On the Road Again!

Each year in an attempt to increase tourism in the country, Kent councils and tourist sites have a weekend they offer free tickets. Usually things along the likes of heritage railways and the wildlife parks are always oversubscribed. This year I was actually unable to logon, the screen started refreshing every time I went to type my email and password into it so I gave up trying. Claire did manage to get on and she booked a few places we'd like to try and we were successful with one; Rochester Cathedral. Maybe the religious aspect put people off? Anyhew, as Sheldon Cooper might say, the trip was yesterday, coinciding with Mothering Sunday which meant that although still in Lent (no decoration in the church) that there was a big turnout for the morning service. Out arrival booked for 1230. We had a drive up and surprised to say that we have only been to Rochester once before, in the evening for a Christmas Carol concert when one of my nieces was entertaining us.... So i...

RAM Setup Is there really a double-b as the spell checker thinks? Anyway. The solution to the hand guard to TomTom interface has finally been sorted, I hope. Not as I had thought by using the new handlebar clamp ball, but by buying the RAM Mount dumbbell and using it to connect the two RAM arms together, thus allowing the changing of the angle as well as the distance from the original mounting place. With the shorter TomTom supplied arm at the bottom and the longer one, from the old Garmin kit, at the top, I can get the TomTom above the bike's instruments and still have it behind the screen. The cable will need to be cut longer than anticipated, but that shouldn't be a problem. I didn't get a chance to test it this weekend but once I have had a ride out I can see if this works or not. If all is good, then I'll cut the wire down and re-fit the Hella plug. This setup will allow me to remove the entire cradle and wiring, just leaving just the bottom RAM ball mounted to ...

Dumbbell? , originally uploaded by InvictaMoto . Is there really a double-b as the spell checker thinks? Anyway. The solution to the hand guard to TomTom interface has finally been sorted, I hope. Not as I had thought by using the new handlebar clamp ball, but by buying the RAM Mount dumbbell and using it to connect the two RAM arms together, thus allowing the changing of the angle as well as the distance from the original mounting place. With the shorter TomTom supplied arm at the bottom and the longer one, from the old Garmin kit, at the top, I can get the TomTom above the bike's instruments and still have it behind the screen. The cable will need to be cut longer than anticipated, but that shouldn't be a problem. I didn't get a chance to test it this weekend but once I have had a ride out I can see if this works or not. If all is good, then I'll cut the wire down and re-fit the Hella plug. This setup will allow me to remove the ...

Whilst I usually go to football at Arsenal in the Premier League. I also go to matches that feature my first ever football love, Oldham Athletic. As Oldham is over 200 miles away it is difficult to get to home games, so I make do with away games in the south. This year I have been to Gillingham and last night to Leyton Orient. After plenty of chances fluffed Orient scored against pretty much the run of play.  The game ebbed and flowed and plenty of huffing and puffing and the game looked to be over until Korey Smith popped up with goal of the week. 1-1 on the night. Some of my pix below. Ticket for a night of wonders Zoomed in No zoom Home fans "Tommy Johnson" stand Celebrating the equaliser #wearelatics

I have a pair of Hood Jeans that I like but wanted something a little lighter, especially for the summer. I saw these on eBay and although a lot cheaper than Hood and Draggin' they seem tough enough. They are cargo style with two big patch pockets on each thigh and two back pockets, all covered with velcro flaps. The side and back pockets are are a little small, but suffice as the cargo patch pockets are large enough for a wallet in one side and other stuff in the other.  The Kevlar lining is around the privates and butt and down the thighs as far as the knee.   They come with CE approved knee pads that fit in pockets with a Velcro top to hold them in. I've worn them a few times and they are a good tight fit and very comfortable. I bought 42W but as a fat bloke they are a little tight.  Maybe 44W would have been better!

The countdown on the blog shows a little over 51 days to go before we set off on the first part of the journey to the US. In the last 50 days or so since I last blogged  have been chasing a US Visa. After a long day in the US Embassy, two interviews,  it arrived today in  my passport.  Phew.

This Sunday we had an early run to Sissinghurst to see what the gardens look like coming out of the winter. It was also a good opportunity to test the new Samsung pocket cameras and also the tea-rooms. The latter passed with shining colours, the flapjack a little sugary and the coffee about right.  The WB30F camera needed a little messing about to get a panoramic picture to work, but the macro looks pretty good. Pano Test Shot - back of shop and countryside The Tower The Tower picture was taken before the weather turned fr the worst and the rain and grey skies came about. The colour looks okay The Gift Shop The Gift Shop was taken a little later once it had rained and the sky was still grey and overcast.  The colours again look okay. First close-up picture Both the zoom test pictures were taken about 10 minutes apart, but with the weather changeable, the results are still quite. good. The magnolia flowers were taken with the digital zoom acti...