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Posted on October 21st, 2008 by ray.
Categories: General Blog.
I forgot how much of a pain it can be reinstalling Windows. My primary hard drive sounded like it was on it’s last legs so I invested in a nice 500GB with 32MB of caching to replace it. I probably should have saved all my drivers beforehand as most of my hardware wasn’t recognised and after much time spent last night, I still need to get it to recognise the chipsets and a few others.
My PC was made my Maxdata and their website is utter shite for drivers (you just get a FTP login to download them, but it doesn’t actually say what versions they are for), and it their wisdom, Maxdata kept the same names for totally different specs (i.e. my “Favorit 3000″ PC model refers to totally different specs now). Gah! No wonder Maxdata went bust. Still, I think I have the last few drivers and it is wonderful having a quiter PC again that doesn’t take 5 minutes to start Windows.
Anyway, what else has been happening in the world of Ray?
On Saturday we drove to Yorkshire to see our friends new place and explore the area. Only took two hours to get there as it’s nearly all motorway (so much ncer than driving to their last place outside Norwich!) , but add an extra hour on the way home to travel a measly 3.5 miles as a crash on the motorway reduced it to one lane. Bah.
Sunday was more retail based as myself and Lisa went shopping on Sunday to see the Debenhams sale. Started off with espressos and a croissant in Costa Coffee then over to Debenhams. We’ve needed new luggage for a while now (we have a mix-matched cheapo set in tatters with knackered wheels) so got a whole new set that should last us many a year I hope. They’re in quite a trendy pink pattern, which I’m happy with as hopefully it’ll stop all the gimps picking my case up on the luggage carosel at the airports like I always had with black cases before and these will serve us well for our Cuba hols next year. They were also in the sale, so saved lots of pennies.
Did some clothes shopping as well in the sale, so few new T-Shirts, Shirts and some clothing for holidays again and likewise with Lisa. Also got a load of new bathroom towels, however being male this is of no intrest to me so I will not blog it in detail 
Over to ZiZi for a hearty Italian lunch with wine and more coffee and then over to the Ann Summers shop (my reward for looking at millions of towels in Debenhams) to find filthy clothes for Lisa. Got home and then I had a fucking migrain coming on so O/D’ed on Asprin and had a lay-down, thus missing Salsa class (which is a pain as Francis the instructor is going to be teaching us some Cuban moves after hearing about our holidays. Club tropicana here we come).
Ze plans for this week:
Tonight: Finish the bloody PC installation, fit a new bog roll holder in the bathroom (woo!) , watch last night’s Heroes, spend an hour sorting out some clothing/paperwork.
Wednesday: I’m riding to North Yorkshire after work to spend the night at my mate Pete’s new place (in the middle of a move from Norfolk, so his family doesn’t arrive until the weekend). A few beers, a take away and lots of Fifa 2008 on the Xbox is in order for the evening
Thursday: Not at work until 1400, so spend the morning in Yorkshire then head back to Nottingham. Catch the Spurs match on Internet TV in the evening
Friday: Another late start, so not back home until 2200. Will go to the gym and sort some house stuff out before I start work
Saturday: Off on the bike again, but South this time (to another Pete) in Cheltenham for the night. More Beers and XBox I think.
Sunday: Pub brekkie if possible then back to Nottingham mid morning to chill before Salsa class in the evening
And that’s that!
I’m back
Posted on October 13th, 2008 by ray.
Categories: General Blog.
I’m back in Blighty
I spent the last week with Lisa visiting my family in Ireland and thankfully managed to catch up with nearly all my uncles, aunts and cousins (and my parents, of course!).
The weather was pretty good throughout which is always a good thing and we took advantage of that on the sunny Wednesday with a trip to Garnish Island on the Ring Of Kerry with my parents and uncle (I have some pics I will upload). Other than that it was a trip to more of the local sites and towns/villages as we do each visit.
