Go on now, tell me.......

Lord Malloch Brown, who is now resigning after being ennobled by his pal Gordon, is ordered by matey Gordon, (or is he relation?),

"Hey, you can't go around saying we haven't enough helicopters ( Civilian Rupert talk for choppers). Make a u-turn immediately."

His lordship dutifully obeyed.

Now whereas our boots on the ground have been suffering, in Afghanistan, from roadside bombs just look at what Gordon and his cronies have bought themselves (= taxpayers) to keep out of harms way in London. London?

"The main difference between the car that will hit showrooms in the New Year and those destined for the Prime Ministerial and Cabinet car fleets is that the latter will feature special bullet and bomb-proof security armour, run-flat tyres, bullet proof glass and even a self-contained oxygen supply.Read more:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/motoring/article-1198675/Pictured-The-200-000-new-Jaguar-fit-Prime-Minister.html#ixzz0LzxD83Rl"

Again this morning Fat Gordon reassures us we have enough helicopters for this current operation. Strange all the top ruperts,in Afghanistan, reckon otherwise.

I ask you, who would you rather believe Gordon, who daily risks his political career or our lads in Afghanistan who everyday could make the ultimate sacrifice - their lives?

Robbing Peter to pay Paul.........

Let's start with Paul.

Bankers need money and Gordon the Gopher provides them with billions instantly!! Where did these funds come from? From you and me, the taxpayers.

Remember the government has no money of it's own in fact it's just another form of bank!!!!!! So they help out their brother bankers. Isn't "merchant banker" a euphemism for something?

Have the banks tried helping the tax payer since? Think about it.

So now to Peter.

Several years ago Tony Bliar and his "trusty" Chancellor promised the troops whatever they needed would be supplied to enable them to complete their tasks. That made me, a Veteran who served two terms of active service with experience of politicians promises, laugh.

Our lads are giving their all in Afghanistan and are getting knocked down like nine pins! The sympathies and condolences pour forth from the quivering lips of Gordon and his cronies. The dead soldiers families are to be given medals. Suppose that costs nowt and is cheaper than giving them the helicopters they so desperately need.

The Armed Forces Minister says he has extended the flying hours of the helicopters. Big deal. how long before this becomes an unnecessary danger to the flight crew?

He also stated he is sending 12 Merlin helicopters to Afghanistan, from Iraq, in 12 months time. I've heard of blokes riding their push bikes to Afghanistan in less time than that. (I think we will have an election before they receive these helicopters.)

The main point is if we, the taxpayers, can provide funds for the inefficient, cheating bankers and their ilk, why can't we, the taxpayers, provide the same funds for our kith and kin fighting and dying in a political war in an ungrateful country?

Are you listening Gordon?

Rideout to Wirksworth

My son, Daniel, not being able to make Father’s Day, suggested a bit of family history outing to Wirksworth, Derbyshire. This would give me an “excuse” for a ride out on my Burgman and Daniel could celebrate his Father’s Day and we could do some family “digging” into our relative Eliza Ann Moore (My great grandmother).

We arranged to meet up at the retail park at Ashbourne, roughly half way between Macclesfield and Kegworth on Tuesday, 23 June 2009. So at nine forty five, in fairly good weather I set out for Ashbourne. With not too much traffic on the road I made fair progress through Leek, Bradnop, Winkhill, and Waterhouses, on the A523 to Ashbourne. The road has rider problems with the so called “safety” cameras between Leek and Ashbourne. They seem to be sited in each village, safety or revenue raising?

Arrived in Ashbourne about 10:30. Daniel had already arrived, his trip included thirty odd miles along the A50, a two lane “motorway”.

After a brief “confab” we decided to head for Green Hill, Wirksworth, following the B5035, passing by Carsington Waters. Green Hill is one of the locations, we found out from the census information on the t’internet, where our ancestor had lived. Setting our satnavs off we went in sunny, warm weather. Glad I was on my bike, nice and cool. Shortly we arrived at Wirksworth and Green Hill. Riding along Green Hill was like riding to heaven, steep, oh so steep! Probably the steepest road I had ever ridden on. A single lane road with old cottages and new builds. After about half a mile we decided to turn round and return to more level country. Daniel performed twenty three-point turn, so tight and narrow. I climbed into someone’s drive, less steep and slowly paddled the bike round. Then a very slow descent into the middle of Wirksworth. Reminder: must check my brake pads. We managed to find parking spaces quite close to St. Mary the Virgin’s church.

