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Shopping In Le Havre
It's not a special day out for Ren at all, in fact it's all terribly dull. Not to worry there might be something to learn in realising not all of France is cute villages and countryside.
More Rain, Can Remain, Narrow Lane, Pasta Strain
The Batties are staying put in Skye thankfully. It's now time to start exploring the island so it must be time to ride. The weather is mixed, the scenery is good, and it's pasta for tea.
Pretty Yport And Unfine Dining
Another hot day with another simple ride, this time to The Alabaster Coast. There's a nice seaside town, and some not so nice dining in this episode.
The Hot Water And Cooking Problem
Cooking ought to be easy, even when on a motorcycle camping trip. Ren seems to find only the cons and none of the pros to various concise cooking equipment.
More Rain, No Butane, Close To Insane
Hey guess what? Ren is having a bad day, alas it's not as bad as most readers will hope. Most of his issues are entirely self inflicted but that won't stop him from blaming Bogger. Don't worry he'll be fine, Sharon is hiding the utensils.
Blood And Rain, Finger Pain, Improving Terrain
A short and simple if a little wet ride up to Callander is followed by a (not very) long and tiresome walk into Callander. No pain no gain Ren! There's new friends too.
The Surprising River Seine
The River Seine is not at all that which Ren expected, which is a good thing for once. Save for the exceedingly hot weather and questionable pricing it all turns out rather well.
No Rain, Hip Pain, A Train, Rice Grain, Heavy Rain
The Batties are off to Skye! Today though they barely make it to Scotland. Ren expands his culinary expertise, forgets something, and looks happy as always.
A Honda C90 Weekend
Bogger is up to his usual antics. That means miles, food, booze, breakdowns, and chaos in all it's forms. This time The New Forest endures his presence when the whole place is already on fire.
Hot And Simple Normandy
Sharon is in her element, Ren is at risk of melting as a heat wave hits Normandy. There's a little motorcycling and a lot of pool time, plus some sweating.
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Shopping In Le Havre
nab301 said :-
Too much information Ren , joking aside did you ever try Merino wool garments?
Nigel
28/10/2026 15:52:18 UTC
More Rain, Can Remain, Narrow Lane, Pasta Strain
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I have noticed a significant increase in traffic around The Highlands too CrazyFrog, and I've only been riding there since 2005. It may be the case that The Highlands become a victim of their own success. We all go in search of remoteness only to find with so many others there it's no longer remote. It's all relative though - compare traffic in The Highlands to traffic in North Wales or The Yorkshire Dales then it still feels remote.
I have realised for some time now - the problem with nice places is everyone wants to go to nice places. This of course means the nice place is crammed with people and stops being a nice place (unless you like a crowd). It really doesn't help with people like me telling the world about the nice places - I am my own worst enemy.
So taking this logic to it's conclusion - I ought to write terrible things about nice places and nice things about terrible places?
28/10/2026 12:51:05 UTC
Shopping In Le Havre
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I'm quite sure Le Havre has plenty of interesting cultural quarters, fascinating architecture, delightful dining, and charming malls... alas I didn't do my research to find them because I have very little interest in cities. I know folks who get excited about a trip to Amsterdam or Prague, Vienna or even Chester. I have zero desire to see Milan or Copenhagen, the notion of Paris actually scares me. Give me Ullapool or Yport, Riano or Cochem anyday.
When I'm wearing my Thespian lady's leggings nab301 I have to ensure I'm wearing trousers too - with legs as shapely and trim as mine are I fear unwanted attention from any and all genders. It's why I also keep my stockings covered too.
Special as in needs Upt'? It's the leggings that give it away huh?
Judging by the numbers on the bac that I was on and the one we saw earlier in the week Ian it would be fair to say there's still sufficient numbers to warrant some kind of ferry service. As nab301 stated though - whether or not they can remain free remains to be seen.
28/10/2026 12:43:57 UTC
Shopping In Le Havre
Ian Soady¹ said :-
The free ferries (bacs) date back decades as they were seen as essential for local people needing to get across the Seine - farmers getting to markets etc. I suppose now the bridges have beeen built they may fade away but they are a delightful way to cross the river.