As usual I consumed lots of stout and we both ate all the wrong food (well, it is a holiday sort of!). We were also blessed with a nice VW Golf from the hire car company this time, so country lane driving was a lot more fun.
One very useful piece of information I got curtesy of my cousin was the details of a proper horse riding instructor. I really enjoy horse riding, but I’m shite at it. Where my parents live is great for riding, however the stables in the surrounding areas there are really very “touristy”, where the horses you are given will generally do what they do every day even if you’re a seasoned rider, so ideal if you just want to go for a “trek”, but if you’re looking at improving your technique then it’s pretty worthless. This instructor though sounds a right bitch, who trains you until sweat pours down your face and has been known to tie your legs to the saddle and take the reigns off the horse. A bit sink or swim (or rather learn to ride or die under the hooves of a horse), but hey ho - next time we’re over I’ll be booking some lessons with her.
Alas, back to normality now so back at work today and need to collect the moggies from the cattery this evening.
Having a week off has certainly recharged me body and mind though, which is good timing as from now on both myself and Lisa are really stepping up the fitness drive (I’ve decided to get a lot trimmer ready for our Cuba holiday in July, so I think a very healthy diet with no booze or junk food and even more gymming should get me into shape, and as it’s over nine months away then I can even afford to fall off the wagon occassionaly for celebration times like Christmas, Birthdays or when Spurs win a football match. I shed a stone before without really noticing any major lifestyle change so I really need to keep up with this. Perhaps I’ll be a bronzed beach god come my holidays next year?
I also want to get the rest of our house sorted which is going to involve a big clear out in the first instance, as we have both hoarded crap over the years to the point where our loft is full. Once we have created some more space (especially in the spare rooms) then it might be time to pick up the dreaded paint brushes and start redecorating. Erk! One of the advantages with going away for a week is that it gives you a change of environment, so once you are home you notice all the jobs that need doing that you just got used to before.
The rest of my week is as follows:
Ruby tonight (heh, last supper!)
Gym tomorrow morning then shopping after work to get healthy food for the rest of the week (so need some meal planning)
Gym Wednesday Morning and then England match after work - at a pub, but on the mineral water I think!
Thursday and Friday - Evening sessions at the gym
Weekend - Can’t plan ahead that far!!!
XP Disc
Posted on October 3rd, 2008 by ray.
Categories: General Blog.
Does anyone know where I can get a copy of Windows XP Home (SP2 Edition)?
I’m not after a dodgy copy, as I have a valid key that came with my PC. My recovery disc is scratched to buggery though.
I would have throught there was a download on the micro$oft site, but if there is I can’t find it.
Tried a few torrent sites even, but nothing for this particular version
Hello
Posted on September 29th, 2008 by ray.
Categories: General Blog.
Whatever little fucker passed their cold onto me deserves a right good kicking. I’ve felt pretty shite since Friday with a sore throat, cough, wheezing, congestion and general aches and pains. Yes, I know it’s nothing major but still a right inconvenience, especially as I was away in Norfolk this weekend visiting friends and unable to go for more than ten minutes without my nose leaking down me.
Anyway, what’s been happening in the world of Ray?
Our Cat, Sooty, has had to go to the vets a few times. She’s never been that steady on her legs as she was kicked about as a kitten (Lisa got her from a rescue centre) but in the last few days she can hardly walk without dragging her back paws. Whilst is could be her arthritis stepping up a notch (she is 16 years old), it seems a bit too sudden to deteriorate to that degree overnight.
The vets took a blood test (KER-CHING!) and had her back in today for X-Rays (KER-CHING!). They think it may be a small blood clot, but they have discovered she has an over-active thyroid, so will need to be on tablets for the rest of her life to regulate it (KER-CHING!), as her heart is working overtime which may be having an effect. I’ll pick her up later today when I get a call from the vets. It’ll cost a lot of money, as UK vets always do, however needs must.
