Modern Vespa

i know exactly what you mean. don't forget the delightful aroma of fried chicken rubbish and stale beer from the tins chucked all over the place. i love the way they are enforcing the 'no drinking on public transport' rule.

the only journey i can even bear is liverpool street to northwick park, early in the morning... and it's only bearable because the train is virtually empty. the rest of the time i usually feel like slapping somebody within 3 minutes of getting on the bus/train/tube.

If Dessa is going to France then so am I. Does the Piaggio first year assistance from Lexham cover Europe? If it doesn't then I might need to take the SHitty.

Need to sort out passport but that is in hand.

Calais to Boulogne is fine, it's Boulogne onwards that is not so good, on the D940 at least.

will we still be able to book a place on the ferry this late? i'm worried because all evidence of my booking seems to have vanished

Just ring Sarah Pilcher at Norfolkline and she'll sort it out or email her.
Her email is on the Rallies - Donkei Skok to Europe thread
Just mention Scoter Club, Rtn Dover to Dunkirk £50.
Be nice if we all went wouldn't it.
Regards
Billy-no-scoot

looks like me + 'fiance' (this word is so gay, 'partner' sounds like business, 'other half' sounds like an orange) Alex are seriously considering joining the trip.

it's all too much to work out so I might ring Bill who's already texted some bits of info

Genie, if you haven't booked your hotel, ferry, etc, wait for meeeeeeeeeee

I'm going to Brazil again on Wednesday, back the following Wednesday, so don't miss me too much.

we'd go on both Velma and George so they can both enjoy all the fun

wooo, what kind of duty free or cheaper products can we bring back? Gauloises, booze?
I sound like a pickie, must have caught it from the bus journeys today, UGHGHGHGHGHGH **washing hands in desperation**

and I hate the "leg rubbing" thing with the smelly slob sitting next to you, evils from old grannies who want your seat (I always offer but today I had a lot of shopping! ), I don't mean to sound like a hooligan but the whole listening to about 20 different languages OUT LOUD at the same time really does my head in, and the bus drivers think they are running some sort of Vivienne Westwood exclusive sample sale apparently, the most powerful people in the world, who may or may not allow you on "his/hers" bus.

Also this particular route (328) often stops and waits to "regulate" the service, i.e. after 40 minutes and having gone as far as 1.5 mile, it's early!!! So it sits there at the bus stop, whilst the bus driver READS A PAPER! and all the idiots inside waste yet a bit more of their time!
AGGGGGGGGGGHHH


HOW I LOVE MY VESPA!!!!!!!!

Yes it would be nice if we all went. If I get my passport sorted etc, I will be going.

I was messing around on ebay this morning and seem to have bought myself yet another jacket. Still, it is a brand new Tucano Cassidy which is quite sweet. And the bloke who was selling it owned a black Super. He was polishing it as I rocked up outside his house in Muswell Hill to pick it up. I did some salesmanship and pointed him towards MV. His face did seem to light up when I said we did rides.... 8)

So in the past week I have bought both a Tucano Parka and a Cassidy, I am VERY, VERY bad.

Still I will not need to buy another coat either scooter or otherwise for quite a while as both are wearable as an ordinary jacket. How cool is that.

GAULOISES Blondes blue 8x23 st EUR39,40 = £34,78
GAULOISES BLONDES blue, box 8 x 29 sig. EUR45,80 = £40,53

Shit is sterling really that weak???? OMFG My trip to Pisa in July is looking more and more expensive.

Cancelling any plans to go to Europe this Saturday mainly because yesterday was so bloody brilliant going back would be rubbish so I'm at a loose end again.

Depending on the weather I'm going to ride the Hornet to either London or Brighton.

Whose around for hanging out with the uncoolest guy in town ?

Regards
Billy-no-mates

Also this particular route (328) often stops and waits to "regulate" the service, i.e. after 40 minutes and having gone as far as 1.5 mile, it's early

Blame TfL; Ed, my partner, drove buses for Metroline for a year and then became a route controller for five years - I could tell you a tale or two.

pitu!!!

oh i'll hang if you're doing london. it'll be easy to make the home-by-5 deadline if we're all somewhere within the M25. if i can tear boyf away from his new laptop and audio recording equipment (he's been shoving the damn mike under my nose all day ) then i may bring him along too.

How about a loose plan to go to the Pilot or the 02 around midday on the Saturday ?
London Calling ?

Also are you aware of the American Teacher Lady/Vespa rider who is coming to London on April the 3rd with some Vespa related gear for swapsies ?
OK I know it's the evening before we go to Ostende but we could meet up and say hello that night.

