All bar the first, and the last mile - counties 10 - 13

Friday last week, Captain Bill arrived to finish the trailer but minus his electrical extension lead. I have one, but it was in the car, which was at the garage having a burst rear brake cylinder replaced. Oops. So hauled Cubbie out of the shed and kicked it over...nothing...not even a puff. Tried and tried again and again but with Bill watching it was never going to start. Jumped in the van and whizzed down to get the cable. Spoke to the mechanic about the car brakes - whats up with them then, said I, whats right with them, said he. Ah! Might explain the persistent warning lights on the dash.

Saturday - usual farm stuff, checking and dosing lambs, preparing for being away for a couple of days. CLEANED CUBBIE'S EXHAUST. Hope you notice this when you see it on TV because it took hours and hours. Started up first kick.

Sunday - After the mad dash and panic of having to find enough bikers for the film shoot, Victor phoned to say he was at the meeting location 1 mile down the road, ready with the trailer to pick me and Cubbie up. That was at 9.30am Sunday, half an hour early. No way I was ready. Still had letters to write and emails to send and work to finish off. Finally ready to leave the house at, er, must have been about 10.30, only half an hour late, then discovered that someone had hidden the Cubbie key. Sent Mrs BC down the road to meet Vic, finally found key in pocket. Kick. Kick. KickKickKickKickKickKickKickKickKickKickKickKickKick. Tried to bump start it down the drive but still wouldn't fire. Ended up pushing it down the road - the first mile. Bumped it down the big hill and although it started it wouldn't run.

Drove through thick mist and heavy rain on the way to Aberfoyle. Bearing in mind that we were going to be doing the aeriel filming, it didn't look promising. Arrived an hour EARLY so no need to panic Vic. Sunshine was beating down, then heaps of bikes turned up - unfortunately two of the guys couldn't make it on Tuesday so they'd had a wasted journey but it was jolly good of them to come along.

Now, at this point, I have to leave you hanging while I write the next bit, then submit it to the director of Britains Best Drives - the BBC programme we were there for - to get his approval (or not?) to publish detail about the shoot.

