Noticed everyone else has got one...so not one to be left out for too long, thought I'd have one.

Will start from last Saturday...Had my first lesson on the trike..it was brilliant..went to Melton Airstrip and learnt to ride it there...couldn't do it for the first 10 mins..had a hissy fit...sat and sulked...got my head around what I'd got to do...started trike up...did what I had to...and never looked back..was soon riding it on my own..will have a few more lessons before I decide to ride it on the road...went to the Flying Childers after ( was a few of us ) and had a drink and some food.

Sunday.

Set out early Sunday morning with a mate of ours ( Kev ) he was on his Harley and we were on Norms trike ( I have my own ).

We rode to Staffordshire to the 29th International Classic Motorcycle Show and it was great...weather was outstanding...what a great day for cruising along on a trke....must of been over 2000 bikes in the car park alone...slobbered over so many classic bikes..wanted to take them all home..want a Brough Superior SS100 1000cc...but ain't going to get one.

Called into see the guy that built Norms trike at Burton On Trent ( Pete ) had a cuppa..saw the new Hard Tail Chop he's building ( velly nice ) and then cruised home..slept like a log.

Monday.

Up at 6.00am...work for 6.40am...do split shifts so back home for 9.00am..did house work..watched tv..back to work for 4.00pm home for 6.00pm...took the dogs training...got to Fineshades and it was peeing down with rain so couldn't run them...had a ride round Stamford..what a great place...came home...van broke down...went bed.

Tuesday.

Norm took me work at usual time on his trike...mud guard broke off, and went round wheel...nearly threw us off trike...I got to work...Norm got trike back home....trike running as normal but with a mud guard missing...rang Pete...going over there Saturday to have trike mended... Norm came to pick me up from work at 6.00pm in thunderstorm from hell..had left trike at mates ( Kev ) and Kev had bought Norm in his car to pick me up..went back to Kevs and waited for the rain to subside before getting on trike and heading home.... had mates around lastnight..drank tea and chatted...about biking...mates went home..Norm and myself went to bed.

Wednesday ( today ).

Woke up early hours of morning and felt real ill..not in work....got cold bug..never been one to miss out on anything going free....

Will add to later on.

Jan.

Not really much to put :

Thursday.

Kev came around lastnight on his Norton Commando ( so love that bike )and helped Norm repair our van ( which had broken down a couple of nights back )...Ringtons man came yesterday to deliver the Tea ( nice strong tea..for those that like strong tea).

Still not back at work...still got the bug that I got for free...but feel a tad better than yesterday.

Hoping to take dogs training tonight...as long as it doesn't warm up too much later on....still have to cater for them no matter how shit you feel.

Kev told us about a charity bikers do on Monday at the Vic Pub in Coalville...ran by the Coffin Scratchers...have to get better to go to that...for a good cause, so don't want to miss it.

Norms growing a beard..not for long he's not...like kissing the toilet brush.

Later.

loving the comment about kissing a toilet brush Jan x

Friday.

Well Norm shaved the fuzz off lastnight so no having to sleep with a Wookie anymore.....

Had permission to go to Bruntingthorpe Air Field yesterday so that I can practice riding technices in safety ( not just to me, but to everyone else as well ) on the trike.

Had been to Melton Airstrip, but I might as well on donned a pit helmet and light for the amount of pot holes there are there...excellent distance but aweful surface.

Rang Bruntingthorpe up and asked if they knew anywhere that I could take the trike and not be interferring with anyone else..told them about Melton, and the very very nice man there ( thank you so much very very nice man ), said that I could go to Bruntingthorpe...I just have to ring up to check that there is nothing going on on the days that I'm considering going. He said that evenings would be best as there is hardly anything happening up there then...that suites me fine...will probably only need to go a couple of times before I decide to start riding on the roads ( will start with the quite ones ), I even have my own ' pass word'...

So lastnight Norm and my self took a drive up there ( van is now fixed ), to see where abouts it is...can't believe how close it is to us, which makes it even more ideal...so pleased that I rang now....couldn't actually see any of the run way as too many bushes around the perimetre...saw some nice looking pubs there though.

Am feeling quite a bit better today...still have a poorly tummy though...so getting back on the mend for the Vic on Monday.

Norms trike in for repairs tomorrow, will be glad when it's done.

Well off now to have a cuppa.

Saturday.

Norm gone work till 2.30 then we're off to Burton to get trike fixed.

Don't feel too great this morning, but hoping that that improves as the day goes on.

Cooked a chinese stir fry ( from scratch not packet ) lastnight and really enjoyed it, as I've only just been able to start to eat properly again.

Kev came round and him and Norm looked for van insurance on the net as our cover ran out yesterday.

Original company was asking silly money..so found one LOADS cheaper online...but to watch Norm and Kev fill out all the appropriates to get the insurance online, was like watching the Chuckle Brothers.

At one point the pair of them had actually filled in a securecode on the secure payments wrong..twice...and got Norms card suspended..panic prevailed and guess who had to sort it all out for him ...prat...got it sorted and insurance was purchased....was certainly entertaining watching the pair of them.

Later.

Sunday.

Took trike over to Pete's and had the repairs done.

Pete has done a great job, but saying that he is brill at building bikes and trikes anyway...we got there for about 2.30 - 3.00 pm and Pete and Norm ( Norm was in his element ) did it all between the pair of them...Pete showing Norm how to do certain things.

They have relocated all of the lights except for the Marker Lights and made much lighter Mud Guards made out of Ally...which polish up beautifully...so guess what we will be doing today.

The lights are relocated onto the inside of the body work now and light all the inside of that up as well as the wheels and look brilliant...Pete was adament that nothing was going to spoil the look of one of his builds...and nothing has.

He wants us back there next week, as he wants to re-enforce the other Mud Guard Bracket...they both worked on trike continually until about 8.00pm lastnight, so got too late to do other one...but both sets of lights moved and new guards on so happy to leave it till then.

Chris,Kay and Russ ( they all have Harleys, and Chris and Kay also have a Suzuki Intuder Volusia ) came around before we set off.....I washed the pots ( from the night before...I know I should of done them the night before...was ill ) while they looked at stuff on my PC..and drank tea...they waited till Norm got home and then Norm, Chris and Russ went out looking at the trike and discussing what can be done to change things around ( thrilling eh !!..boyz and they're toyz ).

Kay and myself stayed inside talking about girlie things..Kay bought me some good strong cotton around from where she works...mine seems to of all disappeared....then they all went around Kev's.... and we sailed off into the distance to Burton.

Anyway finally climbed into bed around 11.30 pm...I think the day had finally caught up with me, it was the first time since feeling so ill that I'd been out...think the blast to Burton did me some good...fresh air filling me lungs instead of being indoors...feeling sorry for my self....feel alot more lively today...still a bit light headed at times though..

Off to have a cuppa with Norm ...and start to polish the Mud Guards up.

Monday.

Very short one today....Chris's younger brother ( Andy ) died lastnight aged 46 years..of a heart attack.

He died on the anniversary of their dads passing away....we were out, miles away when the phone call came to say he was in hospital.....what a long journey back home that was for Chris........

RIP.

Tuesday.

Went to the Coffin Scratchers charity event yesterday.

Went with Kev and Russ and met up with some of the folks on the trike forum we are members of.

Weather was wet and cold, but there was a good turn out of bikes / trikes steadily coming and going through the day...we even had the Scooter Club come to it and enter their Scoots in the bike show...nice one guys...not like the 70's where we would of all been battling it out...pleased to see that has now changed.

We didn't stay till the end, but enjoyed the few hours we were there....chris was there with us in spirit I'm sure...we're going to leave him alone for a few days, so that he can gather his thoughts and do his grieving in peace.

Went back to Russ's and had a cuppa there, before heading home and having some dinner...early night called and slept like a log.

Planning on taking the dogs training tonight...if it doesn't get too warm for them.

Jan.

Wednesday.

Feel like I've no life in me today...wish this rotten bug what ever it is would clear off...I don't feel ill...just exhausted.

Dale came around lastnight ( another friend from years ago ), he has been longing to get back into the biking scene for a long time now.

He has not long had a Hip Replacement and has to have the other one done either towards the end of this year or early next.

