Needing to make time - again.

Must have said this a hundred times,   just where does the time go -   time management, what is that?

Must congratulate Andy Murray on winning his opening game at Wimbledon, long may he continue to win,  but looking at the opposition, they are doing well also.

Have been busy as usual, between gardening at home, messing about with the car and motor cycle, doing my DIY and odd jobs at the Mercat Grill, etc. and not leaving enough time for me.  No wonder I am back to square one again and giving my medical advisors a fit.

World Cup controvesy,  England on the bus home with no wins in this competition - Italy in the same boat and their manager has resigned already.   Suarez, the "biting" player, will be interesting to see what action is taken against him.

On a more mundane subject,  "public toilets",  once again Edinburgh Council are causing headlines by closing more of their public toilets, so if you are in the town, B.Y.O.B. means bring your own bottle (to pee into).  On the other hand, when we were recently in Annecy, France, I was impressed with the public facilities for tourists,  good clean toilets around the town, and fresh water drinking fountains everywhere, so no need to be ripped off by bottled water vendors.

Returning to the Gala Day on Saturday,

fine twosome, here, brother and sister on the platform. Well done Aaron and Amy.

Looks like an early bed tonight,  problems with Sky TV's overpriced service,  poor reception tonight, and getting away with it here in Penicuik where we still have no Freeview service.
Good job I have a set which receives good old fashioned "Council TV",  limited choice, but it works.

Not that I am that impressed with the football, so watching a far more interesting documentary on Shetland and it's wildlife, etc.     Coincidentally, one of my friends , has just spent a week there while attending his daughter's wedding - and of course I was there with a group of friends so it brings back happy memories.

Penicuik Archery Club tournament 21st June 2014

Returning to Penicuik later

 in the day, the archery competition taking place in the local playing fields was still in full swing.  Organised by Penicuik Archery Club, who have been going from strength to strength over the years , they now attract large numbers of archers from all over the Country.  I am always impressed how regimented the buts appear.

Archery has changed a great deal from the days when I would use string and a branch from a tree to make the bow, and straight twigs as arrows,

They can even shoot the arrows further than I can see and need monoscopes to see how many arrows are in the "Bulls eye" !!!,   Due to the hazardous nature of the sport, it is well disciplined and after releasing all six arrows, whistle sounds and all head for the butts to tally the scores,

 We even had members of the Great Britain squad takig part today, and from the groupings around the bull, many were doing really well.

MacMerry Gala Day 2014

Up early again this morning, nice day, and while out in the garden spotted some busy bees out gathering for breakfast

Puts us all to shame, working their socks off, while normal beings are still snoozing.

 

Bit of a potter about and eventually headed towards MacMerry stopping off at the Mercat Grill to do a little paperwork and DIY while things were still quiet and before the lunchtime rush.

 

Off to MacMerry where the local Annual Children's gala was taking place, an event which has been successfully revived during the past few years.  An excellent turn out from the community with the parade into the park led by the local pipe band.

The crowning ceremony and speeches took place

This was followed shortly by the release of baloons in memory of one of the organisors, Ms Redpath who died several months ago.

Despite the sky clouding over it remained dry and warm so the large crowd were able to enjoy themselves before the platform party reassembeld and left the Park for a parade around the Village.

Distant memories, or a figment of my imagination.

Was I ever away in Europe, seems like an eternity already, and now , so much happening any memories as so distant to be lost.  Any benefit gained has all but been wiped out, such is life.

Couple of days ago I was talking to my friend Suburu man and discovered that he, his two sons and his cousin had taken four cars and instead of spending a long weekend on a racing track in England had done a ten day tour of Europe "running" a number of the well known mountain passes, including the Stelvio, which they drove over the day before we did, thoroughly enjoying the experience.

Fifteen days in the saddle took their toll physically and I am now having to return to my exercising regime and keeping a diary to please the cardio rehab people.  Even managed my first swim for several weeks yesterday. One consolation is that I will not offend folks by refusing the meals put in front of me,  but on the other hand the new menu at the Mercat Grill  is very nice.

World Cup woes for the men from England, so much for highly paid prima donna's doing their bit, and Mrs Rooney has surely not had the chance to unpack her eighteen suitcases -  if the FA have any sense they will ship the squad home as soon as they get their third game over with,  unless of course the palyers agree to pay their own  costs.

Had a nice run down to Ayr today on the "Steed of Steel", which was raring to go, having had a new lease of life.  I took lots of back roads, and also the deserted old A74 from Abington to Douglas, so peaceful and less hassle with no traffic.   Weather was lovely so when I finished the job I was able to return via Mauchline, Muirkirk, etc, and even saw the crowds out waiting for the Commonwealth baton to pass through Robbie Burn's country.

I even tried my luck for a cuppa at a friend's house in Mauchline, they either knew I was coming and were hiding or were at work -  my loss, their lucky day.