Daniel at the remains of a medieval wall, Wirksworth.

By now the weather was really fine, bright sunshine and hot. We walked round to St. Mary’s. A very peaceful setting, with neat gardens surrounding the church. There is welcome to enter note on the church’s door. Inside the church it was cool but not too well lit – all the windows were leaded with coloured glass scenes, extremely clean, after the fashion of churches in France. We looked all over the church but didn’t find anything connected to our ancestors. The same result with the church graveyard but this was expected.

We returned to our vehicles and then to a the local Spencers cake shop and tea rooms. After a cup of tea and a snack, Daniel presented me with a Father’s Day card and present. A beautiful card and a mini vidcam/voice recorder. Much appreciated present from Daniel and his wife Sara.

St. Mary the Virgin Church, Wirksworth

Daniel outside St. Mary's Church, Wigglesworth

We returned to our vehicles and then to a the local Spencers cake shop and tea rooms. After a cup of tea and a snack, Daniel presented me with a Father’s Day card and present. A beautiful card and a mini vidcam/voice recorder. Much appreciated present from Daniel and his wife Sara.

Back on the street we decided to visit Gorsey Bank, another home site of our ancestors. Easy to find and we arrived at the end of the tarmac with a signpost informing us that the road/track was “Unsuitable for motor vehicles”. Just then a cross country motorcycle zoomed out of the brush up the gravel track.

Turning round we headed for the local cemetery. Quite close, about a five minute ride. A small but neat cemetery. We walked round looking for the headstones we had inscriptions for. Well, Daniel did most of the walking while recuperated on a park bench. We had reference numbers, from the parish records, but there were no references on the ground. We found some headstones with names we recognised from the parish records but were not too sure.

We then left Wirksworth, stopping at a pub in Knockersdown. Pub welcomes bikers by the way. Also has camping facilities. We had a little debrief and concluded maybe we needed a little more research, especially on the monumental inscriptions.

After spending a good day with Daniel, we went our separate ways. Mine a ride through the Peak District Park, along the A5012, A512 to Buxton then up to the Cat and Fiddle and down to Macclesfield on the A537.

Though not a great mileage – eighty miles, I arrived home at four o’clock.

A good day, good weather and good company.

Exactly.....

Lord Butler has today told it as it is......

A private enquiry is Gordon Brown's attempt to put his and Labour's political interest ahead of the national interest.

It is also a diversionary manoevre by Brown to cover his precarious, current, weak position in the Labour government. He'll jump on any bandwaggon at the moment.

Another Gordon Brown Smokescreen....

So Flash Gordon announces a private, independent enquiry into the Iraq "War".

Any British subject can be called to face the enquiry - cue Tony Bliar to become an American!

Any evidence the enquiry do not want to be revealed will be classified as 'secret' to protect our security. (Guffaw, guffaw!)

We already know the Government are responsible for this calamity - they had all the security information to make the decision to take us into this United States driven nightmare. (As Rafa Benitez would say, "It's a FACT.")

Apparently all Sadam Hussein had was a pair of slippers to throw at us. WMF indeed!!

And finally, a little touch of Mandelson - the 'enquiry' will take a year to complete. By that time Flash Gordon and Mandy will be o'er the hill and far away to the Job Centre presenting their P45s, grabbing more of our taxpayers money.

A Trip to Mont Blanc

Tuesday 12/05/09: Macclesfield – Calais Coquelles

Well the day for the start of our continental ride had arrived. As usual, John setting out from his home in Ipswich and me setting out from Macclesfield. I left Macclesfield at 09:00 in fair weather. So across to Leek and down to Ashbourne to the A50. Along the dual carriageway to Kegworth and the M1. A little way down the M1 I stopped at Northampton for fuel and sent a John a text message on my progress.