He is desperate to get back on the road ( having been off for years ), but before the op he was talking about getting a trike....since the op he was again looking at a bike...lastnight he came around and told us that he had taken and passed his test...on my birthday...but wanted the right time to tell us...the right time being now as he has just had his bike delivered..a 1999 Triumph Thunderbird...he's like a dog with two tails right now and doesn't know which one to wag the fastest....nice one Dale.

Rang Kev and let him know and he came straight round to see and congratulate him.

Even though I feel so listless we have said that we will go for a bit of a ride out with Dale tonight..not too far though...not one to miss a ride out on the trike because of feeling crap.

Am going to be ringing Bruntingsthorpe up to arrange an evenings trike training there.

Kev's booking us all our tickets to go to Donington for the Norton Weekend...Kev has a Norton Commando that he has had since he was 15 years old, it's beautiful and sounds better than any bike built today...in my opinion...can't wait to go....as he is also a member of the Norton Club he can get the tickets cheaper.

Off to get a drink now.

Thursday.

Well we went for a ride out lastnight with Kev and Dale..saw Dales bike for the first time and it is VERY nice although not a classic one.

We didn't go too far as Dale didn't have a lot of time, so we just went for a ride around Bradgate and Swithland area...Dale just wants to get used to the bike and riding one again...ride was nice, just cruised along.

Norm and myself then went to Kev's for a cuppa with him and his mum ( Dorreen ), didn't stay too long as we could see some very angry looking black clouds coming over, and didn't want to get another soaking like the last time.

I'm feeling a bit better today...Frank at work has been so good. He is the van driver and has been giving me lifts to and from work, as I haven't had the energy to ride my bicycle...so " Thank you Frank "....funny really no matter how exhausted you feel, you always seem to find the energy to do something you really like to do.

We're taking the dogs for a run later up at Sherwood Pines ( part of Sherwood Forest ), so looking forwards to that...please don't let it throw it down with rain.....hoping that it doesn't warm up too much as well by the time we go...the temp was just over 9C at 6.30 this morning when I went to work.

Friday.

Don't feel too good again this morning...swings and roundabouts with this at the moment.

Chris came to see me yesterday. It's the first time any of us had seen him since losing his brother.

He looked very lonely and lost to be honest....he stayed and had a cuppa with me...we spoke about Andy...he talked about when they were kids...he stayed for about an hour and then had to go to pick his mum up to take her somewhere to do with the Funeral....we'll all be there for them next Friday.

Gave him a big hug before he left and he couldn't let go, just held on...never seen Chris like that before...always been the rufty tufty biker.

Norm and myself went to see Kev lastnight and let them know that Chris has been around...Russ is going to see him today....Norm wanted to see him, so we popped around his house lastnight for half an hour.

He actually looked quite alot happier ( for want of a word ) lastnight, and was almost back to his usual self of trying to wind me up...Kaye seemed ok..perhaps it was the beers that made him feel a bit better....will be pleased when the Funeral is over with, because the healing part can then start for him and his family.

Taking the dogs running tonight..will wait till late and it's cooled right down.

Back over Pete's tomorrow so that he can do some other stuff to the trike ( Norms not mine ).

See ya tomorrow.

Saturday.

Been over to Pete's and the other mud guard bracket is now nicely reinforced...he also did a couple more bits to it that he wanted to improve on.

Took the dogs running lastnight, it was a nice quiet run and both Norm and dogs enjoyed it.

Before we went to Pete's we went to Swadlingcote to a place there that does dog food cheaper than anywhere else we've found...they deal with all the known companies and they sell the bags of food where the bag has had a rip in it..for half the price, but not half the amount...very little food has been lost.

Was a great ride over to Burton, but we thought we were going to get a soaking on the way back with the looks of the dark clouds...had a couple of spots but that was about all....saw alot of bikers coming the opposite way on the way there and the way back...bikers tend to acknowledge another rider with a nod of the head...by the time we got back I was begining to feel like one of those nodding dogs people have on the parcel shelf in their cars...still always nice to be acknowledged.

Going to get ready now to go to Kev's.

Sunday.

Spent the morning doing alterations to my trike..Norm has taken the mud guards off ready to have smaller lighter ones put on..he has relocated the rear lights, so that not on the mud guards...was really nice to just chill out for a change.

Had a good ol full English breakfast, and very nice it was too..

Got washing done and on the line...love drying things on the line..you can't beat that lovely fresh smell they get..I really begrudge any time that I have to put the tumble dryer on...so damned expensive...

Polished our boots...do them everyday if they have been worn without fail..my Grandad was a Cobbler and my Grandma always said " You can tell alot about a person, by the state of their shoes "...have to polish them with the dogs out of the house...mostly to stop Demon licking the polish...numpty.

Dale came round in the afternoon..he'd been out and about pottering on his bike...still getting used to it at the moment..he stayed for about an hour ..had a cuppa ..then went home.

We got ready to go over to Moira to friends over there ( Andy and Anne )..they are friends from the Husky fraturnity...was just about to go out the door..when Kev rang..and we had to wait for him to come with us.

Was a nice ride over to Moira and we had a good laugh over there ...didn't stay much longer than about hour and 1/2, as Andy was busy doing his van out and had stopped because we were there...don't like to stop people working...Andy used to ride Street Fighters some years back, but hasn't for a long time..he really misses riding, but his priorities are in the right place and that is looking after his family and a bike isn't part of it anymore...maybe when the kids are grown up.

Went to Russ's from Andy's and we all decided to go out for a drink ( just a little note..neither Norm or myself drink..used to like fish..not anymore...Kev and Russ have Shandy's ), we went to the Wheel at Rearsby..used to be one of our old haunts in the 70's..walked in and nearly fell over...it is now not only a pub, but an Indian Restaurant as well...we stayed and had what I can safely say was a VERY nice Indian meal..will defo go back there again...soon.

The only thing that peed us off about it was that they bought us some snacks that we didn't ask for...said it was ok and left them for us anyway, but then charged us for them..we were about to go and complain about it, but then noticed that they had infact not charged us for a salad ( which we don't think was intensional )...which was more money....will see what happens the next time we go...they even gave us a lovely little window room to ourselves so that we could keep an eye on the bikes and trike...other than the snacks we can't fault them.

Came home and went to bed..Norm and myself that is...I know they say the more the merrier, but not in this case

Monday.

Not really a great lot to put this time...we spent lastnight all on our own for a change...I cooked a pork stir fry and we spent the night chilling out and watching the tv.

I woke up during the night as I heard one of our dogs crying..woke Norm to tell him and we went to see which one it was and why he / she was crying.

They sleep in the house at night time and it definately wasn't a dreaming noise...but when we went to look none of them were actually doing anything..we let them all out to go to the loo just incase...they all went and then happily came back in and settled down for the rest of the night.

Watched Coronation Street lastnight, and Blanch had both Norm and myself in stitches..she was convinced that Peter ( Barlow ) was coming down with a bug / virus, and when he sat next to her on the sofa, she stuck a themometer in his mouth...they sat there talking...him with this thermometer in his mouth before he noticed that it was a weird looking one...of which he then said " this is a weird looking thermometer "..." Oh " says Blanch " It's an anal one..but it's ok it's been throughly washed " ..or words to that effect...Peter's face was an absolute picture...and we couldn't stop laughing...I was still sniggering about it in bed...I'm sure I must of got on Norms nerves evenually..

It kinda put me in mind of something that happened years ago...we had a little mongrel dog ( Scooby ) and I noticed one day that his teeth needed a brush..I didn't have anything to do them with, but then noticed an old tooth brush under the kitchen sink..I got some toothpaste and managed to give Scoobies teeth a brushing...his pearly whites gleaming beautifully.

The next day to my horror I saw Norm cleaning his teeth with the same tooth brush...for some reason... I've never asked...he'd cleaned his teeth in the kitchen and put the tooth brush under the sink...too bloody idle to take it back to the bathroom...I was in fits of laughter ...it took me three days to eventually tell him what had happened, without collapsing in hysterical fits.

Dale and Kev will be around tonight for our Tuesday night rondevous...now Dale has his bike we are going to go out to a pub or something, instead of just sitting in ours and drinking tea...mind you it also depends on what the weather does.

Tuesday.

Dale couldn't make the ride this time as he had to go see his sister- in - law, but is hoping to be able to pop around to see us tomorrow.

