Saturday’s first parade on the bike was in the rain, and showed coolant loss. Boo! Hoo! With Pat (the mechanic) off on holiday there is nothing that I can do till next week. 🙁
A sad way to leave, after 3 sunny days in Bournemouth.
NOTE: Found something shiny…… https://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/tools/hand-tools/rolson-led-claw-magnetic-pick-up-tool.
Makes it sooOooooOooo much easier to shine a light on the liquid in the coolant expansion tank.
The magnet around the light, made retrieving a bolt from inside the frame (don’t ask) incredibly simple.
Plus, there is a 4-piece claw for picking up things.
And the final kicker, as the 2ft item is bendy, it can be used as a bedside lamp!
How did I ever live without this!!!!
With more waterproofing for the TomTom, the rain saw me riding off to breakfast.
Blandford’s Royal Signals museum is interesting, and has a nice cafe. Much needed after the reunion dinner 😉 My post only mentions the dinner’s food, and drink. Misses the chats and cups of teas that I had in the museum cafe, after breakfast, until I felt OK to ride to Salisbury.
By the time this visit was concluded, the rain had stopped 🙂
Checked the coolant (AOK).
And rode off towards Weston.
Ran for a hour and a half. Past Glastonbury. Was begining to regret not stopping there for a cuppa, when the Wellington Arms hove into view. Excellent motorcycle parking. Excellent craic (Barry this is a pub for you!) Sandwiches made to order, but only with fluffy white bread 🙂 And all for a fair price. Perfect!
Refreshed, I rode a further 20mins into Weston, filled up with petrol, found my hotel, TLC for the bike, and secured free on-site motorcycle parking.
Unpacked my gear.
Then went off in search of something to cheer me up. Started at the Criterion. Followed by the Black Cat. Then onto the fireworks at the pier (outstanding, with few onlookers). Then retraced my route, adding a real Bass, and a chat with a grandad, who’s daughter is raising her kids in Winnipeg.
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Sunday saw me having breakfast in my hotel. Then off to find a few items.
Checked out Scallys (bikers pub) with a “Saudi cocktail“.
Saw what’s on at the cinemas, and theatres.
Added more waterproofing to the TomTom.
And looked at options for my next move.
All on a sunny February day.
Supper was a very nice Chinese at Fusion.
With a nightcap of a small porter at the Criterion.
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Monday brought a walk in the traditional English seaside weather.
A chat with Birmingham-Chris and some of his excellent chocolate. We’d met on an earlier visit to Weston, as he is conveniently located on “curry street” (my term), and literally around the corner from the Weston museum.
Theatre in Weston is quite varied.
(a) Monday night was Psycho Asylum who brought sights I had not seen before. Well. Sights that I had done my best to forget. There were some rapscallions in my youth, performing similar stunts, for free. Psycho Asylum, added new stunts, including one stunt to rival the training of Shaolin monks! (If you have to ask……) that I am now doing my best to forget. And I paid good money for this. haha.
(b) Tuesday night was a re-enactment of BBC Radio’s recording of Hancock’s Half Hour. Very modest humour.
And who in this retirement town, during a school half-term break, would have thought that Psycho Asylum would generate a MUCH larger audience?!?!
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Which brings me up to Wednesday, where I dropped the bike off at Pat’s, for another look. Can take a week.
So moved up into London. It’s cheaper to stay in Town, than to stay near Woking!!!
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Friday meant brunch with Lynn & Rachel 🙂 Excellent time. Again 🙂
The bus is my preferred mode of transport in London. The benefit of the day-pass is that you can hop-on, and hop-off, all day long. I added a cuppa in The Landmark hotel to my list. Outstanding olives 🙂
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Saturday means the big game: Wales are hosting England in the 6-nations.
To quote the advertising. “A game of two halves, and then a pint” 🙂
See you on the other side, when the bike is back on the road.