So what we'll do is carry on with the Cubbie's Counties story and come back to the shoot later. Monday morning, had arranged to meet Kawa from the Scottish Classic MCC (website down chaps? or just me locked out?) at the Falkirk Wheel in Stirlingshire. Vic decided not to tag along as his Bantam would be too slow for Cubbie. Quite right too. Misty again, didn't get toooo lost, although the directions from a traffic warden didn't help much. Nearly ended up going right through Stirling but noticed just in time and took the bypass. It's quite tricky gadding around the country in areas I don't know, avoiding motorways. Not just because I wanted to see more of the countryside, but Cubbie is actually too small to ride on the M'ways legally. Somehow made it to Falkirk, and lets just say the wheel isn't terribly well sign posted. Met Kawa and just scraped in in the nick of time for the first trip at 09:50. Despite the mist still hanging around, the trip was quite good. The wee boat sailed over to the gondola, then slowly we started going up and at the top, we sailed along the aqueduct and the Union Canal - some 35meters up in the air, quite an interesting feeling. Next we approached the Roughcastle Tunnel which took us under the historic Antonine Wall - they didn't want to destroy it when they built the wheel, so simply went under it. The tunnel is 180m long and lit up inside. At the other end is a huge puddle for turning, or for those serious sailors, there are two lock gates to be negotiated to take them further on their journey to either Edinburgh or Glasgow (er, have to check that one, its either one or the other!). After turning, it was back to the gondola and a 15 min descent to the visitor centre for a sausage roll (brekky) before setting off again. Big thanks to Kawa for funding that part of the trip as his contribution to Cubbie's Counties - and brekky hehe. Left on time, about 11am I think, and pointed Cubbie West, to the county of Dunbartonshire and specifically, the town of Bearsden to view the Romans bathing. Under the M80, on to Banknock, Kilsyth, Queenzieburn, sticking with the A803 before branching off onto the A807 and on to Bearsden. Found Roman Road and Drive, assumed the baths were somewhere nearby and unbeknown, kept riding right past. Not much to see there really apart from a few piles of rocks with plaques stating that they were once washing / drying / heated / cooling areas. But that was another county ticked off and it was straight back on the bike and over to the Erskine Bridge in Renfrewshire. Stopped on the other side of the bridge to assess the situation and a nice chap pulled up in his car wondering if everything was OK. Mist had cleared long since and decided it was time to get the sun cream out. Even through a tinted visor I seem to catch the sun if I'm travelling for a long time. Wanted to visit India of Inchinnan but was running out of time for the ferry to Bute. Yep, the ISLE OF BUTE was next on the list. So all of you who pledge extra money for an island, time to pay up! It looked like quite a trek to Wemyss Bay to catch the ferry, and I'd planned to avoid the M8 (which I managed) and hop on to an unclassified road to avoid the A8 too (which I didn't manage). Didn't really miss the turning, just couldn't find it so ended up on the dual carriageway. Met a dog running around half way towards the Newark Roundabout. Couldn't just leave it there so took the next exit looking for a police station, found a dentist surgery instead so got the number for the cop shop and informed them. Carried on through Port Glasgow, lots of nice architecture going on there. Rolled up at Wemyss Bay just before 14:30 and was able to hop right on the boat. Bit shocked to be charged over £20 for a return though. Tis only half an hour each way. Landed at 15:15 planned to visit the Victorian loos then get he next boat back. Couldn't find them so went standing stone hunting, couldn't find them either. Realised I was too far away to get back for the 16:00 sailing but tried anyway and got there just as they were shutting the door! Was feeling slightly crabbit by then, made worse by spotting the loos right down by the ferry terminal. 20p to go in though, just for a look, so I asked the chap if I could take a peek and he was quite rude saying it was 20p madam. Right, fine, well I'll look on the internet then. (Found a piccy here - http://www.ineedanimage.com/product_Rothesay_Victorian_toilet_Block_1461.aspx)

Caught the next ferry, due to arrive at the mainland 17:20, texted Ronnie, aka Bantam Cub Man to organise meeting him there to collect the fork legs he has kindly donated to my Cubbie Repair Fund - hopefully they will allow me to actually put some oil in the forks for a smoother ride. He also treated me to what should have been lunch but I guess at after 6pm it was more like tea. AND he reminded me of his £1 per county financial sponsorship that is to come to my way if and when I complete the task. Phoned Vic to let him know I'd be 'home' for tea at the pub in Thornhill about 8pm. Had to stop for fuel, stuck in about £5, not bad seeing as I put £7 in on the way to Aberfoyle for the filming. Pleased to see the dog from the A8 had gone and there were no lumps on the side of the road. Trundled back to the Erskine Bridge, on towards Milngavie then north to Carbeth and continued on to Craighat, then right to Killearn and up to the A811 where my map ran out, but luckily I spotted a sign to Aberfoyle, and knowing Thornhill was just down the road from there, thought that would do. Arrived at the pub in decreasing daylight at 20:30 to a raptures welcome from the guys at the bar - they all popped out to look at Cubbie and duly filled my sponsorship form in - raising the total now to £938. I have to say also, that the grub at the pub - the Lion & Unicorn is absolutely yummy, just what was needed after 195 miles in the saddle of a rigid bike and near enough 8 hours on the road. Time for bed, worn out, busy day ahead back at the film shoot.....

Tuesday - on site for filming...NO CUBBIE KEY!!!!

Too bloomin' hot!