Wimbledon starts next week and Andy Murray will be back in action,  so obviously need to wish him luck, and with his current form, he will need it.

Lots on tomorrow, great excitement - Macmerry Gala day !!!   so I am digging out my body armour, or perhaps the Peebles Beltane festival,  where one of IPA visitors from the USA will be attending.

Mystery rider.

Up with the larks this morning, but as my router was down impossible to get writing.

Several tasks at home kept me occupied till nearly lunch time, however, mounted the Steed of Steel and headed to town to my Cardio Group.
Interesting comment by the nurses when I  stated that my legs and ankles were swollen after the long ride home.  They advised that we should have stopped at least every hour and had a walk, exercise to stretch our legs and get the circulation going as failure could well lead to DVT, especially afer several days of sitting cramped. Something worth bearing in mind for future trips.

Thought I should share the following with you,  fixed my malfunctioning horn (squeezy hooter) with a bit of imaginative fiddling - so now I can upset the natives on my trip to Wrexham,  unless of course, some bounder chooses to pinch said item. Ron Barnes did not think it was repairable as we did not have the same technology as the Chinese.

No idea who this was, but he was seen on several occasions following close behind the group, (thanks to William Johnston for sending me this surveillance snap taken as we circumnavigated the M25). 

 

 

Tomorrow , another day.

 

 

 

Was I ever away - does not seem like it

Back to normality once again - awake at 4.30 a.m.  but could not get on line due to a router which looks as though it may expire soon.  Too busy yesterday to do any scribbling,  but I did get all my washing done and put away, cut the lawn as it was long due to so much rain here while I was away,  but having brought the sun back with me , nae bother now.    I see there is already a threat of a hosepipe ban looming !!!  I am sure I forecast that when poor souls were under water in January/ February.

Steed of Steel, all cleaned,  polished and raring to go - so if you see a nag by that name running at Royal Ascot this week, pop a couple of quid on it each way,  might not win against the younger thoroughbreds but it will certainly be in the running.

Still troubled by back and neck, so riding side saddle is not to be recommended.

Back to my Tuesday club today, (Cardio Rehab) who will not be amused with me, two weeks in the saddle, good food and wine, have played havoc with the waistline.  AND according to Mrs. B. I have gone grey or white haired while away -  must have been the shock of riding over the Passa Di Stelvio and then the Passo Di Gavia, through the snowfield and then down a narrow road, no barriers, tight hairpins, sheer drop, etc, where a parachute on the top box would not have been out of place.

Not even getting time to watch the World Cup, although I did hear that England kind of messed things up a couple of days ago.
We had the Commonwealth Games Baton relay pass through Penicuik yesterday, stopping at both Penicuik High and Beeslack High School, before heading to Rosslyn Chapel.

Real carry on now with the insurgents in Iran / Iraq,  so much for peace in our time, proves that the Religion is still a major factor in most wars.   Just have to wait and see how long it will take before we have another major incident on home soils - so "continual vigilance" is the watchword of the day

Home, fed and watered, with the Steed safely back in the Garage.

Home now after two long days in the saddle.   Yesterday we set off from Metz early for the long run up to Dunkirque -  Steed of Steel all fed and watered, fully laden and off we set from the garage we had been using

We made it to our hotel after the run, which I think I wrote about last night.  However, evening meal, bike topped up and we set off at 0630 this morning for Calais  to board the train for Dover.   Quite straight forward, rode the bikes on, sat and chatted for thirty five minutes and we were in Dover.   Once again, straight forward, off the train and onto the M20 towards the M25 where we headed northwards.    Bit of a problem when Tom discovered he had a faulty fuel gauge and he ran out of petrol.  Help was at hand as the two Dougz stopped, did a bit of syphoning and we all met a short distance away at the filling station.  Bit strange as this fault has happened with the GS Adventure before  -  worse than this Tom had dropped his Tracker on the road - so so now the local Highways chaps are looking for it as it is still transmitting.
Upwards !!  no Northwards on the M1 , then M6  (M6 Toll) and a stop to top up.
At this point we split up and I headed Northwards on the "Steed of Steel" stopping briefly for more petrol, and then let the Steed have its  head ( being Sunday no speed traps), but I did pass a couple of Police cars.
Fuel warning light came on as I drove into Biggar so a very quick top up  and then onto the last twenty two miles to Penicuik., arriving home at 4.55p.m.  having ridden 494 miles today and 3296 miles overall during the past two weeks.
For me it was a challenge which I thought not possible following my recent medical problems, so praise to Doctors at the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh who had faith enough to encourage me to go on the trip, and more so to Tom, Dougie and Iain who offered me loads of support before and throughout the two week trip. To my fellow travellers , room mates (who put up with my snoring) , many thanks, it was a hoot.
Next up,  British Bike Section rally in Wrexham on 4th July.