Chris came around to see me about 2.00pm, he came on his bike..it's the first time he's got his bike out since Andy passing away...he came and had a cuppa and a chat and seemed quite relaxed and...not happy...but happier.

He gave me a lift to work...I so hate having to wear a helmet ( don't have to on trikes ), but coped with having my face squeezed by it all the way there....I find them closterphobic, but needs must...

When he knew we were planning a ride out he decided to come on it with us...said him and Kaye needed to to be able to chill a bit...understandable under the circumstances.

Norm, myself, Chris, Kaye and Kev went to the Kilby Bridge pub ( the Navigation ), we sat by the river, or is it a canal?. It was really nice, but then started to get quite cold quite quickly so went inside the pub...had a great time and a good laugh, and for the first time Chris and Kaye seemed back to their usual selves ...was cold on the way back, there was a real icy chill...we all went our seperate ways at Fosse Park.

We'll be seeing Chris again on Friday at the Funeral.

Kev is supposed to be picking me up tomorrow to go looking at tents ( for him not us ) over at Outdoor World ( think it's called ) in Loughborough.

Norm tried his suit on to see if it still fits him ( for the Funeral ), it still fits him perfectly and he looks bloody great in it...I've always thought men look good in black leathers and on motorbikes, but think they look just as handsome in a good fitting suit...and Norm definately does.

Kev is sending for the tickets this week for the Norton Show, so another good event to look forwards too...can't see Dale coming some how. When ever we ask him if he wants a ticket booking he's never too sure...trouble is we can't keep posponing booking them for him until he makes his mind up...soooo..if he comes with us he'll just have to pay on the gate..

We are all at the BMF this weekend..and the weather forcast doesn't look too great...hope it doesn't rain, but if it does so beit we'll still have a good time.

Had a text from a woman that I worked with at the centre I'm at...her name is Sharon and she's a student Midwife....she has also always grown up with motorbikes...her dad is a real hardened biker and is well known in the biking world...was really nice to hear from her as I hadn't seen her for ages, since she left the centre.

She's taken her CBT test ( bike test to be on the road ) and at some stage in the next year she will be taking her actual bike test...fingers crossed for her as this test has now gone from the ridiculous to the subline..if they carry on the way they are going, the DVLA is going to have more illegal bikers on the road than legal...it says something when even the instructors can't do some of the things required..if they can't do it, how the hell do the DVLA expect them to teach beginners what to do.

Sharon and her mum and dad go to lots of bike meetings ( Sharons hubby is also a biker )..she is going to let us know when they go to the next one, so that we can meet up with them there.

Have a real BIG bike meet coming up in July just outside of Matlock...can't wait.

Wednesday.

Kev picked me up about 11.00am and we went to Go Outdoors in Loughborough to look for a tent for him.

He wanted one that he could stand up in and get changed and dressed and move around in easily, with plenty of room...can't blame him...but also wanted one that he could park the bike in at night so that ( 1) it doesn't get pinched while he's asleep and ( 2 ) it stays dry if it rains during the night.

Anyway, after having looked at a fair few tents, he finally found one that fit all his requirement...light to be carried on the bike, big and has two doors.

The tent has a big bedroom area with built in groundsheet...then there is a seperate groundsheet for the living area...we got one of his bikes and put that inside the living area ( back at his house of course ) and he still had plenty of room to move around comfortably...as he had a Go Outdoors Card, he got this tent for £60...bargain and half....so now he is all set for the BMF this weekend.

Norm went and had a look at it before he picked me up from work ( Kev dropped me work at 4.00pm ).

Dale came round, and too be honest I could of happily fallen out with him..won't go into details...dirty washing in public and all that...but he absolutely got on my last nerve ...hope he doesn't rub me up the wrong way at the weekend when we take him to the BMF in our van...or he'll be walking home....but the word " TIT" came into mind.

Norm and myself got somewhat of an early night ( bout 9.30pm ) and then low and behold...Kev came round and knocked the door...didn't think we'd be in bed that early...he was very appologetic and didn't stay.

Didn't sleep to good...think Dale had pissed me off a bit too much..then Norm was snoring like a ships Fog Horn and pinching all the covers...Oh happy days.

Friday.

Today was Andys funeral...Kev rang us and asked if we could pick him up..we were supposed to be going in his car, but the clutch went on it lastnight.

Got to Gilrose in plenty of time so that we could just chill a bit before Andy arrived on his final journey.

He arrived by two beautiful horses and in a carrage..one of the horses slipped on a wet drain cover and fell to it's knees...it got back up...everyone was horrified seeing this magnificant animal fall ...the driver ( a young woman ) spoke to Norm, Kev and myself ( we were standing more or less next to it when it happened )..both herself and the co-driver with her were as horrified as we all were...she said that " never in a thousand years would she of ever thought that a drain could do that "..I guess with the drain cover being wet..it was a case of water and metal ( horse shoes ) on metal ( drain cover ).

We waited until they pulled up outside of the chapel ( Andy was buried ) and Norm, Kev and myself went round to see if the horse was ok...the drivers said it was ok, but had cut it's self...poor baby had blood trickling down the front of his / her leg...they cleaned it up and put some stuff on it ( the horse box was further up ) and the blood stopped...drivers said they were going to get it looked at properly as soon as they could...we had a stroke of him / her and went back to join everyone else.

Russ and Mandi arrived..we saw quite a few old faces from years back.

We went into the chapel...Andy wasn't religious and so a non religious service was requested...we did say the Lords Prayer though.

The Vicar did a great job and they played a couple of soundtracks that Andy liked to listen too...as we left the chapel they played the song " Spirit in the sky "..Andy would of loved that.

We went to the wake at the Enderby Club...it wasn't as a usual wake..it was more like a party and even had a DJ...just what Andy would of wanted...it was a great celebration of a much liked / loved / respected man that died much too young.

We didn't stay till the end...nor did Kev, Russ and Mandi...they have gone to the BMF...Chris and Kaye will join them tomorrow...the family have told Chris and Kaye to go....we will be there Sunday, with Dale and Nick ( another of Andys brothers ), we are taking Nick as he really needs to be able to chill out ...we thought he was going to collapse at the funeral..he seemed to pick up at the wake...he is looking forwards to us picking him up to take him...bless him..he has been so ill ( health wise ) and losing Andy made him even more ill..

But not going to dwell on doom and gloom about it all ( not what Andy would want )...just as the funeral finished..around the grave...it started to throw down with rain...and we didn't have a brolly between us so my nicely straightened hair started to kink up, in all the places I didn't want it too.

We went back to Russ's house before actually going to the wake...so while there I got Mandi to iron my hair straight again..head on the ironing board, iron on hot and bob's your uncle, straight hair again.

Took the dogs for a run tonight, Norm said that Chinook wasn't pulling properly..she hasn't been for the last few times, so might be time to change her running position on the lines.

See ya later.

Saturday.

Stayed in all day and in between doing house work, cooking dinner and getting washing done and dried...I did absolutely sod all....had little house work to do...just a small amount of washing, and dinner didn't take long at all...so had most of the day to do nothing.

Kev rang us from the BMF to let us know what the weather was like there, and apparently it was dry..hope it stays that way for tomorrow.

We were supposed to be going to a show at Market Harborough today, but as soon as we saw the rain we decided to give it a miss...mind you it can blow a hurricane tomorrow and we will still be at the BMF.

Took the dogs for a run tonight..Norm swapped Chinook from dual lead position with Axel and put her in single swing ( centre position on the gang line, behind the lead dog /s )..he left Demon in wheel ( the dog at the back that actually pulls the rig ) and put Diesel back in dual lead with Axel..Diesel had always been a lead dog, and a brilliant one. But after about four years of taking all the instructions for the team he decided he didn't want to have the responsorbility of the team and directions anymore, and basically stopped running.

We put Diesel in dual wheel position with Demon and he seemed happier..ironically though he would still take instructions when Norm gave them ( to Axel ) and he would try and lead from the wheel position...which was good, as any time Axel made a mistake or missed an instruction ( as he had to learn to take instruction ), Diesel would pull the team round the right way from the back...but still didn't want to go back up lead position.

Chinook then started to run dual lead, but over the two years that she did, she always seemed to start to get lazy after the first two miles..she would slow the team down and Axel would be trying to pull her round..we worked with her to try to get her to stop letting the other dogs do all the work on the team..but she has now become very lazy.