Went to Norfolk this weekend (Friday-Sunday)
Friday: Whupped my mate god and proper on Pro-Evo (I learnt the buttons for through-ball and normal tackle), drank wine, was merry
Saturday: All you can eat Chinese meal. Bloody Lovely!
Sunday: Trip to Yarmouth, spotted a leather shop and got a new set of biking clothes (early Xmas present!), came home, fucking A52 from Grantham was shut for roadworks (6 hours earlier than they advertised!!!!) so detour via Newark. Eventually got home
Full of cold all weekend, so gave the dance class a miss (did I mention I’m doing Salsa dancing lessons?)
Anyway, cold is nearly gone now - so this week I can hopefully get back to the gym, do some work on my bike, finish off the jobs in the house and get ready for our week in Ireland next week.
Well bugger me backwards
Posted on September 23rd, 2008 by ray.
Categories: General Blog.
The trip to Cuba next year has taken an unexpected (however very positive) turn, in that we are now in a position to go to a hotel that is much more exclusive than the ones we were looking at.
We are now looking at 14 nights in the Princesa del Mar
Adults Only Resort
All rooms are full suites
24 Hour All Inclusive (including international drinks)
7 Restaurants (International, Italian, Cuban, French, Grill, Caribbean and Japanese
4 Bars (Swim-Up Pool bar, Piano, Cigar Bar and Lobby Bar)
1 Night Club
1 Huge three-section outdoor pool
Lots of sports and activities including banana boats, jet skiing, sailing, football,
Set on the Varadero beach
W00t!
About morals, I know only that what is moral is what you feel good after and what is immoral is what you feel bad after.
Posted on September 21st, 2008 by ray.
Categories: General Blog.
We decided that for a main holiday next year, we would pick somewhere decent and be away for Lisa’s birthday.
The original plan was Croatia, somewhere we have been to twice before in the last four years, so went into the travel agents on Saturday to get a few prices. The cost of a holiday in Croatia has gradually increased by about £100 a year due to it’s rising popularity (bastards, we had a cool holiday destination until the big UK companies moved in on the action) so we had a rough expectation. It turns out it’s gone up a lot more that that, namely a whopping £700 extra since our last visit to the same hotel in 2006.
Although it’s a great location, it just isn’t that great to justify that kind of spending.
So, we checked out other destinations, and lo and behold - it’s cheaper for two weeks in Cuba, all inclusive with flight upgrades than it is half board in Croatia.
Cuba was somewhere we were planning on visiting this year, but for various reasons we never made it and went to Cyprus instead. It’s one of the countries I’ve always wanted to visit, and as Lisa’s happy as well then it looks like we’ll be going there.
Being mainly after beach holidays, we looked at Varadero again (20km of white sand beach) that has it’s own town and Havana is only a taxi/bus trip down the road to the west.
Still looking at the pros and cons of different hotels, but thus far, it’s looking like the Sol Palmeras
So then, it looks like in a few months it’ll be white beaches, Latin American dance clubs, rum, Castro, Hemmingway, cigars and Guantanamo Bay
Posted on September 19th, 2008 by ray.
Categories: General Blog.
My return throttle cable has snapped
But… I still rag it like a motherfucker
Who’s next, bitches?
Obstructions
Posted on September 15th, 2008 by ray.
Categories: General Blog.
I left a query with the police yesterday evening, and fair play - I had a call from a copper today who was really helpful.
My issue (as I have probably mentioned before) is that a small minority of ignorant arseholes park their cars two wheels on the pavement directly outside the gate to my front yard where I keep my bike. Parking half on the pavement means I don’t have enough room to get my bike in or out.
I have put a big sign politely asking car drivers to park on the road and not the pavement if parking outside my house, due to the motorcycle access, but as always there’s some who disregard this.
I had a good idea of the legal stance, but wanted to hear from a copper with experience, as like so many UK laws it is entirely dependant on the judge/jury/copper rather than any specific law.