I continued on the M1 to Junction 6a to exit onto the M25. By now the weather had changed to become quite windy which gave me a few concerns about the Dartford Bridge crossing. Reaching the bridge I rode along lee side of an ‘artic’. On top of the bridge I could hardly feel the effects of the wind, plus the crossing is free to motorcyclists. Leaving the M25 for the M20 I felt the wind again. With time in hand I stopped at Maidstone services for fuel and a quick snack.

Back on the road I had a gentle ride down to Eurotunnel, arriving at 14:30 and logging in for the 15:20 train. Found John’s bike on the car park and John wandering around the Eurotunnel cafes and shops. After enquiries at the Eurotunnel Information desk we boarded the 14:50 train. We had a whole carriage to ourselves.

During the journey two Jewish gentlemen, from the next carriage passed through our carriage showing interest in our scooters, destination and our age. After a long chat they seemed quite impressed with our past and future rides.

On arrival at Coquelles we refuelled and checked into the Etap Hotel. After a short rest we had our evening meal at Le Dragon, Cite Europe.

During the day the weather was dry but cool.

Our Coquelles pit stop.

Daily Mileage 0 – 254 = 254 miles.

Wednesday 13/05/09: Coquelles – Troyes

As we departed, Calais was enveloped in very low, damp mist, it was quite cool. Soon it began to rain. I am sure John is a rain god, John put on his yellow waterproof suit, I had my waterproof trousers.

As noon approached the sun came out. John’s satnav was not working properly and then it fell off his screen mount. So the rain god is not the gadget god. We followed autoroutes: A26, A4, A26, A5. Part way through the morning my “Change Oil” light illuminated. At one of the many ‘aires’ we stopped to check my oil level. Oil check – OK.

We arrived at Troyes at 1230. Parking up on the roof, we found out there is only a part time reception at the Etap, Hotel, Troyes. Next door to the hotel there is a mini mall which has a café. After chatting to the café owner, in our best Franglais, John went off to find someone to check out his satnav power cable, I stayed at the café watching our coats and kit. Quite warm now. Sank quite a few cafés au lait!

About one hour later John returned. He had enquired at wind screen replacement shop about electric testing. A young man, having his windscreen repaired, offered to help John in his quest. He drove John all over Troyes searching for somebody to check John’s satnav power lead. This was decent of the chap, especially as John discovered he was unemployed. Eventually they found an electrician who tested the lead. Apparently a fuse in the plug had blown. Fuse replaced, lead tested ok and John was a happy chappy again. John suitably rewarded his new found friend and returned to the café.

Back to the hotel we tried to book in using the Etap automatic reservation machine. The machine displayed our reservations, accepted my card code but wouldn’t take payment. Five times we tried. Other potential hotel guests tried to register but failed. I would advise people who use Etap Hotels to check the reception times of the hotel. This is the second time we have had problems with a part time reception. The previous occasion was last year in Orleans. Eventually at 1700 we able to check in.

We ate at another Chinese meal, just along the street – “Palais”. John ruined his new shirt. I told him he needed a bib!

Daily Mileage 254 – 514 = 260 miles.

Thursday 14/05/09 Troyes – Archamps

Left Troyes in good weather conditions but at 1000 rain started. John’s satnav played up. He jury rigged the fuse with some copper wire. Later stopping at an “aire” to check with John, he braked at a roundabout and toppled off. Scratched his bike and banged his shoulder. Satnav sent us on the scenic route – lots of bends and hairpins.
Arrived at 1430. Tough day had a couple of beers. (Expensive €5.50 – 50cl)

Daily Mileage 514 – 755 = 241 miles.

Friday 15/05/09 Archamps

Me over the A40 with the hotel in the background.

No riding – no mileage.

Explored the Gaumont complex across the motorway, opposite Hotel Ibix.

Saturday 16/05/09. Chamonix Mont Blanc

Today rode along the A40 to Chamonix Mt Blanc.
Best weather of the day. Stopped at “aire” before Chamonix with a beautiful view of Mont Blanc which had a cloud covered summit. Here we both took pictures of all the nearby mountains and some Swiss/French type houses.

