The All New Megathread

[punyXpress]

Depends how aromatic the takeaway was?
Many years ago SWMBO had just locked the car when the two front doors self-unlocked in a bid for freedom & front windows went down.
Found the wires in the 'elephant's trunk ' from the door to the A post were frayed. T'was a poverty level Skoda Fabia notorious for that! :(

[Bibio]

why would you want to open all the windows when you are not even in the car ?
when is summer and the inside of the car is like an oven so its a bit cooler before you get in. i do it when its on the drive.


i love automation in cars, lights, windscreen wipers, puddle lights etc.etc i even drive an auto and hopefully will never go back to a stupid manual shift.


i drive a car to go from a to b and dump shopping in, the less i have to interact with it the better. if i want fun i'll jump on the bike.

[redtrummy]

Me, electric front windows, a warning on the dash for seat belt not on, handbrake on, air con and that about does me. Funnily enough thats just about it on our 2003 Civic does.
I agree with Bibo - car is just a utility vehicle, but I want one as cheap as possible

[garynortheast]

Morning all

[Dave20046]

Morning all
Morning Gary, how's the sheepside of the UK today?

[garynortheast]

Morning Dave, started cold and grey, now cold but a bit sunnier. What’s it like oop north?

[Dave20046]

Morning Dave, started cold and grey, now cold but a bit sunnier. What’s it like oop north?

Bleeding cold and particularly grey. I'm missing the summer ](*,)
Not just for the good riding weather but I've got loads of outside jobs to do...one day I might even make it onto the veg plot crew!

[garynortheast]

Evening all. Cold, wet, and feeling like it wouldn't take much for it to start snowing here.

Got wrapped up this afternoon, put tailpack and throwover panniers on the bike, and rode into town to do some grocery shopping. Not a bad ride and very impressed with the newish Richa Arctic gloves. My hands were toasty all the way there and back.

[Dave20046]

Evening all. Cold, wet, and feeling like it wouldn't take much for it to start snowing here.

Got wrapped up this afternoon, put tailpack and throwover panniers on the bike, and rode into town to do some grocery shopping. Not a bad ride and very impressed with the newish Richa Arctic gloves. My hands were toasty all the way there and back.
Lucky man! I have a circulation disorder so even winter gloves and heated grips is agony for me after about 40 mins at speed. I wear winter gloves all year, but maybe I need something a touch more chonky.
I'm crapping myself that it's going to snow, got some sizeable holes in my roof that somehow rain doesn't bother - think snow will finish it. How's your housing situ gary?

[garynortheast]

Still not sorted Dave. Thought I was on the way to cracking it yesterday but it's fallen through for now, although there is a possibility it may happen. I'll explain a bit more when it's not quite so late and I have more brain cells functioning.

Although at my age it maybe a bit too late......

[maviczap]

Interesting day. Ride to hospital in an Ambulance, following 3 funny turns.
Been jabbed, fluids removed, had sticky things attached to my chest. Things stuck up my nose for that test.

Everything came back negative, doctors think I'm just exhausted, sleep deprived, and stressed out. :-(

Plus I heard one of my German friends lost his battle against pancreatic cancer last week

2020 can feck off, I don't want anymore crap stuff to deal with.

[Bibio]

Mav, you need to start taking life a bit easier and think less about others.


do you drink tea/coffee?

[maviczap]

Mav, you need to start taking life a bit easier and think less about others.


do you drink tea/coffee?

Not too much and never after 5 these days

Just a lot of domestic stress last week, plus stuff going on at work

[garynortheast]

Interesting day. Ride to hospital in an Ambulance, following 3 funny turns.
Been jabbed, fluids removed, had sticky things attached to my chest. Things stuck up my nose for that test.

Everything came back negative, doctors think I'm just exhausted, sleep deprived, and stressed out. :-(

Plus I heard one of my German friends lost his battle against pancreatic cancer last week

2020 can feck off, I don't want anymore crap stuff to deal with.

Bloody hell Mav, it sounds like you need some time off to do stuff for yourself for a while. Don’t wear yourself down to the point of illness, take some time out for you.