So:
- It’s legal for car drivers to park on the pavement, unless it causes an obstruction or access problems
- Even if it doesn’t cause an obstruction, it’s illegal to drive on the pavement (so you can’t legally get your car on the pavement in the first place unless there is a dipped section), so this is probably why the law was never tightened on pavement parking as you have to break another law first anyway.
- If I think I can just about get my bike out but accidentally scrape a car, then it will be classed as an RTA, even if my bike ignition is off and I am not sitting on it even. The car damage much appear to be accidental (i.e. a scrape on the wing of the car rather than slashing their tyres and smashing their windows!)
- If I think I can’t get my bike out and try anyway, I would be liable for reckless damage (as I would have known there was a high chance of damage)
- If the same happens with a wheelchair, pushchair, wheelie-bin etc. to a car causing an obstruction, then it is a case for the courts where the car driver would have to sue for damages.
- If I am obstructed by a car, then I should call the police where they will either: Forcibly remove it, issue it with a fixed penalty or do nothing (depends on the copper and how bad access is blocked)
- Blocking my gate to stop me getting my bike out is seen the same as blocking someone’s driveway in the eyes of the law.
So there I have it. Pretty much as I knew already but at least I know I do have some more backing. The copper advised me to just telephone the station if I’m blocked in again which I will do.
Sadly on November the 24th, parking will no longer be a criminal offence so the police and Traffic Wardens will have few powers. Civilian organisations will be set up instead as part of local councils with a much longer response time.
Doh!
Posted on September 13th, 2008 by ray.
Categories: General Blog.
I decided to intentionally let my bike get very low on fuel as I wanted to see exactly how it’s doing in terms of MPG since all the work restoring it and the new carbs. My plan was to let it run out, then switch it over to reserve and just add about 25 miles to whatever the milo says.
At 320 miles it finally ran out, so flick the fuel tap switch over to reserve (why oh why bike’s don’t just automatically go onto reserve but have a warning light like cars I’ll never know, so instead you have to wait until it splutters and then lean over the side to get to the switch, which is not fun on a motorway). However, sweet FA happened, so looks like I have a slight issue with the fuel tap that I never noticed before as I don’t usually let it get that low.
Thankfully I was parked at the time, so quick trek to the petrol station, purchase of a jerry can and 5 litres of super unleaded, trek back to the bike and away I go again.
All in all I’m getting at least 50mpg which is good, especially as this is a lot of town and city riding and a wee bit of thrashing as well. Motorway riding I canexpect even more.
On the mechanically side, that’s pretty much everything sorted that needs sorting. Last weekend as planned I did the rest of the work I needed to do. Our glorious weather did not disappoint and I had to work through heavy rain and thunder storms, getting drenched through (my logic is that if I wait for a dry day in England, then I’ll be waiting for a very long time).
But anyway:
Fairing repaired (for what it’s worth). Despite several layers of fiberglass, some just snapped off when I redrilled the bolt holes, however most of it held so at least it’s sturdy now. I might get some metal fence brackets (just the strip of metal about 30mm x 10mm x 1mm with a bolt hole at either end for attaching panels together) so I can put this in and then fibreglass/superglue it to the fairing, so the pressure is being absorbed by the metal plate and distributed rather than the plastic taking the brunt.
All fairing bolts replaced with my nice marine bolts. For hopefully the last time I had to snap off a chunk of fairing where a bolt had corroded.
Chain totally cleaned and rewaxed (there was so much crud on it)
Coolant fully drained (was just water) and replaced with a decent summer mix
Brake discs and callipers degreased
It now goes like the clappers! In fact, it goes even better since I remembered to top the coolant up after changing it before when the engine was cold. I had a small reminder when steam started hissing out of the expansion tank
I think a weekend away is needed now that my bike is pretty much sorted. I see one of the mcc’s is holding a rally next weekend. It’s been a while since I loaded the bike up with camping gear so that might be a potential option, however I would still like to spend an evening here, so perhaps that might even be an option (and I can harrass Doug 2 miles down the road as well)