Me silhouetted against Mont Blanc

We moved on to Chamonix which was crowded with vehicles and people. It was the weekly market day. John wandered around taking photos while guarded the bikes. Without a real stop in the town we then made our way returning down the A40.

Still early we made our way to Annecy. The weather continued to be fine. We arrived in Annecy about 1300 and parked up, along with other bikers, outside the local town hall. Again another stroll around with more photo taking, especially of the old buildings and charming water feature outside the town hall.

After a while we made our way back to Archamps. We soon ran into trouble – road works and diversions. Not so easy. A new bridge was being constructed across a deep, wide valley. The diversion wasn’t well marked so we called in the local garage, re-fuelled and the owner gave John a tip. “Walk your bikes across the old bridge slowly.” I don’t know how old the bridge is but it is flanked at either end by two castle type features to give it a medieval look. And there must be a reason they are replacing it. John the Brave went first. Did we push our bikes across? Have you felt the weight of our bikes? Of course not! John rode straight across. Gingerly I followed. Looking down I saw a valley about two hundred feet below the decking of the bridge. Carefully I rode across, didn’t want the bridge disappearing from beneath my wheels. Slowly the far bank approached, safe at last.

OK bring on the next challenge! Yeah, as soon as I stopped quaking on we rode. After that a pretty tame ride back to the hotel.

Daily Mileage 755 – 896 = 141 miles

Sunday 17/05/09 Archamps - Troyes

Left Archamps at 09:00, a little later than usual as we didn’t want to arrive in Troyes too early. We shouldn’t have bothered – the road riding gods conspired against us. For some reason the A40 west had been closed for maintenance. No signs just cones. We saw a lorry receiving directions on the deviation from a workman. We followed the lorry for miles, he knew where he was going. After many miles he pulled over to let the build up of traffic to pass. Not long after we took a pit stop and reset our satnavs. Not long after, approximately 11:00, we connected with the A40 again. We made progress after taking two hours to ride 40+ miles. John has realised he has left his hip flask in the hotel at Archamps. Oh dear, a present from his wife, Marie. In fine weather, lots of sun, of course I was wearing my waterproofs, never rains when I wear them. We made good progress but with judicious managed to reach Etap Hotel Troyes bang on the evening opening time. John tried to make contact with Archamps but it sounded a bit garbled.

So off to the Chinese restaurant at the end of the street. A pleasant meal, a chat with a couple of expats returning to Leeds on a family visit. A free saki from the restaurant owner and a free souvenir of the saki cups, which when full a naked lady can be seen in the bottom of the cup.

Daily Mileage 896 – 1180 = 284 miles

Monday 18/05/09 Troyes – Coquelles, Calais

We left Troyes at 0815, a fairly bright day but very windy.

Poulet de Bresson

After a good ride arrived at Coquelles at 1230. No reception problems here, open all day.

After a quick shower we walked over to Cite Europe for a bit of shopping for SWMBO. A watch with an expanding bracelet. Now these aren’t the current vogue or fashion. There are about half a dozen watch/jewellery shops in the malls. Not one had this animal. However walking out of the last shop, John espied the exact thing in a showcase. This after being told by the shopkeeper he had sold his last one. I bought it immediately. John replaced his lost whisky at Tescos duty free store.

At 1530 we had an early dinner at the Le Dragon. Then a few preparations for the trip home on the morrow.

Daily Mileage 1180 – 1429 = 249 miles.

Tuesday 19/05/09 Coquelles, Calais – Macclesfield.

We left Coquelles on the 0820 train and arrived in Folkestone at 0720, all times local of course as we have not mastered time travelling yet.

As John had his satnav set-up, he led the way. Nearing the M25 John signalled me to lead. Navigating by overhead gantry motorway signs. I misread a sign for the M25 and ended on the A20. Unusual exit as it exited RIGHT. Probably I should have bared left to follow the M25 but the overhead sign confused me. John, satnav alive zoomed past following the correct route and that was the last I saw of him on the ride out.
I stopped at the first roundabout on the A20. Fortunately I was able to pull into a B&Q car park. Unpacking my rear bag and suit case I found my satnav buried under many layers of clothing. Repacking and finding my way back to the M25 took me twenty minutes, not bad considering it was rush hour.

