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Bikes and more bikes
Started riding at
17 at school, passing the test on my Suzuki A100, a 98cc dream machine, or
so it seemed for a few months until I got my Triumph Tiger90 350cc Speed
Twin. The good thing about this bike was that to the uninitiated it could
pass for a Bonneville (it couldn't pass one though!!). Top speed 90 (hence
the model no.) and for an 18 year old in 1971 that was fast. Had this for
3 years until it failed its MOT (play on swing arm) and I couldn't afford
to repair it so I sold it. Little did I know I wouldn't ride again for 25
years!
Me at 19 riding an Ossa 250 at Leeds
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Being a step dad meant I had a step son (well 2 really) and
Mark being like most young teenagers wanted a bike. His mum reluctantly
gave in as Mark's real dad Paul is also a biker. One bike Mark had
was a Honda H100S, very reminiscent of my A100 Suzuki. When Mark upgraded
to a Honda NSR125 I started to play with the H100S and soon got bitten
again. Within a few months I was the proud owner of a Kawasaki GPZ500S,
not a bad little starter bike. By total coincidence my mate Rae had
also decided to get back into biking but he started with a Honda VFR750
(the red 'Ferrari' one). This explains why after riding out for a year
together (inc. a tour of Ireland) I upgraded to a VFR, though a 1993 model
(budget constraints). I loved this bike and only sold it because of my
planned move to Crete.
To this end my next bike was the
750 Honda Africa Twin, a big tall brute of a bike which I dropped on the
day I picked it up. I still have this, riding it In France and the UK
though it always seems to rain when I ride it from one country to the
other.
I also had a Greek registered Aprilia Pegaso 650 which
I rode on Crete for almost two years. I sold it on my last visit
to Crete (Oct '08).
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The @ (Africa Twin) has been a great servant
and I have ridden it from the UK to Crete and back with pleasant detours
in France. The Peg was my main mode of transport in Crete. The bike
was fine but I prefer the smoother twin for long distance work,
though the Peg was ideal on Crete for both on and off
road travel being lighter and easier to handle. See various pics on this
site.
I'm getting to know a few bikers over here in France but
have not managed a good ride out yet. Some new mates run a biker Gite,
check it out at www.motobreaks.com I'm also
trying to meet a guy with an AT who lives in the Dordogne.
More
bike stuff? Click - Biking links
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Beer and
Walking
Well, the two do go hand in hand, at least on my
blog they do! You just have to be careful not to spill too
much!
I started local, discovered the Lake District and the
Yorkshire Dales and did a lot on Crete (thanks to Gordie). Now I'm
discovering France.
Relevant quote:-
I'm ombibulous. I drink
every known alcoholic drink, and enjoy them all. H. L. Mencken
(1880–1956), American journalist and critic
(I bet he never tried
Campari)
Notice he lived to 76, that will do me!
I've always
enjoyed a pint or two after a walk . On Crete it's a necessity, you sweat
so much you could suck a sponge dry, especially one dunked in cold Amstel.
It's weird, I never drink lager in the UK but i adapted to it there (It's
the same in France); thirst is the mother of invention (inebriation?).
however as soon as I revisit the UK I go in search of Real Ale (The Beer
Hunter).
That's enough of beer (weak joke), more about
walking. But before we go on try:-
East
Lancs Camra
I've done a lot of walking around Elounda
having been shown some good walks by my mate Gordie (who is now a 'pat'
again, i.e. an ex ex-pat). You can view them on this link: Elounda
Walks
The big walk there is up Mount Oxa which is easier than
first appears when you view it from the harbour. The first hour is just an
easy slog up a dirt road which you could even drive up. Another half hour
then takes you to the chapel in the 'saddle' of the mount. The true
top is then an easy scramble eastwards which takes about 15 minutes. The
views are excellent. Click this link: Mount Oxa
I've
been up 5 times to date, it's always well worth it especially if
you've taken a couple of cold Amstels and some butties with
you.
I've also done the Samaria and Imbros gorges on the west of
the Island. Surprisingly I was more impressed by the Imbros walk even
though it is much shorter. You get more of a "Gorge feeling" whilst doing
it (walking that is).
So far in France I've only rambled locally
which includes an hour and a quarter walk to my nearest bar, Le Chene Vert
(then an hour and a half back!). There is also a pleasant walk to the
local Etang (small lake) which you can see on my French pages. This
takes over two hours for the round trip and not a bar in sight
so if you fancy a drink you carry it (like going up Oxa). |
Burnley Football
Club
BFC has been
one of my lifelong loves. First introduced to the club by my dad in the
early sixties i was fortunate to see some of the 'greats' play, my
favourite being Ray Pointer.
Footie on Crete wasn't the
same. I did watch a lot at the malibu but most days I was on my own as
most ex-pats over there didn't seem interested. In all the time I was
there I only met one other Claret and his wife - Dave and Christine, and
they were only visiting Elounda.
France is even worse. I can't
watch any live matches unless they are on terrestrial TV in which case
Peter at the Chene Vert in Mezieres will show them and that usually means
I can't drink if I drive there. Peter is a Hull City supporter so he's
enjoying things at the moment. I now use the internet more to keep up with
football but even that is unreliable over here which is why I've not
subscribed to Claret's World.
Anyway, to read my weekly
musings CLICK
HERE
As an aside
I have to admit to an interest in Rugby Union, but only at international
level. I blame Johnny Wilkinson and the Webb Ellis Trophy in 2003. We all
love a winner. The rules are weird tho', they make offside in football
seem as clear as crystal. It's just frightening how our national sides can
peak one year and plummet the next (excluding footie which hasn't peaked
since '66). Ashes to ashes and all that!
Click here
for the Clarets map - fans around the
world.
Mini Facts:-
Burnley Football Club Founded
1882
Ground:Turf Moor Since 1883
'The Clarets' (orig played in Amber
and Black)
Founder members of the football league 1888
Have won all
4 Divisions (as have Wolves)
Play in Claret and Blue (inspired by
Villa)
Hate B**tard Rovers
Sing 'No Nay never'
Great Away
following - best days out!
Unsung hero:- Johnny Francis at Plymouth,
2nd leg, 2 goals then seriously injured at
Wembley.
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