Christmas Day morning ride

Christmas Day, about 12.00 noon. I decided the weather was too perfect to stay indoors looking at tinsel and drinking Port, Whiskey, Baileys (take your choice - I do!).

So a gentle 25 miles beckoned. Across Romney Marsh and down to St. Mary's Bay and a three mile toddle along the sea wall to Dymchurch. Of course, no cafes were open but I had prepared for that, taking a flask of coffee and a couple of mince pies.

This view looks East towards Folkestone - you may just discern Folkestone cliffs on the promontory if you click the image. The sea looks almost Mediterranean and there was no wind, but the temperature was 4 degrees C, so I eschewed bathing.

There were quite a few cars about and some brave souls were out walking dogs, children and/or elderly relatives when I reached Dymchurch, but on my ride home through the lanes back to Ashford only 4 vehicles passed me.

A delightful way to work up an appetite for the Christmas lunch cooked by Mrs Avus (But I did my bit with the washing up!)

SEASONS GREETINGS

It has a been a somewhat unsettling time for a while now but hopefully things are now beginning to settle. So a couple of videos for you all, for this Christmas season.

First, I thought that that "Changes" sung by Alan Price, seemed appropriate

And then, to get a feel for the old time traditional Christmas spirit, poet John Betjeman reading his poem "Christmas". He wrote this in 1940 when Britain was standing alone against the might of Nazi Germany, bombs falling all around. To be living at that time puts our petty current troubles into focus.

A very happy Christmas to everyone. With a peaceful and progressive 2020 (I hope!)

LAST(?) AMENDMENT TO A MOTORCYCLING LIFE

Some five years ago I had a stroke. For a couple of months thereafter motorcycling, and indeed all driving, was curtailed. That stroke affected my left side, meaning that at first it was impossible to ride a conventional motorcycle since my left hand (needed for the clutch) and left ankle/foot (needed to change gear) were not fully operative. I sold my then current bike, a Royal Enfield Bullet and used the money to buy a small "twist and go" Honda scooter which had no clutch and was fully automatic.

This served me well during my recuperation and eventually I was able once more to get a small 250cc bike, which I christened "Elsie" since her Reg. number was J734 LCN. I sold the scooter, which, in retrospect, was a bad move. (See below)

A sweet little classic Honda in very good condtion, I thought it would serve me for what is left of my motorcycle life (I am approaching 81). I have managed it for two years but increasingly the neuropathy in my left foot/ankle made changing gear awkward and painful. I had to think about how to wangle my foot around the lever and this spoiled my riding, when it should be an unthinking action, snicked in automatically.

Regretfully she had to go and was advertised nationally on Ebay. An interested buyer got in touch. Could he come down to view the bike? I gave directions and soon the doorbell rang. When I answered it we both looked at each other and said together, "I know you!" He was an old colleague, a retired police motorcycle cop who I had worked with in the days when we both trained bus drivers. He was in remission from throat cancer and the treatment  had left him weak so that, like me, he was looking to change his powerful, heavy bike for something smaller.

A deal was very soon done, and he came back the next day, driven by his wife, to ride it home. So we were both very happy. He had got a very reliable little bike and I knew it was going to a good home. But what an absolute coincidence. Advertised nationally, it went to an old friend and colleague!

So I was now, after 64 years of motorcycling, without a motorcycle of any kind. My memory went back to the twist and go scoot. I could still manage one of them. I used Elsie's sale money to look for and buy another! I have fitted a screen and hand shields and can report that it is cosy and comfortable at sub-zero temperatures. And I don't have the gear change problem!

A far cry from the heady days of my BMW 1000cc (owned and loved for 27 years), but at least I can still tootle around the lanes under two-wheeled internal combustion power!