Tonight, with Diesel back up lead with Axel and Chinook in single swing behind them and Demon in his usual position, the team ran alot better..she tried to become lazy but was unable to with Diesel and Axel keeping her going..she then started to work again.

Norm said it was great having Diesel back up lead and Diesel for the first time in a long time seemed to enjoy it again....fingers crossed.

We will monitor Chinook now and if it gets to a point where she is being pulled around and not working we will remove her from the team.

Got to be up early in the morning, we have to pick Dale up at 8.00am and then Nick.

Sunday.

Picked Dale and Nick up in the van and we went to the BMF.

Met up with Kev, Chris, Kaye, Russ, Mandi, Jeff and Josh.

Hadn't been there long when the heavens opened and it p*ssed down. That lasted for about 30 mins, but was real torrential and soaked everything.

The sun finally came out and was quite warm when it did, so didn't take too long to dry stuff up..had the odd threat of another down pour a couple of times, but nothing really kicked off.

We got some real good bargains, but must say that we all felt that this BMF was not as good as the last one last year ( Trail End )...the Trail End really was a brill event and bargains were literally being given away...this BMF was the first of this year...and things were more expensive...I suppose though that with the current financial climate that people don't want to be quite so generous at the moment...but that said...as I have said...we got some good bargains none the less, and it was still very worth while going to it.

Norm, myself and Dale got some great leather jeans ( laced up the sides ) for £45 each..now thats really good as they are well over £100 in the shops...I already have leather trousers, but as they are padded I have them for the winter/ wet monthes as with my winter leather jacket....I also have a beautiful leather summer jacket that has Native American Beading on it ( biking jacket not fashion ), so wanted a pair of non padded leather jeans with the laces up the sides to go with it.

Dale is only just setting himself up with stuff and wanted leather jeans anyway...Norm already has leather jeans and couldn't let a bargain like that pass under his nose...Norm also got another leather waistcoat.

We got other various items of clothing, and I also got some new indicators for my trike as well as other bits and peices.

Russ and Mandi bought three new jackets and some new biking trousers as well as a new helmet, leather waistcoats, gloves and other items as well.

Kev pretty much bought the whole place, with a mixture of biking trousers..with and without braces, other items of clothing, and bits and peices as well.

Not to sure what Jeff and Josh bought as we lost them for a while..nick got a couple of tshirts.

We got some food and went into the stadium to eat it and watch the bike displays..the display team was one called 'The Purple Helmets' and they were brilliant..they did some great stunts, but are a comedy team as well, and had us all laughing in the isles...there was one bloke and he at one stage came out sitting in what would be a sidecar of a motorbike..only this sidecar was adapted as an organ..this bloke sat on the seat as he was being riden around the track and played the organ...as naked as a jay bird...not a stitch of clothing on..he must of been freezing as by this time the clouds had come back over..the whole stadium collapsed with laughter and I noticed a couple of police officers doubled up as he rode by them...he then came back out later on, on a clapped out old bike riding around bent over double, mooning at everyone, with a very strategically place loud speaker ..of the large red variety....with a noise as though it was being driven by wind power...guess who's wind power...all of this done I have to say in a comical manner and not a disagreeable one...as after all there were children present....tell you what I do like to see there...all the elderly people that come for the day...they are bikers from years gone past..when they could ride their motorbikes and hardly ever see anyone else on the road...I love listening to these wonderful bikers and their great stories..these people set the presidence for us to be able to do this now days.

After spending a great day there we all decided to go for a drink and something to eat at a pub on the way home.

After leaving the pub we then dropped Nick and Dale home, with all their new treasures, and then delivered Russ and Mandi's to Russ's house, Chris and Kaye's to their house and Kev's to his house, along with their tents and ruck sacks.

Inbetween dropping stuff off, we also went home to feed the dogs and make sure they were alright till we got back home for the night.

We eventually got home at about 10 pm and climbed into bed at about 11pm.

Dale who is a house husband, due to having some disabilaties ( due to a motorbike accident years ago ) totally enjoyed his very rare time away from doing everything for everyone at home...his wife ( Lizzy ) is the bread winner and works perminant nights...bless her...they have five children..three of them still at school ....the two eldest at college and also in relationships of their own...so not a lot of time for Dale to ever have away from home...the eldest ones looked after everything for him yesterday, but Dale had already prepared all the meals for them so not too much for them to do...he's hoping now that he can get one or both of them to look after the youngest ones for a day at the end of June, so that he can go with us to the Norton Weekend ...then after that to the Trail End towards the end of the year...thats about all he'll be able to manage...but he's happy with that...he'd like Lizzy to come along as well, but is working on her as she is nervous of going on the bike...she's never been on one before...lizzy like Dale doesn't go very many places, so would be so good if she did come with us at times when they are able.

Monday.

Well and truely p'd off at work right now...and looking for another job for asap.

I've been there for 2 years in a couple of monthes, and in that 2 years I've had very little time off..and that includes holidays...the only time I've had off is when I've been really ill and even then I've gone back work early or done at least one of the split shifts a day that I do, so as not to let the centre down.

I've cycled from work and back to work in some terrible weather and walked for an hour to get there and home in the snow we had a while back.

But just recently I was ill and ill enough to have to give in and have some days off..it's taken me until now to start to feel a bit more energetic although I don't feel ill with it, just a bit tired...the last thing I need right now is to start to again be caught in all the down pours of rain we're getting...so I asked Frank ( centre van driver ) if he was able to pick me up from home to take me back work ( it's only a 10 min journey in a van ) so that I didn't get wet through again..I don't often ask for help, but I just don't want to be ill again so soon after the last time.

The centre manager came to me and in her lovely arrogant way informed me that I can't just ask for help because it's raining...I reminded her that I had just been ill and that I didn't need to be getting wet through cycling in the rain again and that I rarely ask for any help.

This comes from a woman that gets Frank to pick her up and take her home ( she also arranged for him to do this for her daughter when she worked there ) so that she doesn't have to walk the mile down the road....so me being me...pointed this fact out to her...she then said that Frank only gives her a lift as it's on his way to and from work....but not to be out done by her...I pointed out that Frank picks her up from her door and was at the time of all of this being said, waiting in the van to take her home..I then said that as the sun had now come out...and as she had said Franks not there to give people lifts to and from home...not even in bad weather...should she not be walking home now instead...she didn't answer that one...she then said that she has no objections to Frank giving me a lift when I'm ill.

I make no appologies if what I'm about to type makes me look thick...but surely wouldn't the answer to that be...and this is what I said to her....not to get wet through, when there is a means of help when it's really bad weather in the first place...so as not to either ( 1 ) have to have time on the sick...and she would then have to unlock and lock the building..or ( 2 ) wait till I'm ill ( as suggested by her ) and then have a lift from Frank to and from work...not only not getting better but infecting everyone else in the building with my illness as well.....of which she said that if I'm ill like that anyway she would prefer it if I stayed at home so that her staff didn't become ill as well..

When it snowed not long back I had an hours walk back to home ( as said I do split shifts ) in all the conditions that the weather threw at us that week...she then later in the day about 1. 30 pm rang me at home to say all council buildings were to be shut at 3.00 pm for the safety of staff getting home...could I come in early and lock up....I asked then if I could get a lift from Frank as it was a good hours walk...I couldn't get one...so where was my safety in all of that trying to get back to work...the best of it is...she is perfectly capable of locking up but didn't want to, so wanted me to walk back to do this for her...Frank was busy alright...drinking coffee in the staff room and waiting for me to get there to take her home...I then had another hours walk to get back home...this happened for most of that week...

This is the caring council for you..and they're even more caring managers with their " I'm alright jack " and one law for them and another for those they see as nothings attitude.

Can't tell anyone how p'd off I am right now...wouldn't mind if I ever asked for much help..but I'm a fairly proud person and like to think I can do it all myself...

On a happier note.

Dale rang lastnight and said that his eldest son ( Sam ) is going to look after the kids for him, so that Dale can come to the Norton Weekend on the Saturday...nice one Sam.

Me bessie mate Kev came round lastnight, I love him to bits..he's the only other person other than Norm that can tell me off or put me in my place and get away with it...if and when I need to be.

I won't tell you what he said about this manager...most of it is unprintable...he does make me laugh.

Tuesday.

