Planes, a monorail, a bus and a fast car

Normally I would have sorted these blogs in a different order, but looks like "back to front" will have to do. I was sitting in my FlyBe jet at Edinburgh waiting to leave as the small turbo prop came in to land - much more fun and person than the bigger planes.

On reaching Birmingham it is only a short walk from the arrivals hall to the exit where the Monorail awaits to speed silently over to the railway station and the entrance to the NEC complex.

From the rail station it is only a short walk to the many exhibition halls within this massive exhibition complex, no need for the big red bus, which in this case was on a stand, as was the Hughes racing saloon car.

IFSEC 2011 - Bloodhound Rocket car

In the Health and Safety Hall there was the ultimate problem for any Police Traffic Officer, or Lollipop man - the Bloodhound SCS Rocket Car which has been built to break the land speed record. They say that it will do from 0 - 300mph in twenty seconds and from 300 -1000 mph in another twenty seconds !!! which means that it is moving faster than a bullet fired from a .37 magnum

IFSEC 2011 - Tyco Honda and Tommy Bridwell

Many years ago before I bought my BMW K75RT and having just sold my Honda 500 Silver Wing I was being persuaded to buy a Honda Pan European. But there I was at IFSEC looking at the TYCO Honda, No 46, ridden in the touring bike championships by young Tommy Bridwell.

On the front of the bike, in the No 46 logo is the name Ollie, which refers to Tommy's brother who was killed in a motor cycle accident in 2007 - a dangerous profession indeed and not for the faint hearted, a comment I have recently made about the Westmuir motor cycle combination lads.

IFSEC 2011 Part 1

2nd attempt at this entry, made it to IFSEC (International Fire and Security Convention), the biggest in the World on Wednesday. The show gets bigger and bigger each year and has transformed from what was many years ago basically physical security with an element of electronics and CCTV to what is now a mass of electronics and for me a lot harder to comprehend. This time I went with a list of stands I wanted to visit and with a number of specific questions to ask - wise move.

As you can see from the photos there is one mass of exhibits , from some very large elaborate stands to small individual units - even so the costs for the sites is expensive.

The Norbain exhibits were good and I spent quite some time there with two very patient reps who eventually managed to make me understand what I was looking at.

I was pleased to see Fastlane on site as I had visited their site near London many years ago.

EMCS, Tom Bell and staff had sent me a VIP badge, however I managed a cup of tea on the strength of the badge - no car to park and too much to see.

Around the halls there were a number of different things on the stands designed to attract the customers, from scantily dressed young ladies, the tubby gent, a racing motorcycle (Tyco); Hughes super touring saloon and the Bloodhound Rocket car - see next blogs.

The Brass and Iron Founders Pillar

I have no idea how many hundred times I have passed Nicholson Square Gardens in Edinburgh since 1976 and looked at the pillar standing there and wondered what it signified, well today I found out.

Having taken myself into town, dropped into the Mercat Bar where I tried the Orkney black pudding on toast - lovely, then crossed the road and had my hair cut by the lovely Alison at the Salon Cafe, and wandered via the Standing Order to Clerk Street, being nosy.

I spotted the pillar in the gardens and went for a closer look. It was commissioned for the 1886 International Exhibition of Science and Art and designed by James Cowans the Lord Dean of the Guild of Edinburgh.

It was originally erected in the meadows, Edinburgh, but later mover over the present site, however, in December 1968 it was blown down in a gale.

The pillar was restored and repaired by the students of the Telford College and eventually re-erected in 1976.

There are twenty four different shields/ crests on the pillar, too many for me to photograph today. Most are of various towns around Scotland but there are the crests of Scotland, England, and Ireland around the top section. The pillar is topped by a statue depicting Hiram Abif, a biblical character, who was reputed to be the "first artificer in metals" and spoken about in Freemasonary.

As the saying goes "you learn something new every day".

Next saying "early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise", so for me off to bed and up early to fly down to Birmingham NEC to attend the IFSEC exhibition there - and perhaps learn a bit more.

Westmuir Racing head for the Isle of Man T T Races

As promised last night the boys from Westmuir Racing came down to the Dolphin Inn tonight with their "flying machine", the Number 53, Suzuki 600cc sidecar combination, all packed up, every nut and bolt sorted and ready for the road next week before they head off to get the boat to the Isle of Man.

The bike, like all thoroughbreds was neatly packed up, washed and polished and ready for the task ahead.

The Isle of Man TT is acknowledged as the ultimate motor cycle racing challenge with riders applying for places from all over the World. Applicants must submit a CV showing recent competence by taking part in at least six recognised races in the year before the TT with good results.

You will see that this is not quite the conventional motor cycle, lacks the comforts of home and is certainly a test for both the driver and pillion passenger.

There are two events for the riders to take part in during TT week, for these bikes three laps of the 37.75 miles (113 miles) which No 53 ( who will probably be using No 41 for the event will complete in about sixty nine minutes, while the winners will be about ten minutes faster.

A set of tyres costs about £500 and the bike will need two sets during the week. The sidecars are not allowed to stop to refuel hence the three lap race while solo motorcycles refuel twice during a six lap event. Fuel for his machine will cost about £240.

The driver position is certainly not very comfortable, and at speeds of up to 150 mph on the fast stretches will take all their powers of concentration, Andrew Couper is seen here in his riding position.

The Isle of Man Races are acknowledge as being highly dangerous and the races are stages at the insistence of the riders, who despite the threat of serious injury in an accident love the event .

Unlike conventional racing circuits the fasted stretch is eight miles long ridden flat out which takes it toll on both man and machines with many breaking down, so all riders who finish the course receive a Certificate.

With the fibre glass body shell removed you can see how robust these machines are. The steering is nominal with the handlebars only moving a few degrees so the riders work hard with the pillions on drifting these machines round bends.

Andrew seen here with their team manager Richard Foulton who recently travelled across Europe on motorcycles with a former colleague of mine, David Shilton, to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.





Andrew's normal pillion passenger on the mainland circuits is Lianne Mayhew, however being a sensible person she has opted out of the TT races.

Andrew will be accompanied by Stuart Clark for these events and you can see from the photos the various positions he will adopt in order to keep the bike on the road during the race.

Hopefully he will have the strength to hold on and not be left behind at the start. The pillion has be be very fast and agile to move around the small platform at the rear of the machine and transfer his / her weight over the rear wheels as and when necessary.

I would like to say that it is with great admiration that I will be following their progress during TT week,but I seriously think they are "balmy", or is it a case that as I get older I am getting wiser !!! or just plain chicken !!

Guys, you have a ball, I wish you well a safe journey, a good race and look forward to seeing you, along with the bike back at the Dolphin Inn.

You'r only 60 once

a 60 year old toy boy is handy as he has his bus pass and you can both have a day out, anywhere in Scotland compliments of the government. So now Maureen can enjoy her time out with young Grahame who had his friends around for what turned out to be a fantastic night evening.

A latrge number of friends gathered for a lovely party, well fed and superbly entertained by two different singers.

Grahame's cake was made by teh young lady and was a work of art, hours of work and beautiful as well as tasty.

Drinks fowed freely throughout the evening, with the bar staff doing their best to see that glasses were always topped up.

Friends, close, old and new were present to wish Grahame well - some who were there when he hit the big 40 and even further back, but irrespective of how long folks had known him the sentiments were the same - happy birthday.

The entertainment was excellent with a duo and a singer who were excellent and fantastic, a great night.

Not sure if I have the singers name correct, Leanna Day, but I am sur someone will check in and keep me right, but certaily well worth a booking.

Here's to many more years fun, friendship and good health Mr Harris.