Modern Vespa

Just some light (very light) reading and pic browsing on our humble little rally here in Detroit. Significant because it's 10 consecutive years of doing this, and people still show up.

http://www.examiner.com/article/rally-rundown-motor-city-shakedown-10

Pardon the million pop-ups. Seriously, who buys stuff from those?

Bike Normandy photos:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/77788908@N00/sets/72157646181604794/


Della and bikes by huskyteer, on Flickr

What kind of dog is that, please?

Almost like the Amazons, cutting off their right breast kind of serious

I've just realised who you went to see in Holland! Did you tell him his old scoot went all the way to Italy but didn't get all the way back!

A lot of left handed amazons?

Again, spotted elsewhere:

"30 Things British People Say Vs What We Actually Mean. #9 Is Perfect."

http://m.tickld.com/x/30-things-british-people-say-vs-what-we-actually-mean-9-is-perfect

Hopefully that'll help translate some of my comments...

I spy an F800GT and what looks like an R12GS. .

That's Della the Bernese mountain dog!

In other animal news.... I have just purchased a really expensive designer cat loo, and the girls refuse to use it more annoying still is the fact that it can't be returned.

R1200GS, yep, that's me... love it though it is a tall big brute and very quick Quite interesting to get outridden by an even quicker scooter rider though Alice own up! And thanks Alice for organising what was another memorable weekend!

It was my pleasure, Doug! (I see my bike didn't even merit a mention from Knight Train )

I never thought I'd be posting about my cat's bowel movements but I"m pleased to report that Alita has 'used' the new cat loo

Also made the very sad decision today to part with little Goblin he's becoming increasingly aggressive with the girls, and is spraying all over the house - it's particularly bad when I'm away. I love him to bits, he's such a sweet little character, but he really isn't suited to living with other cats - at least not my cats. I'm ringing later to make an appointment to take him in to Battersea Brands Hatch I will miss the little terror so much

Oh, I'm sorry - I hope he finds a home where he can be the pampered only child.

Also:

Bike Normandy 2015: Friday August 21st - Sunday August 23rd

(genie I hope you don't mind my using your lovely likeness?)

no problem

we were joking about Howard needing to sleep for an entire day on returning from these weekends, but I was absolutely shattered when I got back yesterday. the exhaustion kicked in about 50 miles down the A3 as Doug and I were coming back from Portsmouth. By the time we stopped for coffee in Smithfields i was barely coherent I think it was a combination of some very spirited riding, the suppressed stress and then the relief of my house business, and some rather interrupted sleep over several days due to excess intake of wine (my fault).

Alice, I'm sure there is a perfect situation out there for little Gobby. I probably worry too much - he's very bonded to me, and I think that's part of the problem. Also as Bill has pointed out, he's young enough to adapt to a new owner (and cats are terrible opportunists in any case). I'm sure I'll still cry when we take him in though

Poor genie... So sorry

Watson has a new toy

Your flaps frayed Kitty! Is it rubbing somewhere?

Nah man it's just a floppy flap
It's my age

You've got a lovely firm pipe though

I exercise it every day
At speed

Elsie looking really pretty

She's gorgeous

Here's a technical diagram I snagged from the NC700 forum:

Well, as I expected, the day passed without a single mention in the media (that I could find) of England's entry into the war or the lights-out observation in the UK. The sole exception to this willful amnesia seems to have been in the New York Times, which published a small but respectful piece about the proposed commemoration in yesterday's paper. No mention today of how it turned out.

I'd be interested to know how well it went. The level of ignorance and lack of interest in WW1 and history in general in this country is appalling, but some of us do spare a thought from time to time.

The only history in the news here yesterday was the 40th anniversary of the resignation of President Nixon. Wall-to-wall television coverage of that depressing and quintessentially American moment.

Johnny

Sorry Lozza, I'm going to have to back out mate, I've got a call out, and won't be back until later in the evening! Sorry!!

