A walk in the snow.

It's been snowing around here so I thought it be fun to take wifey and pooch for a hike.

Does it get any prettier?

Dog had a blast making doggy versions of snow angels.

Stupid mutt! (but lovely)

Bloody Yamahas'!

Never would have happened to my Honda! On Friday the XT decided to die on the middle lane of the M4! Thankfully a helpful car driver flashed his lights and blasted his horn in an attempt to cure the problem. The AA sent the breakdown truck to the wrong end of the motorway (jubction 3 instead of junction 33!) so a long wait was on the cards. Our Boys in Blue were brilliant. Understanding and helpful, they took the photo and got me [and bike] to the nearest services and coordinated the AA for me.

The AA were very sorry for the delay and coughed up £20 so breckie, the papers and a relax was order of the day. Result.

Initially I thought the problem was carb icing, but while digging around once I finally got home found corroded wiring at the starter solenoid and the ignition circuit. Not totally convinced the electrics are to blame, but until I can fix this fault it's impossible to say.

More bashing in the kitchen

After the joy of knocking through from the old building into the new, the time has come to finish the alterations to the existing structure. The kitchen entrance and hallway dividing wall have to be re-structured to move the opening into the kitchen, block off the old entrance into the understair cupboard and generally tidy things up. This is the offending wall and doors (one on the left is the cupboard, one on the right goes into the hallway).

After half an hour with my mate sledgy followed by Mr broomy and you get this.

...And then re-construction can begin.

Kitchen chaos

Bit of a major day with the kitchen extension project today because today is the day I knock through from old to new. Spent the last few days gutting the old kitchen including removing the old back door and window. This is what I ended up with.

Couple of props, a big hammer and a few hours 'expressing' myself and this is what you get!

Now all I have to do is put a kitchen back in. (oh, and wack some steel lintels in to hold the house up).

Weekend at the Stafford bike show

Well a fine weekend was had at the Classic bike show at Stafford Show ground. Club stand attracted a fair few visitors and one of our number won an award for her SRX. Just a few piccies for those who are interested.

A beautiful SRX 400 electric start motor stuffed into a 600 kickstart frame.

The prize winning SRX 600. Not bad for a first attempt at a custom build.

Snuck this triumph trident/featherbed cate racer in amongst the singles as it has to be the most beautiful cafe racers out there. I could be converted to triples!

Found this amongst the 'Early Stocks' racers. Lovely little pocket rocket.

How's that for a funky FT500 flat-tracker?



And here's my baby. loaded like a pack mule and resting next to my weekend base camp. She may lack the glamour of those bikes in the show, but I wouldn't swap her.

Sad sight

Is there any sadder sight in the world than a project bike boxed up and covered with a dust sheet? Here lies Abigail with her engine in the two cardboard boxes :-(

On a brighter note... Isn't the shed tidy :-)

Extension roof

Work is [slowly] progressing with the extension. Roof timbers on along with waterproof membrane and battons.

Today starts with fitting the velux window frame (that's what the big square hole is for) then onto tiling.