What have you done today

[UK_Vstrom650]

Yes Doc / Asmith61, cyclists have always been able to ride two abreast and they don't have to ride as close to the curb either. In some instances it's safer for them to be in the middle of the lane where it's not safe to overtake. And when you overtake them you need to leave 1.5m gap from them.

Oddly on speed limits, cars towing a trailer are supposed to be restricted to 60mph on the motorway too, but I see folks doing 80+mph in the outside lane all the time towing what looks like an unsafe load. The last one I saw was pulling a big caravan which was weaving behind the car, but the driver was determined not to slow...

[crump]

Personally never had an issue with cyclists 2 abreast,yes it inconveniences me for a few seconds but that's OK. What I do have an issue with is with cyclists 2 abreast and also nose to tail in groups of 20-30+ which happens regularly in our area on a Sunsay morning.

[nigel s]

Astra van , too heavy 50mph  ( which is a shame as Astra vans are FAST  ), Corsa van OK 60 . The van has to be light as well as car based to do 60. So next  time you get stuck behind one  doing 50 ???? be patient....
Cyclists can be split into 2 groups , those that have mirrors ( and are prepared to pull over even though they don't have to )  and those that don't  ( Amazing how they can cycle with their heads that far up their arses .. " that  bar end  mirror weighs 40 grams , not having that on my £10,000  carbon bike , I look like I am in the Tour de France you know  " is the internal monologue  ) ....Same goes for tractor drivers...they DON'T have to pull over , so if they do , wind down the window and give 'em a wave.

I say wind down the window 'cos I am presuming you are in the car getting stressed...... on a motorbike none of the above is a problem...  

Ho Hum

[The Doctor 46]

I had to go out and collect my car today from the garage, I went in the loan car that they hired to me yesterday. I must say that after doing the speed awareness course a couple of days ago I did drive slower and on the way home I used cruse control and speed limiter and the speed limiter is brilliant. I have used it many times before usually in unknown territory but I don't make a habit of it. My drive was so much more relaxed even though I was a little wound up about the cost of repair to my car.

I hope I don't slip back into my old driving habits ever again while in the car but, I've got to be honest, although I do ride at or below 30 mph speed limits almost always in towns and villages I do speed on the bike on the twisty 60 mph roads. On a dry summer's day 60 mph is too slow for me to enjoy the ride but there are usually no speed guns or police on those roads anyway.

Nice day today so I'm going out for a ride then I'm going to give the bike a good clean and reapply ACF50 when I get home. 

[2112]

Today we had a trip to Durham on the train to visit the Lumiere Festival or Festival of Lights. It was spread across a surprisingly large part of Durham and some of the pavements were quite uneven, especially in the wet. There was a lot of 'over stewardship' with silly one way area's which to be honest spoiled it for us. Some pictures of the event and our Lebanese dinner, probably the best chips I've ever had 

[Asmith61]

Festival of lights looked great, shame the pavements were uneven. ( a nightmare for me with my bad legs terrified of falling  again  ) shame about the over stewardship that would have probably spoilt it for us too.
The Lebanese food looked lovely especially the chips 

[Asmith61]

After work and before the Rain came. I went over to the other side of Hanningfield Reservoir with the drone. And done some video and pictures here are some that I took.  The water level is still quite low as you can see from the sand banks showing. But with the Rain we have forecast might help a bit 🤞
DJI mini 4K

[Asmith61]

More pics

[2112]

Great pics as ever, it's a worry how low some reservoir's are at the moment.

[nigel s]

Don't worry, I have a feeling today's rain brought by storm Claudia will go some way to help...


Ho Hum

[MisterDavey]

Great pictures ASmith, it's great to see Essex looking a bit like Florida.

[The Doctor 46]

Great pictures, as usual. It's amazing how clear the images are. It seems like yesterday when we loaded our 35mm film into a camera, took the pictures then took them to the shop to have them developed then waited to see if any of the 36 pictures had anything other than a thumb across the lens was in the pictures.  .

Please keep up the good work. 