Graham

Wall to wall coverage on BBC2 all day and all night.
I lit my candle.......watched most of it once I'd got home.
St Symphorien is a place to behold, luckily I'd visited in early May so had appreciated it first hand.

Yes I told him how it had broken on its return journey. I very much doubt he knew that that was going to happen.

Any news ?

Bill xxx

I'm exhausted. Just ridden up to Liverpool and am in a cabin on the overnighter to Belfast. About halfway up, I really thought I was going to fall asleep on the bike. There was a mega jam on the A14 and I had to filter for about five miles with fully expanded panniers. Difficult and not a lorra fun. Anyway I'm in one piece and will probably sleep for 24 hours. This is my fourth longish ferry journey in a week... I need a holiday... Oh wait...

gawd, I wouldn't expect him to have predicted anything. I put 7000 on the scoot in 12 months, it only had 5000 for the whole of his ownership! Just nice to see the pics. Sounds like he is having a great time. Did he get a little Vesp to commute on?

Hope you're safe at home by the time you read this, Doug!

Is neutering out of the question? Not ideal but you can probably have him without him bothering the females.
Our two have been done and are still full of character.

he's already done. it hasn't stopped him spraying. apparently it's quite common territorial behaviour in multi-cat households. my only hope at this point is that things will improve after i move - i won't have the neighbour's cats visiting every day, it'll only be him and the girls. fingers crossed.

In other news
A few of us turned up at the Morgan Arms E3 for a night of quizzing and general merry making. A good performance from 'Team Scooters' placing a credible 4th overall (we had 48 points, the winners had 52 points so pretty close). The real highlight was winning the Cheese board for best original joke (way too non PC to post here!). The winning of this was great, the board itself was disappointingly meagre (see below).
Thanks to Lozza for organising the whole caboodle and thanks to Neil, Genie and Jade for being Team Scooter!
Next time we get there early Doors, I'll come on my Motorcyle. Wild Horses won't keep me away. I'm No good at losing et al ad almost infinitum

Sorry I missed the pub quiz fun Lozza and Andy. I'm back in one piece, though pretty exhausted. Arrived in port at 6.30 and was back in bed by 7am and resurfaced at about 9.30. Going down country to visit my dad this afternoon then out to dinner with M.

I am at a place in life of transition I would guess. And I feel stuck. I want to be gainfully employed and no idea where to start or what I truely want to do after being a stay at home mom/housewife for 15 years. I am creative and social. I once worked an office job, pay was good but it was miserable sitting in an office alone daily. I need to be interacting with people, semi creative and a relatively good pay. I have had several office jobs in accounts receivable and payable, shipping, etc. Basically comptroller without months end, worked for years in restaurants all positions to lead cook and sauce prep at a huge corporate chain restaurant, and I have quite a bit of artistic skills and fitness. Two year degree and working on my 4 year when I can. I am hitting a wall and am up for suggestions as to where to direct my searches?

Have you ever considered law enforcement? Maybe CSI or forensics? I always wanted to be a detective or an FBI agent. I also wanted to be an astronaut, a smoke jumper and a circus clown.


Smoke jumper training.

Genie so sorry about your kitty. I'm sure he'll go to a good home. Even the older animals seem to do ok. I'm deathly allergic to cats but it does seem to be a frequent thing in multi cat homes,especially if there are already cats there when you bring a new one in. Good luck

I thought you were a defective, John.

Have you been talking to my wife?

A smoke jumping circus clown is now on the list. Thanks sticky.

Also a wing walker (serious there) is on the list.

Hey guys thanks for last night at the quiz. Had a really good laugh. Genie and Andy were on top form with the answers, shame i didnt take a look at the picture round or we,d have pissed it.
There is another one at the same pub in two weeks time which i will go to if anyone wants to come.
Next Tuesday i,ll be back at Simon the tanner quiz in SE1 if anyone fancies it?
Let me know so i can book a table.

Bring your own cheese.