Jerry_Atrick

Aye, Apples secondhand are still expensive

Day 7 of ownership.. (Sunday). Met Andy from the village on his Ducati. The rain gods were holding back so we decided to head off. Apparently, some bright engineer at Ducati decided for his model, that the wiring harness would be best positioned right behind the front wheel. What could possibly go wong? Hence, Andy only rides it on dry days. We departed the village and took a slight deviation from the map as he wanted to attak some twisties (not of the epicurean type). Am I am coming off a fairly long break, I was wondering if it was a good idea to get a bigger bike than I have ever had as I saw he and his bike's posterior diminish in my vision as he pulled away. I did catch up with him a few times, but I was takign things easy and getting to know the bike. I think that's what I will name "her" (can I use that metaphorical term in today's politically correct age?). Yep, something imaginative like "the bike" rings well with me. Anyway, as I looked down to check all things were OK, I realise I had forgotten that these things called motorbikes need this thing called fuel to go.. I had almost totally forgotten as I spied this white needle nudging the red area of the fuekl gauge to tell me it was hitting the reserves. Ship! We were a fair way from the nearest garage that was open and I had no idea how many litres or miles I had. I have read the owner's manual, but had a total blank of what I had left. As it turned out, we made it to Minehead without the needle moving much intot he red and bee-lined it to the Tescos (think Coles, but a little better), which had a "forecourt" (i.e. petrol station/garage). Why the English need to call teh same thing something different because of where it is located has escaped me to this day. Anyway, I digress. I realise, of the 19 litre tank, I can only put is almost 13 litres, so I feel the reserve is uite sufficient to get me home, but I am relieved that I have filled up the bike with much needed fuel. The ride home was slightly different. We went along the originally planned route, which has more cars (the other route had more bikes than cars. The rain started, so Andy was in a hurry to get home. But, as I followed him, my confidence grew and I was leaning into the turns better, trusting my rubbers (oi! front and rear tyres - not what you're thinking - although one has to trust those, too). Andy and his bike's posterior never reduced to a dot on the horizon as they did previously.. In fact, I had to will hom to overtake once.. I guess he was worried about those Ducati electrics. We arrive back at my place, and Andy and I had a chin wag for wa while, as the light rain had well and truly subsided. He was providing me good advice and we were already planning a) the next ride out, and b) maybe starting the Halse Angels (@Marty_d, you will be an honurary patron for coming up with the name in the first place). Day 8 (Monday), and I realise, ship, despite there not being terriblyy much riding, as some of it is down counry lanes, the bike dirty.. And I don't have a) cleaning kit, not b) chain/brake cleaning/degreasing (chain) and lube kit, But, the bike sits under covers all day. Day 9 and it is under covers all day. But I buy from a local shop the chain degreaser and lube, but they have no chain cleaning brushes. Day 10 (today), there is a 5th rider I know of from Halse who can join the Halse Angels. Son's CBT training is done. Day 11 (tomorrow): The weather, though slightly raining, is going to be warmish - 10 - 11 degrees. Plan is here to Oxford (Near RAF Benson) for a Class 2 CAA and CASA medical. And I am taking the bike! Notice, it is called the bike.. not the town bike, for a reason. Loves to be ridden, but only by one guy.

Dang.. tired everythign I know... Bloomberg must know I am a previous terminal user and refuses to allow me to read the article until I subscribe.

A long lost xth cousin of mine had a HQ panelvan (don't think it was a Sandman, but it was hotted up in the old vernacular). He hit a roo at speed (I am guessing c. 100kph), and the roo ended up in the car, hit him and he suffered mild brain damage as a result. I am not sure less aerodynamic cars makes that much of a difference - maybe at lower speeds (say 60kph) it does.

I only buy second hand phones from dodgy phone shops around town. But, I find they work well. I have a Samsung A52 that was about two years old when I bought it and I have had it three years. Paid £100 for it, and it is fantastic. Doesn't miss a beat. I bought my son a 5g version of it for £140.. goes like the clappers. The camera though, is carp. @red750 - lower end Samsungs may not have the phone uality you want given your photographic skills. See if you can try one before you buy it.. My son ended up saving for himself and bought a one-13 or something - some Chinese "rubbish" Wasn't cheap, but for 1/2 the proice of whatever iphone was the latest when he bought it, and with better chips and camera, it was a steal. He gave me the A52 I bought for him, but I like my older one that is only 4g so much, have never bothered "upgrading".

Yep.. that is where he succeeds where other pollies fail

The reality is Labor is politically failing big time and the conservatives have become such a basket case, they make the Libs look like rational people caring for the wider population. The Lib demo are for some reason unable to capitalise mainly because they look like a lefty version of Labour, I guess. Quite amazingly, the Greens are on course to poll better than Labour: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/nov/11/greens-overtake-labour-polls-zack-polanski There is some resentment over the failure of Brexit, but that is more attributed to the Conservatives handling of it and Labour failing to grasp the new opportunities Brexit apparently provides than Brexit itself.. And Farage has the gift of the gab and uses it far more skillfully than Chump.. and he is able to deflect blame successfully to immigration and when it goes pear shaped, not enough of the press hold him to account for some strange reason. Even the Reform councils that are sending their councils broke or being convicted of crimes seems to not make headlines. I think it is a case of them at least appearing to be listening to the little person..

Fixed average speed cameras seem to work pretty well here. Cheaper to install I would guess and can pay for themselves too

Sounds like an inappropriate use of Technology when speed bumps do the job adequately or at least no less inadequately

Not sure, but fujitice journo Shane Dowling is running with it. https://kangaroocourtofaustralia.com/2025/11/23/kevin-rudd-pays-lawyers-to-cover-up-his-jeffrey-epstein-link/

You're not claiming to be a mining scumbag, are you?

Wilfully blind, ignorant and gullible in one. You don't play cricket for England, do you? The "man" has presided over defunding government departments designed and, in US terms, making the US clean and healthy, such as the FDA, Obamacare, the FAA, and the like. Maybe you should go over there and experience first hand what it is like. Many of my US based friends are telling me to stay away as it is turning more and more to shit Oh, and pardoning criminals to go out and murder again is also a positive in your mind, I guess?

It already has

Mate, I am not waiting for it. I bought at this time of year as a commuter, and I am going to use it as such. I didn't get my ride in today, but that is OK as the Ducati boy has said his Ducati i a little sensitive to rain and cold, and tomorrow is rainy and cold. So, I will go out then and hit those twisties. I got some of my planned items done today... To cut a very long story short, didn't go to Gloucester, but ended up at a main dealer in Exeter that had 20% off everything. BThe sales assistant was young, female, and blonde. And I thought great, a Saturday student workder. Holey moley, she knew her stuff.. well beyond blokes with 20 years riding experience. She was absolutely professional, and the lad was totally enamoured by her, professionally (though I doubt he would say no to a quick drink with her, even though he doesn't drink). @facthunter - goes to show, blondes do have brains! She would give most of us a run for our brainiac money.

Yes, although she made for great comedy, I have to admit. Also, isn't it funny how people switch from being great supporter to great critic of Chump... (or vice versa in the case of Graeme Lindsay and the Texan congressman whose name I can't remember at the moment.