Dale and Kev came round lastnight and stayed until about 11.00 pm..Norm went outside for a while to finish off relocating my rear lights on my trike..he's made a nice job of it.

I bought some Eagle Eye ( the shape of them ) indicators for my trike at the BMF..they weren't particually expensive..£8..well at least I don't think they were when you look at the price of some of the stuff from places like Highway Hawk and Zodiac ( pricey but the stuff is real nice...saying that though I did get a real good deal last year from Highway Hawk on some foot pegs for my trike )...there is another cheap place called M & P but they didn't have anything that I liked to be honest.

Would of liked to of gone out lastnight for a ride around, but Norm wanted to get on with the lights and as they say " Don't put off till tomorrow, what can be done today " ...makes sense.

Didn't see the centre manager yesterday ( well did but from a distance ), just keeping myself to myself...seems the best way until I can find something else...I hope something comes soon....Frank wouldn't make eye contact with me yesterday...that to me says one of two things ( 1 ) guilt about something.. or..(2 ) the sign of someone that is devious and can't be trusted....my opinion...both...

Not feeling too happy right now.

Wednesday.

Things have gone from bad to worst at work...there is a new office manager there. She has been there a few monthes, she was previously a secretary, and hasn't got a clue what she is doing.

She has come out with alsorts of stupid suggestions and ideas to me concerning my job description and I have had to point out to her on a few occasions why I couldn't do the things she's requested of me...every one of them have been to do with Health and Safety...she then, once I've pointed out why I couldn't do this / that or the other, will put her nose up in the air and strut off...I've always took a pride in my work/ job, and have always done it well where ever I've been...I've never had any complaints about anything...since she has gained this position just a few monthes back, she has tried her utmost to change what I was taught to do, to do it how she feels fit...best of it is she hasn't got a clue about my job description

I was asked to do the centre a favour to save it money..concerning dirty nappy bags and the amount of bags they are charged for...I was requested to lean into the Bio Hazard bin ( great big bin with lift up lid ) and take out the dirty nappy bags to rebag into a single bag...so as not to have to pay for more bags.....I didn't do it on Tuesday, and this manager actually came and confronted me about it...I told her that I didn't wish to do it as a favour to save the centre money as it is not only a Health and Safety issue but it is also a Manual Handling one..she then asked me how it could be...I told her because of the fact that the dirty nappies are in there from Tuesday to Tuesday and are producing harmful bacteria, and the Manual Handling is the fact that I'd be hanging over the top of a Bio Hazard bin ( Health and Safety again ) to reach dirty soiled and wet nappies in a bag and then have to pick them up/ over and out of a deep bin...to do that also having to stand on a stool...she then got quite shirty about it...said was i refusing to do any favours for the centre...of which I said " Yes " and that she would inform the centre manager..of which I said she was welcome too do so...she then stormed off...if she was as good as she thinks she is, in just the five minutes she's been in the position, she would already know that as a Health and Safety issue as well as Manual Handling...I shouldn't of been asked to do that in the first place....I so desperately need to get away now....I'm finding it so hard to keep my patience and bite my tongue...but I will because the person who trained me some years back...taught me well enough to be able to..

Rant over.

Kev came round lastnight and we all met up with Chris and Kaye..we went out for a ride and ended up in a village near to Lutterworth...haven't got a clue what the village was called, but it was lovely...we stopped at a pub called the 'Fox Inn ' ..what a lovely little place...and so friendly..I'd recommend it to anyone that hasn't been there.

We were greeted by a couple of old boys in there, that wanted to look at the bikes and trike...we didn't stay inside the pub as they had a real good open fire burning and although it was so cosy it was too hot to stay in there...we went and sat outside in their garden, and it was just lovely.

There was a great old boy in there...I say old boy..but I'd say he was not too long retired to be honest...anyway...turns out he used to ride bikes when he was young, but I think he stopped when he got married.

His wife had never been on a bike...until recently..he bought a touring motorbike...can't remember what he said he'd got..but Gold Wing keeps coming to mind...well..his wife went on her first bike ride.....all the way around one side of Europe.....what a first bike ride..or any bike ride come to that to go on...I'm green with envy...they are going back in a couple of weeks to do the other side of Europe...how lucky are they...we wish them well and a VERY safe journey.

He waited until we pulled away and watched us ride down the road..what a lovely man.

We went to a couple more pubs, one even further out and a real community pub...but can't for the life of me remember what it is called...it was nothing posh, but was buzzing with life, all locals and very well used...it was great..definately going back there again.

We finished up in the 'Red Arrow ' which I think was in Lutterworth..nice and friendly..we eventually got home and climbed into bed at about midnight...real nice ride out with great mates and sat in great pubs with some really lovely people.........perfect.

Thursday.

Well kept myself to myself at work...and had a peaceful day....but although I had none eventful shift's, I did hear rumblings of other that didn't..what a happy ship this is !!!!!.

Norm had one of his old work mates from the building trade come to see him ( Vic ), Vic was a site manager and Norm and Vic worked for 13 years together..although Vic had infact been there for 15 years...this recession put paid to that.....Vic now has another job..still as a site manager..but for Jelsons.

After Vic left ours, we went around to see Kev and his mum...Doreen doesn't look very well to me and hasn't been well for a little while now...she's under the Hospital, and has medication and stuff, but never seems to get any better...she's such a nice lady...she lost her husband 20 years ago, but between them they bought up three lovely lads..Kev, Russ and Paul ( Paul sadly died a year ago ), they have lovely natures and are very laid back in their ways..Kev told me once that his mum and dad only ever gave them advice once, and that was " Don't be silly enough to do something that your going to regret and be caught for...but if you do, make sure it was worth it " ...he also says to this day that he must of had the best parents in the world, because he remembers struggling to put a bike engine back together again, in time to be going somewhere...he was trying to do this in a cold damp garage...his mum and dad suggested he bought it into the back room..in the warm and dry...and then BOTH his mum and dad helped him to rebuild it...his mum only stopping to make tea / coffee and do dinner...Kev very proudly says " how brill are they for parents..how many would let you not only bring an engine into the house, but then help you to put it back together again "....I can't think of many..mine certainly wouldn't of done.

Norm and myself were planning yet again to TRY to get an early night...did we get one...did we hell as like...trouble is when we are all together, none of us know when to stop talking ...must start to practice that....." It's 10 o'clock...let jaw start to wind down and take tongue out of gear...gently shut off motion of mouth opening...turn off will to want to say anything else....and go to bed "..............................

Kev is pre- booking us all on another ride out, this one is called ' The Horse Shoe Rally '..and I believe is somewhere near to Peterborough...not been on this one before and is supposed to be quite a good weekend.

We're going to a classic show on Sunday at Stamford...love these classic shows.

Friday.

Had an email from the Harley Owners Group ( HOG ), saying that the pre-registration is now open to register for the Ride To The Wall...if by any chance there are any bikers reading this, that didn't do or know about The Ride To The Wall last year...I can strongly recommend this to you...you will NEVER experience a ride out like this ( unless to do the Thunder Run in the states ).

The Ride To The Wall, is organised by HOG and it is to honour and remember all our troops...lads and lasses...that have paid the ultimate price through war and acts of terrorism...but as I'm sure we all did last year when we were there...I also had many thoughts with the innocent none forces people that have also paid the ultimate price through war and acts of terrorism.

This ride was to not only honour them all...but to help raise money for the up keep of the National Arboretum Memorial...Tony Blair decided along with others, to withdraw funding for the Memorial...and since then it has been a long hard struggle to keep this beautiful peaceful place of rememberance, that means so much to so many people, maintained as beautifully as they do there....

Last year was the first ride of this kind in this country..the HOG had been going to the memorial for the rememberance day...many many bikers are exforces and many are still serving.....whilst there...someone appaulled at what they had heard ( funding removed..and struggling to look after the place ) suggested a ride to raise some money to help them.

The organisers of this were hoping to be able to at least get a few hundred bikers ( Harley owners ) to do this...but as people started to tell others about this, HOG started to get lots and lots of emails from none Harley owners ( us included ) asking if we could also participate in this...HOG opened this up to ALL bikers....they expected at the most about 800 - 900 bikers to turn up........over 2500 turned up on the day...much to the delight of HOG..infact it was well over 2500.