Well yesterday must have been the hottest day ever. Since time began here in Scotland. And we had to catch the sheep up for shearing. Way too hot. I'm sorry, but I can't stand the sun. Luckily though, our sheep-pup Finn, is getting better at rounding them up so it didn't take too long. Tony, our shearer, and holder of the Young Shepherd of the Year award, said he would be here about 8am so there we were ready and waiting, but no Tony. Seems he was held up and wouldn't be with us until just after 9am. As soon as he got here though he and his pal Graham got started straight away and in no time at all the little woolly jumpers began to look not so woolly. While the two lads got on with the shearing, I fed the sheep into the race for them, and Mrs BC had the unenviable task of rolling the fleeces - outside in after removing the dags (dirty bits). Our neighbour Heidi had planned to pop her two Zwartbles over here for shearing, so we lent her our trailer and expected to see her about 11am. But she didn't show. Around this time, Fearless Fred made a break for freedom, smashed through the piece of weld mesh holding him in the race, then hopped over the hurdle into the big field with the ones who had already been clipped. Several texts from Heidi suggested she was having a bit of bother catching her two, so we elected to catch Freddie then I would nip down and help her. Now Freddie is not what you could call tame, neither is he very bright. He is rather solid though, so when he launched himself at me, and I performed a flying rugby tackle, he just got away and I got a bruised shoulder for my troubles. Meantime, a slightly brighter sheep had spotted the open gate and was off wandering down the lane, so I called the dawg and sprinted off to get him back. All in a days work. Got them both sorted, one of the shearers caught Freddie after a 10 min episode of jumping between fields and the other sheeps going crazy and jumping over Doolie Cat who had come out to help, and looked just a little surprised. Then me moby rang, Heidi couldn't get her two in the trailer so I hauled Cubbie out and sped off down the road to help her. Got collared by Reggie (another neighbour) on the way back so took the opportunity to have a break and a chat. Was slightly anxious about the amount of petrol in Cubbie as I'd drained some out the other day to put in the car to get me to work 'cos I hadn't been able to fill that up 'cos I'd forgotten my money! The only other minor hitch during the day was the clutch on Heidi's brand new 4x4 jeepy thing overheated while she was reversing up the drive. What a stink. Oh, and our trailer has a split in one of the tyres. Then it was time to go to work. Sunburnt. Too hot. Car overheated in town. Had to run with the windows and roof open,with the heater on full blast. Can't get the bonnet open to check water. Finally got round to booking it into the garage for a few jobs that have been building up, including the dumb bonnet. That's similar to a dumb blond but more dumb.

More to add but thought I'd better put something on asap or you'd get bored waiting.

Later later later, plus pictures.

The weekend results.

On the weekend, someone very kindly donated a stack of tools to the Cubbies Counties cause, but I made an executive decision to leave Cubbie alone and not attempt to fix the rigid rear problem (yet). I was going to, but then thought if I take it all apart, have broken bits in my hand, and new bits on order and they don't arrive until Thursday which could easily be the case, then I'll be panicking like a mad thing. Oh, hang on, you don't know what's happening next weekend, do you? Hmm, not sure if I should say yet. Ok ok, stop twisting my arm. Our club was contacted a while ago by a lovely lady looking for some classic bikes and bikers to take part in a documentary with Richard Wilson about the best driving roads in the country. Needless to say we're all rather excited about it. The only hitch is the filming is going to be over two non-consecutive days somewhere in the deepest, darkest Trossachs. It also clashes with the Norton rally that I was hoping to go to, but I can pop in there on the way. It looks like I'll head down to the area, camp somewhere not too nearby (the closest campsite it about £16 per night for a tent) and then I can collect a few counties in between filming. Hark at me, I sound like I know all about this filming lark. The campsite I'm hoping to use is in Clackmannanshire, and I seem to recall a gentleman inviting me for lunch at the council canteen in that particular area. I quite fancy a peek at the Pineapple, in Falkirk-shire if only there was such a place on the old map I'm using, and of course the Falkirk wheel would be fun - blimey, its £8 for that though. Mind you, entrance to the gift shop and cafe is free....Think I'll also try and get to Dumbartonshire, Renfrewshire and the Isle of Bute. Better just go check the ferries for that one. Nice one, I can go via the Scottish Alps and catch the ferry for a 10 min crossing, then I think I'll nip to the Victorian loos. Aah, might need to try and cross Lanarkshire off too, then my next trip south can cover the Lothians and so on. Ooh, just remembered, promised Mr Bantam Cub I'd pop down and pick up some Cubbie forks...hope you're reading this BC...