[maviczap]

Cheers chaps

Got the next two weeks off work

No driving for 4 weeks

[Dave20046]

Cheers chaps

Got the next two weeks off work

No driving for 4 weeks

Take it easy mav, enjoy the break

[garynortheast]

Cheers chaps

Got the next two weeks off work

No driving for 4 weeks

Sounds like a good move. Relax for a while and look after your self.

[Geodude]

Sounds like a good move. Relax for a while and look after your self.

+1 :D:winner:

[littleoldman2]

Hello all.
Hope you had a restful Christmas Mav

[Geodude]

Hi Mal :smt006 :D Hugs to you and your good lady.

[maviczap]

Hello all.
Hope you had a restful Christmas Mav

Thanks Mal

Hi Mal :smt006 :D Hugs to you and your good lady.

Same from me

[garynortheast]

Morning all

[Geodude]

Morning :D

[garynortheast]

Morning George, how are you today?

[Geodude]

I'm my usual self :smt073 but ok. How's yourself?

[garynortheast]

Same as here. Still trying to find somewhere to live and not knowing whether it's going to be a permanent or a temporary move. Tired and stressed!

[Geodude]

I can only offer my thoughts and man hugs my friend and wishes for all of us that struggle everyday with our demons etc will get a break soon.

[garynortheast]

Be good if all our demons took a bit of a holiday now and then!

[maviczap]

Same as here. Still trying to find somewhere to live and not knowing whether it's going to be a permanent or a temporary move. Tired and stressed!

Don't get too stressed, otherwise you'll end up like me!

Had a MRI on Monday, just to check I've still got a brain

Currently wired up to a monitor to check my heart for 24hrs

[Geodude]

Im getting stressed worrying about you lot ;)

[garynortheast]

Don't get too stressed, otherwise you'll end up like me!

Had a MRI on Monday, just to check I've still got a brain

Currently wired up to a monitor to check my heart for 24hrs

Holy sh!te Mav!! Where are you just now? Are you ok?

[maviczap]

I'm ok Gary, I'm at home with a portable monitor to check my heart function for 24hrs.

Haven't had any feedback on the MRI

I had 3 blackouts just before Christmas, most likely as a result of sleep deprivation and stress

No blackouts since, thank goodness. Been off work too.

But I'm okay, hopefully going back next week on light duties.

[garynortheast]

Bloody hell, take it steady matey. Stress and lack of sleep is a right bugger.

[garynortheast]

Evening all

[Dave20046]

Evening Gary, you had a few inches today like the rest of us lucky ones outside of Lundun?

[garynortheast]

Evening Gary, you had a few inches today like the rest of us lucky ones outside of Lundun?

Oooerr missus!

Oh, hang on - do you mean snow? If so, nope, not a single flake fell here. :(

[garynortheast]

Anyone else get snow then? How much did you get Dave?

[Dave20046]

Anyone else get snow then? How much did you get Dave?

haha my turn of phrase was even more lewd if it wasn't a national thing - I thought pretty much everyone got some . Probably about 4" maybe a little more, seen a few sideways cars, everything shutdown. No such thing as a snowday when everyone's working from home :smt117

It looked pretty glorious out of the window but was pitch black before I'd finished work and could get out to enjoy it. Maybe it'll be on the way over to you. How's things?

[Bibio]

whats this talk of snow...


so gary has had a few inches but dave has had 4.. when's the big guns cumming out :-)

[garynortheast]

haha my turn of phrase was even more lewd if it wasn't a national thing - I thought pretty much everyone got some . Probably about 4" maybe a little more, seen a few sideways cars, everything shutdown. No such thing as a snowday when everyone's working from home :smt117

It looked pretty glorious out of the window but was pitch black before I'd finished work and could get out to enjoy it. Maybe it'll be on the way over to you. How's things?

Things are pretty much same as still Dave, up and down, with a side order of sleepless nights!

whats this talk of snow...


so gary has had a few inches but dave has had 4.. when's the big guns cumming out :-)

No, no snow at all here Bibs.

[Seeker]

No snow here either but we're on the coast and seldom get any - we did get hours and hours of light rain though.

[garynortheast]

Evening.

[Wideboy]

and then I said "no don't put it in that hole" and we all laughed about it. Great times.

[garynortheast]

and then I said "no don't put it in that hole" and we all laughed about it. Great times.

Hope you have a note explaining your absence!