Refuelled at Toddington on the M1. (Last refuel Coquelles.) I had a trouble free pootle up to Kegworth, to my son’s, Daniel, house in good weather, arriving at 11:15. Daniel had texted me for a pit stop for a brew and a buttie.

After leaving Kegworth ran into very heavy rain, which lasted until I reached Leek. Absolutely soaked I arrived home, Macclesfield at 13:15.

Daily Mileage 1429 – 1698 = 269 miles.

Total Mileage – 1698 miles.

Our bikes!

LIke Gordon Brown....

Lord Mandelson, like Gordon Brown, is unelected! In fact he was given a barony and appointed by Gordon Brown.


Yesterday he urged MPs to back Gordon Brown.

'Scratching', 'your' and 'backs' come to mind. As a previous Brown opponent the Machiavellian Mandelson is a political survivor.

The unelected support the unelected.

Update on D-Day.......

President Obama has found out the Queen has not been invited to the celebrations. So the Americans are taking the initiative and intend to invite her.

Sod Gordon Brown and his cronies - too busy thinking about their wallets and survival.

Gordon Brown to carry on.....

"Mr Brown rejected calls to quit, saying he was the man to tackle the recession and the expenses scandal."

I've heard it all now! He's the man to tackle the problems he helped create. What a load of twaddle. He's just trying to hang on to his job.

Is he he tackling the problem by giving bankers outrageous pensions when they should have been sacked and possibly imprisoned.

Is he tackling the problem by giving millions of the tax payers funds to failed business' - banks. Resurecting the companies and situations that landed us in the brown sticky stuff originally.

Reluctant to punish MPs for the disgraceful way they dipped their butties in the tax payers funds, allowing them to retire at the next election thus ripping off the taxpayers again by taking their "standing down allowances - sixty thou here, eighty thou there!!! And now he is supporting his Darling. The country's treasurer has ripped us off.

He is just buying support from the commercial sector and currently serving, thieving MPs.

Presidents and Prime Ministers....

The unelected and possibly the unelectable has spoken on the Andrew Marr Show.

The 65th anniversary of D-Day.

Flash Gordon, trying to show his new smiley self, stated this anniversary is for presidents and prime ministers. Monarchs? Especially monarchs who participated in WW2 are not wanted according to El Gordo. Then he states "if the Queen wants to attend, I will arrange it."

Where does this unelected and possibly unelectable egoist think he's coming from? (Repeated intentionally)

Born, in 1951, six years after the end of WW2 - jumped up fat sprog!! I'll be surprised if he wants WW2 veterans to attend!!!!!

Please Sir, may I have some more....

So the MPs who are being forced to stand down because effectively they have been caught with their fat, grubby fingers in the till are now asking to stand down at the next election.

This shows the weakness in our prime minister and his opposition leader. Flash Gordon Brown and Delboy Cameron should make these people go immediately and not receive the perks of an honourably retiring MP.

Not only have they stolen the tax payers money but now want rewarding after being caught. They should be stripped of their MP priviledges and their title "The Right Honourable...". What a joke that title is!

This option should be denied them, sack them now !

Europe......

Like I have said I am back, or to put it correctomundo, John and I are back after our short raid on Europe. Not much damage done and we maintained our usual relationsip with the continentals.

Details and photos to follow as soon as I am organised.

Some Good News....

....and a little bit of good news.

Well done to all the Gurkhas and their supporters who have succeeded in their fight against the parliamentary terrorists led by Flash Gordon and his fingers in the till cronies!

With a special thank you to Joanna Lumley, what a lady!

FACT, FACT, FACT.......

Well after a short break on holiday I am back on site.

While I have been away a new FACT has been established Senor Fat Waiter aka Rafa Benitez,

Manchester United have won the Premiership three times in a row for a second time!!

