Had a chance to escape the home office for a short period of time today... so took the yellow peril across the work sites for a gentle leg stretch! A well needed break from the screen and phone,
"Too many marinas" certainly isn't the case in my neck of the woods! One of the "perks" (ha) of living in the desert, I guess. Actually I could use a good marina right about now. Wait, that should be a good martini..........
That's fun that you and Andy met up--even with the snafus, Wessa! And cool that it happened because you saw his post on the forum.
Even with brown foliage as a backdrop, you still take a mean photo, @SleepyOwl. Does "mean photo" translate as I'm hoping it does??
I'd have been miffed, too, Andy. But I've had the same thing happen and realized it's better safe than sorry to call ahead. Glad you got a ride in at least--and met up with @Wessa. Thanks for sharing the link to the marina. I was surprised when I saw the photo on the home back of the marina website by the appearance of the boats. I didn't realize that they would all be "canal boats" and was picturing what we see in the marinas here in the U.S. which is typically a mix of sailboats, yachts, speedboats, and fishing boats. They are very interesting, unique, and lovely boats.
See, I'm not the only one that wasn't expecting the boats in the marina to look different than the ones in the photo!
The Suzuki Gladius and I were reunited today; it was great to be back on a big bike having been riding my 125 again. I am ashamed to say I somehow managed to fail my Mod1 again today....nerves disappeared as soon as I got onto the test pad, it all went beautifully (instructor said my riding really flowed). I felt relaxed and found it easy. Clean sheet all the way up until the hazard avoidance (very last exercise). I actually LOVE the hazard avoidance for some reason so felt happy to be doing it....and, for the first time ever I clipped a cone with my boot . Instant fail. I had felt that I had probably only just gone fast enough through the speed trap for the emergency stop - you need to aim for 50kph - so decided to pick it up a bit for the swerve. The examiner said the reason for my mistake was excess speed - turns out I had gone through the trap for the emergency stop at 55kph which is the maximum he likes to see and then 59kph for the hazard avoidance. My instructor feels that I also perhaps relaxed a bit too soon and took my eye off the ball as I was so relieved to be through the slow speed part of the test, I was not conscious of doing that, but I think it is likely that he is right. I can't quite believe that I managed to fail again and am so bloody disappointed in myself for being so stupid . I seem to be making a habit out of "firsts" in tests . Anyway, the backlog due to Covid still exists so I have to wait until December for another shot at it.
Thanks; I am positive actually - I at least managed to relax which was impossible for me first time round and I found the low speed control easy this time so now I KNOW I can go into it relaxed next time. But not so relaxed and relieved that I make the same stupid mistake again hopefully .
There's no icon for this i'm afraid. Keep on in there and if it's any help, I passed my test in '87 and despite my experience, i'm not sure (if i'm honest) that i'd pass it now. You'll get it done.
Thank you . Today was just daft on my part, really daft. Or maybe I just enjoy standing in the cold and the rain because we aren't allowed in test centre waiting rooms due to Covid. Character building . Oh well, roll on December - third time's a charm .
Well, one of my earlier vehicles was a 1960 Studabaker Lark VIII. Looked like a shoebox on wheels. So, don't feel too bad.
"Character building" says it all about you, @Mrs Visor. You're got what it takes--along with a great attitude. I agree that the third time will be a charm. And once you pass you'll be far more ready for the road than many who pass the first time out thanks in part to all that "character building". Thanks for being willing to share your "fail"--which really isn't. You made a mistake and learned from it and will be a better rider for it.
Are these a bit more to your liking Sandi? This is Burton Waters near Lincoln & my old Speedie. A mixture of cruisers. West Stockwith, end of the Chesterfield Canal next to the river Trent, narrowboats and cruisers.
Ahh, beautiful, Andy! And more along the lines of what I'd expected to see in your previous marina photo.
Before I got a bike, I wondered why @Helmut Visor would pop out on his for a small errand and be gone for hours. Yesterday I popped out on the Herald for a loaf of bread, returning 2.5 hours later - I didn't even go anywhere in particular....just "around" .