We all registered on the day and paid £5 registration fee to do the run...we got a badge pin and a date bar to hang on it included in the registration...but as there were so many that turned up...and the roads had been blocked off and the police were there to help with all of this....they ran out of time before the end of the registration had finished and the ride had to start....we all got there ...but due to this some missed the service at the Arboretum.

So, this year HOG are asking people to pre - register on line or by sending cheques to save that happening again.

Last year we raised in excess of £10,000 for the Memorial...and with all the interest that HOG have been having already this year...there will be even more money raised...HOG are now also doing badges and pins and Tshirts and stuff...with all proceeds going to the Arboretum.

But it doesn't stop there....PRINCE WILLIAM since we all did this run...has now become the patron of the National Arboretum Memorial.....the RAF have also informed HOG that they are going to give us a fly by as well this year.

I can't put into words how proud I feel to be able to honour all the troops and take part in this ride to honour them.....

I've put a link on here for you to look at...this is my favorate one...please watch it...and have your sound switched on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLlTrgwVHuU&feature=related

Not really alot more I'm going to put in this todays diary...because nothing else I've done today is as important to me as this.

Saturday.

Norm was in work until 2.00 pm.

We later went to see Russ and Mandi at Russ's house...they were there with one of Mandi's daughters..her daughter and boyfriend had been to the Royal Infirmary as he had to have six teeth, two stumps and a cyst removed ..he had to have a general anaesthetic..Mandi hadn't picked them up from the hospital very long and he didn't look very good at all.

We had only just got off the trike and walked to them in the front garden, when he said the felt ill and nearly passed out...Norm and Russ got him inside and put him on the sofa..he stayed there for about an hour and then came back outside...he had a bit more colour in his cheeks when he came back out...Mandi took them home shortly afterwards.

From Russ's we went to Kev's and spent the rest of the evening there with him and Doreen ( Kev and Russ's mum )....Chris and Kaye rang up while we were there and asked if we all wanted to go for a ride out and a drink...but as we were going to a bike auto jumble on sunday we decided to give it a miss.

We went home quite earlyish and eventually went to bed at midnight.


Sunday.

Today we went to the auto jumble at Stanford Hall ...auto jumbles bore me to tears to be honest, but Norm and the lads like to see what treasures and bargains they can find....in this case none...there was some good stuff there but nothing that any of us needed.

Norm bought me a BSA badge from the BSA club stand....I have a real soft spot for Beezers ( BSA Motorbikes ) as I used to ride a BSA 500cc A50 Royal Star...it was a combination..a combo ( motorbike and side car...only my side care was a tin bath ), and I loved that bike to bits...it's not very often we see A50's now..we mostly see A65's and A10's...but joy of joys..there was an A50 there...and riden by a woman.

We spent quite sometime talking to them at the BSA Club Stand, and could of happily stayed longer talking about our adventures back in the 70's ...the woman we were talking to was so lovely..well they all were...she is 65 years old and I can safely say that I nearly fell over when she told me, as she didn't look much older than in her late 40's...she told me that she never plucked up the courage to go for her bike test until she was 54 years old...and passed it on about her fourth or fifth attempt...she said she was determined it wasn't going to beat her...you go girl...I take my hat off to you...

We then proceeded around all the other clubs there..Triumph...Vincent...BMW...and others.

The sun was absolutely burning down on us...to a point where at one stage we had to go and sit under a tree in the shade for a while.

Whilst there, we ran into two of the Unwanted's ( Unwanted Motorcycle Club ) that we know and have often been and joined in with their club shows and celebrations..we hadn't seen them for a while and so it was good to see them again...think we are going over to their club house at the end of next week.

I have to tell you that I had the nicest apple pie that I have ever eaten in my life there....we went up to the big house and went into the courtyard cafe..and that is when I saw it...the BIGGEST apple filled pie I have ever seen...along with the most tempting cakes...I must point out at this point that they were all home made....this apple pie must of been a good 3 inches deep and jam packed with solid apple filling, even the individual wedges of it were enormous...it cost £3 a portion and was worth every penny..I had it with cream ( all in for the £3 ) and it was the tastiest thing I've eaten..the pastry literally melted in your mouth..I don't know who baked this pie, but bloody hell could she / he cook.

We went to the Fox Inn pub on the way back and sat in their garden...just great...from there we went to the Lyne Kiln ( think I've spelt that right ) at Hinkley and sat in their garden next to the river/ canal...perfect...we then went back to kev's and had something to eat with his mum.

Norm, myself, Kev and Russ went to see Dale for half an hour...then we all went our seperate ways.

Tomorrow we are at the Melton Show...this show sounds like it will be a good day out.

Monday.

Rode over to the Melton Show.

With the dark clouds looming over head we half expected to get caught in a down pour at some stage on the way...but it didn't happen.

Got into Melton and it was heaving with folks all going to the show...plenty of police to keep the traffic flowing...and a game and a half to find some where to park...did eventually manage to park up, in the Coach car park area.

We chained the two Harleys front wheels to the trikes front wheel ( as we always do...well who ever is with us on a bike that is ) and Kev also put a chain through his leather jacket sleeve and helmet and chained that to the trike as well so as not to have to carry them around.

We paid our £5 entry to the show and in we went...it wasn't a bad show at all...at first I just thought it was all in the side of the park we went into..but then found out that it was also in the other side of the park, across the road...so this show was infact a BIG show.

There were the usual fair attractions there..and the ' Get this number and win a prize ' stalls there...there was a small car boot stall area there, and we bought one of those ' Ped Egg ' things that are advertised on TV..they are £14 on the advert, but this bloke was selling them for £3....you know the things that look like an egg, but is for getting hard skin off your feet...well as neither Norm or myself have hard skin, we got one for grating Parmasan Cheese ...perfect for it.

Even if Norm had hard skin on his feet, he'd be no good with anything like this as he is so ticklish on his feet, that he wouldn't be able to keep his foot still enough to do them...or he'd end up kicking himself in the head trying to whilst wetting himself laughing....hmmmm, might be worth getting another just for the entertainment value of watching that.

There was a Sheep Shearer there from New Zealand. He was giving a demonstration of ....shearing sheep...it was actually quite interesting to watch....he was so quick and precise when he did this, and the wool came off in one peice...I couldn't believe how big this peice was when he held up for us to see....he told us that at todays prices that each fleece is only worth 46p....thats just crazy...when he also told us that one fleece make two jumpers, and how much can you pay for a decent jumper.................

There was a crack on motorcycle display, that thrilled everyone with their daring high flying acrobatics.

We stopped to look at the Classic Cars there...some great old classics, with quite a few that bought back memories of child hood times and going out for the much looked forwards to ' Sunday Drive ' treat.

A few Lamboretta Scooters there...owned by old boys of the day...one of them got talking to me, and bought out his photo album of him racing scooters in 1964 and upwards...I stayed talking to him for ages...the photo's and him himself were fascinating...he asked what I rode, and I told him we have trikes....then much to our amazement ( Norm had joined me by this time ) he told us that he used to build trikes with his mate, and had his own business doing this. But called it a day a while back and sold up....who would of thought it...a Mod building trikes.....

We then went across the road to the other side of the show...the same usual fair ground attractions and win a prize, but over there they had a lot more displayes going on.

We watched a stunt display by various 4 wheel drives and a Monster Truck Sooty Mobile ( one of those little vans that Sooty and Sweep had ).

There was a horse stunt display team, of which the main rider was actually an American Native Indian and with his long flowing black hair, looked pretty cool...ironically he was taught all the stunts he did by the Russian Cossacks when he joined them in 1982

We watched a sheep dog trials...amazing dogs...and so well taught....and a display dog team.

After walking and standing for AGES, in the by this time rained and then turned VERY warm and muggy conditions..we decided to go and find somewhere to have a sit down and a cuppa...didn't take us many minutes to find somewhere, and have a drink...it also didn't take Kev long to entertaine the passing crowds, when he didn't sit on the plastic chair properly and one of the back legs bowed in...and Kev did the most perfect back roll out of the chair when it tipped up...landing in an ungainly heap at the feet of LOTS of people that were passing by...but were now standing still in fits of laughter....oh nice one Kev...some woman came up to him afterwards and told him that if he'd waited a couple of hours to do that in one of the arena's he could of got paid for it as well ...have to say Kev couldn't stop laughing him self...bless ...........

Later on we then found the beer tent, and had a drink ( Norm and myself our usual coke ).