Sleep well all

Billy-no-scoot

the 02 is a hinterland of weirdness. if it's nice i might just strap my big camera and tripod to the back of the scootie and take some pictures.

anyone up for this ... cracking weekend

I'm going to Venice this weekend...sorry, did I already mention that?

Venice, did you say? Better keep your eyes peeled then...

FOA Bill

As promised I had a rumage round in my draws over the weekend as the wife was away and dug out the little treat I was tellig you about the other day....



This was made up for a friend of mine but I dont think he wants it anymore so If you want it its yours. I can email you the .EPS file so you can get some vinyl stickers done or other such scooter related finery.

I can remove the text or do anything that you would like me to so that you will find it more pleasurable and satisfactory.

BTW if anyone else wants any artwork produced for any reason give me a shout and I'll see what I can do.

MANK ON WHEELS! grrr
I despise it!

it's weird because on the tube nobody even LOOKS at anyone, everyone stares to the floor, or reading material

on the bus, though, it's a community! people talk to you, say offense to you, grin at others, offer things, WHY! all I want is to sit there and be transported, I don't want a relationship with any of you weirdos
there's always a freak on the bus stop that's bored and thinks he might chat to you, ERM NO, I'M DEAF AND SEDATED UNTIL I ARRIVE AT FINAL DESTINATION.
if only...
I LOVE MY VESPA!!!!!!!!!!

Dessa, i find that a no-nonsense expression and a copy of the Times Higher Education prominently displayed, prevents unwanted social advances on public transport. add an ipod and you're totally intervention-proof.

yes, you're prob right genie, I guess me looking lost smoking a cigarette at a bus stop is inviting weirdos.
I did take a copy of (so cheesy) "Brides" magazine in my bag to read on the journey but was too embarrassed to pull it out and feared further "possible conversation topics" with freaks so just stared out of the window once I boarded the bus.
I really regretted leaving my iPod at home, that's most certainly the reason they're so popular
I could even play a new age playlist that constantly reassured me: "you are safe. your space is secure. every moment is an opportunity to find joy" (appropriate whilst waiting 22 minutes for bus to arrive) and so on.

anyway, i'm just procrastinating packing so i better get back to staring at the suitcase hoping it'll magically fill up with new clothes that all match and will suit the weather for the exact number of days.

well, that would have me throwing up on the pavement, another good strategy for getting left alone by pretty much everybody

...and back we go to the top again seeing as i've got a few minutes to spare before I start teaching.

Love the bus ad, Teaboy! Off to make a similar one now...

alice i hope your'e logged on to ebay - that jacket auction's due to end in about 15 minutes

where were you alice????? i thought you'd be bidding alongside me i now own another jacket. i hope it fits - i've a sneakingly awful feeling that a Rev'it small is too short in the arms for me. bah!! it is pretty nice tho - would you be interested in buying it off me if it turns out that the arms only reach my elbows?

looks like it's unisex sizing on this jacket so i should be okay. it is really rather nice... and i got it for £31

I was just about to post 'oh darn, somebody swooped in at the last moment'. I can't believe it was somebody I thought was my friend (I only really wanted to pay the minimum, definitely not get in a bidding war.)

Should have known better than to mention it to you lot!

no worries alice - i'll bring it along to our next drinks meet and we can put it to a popular vote - whoever it suits/fits better gets to keep it

Ooh, that is generous. Shame it won't fit me.... I bet you are a wee bitty tall for it Genie

No fair pitting me against Genie! Can I put a paper bag over my head?

frassin' rassin' snipers...

i thought i was doing you a favour

amusing/embarrassing incident on the way to work this morning. i'm stopped at a traffic light on Gray's Inn road, when a cyclist comes up alongside and taps me on the shoulder. 'Excuse me, do you know you've got a post-it on your back?' I replied that I didn't, and asked him if he could take it off for me. He does so and hands it to me with a grin. Turns out it was a label off a packet of chicken we'd had in the freezer. The label - clearly written and highly visible - reads 'LARGE BREASTS'.

Are you sure you want to take on the responsibility of saving me from myself by buying everything I take a fancy to? It could be an expensive business!

(Bid on that orange ET4, go on...)

edit: Just seen your follow-up post My mum once got a sticky label which read 'OLIVES' attached to her chestal region. Dad, ever the gent, said "Oranges, at least!"

"Well, we can't all be melons," said my mum, philosophically...

I prefer quality over quantity.

Oh hilarity! Breasts were always a favourite for the Brit sense of humour.... Genie, I will be very surprised if that Soho fits you. You'd look much better in the Parka. Tucano have stopped making it in white. I have had to go for the sand instead. At least it is the newer breathable version. Colour choice for the mens is black, brown, slate or sand now.