Wow! Dry stone walls and walling gives so much to our countryside. Respect! I was in Spain on the VDLP a couple of years ago There were dry stone walls there too, but you could see daylight through them. You could show them a thing or two…

nice one bob ,
further south i have been building one for the last couple of weeks , i have to match it in with the rest of the wall in the surrounding area.
only another 6 weeks to go as the bar steward continues down the front. , chiseling stones in my sleep now
IMG_20250228_123804529 by paul burty, on Flickr

Two lovely walls

Cracking craftsmanship on both accounts

Found this on the side of the road whilst at work, must be an omen from god(s)

Got my mortgage application to buy my wife out of the family home approved. Going to be utterly skint for the next few years, the things you do to accommodate your kids. One less thing to stress about...

Managed to book my couchette and bike space on the night train from Toulouse to Paris for my summer holidays.
With the ferries I'd booked a while back, that's me sorted - all I have to in between is ride my bike lots

Yup as I'm in my bivvy with beer - choka bloka again but the brewery is only a couple of miles away so that's ok. Looks like it might be quite damp later though. Blazing sunshine all week

Did an Escape Room today with Mother Voodoo, mother in law, Mrs Voodoo and mini Voodoo, it wasn’t cheap but actually quite fun and a slightly random way of celebrating Mother’s Day

It’s not Friday but it’s a nice way to end a ride

Cheery Thursday for me
Heading west to do a conservation weekend but got my mate to take my stuff so I can pedal out. Weather looking stunning!

I took the little car out for a pre-breakfast blast towards Silverstone and am currently "not-WFH" in this café, near the circuit https://blackpitbrewery.co.uk/ .

This may become a Friday ritual: just don't tell anyone .

MuddyPete wrote: ↑Fri Apr 04, 2025 11:11 am just don't tell anyone .

Don't worry, your secret's safe with us and, er, tinternet .

Just been doing my bit.... erm, anybody got any bees they could spare?

Meanwhile....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20x5x0g3kqo

"marshmallow cockpit explosion". (*)

That conjures up a pleasing image. I've had a few narrow escapes with my caramel wafers in a similar situation.

(*) Actually, I'm sure 'Legs has got a nice milk stout in his cellar with that very name.

I was just about to post that, too .

It leads to this...https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-41612812

...which reminds me of the Frankie Boyle "How many Fruit Pastilles does it take to choke a kestrel?" student research .

...and it's led to a "Of course: marshmallows expand in a vacuum" declaration. Although why someone has been trying to vacuum-up marshmallows in this house is beyond me .

I think I might have just bought another motorbike. Whether or not that's cheery will depend on just what it looks like when I actually go and get it

Last day of semester so cheery here and nice walk home along the Lough shore

Cheers,

Keith

Well the sun is still shining and looking like it will last over the weekend, barring an odd shower.
Off bivvying tonight, fairly local given that most of the Central Scottish population will be heading for the hills, but hoping to get up high for sunset views.

First day off on a 12 day streak

Booked a cabin today, so have a two day tour next week, first time in a very long time

Yes last day for about ten days, off on the overnight boat on Sunday heading down to Wiltshire for a few days with the bikes, probably spend a bit of time in the Marlborough Downs, perhaps Salisbury Plain and possibly Forest of Dean, looking at a potter along the Kennet and Avon canal to Bath too. Shame the weather's turned!

Cheers,

Keith

Tractionman wrote: ↑Fri Apr 11, 2025 9:57 pm Yes last day for about ten days, off on the overnight boat on Sunday heading down to Wiltshire for a few days with the bikes, probably spend a bit of time in the Marlborough Downs, perhaps Salisbury Plain and possibly Forest of Dean, looking at a potter along the Kennet and Avon canal to Bath too. Shame the weather's turned!

Cheers,

Keith

I've just stopped for a cuppa at this place, south of Tidworth just off the A303. Very pleasant .
https://www.choldertonfarmshop.co.uk/

MuddyPete wrote: ↑Sat Apr 12, 2025 12:03 pm

Tractionman wrote: ↑Fri Apr 11, 2025 9:57 pm Yes last day for about ten days, off on the overnight boat on Sunday heading down to Wiltshire for a few days with the bikes, probably spend a bit of time in the Marlborough Downs, perhaps Salisbury Plain and possibly Forest of Dean, looking at a potter along the Kennet and Avon canal to Bath too. Shame the weather's turned!

Cheers,

Keith

I've just stopped for a cuppa at this place, south of Tidworth just off the A303. Very pleasant .
https://www.choldertonfarmshop.co.uk/

Excellent, thanks very much, sounds spot on

Cheers,

Keith

Very cheery yesterday. Finally got round to checking the valve clearances on my Speed Triple for it's 24k service. All are well within spec so she's buttoned back together with new plugs, filters and oil.

Johnallan wrote: ↑Sat Apr 12, 2025 1:53 pm Very cheery yesterday. Finally got round to checking the valve clearances on my Speed Triple for it's 24k service. All are well within spec so she's buttoned back together with new plugs, filters and oil.

Lucky. I did that on an 800 tiger a couple of years ago and three were tight. What a monumental faff to adjust!

Anyway, my Friday was very cheery, sleeping out in a high place with a fine view. Only 66 miles total but lots of hills, lots of tussocks, lots of nice trails and lots of sun!

Mini victory this week, definitely doesn’t deserve a thread of its own but managed a two dayer Returned to touring (if a two dayer can be called that) and stayed in a pre-booked cabin with outside bath for a bit of luxury.

Wednesday was cold, wet and miserable but 85KM done and today took in the bridleways, byways etc of North west Wales back to home, 60KM

Nice to get out, pace myself and enjoy two days of riding back to back

I think it may catch on this touring…