Russ was also with us, and Mandi..Russ's partner, came and joined us at about 3.00pm.

We went back over to the first side of the show, to watch the Viking re-enactment...We have been to Bosworth Battle Field in the past and watched the re- enactment of that...and found it really interesting..especially the village life...but sorry to say..this Viking re- enactment was absolutely the most boring thing we have watched..and made worst by some of the most terrible acting we've seen...and a woman worrier that wanted to be the hard nut of the event, and even though she had been stabbed,slashed, and as far as we could see had her throat cut...still didn't die....oh please......so very disappointed in that...we sauntered off to watch the sheep shearing Kiwi...still shearing sheep.........

We finally headed home, having had a very enjoyable day there.

Just as we got back, the throttle cable snapped on the trike...how lucky were we that we weren't still on the motorway.

Chris and Kaye came round and stayed for a couple of hours...they had been to Matlock for the day, so we all had the pleasure of swapping our stories of where we'd been, seen and done.

Rang Dale up and had a chit chat to him and told him all about the two days out at the two different shows...bless him, he so wanted to come with us, but family commitments unabled him to do so, so he asked us to let him know how it all went.

Tomorrow night is Tuesday Night and is Dale and Kev night..

Kev and Chris are going to town tomorrow and will pop into Motorcycle Accessories for Norm to see about a new Throttle Cable.

Finally, sorted out our woofies, and time for bed.

Tuesday.

Dale came round at 7.00pm......7.30pm the phone rings and Norm answers it...it was Kev.

Norm comes back into the living room and tells us to get ready as we have to go pick one of the Harleys up in the van.

I asked him who's it was and had it broken down. Just to be told that it was Russ's and it was in bits on the road at the Foxhunter Island at Enderby......we couldn't get ready quick enough.

Kev got to us as we were about to set off....can't go into too many details as there will be a claim from it..but lets just say that a driver of a car hasn't been watching the adverts about bikes and cars on tv.

Russ was already on his way to the hospital by the time we all got there...the Harley had been picked back up and was on it's side stand...but is well and truely wrecked.

I travelled in the Dodge Pickup ( with Kev...Russ is Kev's brother, and it was only just over a year ago that their other brother Paul died ), when we got there the part of the island was coned off and a police car there with flashing lights...Kev went round to them and pulled up to let them know that we were there the recover the bike.

At this point I would like to thank the selfish Bastard that pulled up behind us and started to sound his hooter because he had got to drive around us as we were waiting for the cones to be moved, so that we could get to the bike.....this arsehole then proceeded to drive along the side of us and then give us a load of verbal abuse for being there............What I can tell you is that by the time I had finished telling him where to get off....he drove off rather quickly...the police didn't even have a chance to tackle him................I might also add that whilst this selfish inconsiderate son of a 'b' was doing this, HE had nearly caused another car to hit him up his rear.

So you low life....here is my wish for you.....that one day, it is YOU that has an accident ( not life threatening of course..not even scum like you deserves that ), and YOUR relatives get the same abuse and unacceptable treatment from some w**ker that doesn't like having to wait a few minutes to get somewhere.......................

With the help of the police we managed to get the Harley into the van...we wouldn't of been able to get it up onto the back of the Dodge as it is far too high...the police I have to say were brilliant...thanks guys you were diamonds.

We got to Kev's, and Norm, Dale and Kev got the Harley out from the van and put it into the garage.

I stayed in the house with Doreen...Kev and Russ's mum..of course having lost Paul just over a year ago, you can imagine the pain she was going through.

I rang Chris and Kaye to let them know, and they joined us at Kev's....I managed to find out Russ's works number and let them know.

We then all went to the LRI....have to say that you often hear bad reports of the LRI from people, but lastnight we could not fault the staff there at all.

We went in in numbers....and they were brill....due to not having too many people in lastnight, they allowed us two - three at a time to go to the cubical where Russ was.

He is all cuts and bruises ...to be expected...but was in considerable pain with one of his arms, and everytime he tried to move it, it poured with blood.

They got him through to Xray...and we were all allowed to go with him....funny really we must of looked quite sorryful, as the nurse in charge just looked at us and then said " oh, come on then...all of you ", so we all went to Xray with them.

The look of relief on Doreens face said it all, when she saw Russ and he was awake and talking...although I had already told her that the police had said that it wasn't classed as life threatening injuries, she still needed to see that for herself.

Russ had the Xray done, and it was plain to see that he had completely broken his elbow...all the way through...the doctor then told us all and Russ...of course...that he was going to have to go to theatre for an operation to join the elbow back together...we all said " see ya " to him and left him in capable hands...putting in a plate or screws to join it all back up again.

We all came out of the LRI at midnight and went our seperate ways.

We will be back there again tonight.

Wednesday.

Norm and myself decided not to go to see Russ tonight....as we felt that we would be interferring with the family and Mandi's time with him...isn't it strange how when something like this happenes to a friend, that you forget that they have family members that have more rights to be there than you......of course Doreen and Kev wanted us to go, and said not to be silly...but Russ has three sons and an Uncle that needed to be there as well....not to mention Russ's partner Mandi.....we've been friends since the 70's, but there is a time when you have to take a step back.

Kev texted me to let me know that if everything is ok with Russ's elbow operation...of which he didn't have a plate put in...they put a wire that is in the shape of a figure 8 in there instead...that he will be able to go home tomorrow...fingers crossed.

I'd already rang the ward he was on, and told them to let him know that Norm and myself weren't going in to the hospital tonight...and of course sent him our love.


Well things finally bubbled over at work today, and I finally got angry enough to confront the Centre Manager.

This new Office Manager finally got on and beyond my last nerve when she yet again targeted me to complain about something that wasn't even my job...she accused me of not doing something on Friday...of which by the time I had got back to the centre she had gone home...so how would she know what I had been doing as the thing she accused me of wasn't apparent to anyone without someone that knows about it pointing it out.

She immediately as soon as getting into work this morning came stomping her way over to me, and demanded to know why it hadn't been done...I let her finish and then pointed out the fact that it wasn't my job...she then usually tries to find a way of making it become my job...there is never an appology when she is proven wrong..there is usually a filthy look and she will stomp off....this time I'm affraid that I asked her if there was anything else to do with my work or job that she would like to try to find fault with...I got no answer.

But it was enough for me to go and confront the Centre Manager who knows this is going on, and put it to her, that my work has always been satifactory for the centre over the last 2 years...that infact she had on more than one ocassion said how pleased she was with the work I was doing...and problems that I had had to sort out that the previous Premises Officer hadn't been doing ( he left after 14 monthes of being fed up about being used as a cleaner )....I then asked her how come now I was being targeted by this new Office Manager and that my work was obviously no longer good enough for them...I didn't get any answers to that, and she did her usual and defended the Office Manager...how the hell can someone defend someones elses actions, but not be able to tell you why this is happening.

I'll tell you why...I'm agency...I've been a Premises Officer for the last nearly four years ( I've also had the utmost pleasure of doing Parks And Garden, and one of my most favorite was as a Greens Keeper..all with the Council...and LOVED every single minute of it ), with both the Council and Surestart...I take a great pride in my work and always have and always will...I've NEVER had any complaints about my work...usually I get the opposite of which I'm very proud of.

I was taught to be a Premises Officer by someone that I class as one of the best Facilities Managers that I ever had the pleasure to work for...she let me go there...not knowing a thing about the job description...and taught me everything that I needed to know, she sent me on every course that she could possibly get me onto and I will always be thankful to her for that...Bonnie you are wonderful.....the kind of premises officer that I was taught to be are now called Centre Assistants, and there is a LOT more to learn and to do as a now called Centre Assistant, than there will ever be as a Premises Officer where I am now...who are basically used as glorified cleaners.

Just recently the centre advertised the position of Pemises Officer, and the Centre Manager asked me to get an application form to fill in and apply for the position...I did get one..but when I saw how much money that I will lose compared to what I'm getting now, I said that I wouldn't be applying as I couldn't afford to lose that amount of money...I asked if there was any chance of overtime to be able to make the wages up to somewhere near to what I was getting now ( I'm only part time )...I was told that there wasn't any to be offered, and that there wouldn't be.

Well they interviewed and offered the job to someone...I was both pleased that they had found someone, but sad that after two years I'd got to leave.

