On the Road Again!

I didn't get any comments on my moan about "foreign" beers that are actually brewed in UK by one of a few large international brewing conglomerates. Does no one give a sh*t about being sold a lie? Anyway, at Aldi in the UK you can buy beer brewed in France. It's possible and without breaking the bank. It's only 3.4% ABV but it tastes very crisp.

In the week since we got back from Canterbury and after the jump start from the Green Flag technician, the bloody van has started regularly. The technician at Fairways Garage in Dymchurch couldn't find a problem.  They had got a battery in stock for me that wasn't needed. He suggested that we give it some longer drives and start it every day or two if not planning to go away. Yes. The bugger has started every time.  Of course. It's now trust. Can we trust it if we go away. I did buy the NOCO jump charger as a backup. We have it booked into a Fiat specialist next week so that they can check it out on the diagnostic system. We have to get to Sittingbourne as early as possible, so they can get started, as it's basically first arrive, first started. Probably need to be away from home about 7.30am. The only other annoying thing is that it's ruined a weekend away at a Motor Caravanners Club rally. We can't afford the risk. So with another trip to France on the horizon...

Today was pretty much the last chance to get some miles under the Strom's tyres for the August Kilometerfresser. As it's the 30th August and the 5th Sunday in the month. It was an extra Meldrews Sunday. We decided on H's Café at Kent Motorcycles. I've not been for quite a few years. It's changed a little. The biggest is that the original owner of the bike shop retired and it was bought out by a large group.  They have decided not to open on a Sunday.  Seems madness. Hundreds of bikers only have the weekend to ride to a bike shop... and spend money! Anyway, my journey out was the quick way via Hawkinge. A brief holdup whilst up front people were shooing a sheep out of the road. The roads had dried after the overnight rain and riding was a pleasure. Bacon and chat with Meldrews friends and then away home. I took the longer way home via Dover and past the castle. From the road off the A2 past the Duke of York School the view of the Castle is stu...

The full court press in Sainsbury's to make us believe in how "Spanish" Mahou beer is. How it's from Madrid. All the advertising shows us Real Madrid. Except it's not real Madrid at all. It's brewed in the UK.  Maybe it's time to make this clear.  From this: To this: What do you think? Comments please? It's far from being "Cerveza de Madrid"..... It's time we weren't being taken for a ride.

Four of Hearts by David J. Gatward My rating: 5 of 5 stars A novella rather than a full novel I think. Some bad business is afoot to disrupt Harry and Ben's stag nights and weddings. View all my reviews

Looking forward to having another go. Went last year from Clacket Lane rather than the usual Thurrock. I'll probably add it to the Meldrews FB page but doubt anyone will join me.  

When I came to use the old dbPower 600A jump charger a few weeks ago , it had ceased to work. Instead I had to put the V-Strom on the battery charger. With no power in the garage I ended up using the Bluetti AC70 to provide the power. The dbPower was capable of turning over and starting power for the two litre diesel engine in my Vauxhall Insignia. With the van playing up I decided to replace it sooner rather than later. I decided to try and get one with a higher power output rating. The NOCO scores very high on Amazon.  I checked for prices and of course, Amazon with free delivery was the cheapest. It came part charged and so I had to charge it using the supplied USB-C charger.   I haven't had to use it yet. Then we will see.