And in other news....little Timmy Hastings, our pet racer, secured pole position at Oultan park today and came home in second place after a really sizzling race, so well done Timmy.

**Might just be a slight problem with the above plan....can't find any campsites that aren't full or cost the earth!

PS HAPPY BLOG BIRTHDAY EVERYONE!!!!

In case I forget...

...Which is likely. Monday 21st July is my blog birthday. Yep, one whole year since this electronic diary of GBC & Cubbie began. 12,000 hits later and we're still here. How are we going to celebrate? Suggestions (keep 'em clean please) on a comment.

Keep reading.....you never know, I might have some tales of mechanical woe to report on the weekend......yers.....you guessed it, it's rear end stripping time.

But tomorrow, Captain Bill, Mrs BC and I are off to check the route for our Road Safety Run and plan various things to do with it. Just noticed a terrible clash of dates though, road safety Vs the Moto Pison rally in Spain. Hmmmm, how are we going to sort that one?!

Latest Cubbie's Counties sponsorship news - big thanks to the www.bikeshite.com management aka Little John and Star for their donation, which brings the total up to £900

Mind the bridge! County 9

**Before the bridge story, I must just give a HUGE THANK YOU to the HILLBILLIES Motorcycle Club for their donation of £100!!!! Thanks guys, that boosts the total so close to the magic thousand!

Woke up Thursday morning, rain and wind howling at the window. Good stuff, just fancy a trip north in that lot. Rained all the way to the Kinloss RAF base, where I met Andy L who had organised this visit to the Nimrod simulator as part of Cubbie's Counties. The county by the way is Moray, and it doesn't always rain there...usually it is quite tropical, compared to Aberdeenshire. Arrived about 25mins early so popped along to Kinloss Abbey, a ruin but rather intriguing and eerie in the misty weather. Pleased that Cubbie was running 'not too bad' although the smaller slightly more bumpy roads caused me to go a tiddly bitty slower than normal, for the sake of my internals and spine, you understand. Andy met me at the main gate, showed me in and a nice chap at the desk gave me a visitors pass. Through the sentry gate and over to the building where the Sim is housed. These days, the training is run by an international company called Thales, not the RAF itself, and I was somewhat humbled that they sent a special lady all the way from Sussex to Scotland to look after me for the day. She goes by the name of Jane Wakeford and is the Events and Communications Manager, and my 'pilot' for the day, was Gordon Laing, Site Training Manager. Andy L, Maritime Crew Trainer, had to stay in the office and answer the phones! With the formalities seen to, Gordon and Jane took me through a maze of corridors to the NDS. Oh come on, keep up, thats the Nimrod Dynamic Simulator of course. I don't think Gordon was impressed with my answer to his question "what experience have you of flying?" Well, said I, I've done a parachute jump.....and had a wee shotty of steering a light aircraft somewhere in the skies over Dornoch. Well, c'mon, thats more than most people! Luckily his sense of humour was up to scratch. So, into the Captain's chair (I don't think it's called that really) and Jane beside me as co-pilot, Gordon programmed the computer and we took off from Kinloss. One hand on the steering wheel - the one for the actual wheels, and the other paw on the up/down/left/right steering device. Power on (not my job) and then a good tug on the 'up' device (I need to get some proper names for these things) and we were airborne.

I was surprised how heavy the controls were, you really do need to have strong arms to be able to keep a constant altitude and steer at the same time. If you turn right, to straighten up you don't just return the 'thing' to the middle, but you have to give it a nudge to the left to balance it up, all the while, not pushing or pulling which would result in a nose dive or heading for a loop-the-loop.