Welcome back, where you been and how’ve you been?

[chris8886]

and then I said "no don't put it in that hole" and we all laughed about it. Great times.



Who the F*** are you?! :rolleyes: :smt044


Nice to see you though really.

[Wideboy]

I dont know, it was wet and slippery.

I'm good. Bought an enduro bike about 3 years ago and ended up not road riding anymore. Sold my thunderace to make room for the enduro, sold the SV as it was only being used to ride to the MOT and then I sold my honda last year as I wasn't using it. Thought I'd pop back in as thinking of purchasing an old sv1000n clapper at some point for the odd nbimble on.

How is everyone? Whats new?

[Sir Trev]

What is this "new" you mention? We'll have none that here!

[andrewsmith]

How is everyone? Whats new?

Not bad stranger.
Bikeless (still) and now 3 kids in tow

Sent from my ELE-L29 using Tapatalk

[Wideboy]

Three?! I thought you only had one!

I've got two kids now and a caravan coz I'z rad cool

[maviczap]

Three?! I thought you only had one!

I've got two kids now and a caravan coz I'z rad cool

He's been busy in your absence :-)

You know you're old when you've just signed a Will :rolleyes:

[Seeker]

You know you're old when you've just signed a Will :rolleyes:


I'll see your Will writing and raise you by sending an email to my son telling him my laptop passwords, the location of my bank accounts (UK and US) plus the name/address/phone/email of my solicitors and, of course, the Will.

My problem is that I live alone and he's in the US so how will he know when I snuff it?

[Dave20046]

I'll see your Will writing and raise you by sending an email to my son telling him my laptop passwords, the location of my bank accounts (UK and US) plus the name/address/phone/email of my solicitors and, of course, the Will.

My problem is that I live alone and he's in the US so how will he know when I snuff it?
I'll tell him for a cut

[Dave20046]

I'll tell him for a cut

It will be in the form of a sea shanty though ..or when the trend blows over, a crushing limmerick

[Seeker]

or when the trend blows over, a crushing limmerick

"there was a biker from Clee
whose future was not plain to see
So Dave stepped in
to inform next of kin
but said he wanted a fee"

[andrewsmith]

Three?! I thought you only had one!

I've got two kids now and a caravan coz I'z rad coolNo 1 came along, then no 2 then wedding

No3 was just before Christmas He's been busy in your absence :-)

You know you're old when you've just signed a Will :rolleyes:My hamster powered TV isn't that good

Sent from my ELE-L29 using Tapatalk

[Wideboy]

Blimey you have been busy. Was the tv broken?

[Dave20046]

"there was a biker from Clee
whose future was not plain to see
So Dave stepped in
to inform next of kin
but said he wanted a fee"



Haha Excellent

"There once was a man named seeker
last week he smoked some hashhisha
Got on his bike
Rode it into a dyke
& now your family unit's 1 weaker. "

£5

[Seeker]

Haha Excellent

"There once was a man named seeker
last week he smoked some hashhisha
Got on his bike
Rode it into a dyke
& now your family unit's 1 weaker. "

£5

good one. :)

So, duelling limericks at dawn then?

"a man called Dave tried rhyme
to inform and pass the time
but when he asked for money
it wasn't so funny
and maybe a type of crime"

[Dave20046]

good one. :)

So, duelling limericks at dawn then?

"a man called Dave tried rhyme
to inform and pass the time
but when he asked for money
it wasn't so funny
and maybe a type of crime"


Our dear member refused to pay
A dastardly deed I must say
bad luck seeker
you won't find a limmerick, sleeker
especially not those cheapos from bombay

[Seeker]

Our dear member refused to pay
A dastardly deed I must say
bad luck seeker
you won't find a limmerick, sleeker
especially not those cheapos from bombay

hmm...

"A rider arose from Sheffield
his verse, clublike, he did wield
he showed it on the forum
with, alas, no decorum
and, beaten, he had to yield."

[garynortheast]

Hahaha! Only on the .org. I love this place.

[Dave20046]

hmm...

"A rider arose from Sheffield
his verse, clublike, he did wield
he showed it on the forum
with, alas, no decorum
and, beaten, he had to yield."