[Asmith61]

MisterDavey……. Thank you the clouds were gathering as I was flying but still managed to get some decent shots 

The Doctor 46…… thank yo.  you are so right, I remember taking my film into Boots excited to see what great shots I managed to get, while watching British Rally cross or motorcycle racing of all sorts. And picking the Envelope up couldn’t wait to have a look 👀 and being disappointed mostly by only getting half the bike or car as they were going to fast or as you say thumb across the lens, or bad lighting  or just being pants at Photography 

[Upt North]

2112, what Lebanese did you go to fella, up ere or down there?
Upt.

[2112]

It was in Durham, the Lebaneat on North Bailey (head up towards the Cathederal and keep going straight on instead of turning right up the steep bank at the top). Well worth a visit 

[2112]

So, last nigt I got a phone call from one of my mates I've not heard a peep from in years (he works overseas a lot, so that's not unusual) at about 18:00. What am I doing ? Not much, watch a movie with the Mrs, why ? Long story short, he had a ticket spare to see 'The Offspring' at Newcastle arena that night! A quick change and 10 mins later we were off to Newcastle in his swanky new Skoda Enyaq (a very impressive bit of kit). Parked up along Scotswood Road, a short walk to the arena and we're in. Picked up 2 x two pint glass' (well, plastic's) of Guinness for £16 each... Had a bit crack and then into the arena. We missed the support band (Simple Plan) but got a decent standing spot for The Offspring. A very good show (no spoilers) but I was expecting a few more tracks off the current album ? A grand night out and it was good to catch up with Craig after what must be 3 years. I woke up as deaf as a post today and my back is killing me from standing for all that time! Too old for that stuff? Possibly...

[2112]

Another good & bad day for me today. The good bit, we went to see 'The running man' at the cinema, cracking film, action all the way. Well worth a watch and quite different to the Arnie version, although he sort of makes an appearance if you look closely. The bad bit; my poorly mate is really struggling today, he's slowly drowning in his own secretions that he's unable to cough up. He's had a coule of injections of drugs to help dry him up a bit, but there is only so much they can/will do. He really should be in hospital getting a vacuum assistance breathing tube, but as he's on the Palliative list it's not an option. It's horrible to see him fighting for every breath and you can see he's really scared at the moment... Just awful.

[The Doctor 46]

Many years ago my ex wife's Farther had emphysema and struggled for every breath, it was painful to watch but there was nothing I or anybody else could do to help. There was only one thing that would have helped him and he hinted so blatantly that he was almost asking me to do it.

He was eventually admitted to hospital and passed away a few days later, I think a large dose of morphine might have done it but can't say for sure and frankly I don't need to, it was a relief to him and all concerned. I felt like a coward for some time after for not helping when I could and if he had been my Father I think I would have but, he was my ex wife's Father and I don't think (though I don't know) she would have approved, if she had found out.

I can understand all the concern's about euthanasia but there are times when it really would be the kindest thing. 2112, I am not suggesting that your friend should consider this option  and although I believe it could be a kind relief for some I know there are some who may have the decision made for them and that's not right.

[2112]

All good points Doc and I am very sorry to hear of your former troubles. If he had the option to take the 'red pill' or 'blue pill' he's definitely take the blue pill...

[Brockett]

Everyone should have the right to choose their time of dying.
What has it got to do with anyone else outside outside of my family what I do with my body.
Freedom - we are not free. We are subjects of the crown.
As a train driver I had three persons throw themselves in front of my train. The shock of the event, The clearing up of body parts and then driving to the next depot. The Police interview and investigation ( did I do my best or was I somehow culpable?? yes that has to be dealt with.) And after many months there is the coroners court with the family and their accusing eyes, their legal folk making daft statements. The court's ruling, suicide? or accident?   A work colleague had eleven before he had to call 'time'.  I came to the conclusion that in a civilised society I should be able to go to a nice room and be able to sit at a table and write a last goodbye and sit in a nice chair and take a draft of something that would put me into a sleep too deep to awaken from.
My mates dad took rather a lot of paracetamol last year and that did the job. But he was also a train driver (retired many years ago) so he wasn't going to a station.   We need professional help to do what we need and we need a law that will provide a safe and secure framework. It is no place for well meaning amateurs.