Jane and I took it in turns to try various take-offs and landings, from Kinloss, Leuchars and Gibraltar . That was a particularly tricky one as the strip is only about 6000 feet long - the minimum for a Nimrod, with a sharp left turn just as you take off, or you end up in Spanish air, and we don't want that, apparently. Just for a giggle, Gordon suggested we fly under the Forth Rail Bridge, which would require a lot of skill, control, panache, delicacy....none of which I had at that precise moment! Just as I descended to the required height of something like 100 feet, I noticed I was still descending so in a bid to avoid an early bath I made an executive decision to pull the nose up, rather abruptly, which resulted in the aircraft coming into contact with a huge piece of metal, called the bridge. Drat. I should have done better there. Nearly had it. Another go, mister? Nope, Jane's turn. I could see she had done that before - right through the middle. A quick flip of a switch and Gordon had the sim in night mode. He then swung out over Edinburgh airport and around to face the A90 - the road bridge over the River Forth. It was quite a nifty manoeuvre as he dived in between the first set of cables, then swerved to avoid the rather solid pillars - a good move, I thought.
It was a slightly strange feeling as the computer generated scenery flashed before my eyes 'outside' the windows, and even without the motion thingy switched on, it still felt like we were actually flying. But I have to say its certainly the best way to beat the traffic. To finish off a cracking experience, Gordon proceeded to say "one wouldn't normally do this in a Nimrod...." before demonstrating how Gibraltar looked upside down.

It's funny how things pop up. Speaking to Captain Bill a few days earlier, he had suggested I visit Culbin Forest, in Moray, then, coincidence of all coincidences, during my time in the Nimrod, I flew over the forest - virtually of course. Decided to pop in seeing as I was only a handful of miles down the road. Well those miles soon doubled, and probably trebled as I failed to find the turning to Culbin. My excuse is I couldn't see through the heavy rain and spray. Found it eventually and it would have been a really nice place to stop for lunch (3 cereal bars and an apple) had it not been a) raining and b) full of children. In the early 1800s, this strip of land was a barren desert described by some as romantic and picturesque in its loneliness and desolation. The fact that when the sea breeze blew, the dunes shifted so dramatically that houses and acres of crops were completely covered didn't seem to matter to some people - alright if they didn't live there I suppose. By the 19th century, trees had been planted and were growing well, providing enough timber to contribute to the war effort. After that, the Forestry Commission took over and a full scale planting plan was put into operation, leading to the huge mature forest you see now. So there you have it, Scotland's only desert, now a lovely green space, busily and silently, helping all us polluters to breath more easily.

Got wet, cold too, which would probably account for this sore throat I'm developing nicely, but heck thats another county ticked off! Up to 9 now, nearly a third of the way through and , er, about three and a half months to go....and before you ask, no, I haven't fixed Cubbie's rear yet! Ah yes, nearly forgot to mention that on the way home, I stopped off at Rhonda's burger van - ordered a cheese burger, was about to pay but she said she couldn't possibly take money for it as it was the last one on the stove - tasted fine to me, but thanks anyway, that's your contribution to Cubbie's Counties!

I went to the footie - yesterday - Manchester United Vs Aberdeen, some sort of commemorative match to do with some game or other that happened in Gothenburg 25 yrs ago. Special birthday treat for Mrs BC. Followed by a nice nosh at the Buckie Farm in Bridge of Dee. The football experience was only slightly marred by the nerd in front of me who seemed to think the Man U players and Ref could hear his words of discouragement from the 500th row. Some folk should get out more. Or be locked up. Anyway, Man U won 2-0 so that's Mrs BC's pressie sorted, and I'm a happy bunny. Well I would be if my throat and head didn't hurt quite so much. Off to bed, thanks for reading, ciao for now.

7 days in Scarborough with a rigid rear end

I'm afraid you can't have the full story (again), as Classic Bike Guide would like that, but you can have all the other bits! It was a week ago on Friday when we took Cubbie over to Bob's place to begin the great Scarborough adventure.

