

I voted on the way to work and still got collared by last minute canvassers outside the polling station.

If you haven't voted yet consider this your friendly reminder to, if you wish, exercise your right to vote.

What I don't agree with mind, is the 'having to be registered' to vote (they tried to fine me at my old flat because I wasn't registered there until I told them I wouldn't be there for this election). If you have the right to vote, you have the right to not be registered if you so wish... Big brother is watching....

Odd question I know, but my brother is looking at sorting out our next 'lads weekend jolly' for June and he's looking at Budapest. I've had a quick google and it looks great, but would appreciate any info from anyone thats been there.

Ta.

Has nobody got anything to say ??

Happy birthday Nige, hope you have a good day

#FeelingOldYet?

#YouAreOld

Bit of an educational theme for once. Whether you class a Caiman Croc as a 'real croc' or not is irellevant. This incredibly cool Jaguar kicks its head in big time. Watch the full vid to see the stealthy ninja Jag at work.

Well after taking the piss out of Freezer G, I've gone and done his trick.

Got the bike out for it's MOT today, checking the oil level by balancing the bike upright, went to put it back down on the side stand, when it folded up, and the bike went over, bolox.

'kin 'ell, these TL's are heavy.

Luckily no serious damage, I think the streetfighter renthals caught most of it, probably a few more scratches visible under the dust.

Good news is it passed the MOT, now let's see if I can do a few more miles than last years total of 150 !!!

Had house warming yesterday with the neighbours round, got to know a few of them which was nice. Then today, doing the weekly vehicle maintenance, got distracted by one of the kids playing near the car so didn't check the bike was on its stand properly and it fell over >.< luckily only screen shattered and footpeg rubber came off (gear change side). Checked bike over and rode it round town to check the gearing and all seems fine so got away lucky, just a pain in the backside as the screen held the front L-Plate! So now gotta find a solution for that before I go to work tomorrow!

How was everyone else's weekend?