Hailing from Yorkshire, with tightness I'm blessed...
in rhyming lark I've 'eck all time to invest
unless seeker flashes the cash
or shares aforementioned hash
...I believe it's time to gi' it a rest

[Dave20046]

Hahaha! Only on the .org. I love this place.

I just wanted to help out Seeker and take a slice of his estate* :smt102



*and a cheeky wee bask in the morbidness

[Seeker]

Hailing from Yorkshire, with tightness I'm blessed...
in rhyming lark I've 'eck all time to invest
unless seeker flashes the cash
or shares aforementioned hash
...I believe it's time to gi' it a rest

I respect your request
and I'll ponder over time
and then I'll answer,
to be sure, in rhyme..

"An org-er said to me
pay up! There's always a fee
no, way I cried
(I almost died)
I expected some charity."

now, I'm done (didn't want to waste that one) :D

[Wideboy]

now, I'm done (didn't want to waste that one) :D

Because tomorrow is saturday when the takeaways turn to liquid, and fall from the bum!

[andrewsmith]

Blimey you have been busy. Was the tv broken?The rare night off I have is usually spent in bed
Because tomorrow is saturday when the takeaways turn to liquid, and fall from the bum!So was that your morning

Sent from my ELE-L29 using Tapatalk

[garynortheast]

Evening all. Sorry I haven't been very active here lately. Life has been a little er, challenging of late and I'm operating on generally reduced mental capacity. I look in on the .org every day though, as it's such a good place to spend a bit of time.

[maviczap]

Evening all. Sorry I haven't been very active here lately. Life has been a little er, challenging of late and I'm operating on generally reduced mental capacity. I look in on the .org every day though, as it's such a good place to spend a bit of time.

Try not to let it get on top of you Gary, easy to say, harder to implement

A fellow struggler

[garynortheast]

It's a bit of a roller coaster Mav. In the depths one minute, and the next thinking it's starting to get better. Only to find myself at the bottom of a deep, dark hole again the next day.

Hope your situation is levelling off a bit now.

[Geodude]

Im keeping an eye on you lads from the bottom of a my dark hole too, really hard work sigh but i hope we all get through it. Virtual man hugs Gary, Mav (and any who need them) and im saving up the real ones for you both xGx

[garynortheast]

Evening folks. Hope everyone is coping ok.

[maviczap]

Yep, just wanting to get through February, hate it as a month

[garynortheast]

I'm always a bit more hopeful with February as I know spring is just around the corner and I would normally be planning this years veg planting. Bit sad at the moment though as I don't know for certain if I'm even going to have a veg plot this season.

[chris8886]

I'm always a bit more hopeful with February as I know spring is just around the corner and I would normally be planning this years veg planting. Bit sad at the moment though as I don't know for certain if I'm even going to have a veg plot this season.



You can still, get the seeds and keep them if you don't use them this year though can't you?

[garynortheast]

You can still, get the seeds and keep them if you don't use them this year though can't you?

I still have quite a few viable seeds from last season Chris. Some do need to be fresh though as they don't keep well.
It's just that I would normally be working out what to plant this year and where. It's one of the things that helps me look forward to the coming season.

[Dave20046]

I still have quite a few viable seeds from last season Chris. Some do need to be fresh though as they don't keep well.
It's just that I would normally be working out what to plant this year and where. It's one of the things that helps me look forward to the coming season.

Do some guerilla planting! (not planting monkey trees :smt120) , start a veg patch on the village green or corner of the woods.

[keith_d]

I like damson jam but don't really have space for a tree in my little garden. So I keep thinking that I should sneak into my local park and plant a damson tree in the hedgerow. Then I could pass by in the autumn and pick enough damsons for a few jars of jam.

Not quite guerilla gardening, but getting close.

[maviczap]

I'm always a bit more hopeful with February as I know spring is just around the corner and I would normally be planning this years veg planting. Bit sad at the moment though as I don't know for certain if I'm even going to have a veg plot this season.

That's why I hate it, I know the good cycling weather isn't far away, but it still TOO far away. If it wasn't for COVID I'd have booked a short break to Tenerife or Majorca for a bit of sunny cycling. This time last year I was cycling in short sleeves and shorts in Orlando with my buddy through orange groves

[Dave20046]

I like damson jam but don't really have space for a tree in my little garden. So I keep thinking that I should sneak into my local park and plant a damson tree in the hedgerow. Then I could pass by in the autumn and pick enough damsons for a few jars of jam.