He already had his RE Turbo Twin on the trailer ready to go when we arrived at 12pm(ish), so I stuffed all my luggage in the car, popped Cubbie up on the back and we were away, sent Mrs BC back home to find her box of chocolates. We hadn't even covered 10 miles before hitting road works - 5 sets of lights on one stretch of road, looked like a conspiracy. Got through Aberdeen ok though, but then Dundee was chokka due to more road works. Edinburgh was clear enough given the time of day. Bob missed a junction (I can blame him 'cos he doesn't have Internet access!) so we ended up heading for the A1, rather than the A68 south, so it was on to Newcastle in the rain. Arrived at Oliver's Mount campsite some time after 9pm to find the rest of the VMCCers had scoffed all nibbles! Talk about greedy! Got on with putting the tents up and finally had things sorted out just before it got dark. Have to say my birthday pressie from Slim Jim - a light which I think used to be part of a life jacket, is most useful. Hitched it up from a bungee dangling in the middle of the tent and hey presto, light all night. Was feeling a bit peckish so scoffed a couple of packets of crisps but don't tell anyone.

The way the Vintage Motorcycle Club Vintage Bike Week works, is like this. Each day, starting with the Saturday, there are social ride outs to various local places of interest. I say local, each route was roughly 100 miles in total and I guess by taking all the teeny single track back roads, we were never actually far from our starting point. You sign on each day for insurance purposes, I presume, then at 10.30, you line up and are sent off a few at a time, so as not to flood the town with hairy bikers. The best part of the event is you don't need to be anywhere at a certain time, so you just follow the route sheet and arrive for lunch / tea stops whenever you feel like it.

Saturday was a trip to the Craven Collection near York. Simply, one man's collection of old motorbikes, all 250 of 'em. See the website (http://www.cravencollection.co.uk/) if you want to look at some of them, or better still, go in person if you're nearby.....Sunday was the Pike Run around the Vale of Pickering, very nice scenery and empty roads....Monday we headed to and through the North Yorkshire forests, saw a few deer pottering across the roads on our travels....good weather and the option of an evening run which I turned down 'cos some of us had to work! Tuesday was the day most of us were not looking forward to - the ULTIMATE HILL RUN! Started off with a fairly easy route to the village of Rosedale, but there we were confronted with the "Chimney Bank", a gradient of 1 in 3 and the hottest day of the week so far.

According to one website I looked up, it is Britain's steepest motorable road at 33%. "Plenty of roads have 1 in 3 signs, but this is the only genuine article". Two hairpin bends (I'm sure there were more than that) are chucked in for good measure too.

The organisers ran it well, and as we arrived, they held us back, only letting one at a time tackle the gentle slope. Bob went before me leaving a cloud of blue two stroke smoke in his wake and obviously made it cos I didn't pass him on the way. I got a good run up, then just as I was changing down to 1st gear, I spotted a guy called Stan (he's quite tall compared to our Shorty) with his video camera (are they still called that these days? DVD camera thingy is what I mean). That put me off just a teeny bit but Cubbie just chugged along in bottom gear all the way up to the top where a team of leather clad supporters were willing us on. After that, the day was full of nothing but hills, both up and down ones, some felt steeper and some had 33% signs but were probably not as not as bad as the Chimney. Most were also corners or junctions. Good riding practice for sure. Lunch that day was at the highest pub in Yorkshire, the Lion Inn. Took about 40 mins for the delivery of a huge portion of steak and mushroom pie, but then they were trying to serve about 150 hungry bikers.....By contrast, Wednesday was the day we'd all been looking forward to most I think, a trip to Heartbeat country where they film that TV show, you know, the one with all the sixties tunes. Met the actor who plays David, who is actually called David and got a piccie of him and Cubbie and had lunch outside the Aidensfield garage. Mustn't forget another reason for enjoying Wednesday was the FREE fish and chips supper back at the camp...very nice! Thursday.... lets see...that was the run to Malton market place, not Melton as Mrs BC suggested followed by something called Stan's Video Magic - sounds a bit dodgy but all it was, was the showing of all the recordings Stan had made during the week. Some really good footage of the hills and water splashes not to mention a couple of minutes worth of green sky....When I get my copy from him I shall treat my bike clubbers to a video night. Friday brought it all to a close with a run to Whitby pier for fish and chips, and for me, a visit to the abbey (said to have inspired Mr Stoker to scribe his story about Dracula) and Robin Hood's Bay - no solid connection to the man himself but a haven for smugglers during the18th century. Visitors aren't really allowed to take a vehicle down to the village because there is only one access road, which is rather steep and narrow, with no parking or turning at the bottom. But hey, I was a tourist so rode part of the way down before chickening out and leaving quite quickly!