Imagine how I felt when a few days later someone informed me that not only has this person never been a Premises Officer or had any idea what to do concerning the Health and Safety side, Security etc etc, but that they had told him he was going to be able to do plenty of over time and with pay....the best part was yet to come...I was then informed by this person telling me this...that they had also said that they would work it so that I would end up training him as well before I left...I haven't thrown this one at them yet...so they don't know that I know about it....but surely if after all this time my work has suddenly become not up to scratch ...then why would they want me to train someone ??????

This targeting from this new Office Manager ..of which the Centre Manager does know about...has only started since they know I am leaving....it also only started when she suddenly discovered that I'm agency.

I have informed the Agency of these goings on, and hopefully I will be out of there soon...I will miss working with the girls there.

You know I have come across alot of Agency workers along the line and damned good workers as well, who have often told me about being treated this way, simply because they are agency.....where do people get off thinking that they are so much better than you because they work for the company, and think they can treat you this way, because they think agency workers have no rights....hmmmm...wake up and smell the coffee, because we do have rights....................I'm not saying all agency workers are worth their salt...I've also come across a lot that I wouldn't personally give standing room too....but please don't tar all with the same brush.

Right rant over....

Norm fixed the throttle cable on the trike and so now everything is back to working order....yayyyyy.

Rang Dale and let him know the latest on Russ.

Norm picked me up from work in the van and had Nick ( one of Chris's brothers ) with him...nice surprise

Chris had rang me in the day to see if I wanted to go visit Russ from 2.00pm till 3.00pm, but I had a fair amount of stuff to do before heading back to work for 4.00pm and so turned the offer down.

Depending on what time Russ is going to be let home tomorrow ( if he's let home tomorrow ), Kev's coming to pick me up and we will go and get Russ.

Thursday.

Kev texted me to let me know that Russ was definately coming home today.


He picked me up about 10.30 this morning and we went back to his and waited with their mum for the call to say to come and get him...a call came but it was from Russ to say that he had got to wait for the Doctors to come around and then for his meds.

Kev then decided in the mean time to go to Syston to Parkers to pick up a new Master Cylinder for his car, so we both went for a drive over there...by the way...the car we were driving around in is Russ's Jag, that Russ had said Kev can use.....and VERY nice it is too.

From Syston we came back and took a detour to go and see Norm at the Scrapyard...we stayed with Norm for a while and then drove back to Kev's

Later on Russ called...this was by this time about 2.30ish..to say that his charts and meds were lost, and that they were trying to locate them.

Kev and myself went to pick up Doreens prescription, and then came back...time was now getting on, and was heading towards 5.00pm...Russ was still waiting for his meds.

I rang Norm to tell him that we were still at Kev's and to join us there...Norm got to us about 5.15pm.

I'm not at work until 7.00pm on Thursday nights, as there is usually a dads group on until 7.30...I go back at 7.00pm to do the lock down...if for any reason they are not going to be in the centre or are going to leave the centre early, they will contact me on my mobile and let me know to go in earlier.

Norm and myself went back home for 6.00pm and had some dinner...Norm then took me to the centre for 7.00pm.

Norm was going to drop me off and then come back for 8.00pm as he had an errend to do.

When we got to the centre we noticed that the car park was empty...Norm said he would come in with me to see if there was anyone still in the building...to my absolute disbelief..everyone had gone and the building was left unattended and unlocked.

I started to do the lock down, still in disbelief...that everyone had gone, the building was left as a security risk, I hadn't been contacted and worst still that one of the doors to the play area of one of the nurseries had been left unlocked...thus enabling anyone that was snooping around the premises to be able to just walk into the building...putting my safety at risk....Norm was livid to think that he could of just dropped me off and I could of walked into anything or anyone in this building.

I contacted the Centre Manager via a text, but had no reply from it.

This centre is a centre that has suffered considerable vandalism and attempted break in's..it also has a playing field at the side of it and waste ground and fields at the back...so a very vulnerable centre.

I locked up and came back out..still realing at the fact that someone had breached two main issues ( 1) Security and (2) my personal safety....

Kev rang and said that Russ was now out and at Kev's house...we went round and had a cuppa and chat with him.

Around 9.00pm Russ wanted to go home...we all ended up going with him in Russ's Jag...he said Kev can keep it at the time present as Russ can't drive anywhere..so we left Kev's Dodge Truck at Russ's and he yet again bought the Jag back.

Kev dropped us off at his house to pick up our van..and Norm and myself went home.

Friday.

In brief...got to work today to do my weekly fire testing to discover that the key cupboard was locked and the key no where to be found...this obviously happening lastnight when the centre was left empty...so was unable to do fire test....contacted the centre manager to ask her as to the whereabouts of said key....but no one knew.

The key was found later on somewhere where it wouldn't of been looked for, purely by chance....neither myself nor the centre manager being made aware of it's whereabouts...theres a surprise...I wasn't even made aware that the centre was going to be left empty the night before...all of this failure to do so by....the new office manager...who so happened to not be in work today.

Friday is always the day that I clean the carpets in the centre...and EVERYONE knows it....got back to work at three to be able to do the carpet that I needed to.....and ...the carpet cleaner had been put away somewhere else...not in the centre...and under lock and key, by Frank ( the van driver ), by request of ...the new office manager....who not only was off on leave today...but didn't bother to let anyone ..i.e me...know about it...she knows what I go into work an hour early for on Fridays, and had the cleaner removed from a store cupboard where it is kept to have it put into a garage outside...Frank has the key to this garage, and wasn't there.

Now feeling the hair starting to bristle on the back of my neck...I lodged a very big complaint to the centre manager about not being able to do my job properly due to her actions...of course the centre manager started to yet again defend her actions....until I then said that I'd had enough and rang the agency to ' get me out of there ...forth with '...at that point...me doing this in front of the centre manager, the centre manager asked me not to leave and I got an ....appology...with a promise of sorting out what ever this new office managers problem is.

The biggest surprise came when the centre manager then went on to say that she classed me as a FRIEND...as when she first took over the centre, I was the ONLY friend she had that she could talk to.....and praised my work highly.....I stood there stunned at first...and then asked her why then had she been allowing this to happen....we'll see if this problem gets sorted...if it doesn't get sorted by her, then I will sort it myself as as far as I'm concerned this office manager is a bully, and bullies are only that while they get away with it...she is very careful with who she thinks she can do this to, and for some reason she seems to think she can do it to me....oh no not this little black duck she can't...up to now I've tried to keep it professional...but thats now got to a point where if the centre manager doesn't do what she should to stop her, then professionalism will go out the window and I'll stop it.

Went round Kev's after work ( Norm and myself that is ) and Trev ( Doreens brother ) was there..we stayed there until 11.00pm and then made our way home.


Saturday.

Norm was in work until 2.00pm.

Kev rang me to tell me that the Norton Weekend tickets had arrived and that he'd be around shortly to bring them...so get the kettle on.

Dale rang and we had a chat about Russ's accident, and I told him the tickets had come..Dale had been out and about on his bike and was hoping to get to see us all in the next couple of days or so...we haven't seen Dale since Norm, myself, Kev and Russ went round to his...not many days before Russ was bought off his bike.

Kev came around and said he was going to Russ's and did I want to go with him...I did and so we toddled off over there.

Russ was a bit down in the dumps, and his arm was giving him considerable pain...but saying that, so were all his other bumps and bruises and stitches.

The time got to 2.00pm and Russ and Kev said they'd take me home for Norm getting back.

We got back a couple of mins after Norm had got there..we all had a cuppa and Russ and Kev said they were going to Makro and did we want to go with them...I haven't been in Makro for years...so off we went.

Got a few things from there, and Russ and Kev then dropped Norm and myself home ...so that we could have something to eat and get ready for the investigation at Zackery Merton Hospital tonight.

Russ is still going to the Norton Weekend, but is so disappointed at not being able to go on the bike, so will be going with Mandi in her car...Kev still has his Jag.

He had at one stage said that he would go on the back of Kev on Kev's Norton....but after we nearly died in fits of laughter...having imagined him with his arm sticking out ( for comfort ) and getting it hooked around some sort of post...probably a lamp post and spinning around it...he decided that sense had to prevail and that wasn't going to happend....bless him...silly sod....they say God loves a trier...but I'm so glad he didn't love this trier enough to take him away from us.