Nice one Tom.

The Government (Have we got one ?) blabs on about mucky diesel and petrol vehicles and does bugger all about our dilapidated road system that is clogged up and not fit for purpose causing, I guess, 1000's of bottle necks puking out huge amounts of unnecessary pollution.

I went to part exchange one bike for another last week. It was a cross country jaunt of 99 miles. In 1976 on my GT 185 I did the same journey in approx 2 hours last week the outward journey took me 3.5 hours and the inward 4.5 hrs. Are  we surprised our productivity levels are lagging behind and too many of our towns and conurbation's atmosphere's have dangerous levels of pollutants.

We will supposedly see the rise in electric vehicles in massive numbers in the near future, the same dopes that are itching to buy them now are quite happy to stoke up their log burners for two thirds of the year  clogging up the air and our lungs to boot. The loons are here and now !

Nice topical joke, too  close to home looking around our City Centres ! Great joke nevertheless. Not taking anything away from the humour in  this post but yesterday went to the bike show at the NEC Paid £25.00 to go and view bikes and gear I am expected to buy ?? Huh ! They should pay me to attend surely ? Anyway less of that drivel  went into Birmingham City Center to the German Christmas market after the show ( If  even  10 % of the stall holders were  Kraut my arse is Himmler's uncle)

When I returned from  a good day out with 6 mates and reflecting on the poor soul all and sundry passed by bombed out of his brains by New Street Station on Black Mamba or other such escape juice I bunged said amount to the Sally Army to feed a family for a day over Christmas.

I loathe Face Book and the Dopamine hits people crave to show how worthy they are so this missive is far from that it is really to highlight how pretty low we have sunk when poor buggers like Mr Mamba head are only cared for by such charities as the Sally Army and other heroic charity workers as the lack of any Civic grip or care is palpable. I was in the Police for 32 years and retired in 2013 and have never seen such homelessness in plain sight.   All that being said I crossed paths with a sumo wrestler sized Asian man who told me he was hungry and homeless  a few strides  away from Mr Prostrated man. Sumo man was told to stick his request where the sun don't shine !

What a day out, again great Paul C routes and a chat in the downtime, countryside and weather and I was on a Stroker ( Top Fun) Paul managed to run over a "Duckling" ( Toy Mascot !)

Brian, Nice one always remember the new mantra " Lessons will be learned" but as we get older we see the same old fundamental mistakes being made, is it a lack of quality in the products we buy (In the main sure it is) but as concerning  to me is the apparent lack of training across too many  services/professions and the lack of "Grip" when something goes wrong. We get shoved from pillar to post and it is only the most persistant and determined that finally get anywhere if you are the none assertive type and are isolated (Like many of our fellows) goodness help you.

On a lighter note I have just bought my wife a Skywatcher AZ Auto Refractor Telescope. A mate had been given it as a present and really did not get into it so I bought it off him. I was upgrading the firmware last night and will load our co ordinates in due course. It will be great for her (us) ok we are only talking decent entry level stuff but it comes highly regarded we intend to take it with us in our MH as some of the caravan sites are out in the sticks away from light pollution.

These "Boys" are enjoying themselves I see a lot of Old Fart 30 somethings doing Tit all, long may it contine, up for the "Duffers"

The lad is enjoying it, he is lucky to have such a knowledgeable guide and engine saver ! ( oil leak on Husky spotted by Paul, detour to Buxton after banjo tightend and  top up of oil at only MC shop for 30 miles ? !

It was a great day out with Paul, the lanes radar stored in that " Boys " brain mega impressive. The sights and sounds of great country and helped by lovely weather and some challenging stuff ( For me anyway) was top draw stuff. Paul was shaking down his luggage ( Never seen Enduro bike so equipped) for his big mountain tour as well.
 

TomL, Those lanes look inviting and different to those up here. Your number plates would not last for tops an hour around here. Mine like yours was a road bike based plate, lasted 10 miles never to be seen again !. Flexible small friend are the only way to go up here, with a road based one your are legal for a few miles then it gets ripped off and your are not, with the small floppy alternative at  least your are trying a bit harder to remain  in the spirit of the law  !