Modern Vespa

Man Shed

Very tidy Jim.

Bill X

Now that's what I call a proper Shed.

Hope you have many happy hours in there tinkering.

somerset

There are people living in smaller flats than that in London. Very nice.

......here she is, didn't want to spend too much in case it ends up unloved like Trepps.

Shed came out nice Jim. Is there a covering on the floor?

damn nice shed, jim. Enjoy!

How to get ahead in advertising

I think I know that ugly mutt in the background!

Greetings from Bonnieux!

Where's Genie? She has the photo demonstrating the improper biker use of Lycra, at least in red.

Zaphod Beebleskok

Perfick!

A *lovely* lunch it was, very relaxed.

The last of the guests left just after 8, after helping me finish the last of the wine

An 8-hour lunch is a wonderful thing.

Yep that would have been me. I had a lovely time (hic) and managed to cycle home in one piece. Thank you for a great afternoon!

I made fire.

Bill X

Just spoke with my wife. Alitalia has managed to lose both of the suitcases they checked. And the toll free number for the lost baggage service is saying to leave a message and someone will get back to you.

Not an auspicious way to begin a vacation.

The toll free number is to a contractor that is effectively helpless. The bag would handled by one contractor in Israel and another in Italy, and none of them are "authorized" to do anything other than email or fax each other.


You might contact the handling agent at the Israeli airport.

When Alitalia lost my bag, I emailed the handling company at the Athens airport, and they found it in Rome and called my mobile. Four hours later (I was on the road), Alitalia's Customer Care contractor still did not know where it was, so I gave them the tracking info. They still sent to bag to the wrong airport (Palermo, not Catania), but assured me that if it didn't catch up with me in Italy "it will be sent to your home in Greece". I spent a day driving back across Sicily to pick it up, as it had my riding gear for the Bella Italia Rally that we would be joining in three days.

Good luck.

So don't fly Italian then ?

Bill X

I was thinking just that.

The Italians do many things very well. But I wouldn't put them at the top of my list for raising an army or organizing anything.

It was lovely food, great company and excellent hosting. Thanks to all!

Good BBQ with the Skoks, Genie and Bill hosts, also Ash, Doug, Jim, plus 2 Italian neighbour dudes and a German fraulein dudess. Rambling conversations included, how are arsey contributors modified on this forum. Why does modness and scooters still go hand in hand. This was question came from a man wearing crocs. He'll never understand. The forth coming Tour de Normandie. How some post codes in London have different insurance premiums. Why some scoot top boxes should be sold with spare key barrels. Also Doug explained to me how easy it is to post a pic on the forum. It took 10 mins of button pressing, but started with the @ symbol top right. Simples? Not for me. I've just tried it to post some pics of the latest new designer Vespa, but can't even find the @ button. And this site wo't accept my non compressed pics. Next meet with the Skoks I'll bring my mac for a better tutorial. Probably get Ash to explain, as he's used to teaching 12 year olds. Thanks to Genie and all contributors for fine food. and the chance to pick up a newt from Genies pond. Nature still abounds in a sunny London enclave. Gass silver machine gts 250

Dang, I'd have loved some of that rambling chat over lunch. Hoping for more of the same on Wednesday Skoks...

I traded it for some of these views in Snowdonia and a priceless first wild camp with my 10 year old daughter Ellie ('I did it Dad! I did it!'). No phones, laptops, web, beeps, tech niggles and the like...just laughter, footprints and a few photographs for the album

Brilliant spot by the lake. My 3 kids always say their best holidays were camping in the wilds. They still do this. cheers and hope you didnt lose any tent pegs. Gass silver machine gts 250

somehow, i'm guessing you were happy with the trade..

great pics

Yes, you guessed right


I forgot to add my usual quip...

'Why?'
'Because it's there.....'

I went down to my mum's for the weekend and spent all of Saturday in the garden, reading and getting sunburned. It was just what I needed!

Can you imagine what a nightmare this would be? I hope it is not contagious.

When I checked in for flight to Greece recently, they asked if I was going to Thessaloniki which I confirmed and I explained that my bags were going to Paris. When they said that wasn't possible, I pointed out it bloody was as that was what happened to them last time I flew with EasyJet.

Got them back about 2 hours before a wedding we were attending.

Just a bit further up (north) from you at Wast Water. Might have a trek up Scafell Pike when the rain passes. Beautiful scenery. My youngest (9 year old) might find it hard going.

When I arrived at my mum's I discovered she had bought me this:

900mls !!!! And in a smallframe!!! That thing must fly.

Lifting it up.

Trep-

Any news on the luggage front?

Tomorrow's dinner is now a potluck. Everyone brings Treppenwitz an item of clothing

Well I was hoping for some fun and entertainment tomorrow night but I hadn't banked on Trepp being 'Dress Up Doll'

There were loads of touring bikes zipping around North Wales while I was there over the weekend. I pulled up behind one bike that really caught my eye because the rear was really well designed, with each part fitting together beautifully - the seat had the brake light sat neatly beneath it with the two indicators either side, the exhaust was next (from brake light outwards) with a pair of round exhaust pipes set within a oval chrome, ally or stainless outer casing on the same level as the indicators, and then a black moulding around those exhaust casings, with a touring pannier attached to the black moulding. No gaps or holes anywhere where all these parts met, just a complete integration of all those components in a great piece of design. The bike shot off before I could see a tank badge. It was red and black, looked fairly high end (male a female passenger in Geriche jackets and Shoei helmets). Had a browse of the web but not enough clues to track it down, though really intrigued to know what it was! All the pics I can find have bike exhausts as an obvious separate can, whereas this was very distinct by having the twin exhausts at brake light level and with the trim and panniers designed around them...

Any guesses Skoks?

Honda VFR?

Yep, that's the one I reckon...can't be many with that rear config...

Well done

I really like the VFR but would prefer it to have shaft drive, i'm fed up with maintaining chains......

See also Integra!