Not quite guerilla gardening, but getting close.

Do it! :smt110

[Sir Trev]

I like damson jam but don't really have space for a tree in my little garden. So I keep thinking that I should sneak into my local park and plant a damson tree in the hedgerow. Then I could pass by in the autumn and pick enough damsons for a few jars of jam.

Not quite guerilla gardening, but getting close.

Lovely idea Keith, just make sure it's not a hedge the council may use a tractor-based flail trimmer on. There was a lovely semi-wild hedge in the park down the road from me, always full of birds and wild flowers underneath. Its now a stunted bare collection of twigs... It will grow back but that really is maintenance at its laziest!

[Seeker]

My PSA is now 10.1 :( Two years ago it was 9, so 9 to 10 doesn't sound too bad in 2 years, only it was 9.6 3 months ago. Even allowing for the horrible inaccuracy of the PSA test, it looks like it's accelerating :( :( Statistically speaking, the writing is on the wall...

They're scheduling another MRI, I never learned what they saw on the last one 18 months ago because they found an anomaly on my colon and we veered off into a cul-de-sac; one sigmoidoscopy and one colonoscopy later they think it was a machine error since my colon appears healthy.

[Dave20046]

My PSA is now 10.1 :( Two years ago it was 9, so 9 to 10 doesn't sound too bad in 2 years, only it was 9.6 3 months ago. Even allowing for the horrible inaccuracy of the PSA test, it looks like it's accelerating :( :( Statistically speaking, the writing is on the wall...

They're scheduling another MRI, I never learned what they saw on the last one 18 months ago because they found an anomaly on my colon and we veered off into a cul-de-sac; one sigmoidoscopy and one colonoscopy later they think it was a machine error since my colon appears healthy.
Sorry to hear that seeker. Have you previously been diagnosed with something or is it routine checks of your antigen level?

[Seeker]

Sorry to hear that seeker. Have you previously been diagnosed with something or is it routine checks of your antigen level?

My PSA was routinely checked in the US and back in 2011 it was 2.9. I then got distracted with my Dad's health and didn't give it a thought until he passed away. It was when I asked for a routine PSA test over 2 years ago that we discovered it had jumped to 9 and we've been monitoring it ever since. Initially 6 monthly but after the 9.6 reading, they shortened the interval to 4 months (which is now) and it yielded the 10.1.

No other issues (other than my questionable sanity). I'm a natural worrier so this has pushed the worry level off the charts. On the other hand, it's not like I can do anything about it, anyway.

This article talks about a S. Korean approach to diagnosis of prostate cancer:
https://phys.org/news/2021-01-cancer-precisely-urine-artificial-intelligence.html

It mentions the poor accuracy of the current PSA test which can be as low as 30%.

[Dave20046]

My PSA was routinely checked in the US and back in 2011 it was 2.9. I then got distracted with my Dad's health and didn't give it a thought until he passed away. It was when I asked for a routine PSA test over 2 years ago that we discovered it had jumped to 9 and we've been monitoring it ever since. Initially 6 monthly but after the 9.6 reading, they shortened the interval to 4 months (which is now) and it yielded the 10.1.

No other issues (other than my questionable sanity). I'm a natural worrier so this has pushed the worry level off the charts. On the other hand, it's not like I can do anything about it, anyway.

This article talks about a S. Korean approach to diagnosis of prostate cancer:
https://phys.org/news/2021-01-cancer-precisely-urine-artificial-intelligence.html

It mentions the poor accuracy of the current PSA test which can be as low as 30%.

Agree, I honestly wouldn't let it worry you. The fact you're keeping an eye on it keeps you ahead of probably 95% of blokes. It's also very treatable (especially when caught early) - so I really wouldn't worry. A member of my family found out quite late they got it and made a full recovery in 2016 and are still going.
There's more to occupy your mind with - like brushing up on your limmerick skills.

[Seeker]

There's more to occupy your mind with - like brushing up on your limmerick skills.

Hah!, like they need any brushing up :smt018

...and it's "Limerick", you barbarian. :smt019

[garynortheast]

Sorry for not showing up more often at the moment. I am still here although just hanging on by the tips of my fingers.....