So in the daytime we rode our bikes, clocked up over 700 miles on the Cubbie, and most of the evenings were spent watching films in the pub with no beer, or taking part in a quiz, didn't win, no surprise there. By Friday evening most people had cluttered off, some to the Northumbrian Gathering and others just awa' hame. Bob and I, along with fellow section members John and Jan were dragged to the local pub, by a local, to pass the evening. I bored them all to tears by attempting to play snooker with a chap who's name I can't remember, but who was trying so hard to let me win, bless 'im I did in the end, just.

Saturday morning and it was up at dawn, pack up and get on the road. We were away at 8.20am and arrived home (after stopping for petrol and a cuppa and meeting some of the riders attending the Northumbrian Gathering!) just before 6pm.

Ah, yes, my rear end problem. Seems Cubbie's swinging arm doesn't actually swing any more. Most uncomfortable on the bumpy Yorkshire roads. Will have to get that sorted sooner rather than later, but certainly not before Thursday when I'm heading up north to RAF Lossiemouth for a 'go' if that's the right word, in the simulator. Captain GBC has quite a ring to it, I think.

PS had a lovely comment from a "Gorgeous Classic Chick"...looks like I've got competition! All I can say girl is keep trying and you'll get there, and if you scroll back through the posts on here, I'm sure there is a piccie of me lurking somewhere....unlike the comments that keep vanishing! Ms Classic Chick's comment and SUZI PERRY'S one have both been eaten by blog goblins it seems. Hopefully the team behind the scenes can get them back...

PPS sorry the pics are in a weird order, you'll just have to look at them backwards.

Bonjour!

Aah, just logging in from sunny Scarborough, I see Mrs BC has managed to update things on here, well done her, it must have been all those chocolates - brain food ya know. Cubbie still going strong, have clocked up over 700 miles now, gawd knows how many hills that equates to, other than a lot. The fine VMCC folk at the rally have donated a total of £117 to the Cubbie's Counties cause, thanks so much to everyone for that. Won't say too much more as I'll be updating this properly when I'm home, don't want to miss anything out. Have to go find a bank then get some grub for supper then back to the campsite. Living in a tent for a week is wearing a bit thin now!

I see there is a distinct lack of comments on here since I've been away, whats up with you all? Hmm????

Over 'n' oot.

Update to the update!

The very latest news from Yorkshire is that Cubbie or GBC, or maybe both, have now got a rigid rear end! Is this a good thing, I don't know, but I'm sure someone out there does. Oh, and you're a cheeky chappie Big Bob.

GBC & Cubbie update.

Well GBC and Cubbie have been taking it easy in the Yorkshire moors or dales, not sure which, so don't all shout at once. They've done over 500 miles so far ( wed pm) visited the highest pub (obviously) a bike gets thirsty tha knows, dun all the hills in Yorkshire ( her words, not mine) including a phenomenal 3 - 1 hill -climbing hill called The Chimney, at Rosedale. And I thought that cubbie wasn't pulling very well, mind you it apparently goes better with the petrol tank fixed down securely, Mmmm. I'm not sure if the fixing was done before or after the hill climb.
They've seen steam trains, and today have been on the set of Heartbeat, hobnobbing with the stars, well David anyway! Tomorrow it's off to the town of Melton, is that the pork pie place? I bet she doesn't bring one home, probably best not in view of the tropical temperatures down there. Compared to Aberdeenshire anyway.
Well, that's all for now folks, normal service should be resumed over the weekend, so watch this space.
Mrs. Biker Chick, Smallholder and Cook extraordinaire.