That time of Year Again

Just back from North Wales with SWMBO and Harvey (the dog) and time to prepare for our (John and me) trip to the continent.

After last year's trip to France, Spain and Gibraltar we are taking it a little easier this year and we are going to treat the Swiss Miss' to our company. A two day day pootle through France, ravage and rape Switzerland, then a pootle back home through France.

If we are lucky we will see the Swiss Navy, dying to get hold of one of their Swiss Navy knives then I'll have the full set. See one of the Gnomes of Switzerland and finish off with yodelling lessons!

"The Mad Mullah of the Traffic Talliband"

Is it true? Richard Brunstrom is to retire in July?

Has he been pushed or did he jump?

What a Sad day......

On the day that four of our servicemen have died in Afghanistan, our leaders, from the Prime Minister, Gordon the Dreadful Unelected, 'a son of the manse' (?), and his Cabinet members down to the run of the mill members of Parliament are screwing the "expenses system" for every penny its worth and stumbling around saying they are legitimate claims!

Where is the honour?

How can this pitiful government justify itself?

By denying true homage and support to the past (Gurkhas) and present serving soldiers while they line their own pockets with the tax payers hard earned funds.

Such a shameful group of grabbing Brits!

Turned out nice again...

Well, not really. Today is probably the worst day of the week so far. Extremely overcast and cold with strong winds. Earlier in the week we have had sunny spells, quite warm for this time of year.

So nice I exposed the scooter to its first outing of the year. I'm not exactly a fair weather rider but as a pensioner I can pick and chose when and why I venture out. I'll ride in the rain if it is necessary but I'll chose my riding weather whenever possible.

Well Monday was quite pleasant. Jumped on the scoot and blasted up the bye-pass then pootled down the country lanes to my son's. Not a long ride but a pleasant ride with the sun on my back.

Now all set for a week's riding in North Wales at the end of the month then a ride through France to Switzerland in May. As these dates are written in stone I just have to accept the weather of the day, hoping for a little bit of sunshine at least.

First of April........

Well, what a start to April!

Half past four on Wednesday morning I awoke with a terrific pain in my chest, pain in my right arm and jaw. Sitting up eased the pain slightly. Managed to take my tablets but still no relief. So apologising I woke up SWMBO. She clicked into action, phoning '999'. A paramedic turned up quickly followed by an ambulance and off I was packed to the local A&E to be diagnosed with a MI (Heart Attack to you and me). Transferred to a medical ward, given morphine, intravenous paracetamol, blood tests and a blood pressure dropping through the floor.

The medical staff gave me a 'thrombolisation' (think that's the right term) to flush out any clots in the heart. The doctor then asked me, "How long have you had an irregular heartbeat?" What a question to ask me I'm not very 'medical' inclined - just know when I have man-flu!

So when my BP started to rise and normalise I was transferred to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) for five days. Tied down to bed and wired for 'sound', more ECGs and morphine, blood tests.

Halfway through the night I called the nurse for the commode as I was wired up, restricting me to my bed area, she brought me some brilliant news. "You can walk down to the ward toilets. Your blood test has returned 'negative', you haven't had an heart attack."

After morning rounds, on Thursday, the doctor discharged me with outpatient appointments and new and changed medicine.

So a whirlwind thirty six hours! I am now bruised and exhausted but at home with thanks to the medical staff at Macclesfield Hospital especially A&E, MCU and CCU.

Sorry.....

'Sorry', when and why has this poor overused phrase become the norm for taking responsibility?

Bankers are 'sorry' for negligently wasting our invested funds and then taking their begging bowls to the tax payers (not the 'Government' please note; that is just our agency for ruining this once great country.) to rescue the financial standing of the banks in order to award their most useless and senior staff pensions which can be compared to winning the national lottery.

Government ministers are 'sorry' for stretching the rules of allowances to the limit of law and not the spirit of law, again robbing the under pressure tax payers. Many of these tax payers are paying income tax on their meager pensions.

Why should these representative members of our society renege on taking proper responsibility? What has happened to honour, has it been rejected in favour of political correctness?