[Blog][RBR] An enjoyable few days off ...

Started Thursday, when I dropped madam off at L&G, and headed out on
the A40 to Beaconsfield, where I picked my tenth landmark of the rally
so far. A boundary stone, with an inscription about some bloke who won
a court case about how much the tithe should be.

From there it was into the middle of Windsor to find the blue post box
commemorating the first Airmail letter, sent by George V. It was
exactly where I expected it to be, too. Got there just before a bloke
started to repaint it.

At this point I decided a day's Wing fettling was a waste of good
sunshine, and headed south down the A3 to the Royal Marines museum at
Eastney. Outside is a statue of a marine, so I had three landmarks
already. On the way down I had a bit of a play with an Audi R8 -
they're quite lively, aren't they?

Back along the A27 to Chichester, then north to Cocking, to find the
History column in the village. This is a monument to the history of
the village, with scenes of village life carved on it.

From here it was north into Surrey to find the village sign at
Ewhurst, which commemorates the coronation in 1953. Being made of bent
(wrought?) iron, it took some work to get the sky behind it so the
detail was clearly visible in the photo, but I managed it in the end.

Back into Sussex, along some more country lanes - really the sort of
road the CB13 is made for, as long as you're not in a hurry. IT pulls
really well at low-ish revs, but there's a definite indecision in the
fuelling at 2250 revs, where it doesn't seem sure whether to inject
some fuel, or none at all. This corresponds to 30mph, but I can't
remember in which gear.

Finally arrived at Chuck Hatch in the middle of the Ashdown Forest,
found the car park, and set off in search of the Pooh Sticks Bridge.

Quite why the car park is called the Pooh Bridge carpark, I don't
know. It's miles away. Well, at least half a mile. It's all uphill on
the way back, too. The bridge is mightily unimpressive.

As this was a two-part landmark, I had to back-track a bit, to find
the AA Milne memorial, but a local walker helped me out there. The
views were quite impressive.

15 out of 90 complete: nearest remaining landmark is now in
Cambridgeshire.

A quick blast home to clear the cobwebs before I set out to
retrieve madam from work.

Friday was Wing fettling day - finished re-attaching heat shields and
body panels, destickied some switches, re-bled the brakes, and washed
the 13.

Then off to the pub with the brothers Wegg. Over several beers, I
think I may have talked them into Chimay, but we'll see. Ended the
evening in the Gaucho Grill, which was nice.

Saturday we set off to the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich, as Linda had won
a compo in the local rag to see the new development taking place on
the old site. The director chap told the forty or so winners all about
the new homes, and future plans, including crossrail, etc, then we
went on a walk round the old Arsenal. They're not doing a bad job of
it, to be fair, keeping a lot of the character of the old buildings.

From there, we got a river bus to Greenwich, where we had lunch at Bar
Du Musee, which wasn't bad, seeing as it was all gratis. Our lunch
partners gave us a lift back to Woolwich to pick up the bike.

Sunday, I ventured to the end of the road in hope of seeing a work
colleague putting himself through hell in the London Marathon. Stood
there for two hours, but no sign. Lots of very poorly looking folk,
though, after 17 miles. Some of them looked less athletic then me -
which prompted a mad idea, which was quickly snuffed out.

Quite how those daft sods make it all the way round dressed up as
rhinos or Wombles, I have no idea. Got home just in time to see the F1
driver's press conf on the telly, which took the appeal of watching
the whole race down a notch or two - so I went and gave the Wing a
good clean. On the right hand side. Doing it all in one go is too
boring by half.

Today was judgement day, and the Wing came through. Deep joy. I was a
bit nervous about the cross-ply/radial mismatch, but not nervous
enough to mention it.

Now I can look forward to three days of painting woodwork, before
setting off for the Pyrenees on Friday.

Much better than work.

 

Just how "few"? I know those two miscreants and they can't count ;-)

[snip]

 

Oh, I do hope so.

 

Several few.

 

Ah, well done. Actually, can you ask Weggy if he can transfer the item
he's been holding onto for me (for a year) to yours, At least I know
where you are, which'll make it easier to retrieve. Plus you're near
the DLR.

Oh, very civilised. I used to (infrequently) frequent the one just off
Fleet St, there or Chez Gerard.

Cheers,

Paul.

 

How big is it? Are you Froglanding? Will it fit on the bike?

Near? It's over 300m as the crow flies.

 

I'm sure he doesn't, but I can't help thinking that that would be an
appropriate village for James May to live in.

 

Big-ish, about 2 feet by 1 1/2 ft by 6"

Ah, is this your definition of what is bike-able, or mine ?

I'd say probably not. Weggy might get it over to yours by bike, i'll
get it back by train TYVM.

Paul.

 

A rather amusing (in my infantile way) village name round here is
Upperthong. Makes me tickle.

--


Nige,

BMW K1200S
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Aprilia RSV Mille