[Adam Ef]

Hi Gary. Hang on in there. Lighter days and good riding is on the horizon. At some point we will all get another meet up too.

[maviczap]

Gary, hang on in there. I made it, I know its flipping difficult

[maviczap]

COVID jab next Friday :-)

[garynortheast]

Thanks fellers. I do look in every day but finding it hard to have anything to say.


COVID jab next Friday :-)

Had mine last Saturday, thankfully no side effects.

[Sir Trev]

Just know we're here if you need us Gary. And anyone else who needs support too.

I don't feel very talkative these days due to the cabin fever of lockdown. Not being able to go and see our daughter in Brighton is hard. Not being able to see my increasingly decrepit parents is hard, especially as they've both just survived covid and dad then had a stroke. Not being able to get out to see fun things as they've been cancelled and following the stay at home guidelines properly is grinding. And of course the weather stops just about everything else. But, I'm keeping busy with other craft-based hobbies and noting something positive every day in a diary, so mentally I am just about keeping it together.

What are everyone else's coping mechanisms?

[maviczap]

Believe it or not, going to work, even if I'm not out operationally, I go into the office and do my admin. Even if it's not a full day, it's better than being stuck in the house.

Taking the dog for a walk on the beach is good medicine

Just waiting for the weather to improve and go out on my pushbike for a ride. This lockdown is worse because it's been during the winter, during the last one it was much easier to get out for a sunny ride

[garynortheast]

Gets worse. I'm going to lose my home and my wonderful veg garden. The garden and the ability to walk or run out of the door and straight onto the hill or into the woods is what has saved me over the last year.
I'm going to lose it all. Hard to see any cause for optimism really.

[maviczap]

;-(. :-(. :-(

[Geodude]

:(

[Bri w]

Gets worse. I'm going to lose my home and my wonderful veg garden. The garden and the ability to walk or run out of the door and straight onto the hill or into the woods is what has saved me over the last year.
I'm going to lose it all. Hard to see any cause for optimism really.

Things will get better Gary. Life goes in cycles, ups and downs. You might be in the middle of a down right now but it will improve.

30 years ago I was in the middle of a divorce, shell-shocked and gutted. I went from a 3 bed-semi to a grotty little flat, and 4 months later got made redundant. 50 miles from where I grew up, I'd been there a year and with no transport and very few friends.

A year later and I had a decent job and a nice house back in my hometown. A stone lighter too - not intentional. That job was the start of a fantastic career.

Stick in there Gary, things will improve.

[Craig380]

I'm very sorry to hear that, Gary. Is there nothing that your advocate can do? That is really ****ty behaviour from your landlord.

[Bibio]

Gets worse. I'm going to lose my home and my wonderful veg garden. The garden and the ability to walk or run out of the door and straight onto the hill or into the woods is what has saved me over the last year.
I'm going to lose it all. Hard to see any cause for optimism really.
only way is up from now on :smt056

[garynortheast]

only way is up from now on :smt056

And that was the way it went! This morning an old friend who, with someone quite well known (and who shall remain nameless until this all goes live) runs a successful motorcycle trail days outfit, phoned to ask me if I would like to lead the road tours section they are adding to the business. I would plan the tours, which would then go on the website for folks to book and I then lead the tour.

The company is buying me a brand new bike for work, along with all the kit, insurance, etc. All expenses such as fuel, overnight stops where the tour is a multi day trip, insurance, food and drink are paid for, and I get paid well too.

This changes everything. I am about to go from having no work and trying to find somewhere to live with the aid(!) of housing benefit to having enough income to not only be able to afford the rent on somewhere, but to be in a position to afford to take back the tenancy of my current home when the work is completed.

Feeling a little shell shocked about it all. Totally unexpected.

I still think that certain of the trustees of the chapel and house have failed to observe the teachings on which their church was founded.
Christian words are easy; Christian deeds are rather more difficult.

[Bibio]

there is nothing charitable about the Christian religion..... or indeed any religion or charity. they are all in it for themselves.


thats good news Gary... here's to the lockdown restrictions being lifted soon so you can get to work. sound like your going on a lot of working holidays in the future.... :-)