28/10/2026 10:07:17 UTC
More Rain, Can Remain, Narrow Lane, Pasta Strain
CrazyFrog said :-
I still love Scotland but do miss the good old days when it was almost bereft of tourists. I can remember taking my bike over to Skye on the little ferry from Kyle in about 1984, well before the bridge was built. It really was remote then and pretty deserted. I can remember following an 'A' road which terminated in a farmyard...
27/10/2026 18:40:14 UTC
Shopping In Le Havre
Upt'North ¹ said :-
No Ed, you're definitely "special".
Who said, "I can't afford free"?
Upt.
27/10/2026 16:19:22 UTC
Pretty Yport And Unfine Dining
nab301 said :-
No , I'd never have guessed!
Nigel
27/10/2026 16:04:09 UTC
Shopping In Le Havre
nab301 said :-
Lady's leggings .... maybe you missed your Thespian calling in amateur dramatics.
As for the free ferry crossing , maybe not for much longer , have you seen the state of the French economy?
Nigel
27/10/2026 15:52:52 UTC
Shopping In Le Havre
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Le Havre is just a port although has some interesting little nooks and crannies but I'm pretty sure most of it was flattened during WW2 and unsympathetically rebuilt.
I remember having a brilliant pot-au-feu in a backstreet bistro one evening waiting for a ferry. As you found, navigation can be a challenge - when I got off the ferry on one trip the fog was so thick I could barely see the front wheel, Crossing the Pont de Normandie was an adventure.
27/10/2026 12:48:23 UTC
More Rain, Can Remain, Narrow Lane, Pasta Strain
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Prime Minister Upt'? Now there's a job with absolutely zero job security. Mind you 6 months of me messing up the economy and the environment would be easy, then I can take my peerage and a Sinecure job (see link) at a prestigious company.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinecure...
27/10/2026 10:46:38 UTC
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Upt'North ¹ said :-
Cleaned me back wheel now too Ed. You are right, dirt is heavy. The chain was sprayed most days and required no adjustment. The old Suzuki chain fell apart going to Sicily and back. Cheap budget crap.
01/10/2026 09:07:25 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Shocking news Upt'!! I work on the principle of lubricating the chain often which means most of the dirt ends up on the back wheel. Admittedly even someone as scummy as myself has to clean the back wheel from time to time otherwise the wheel becomes heavier!
30/09/2026 07:48:54 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Don't think of me badly Ed.....I've just cleaned me chain.
Not a euphemism. It wasn't half crappy.
29/09/2026 12:55:00 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
Glyn, I know that the Repair - Chat page is not the same without the ability to post a picture, but how is the Aprilia coming along?
28/09/2026 22:20:12 UTC
nab301 said :-
Ian , I never had an AVO but I remember a biking neighbour back in the 70's had one , or rather his father had which was useful for fault finding on his electric start Yamaha 200 (combined alternator / dynamo electric start)
BTW , I recently purchased a cheap digital meter from Lidl which has a capacitance check feature that works as you describe.
Nigel
08/08/2026 18:08:12 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I thought there may be some people who remembered AVOs here given the demographics. Sadly mine didn't come with the leather case although does have the original heavy cardboard box together with instruction manual. I've sorted out the overload button which just needed a hard press to reseat it and it now measures voltages correctly. I'll pick up a D battery later today and will order the 15 volt one - there's a seller on ebay.
It's so beautifully made inside and as you say Jeff the rolls-royce of meters and I look forward to using it in earnest.
I too have forsworn kickstarts given my knee issues - saw a physio yesterday who said I was progressing well. Three months with ongoing - although lessening - doesn't feel like good progress to me but heigh-ho.
06/08/2026 14:03:31 UTC
kiwiJeff said :-
Ian your mention of AVO8 certainly bought back memories. Like Glyn I used one through the 70s and early 80s as a radio technician working on communications valve radios. They were the Rolls Royce of multimeters. Using one balanced at the top of an equipment rack was a challenge though, they were heavy! Did the meter come in a stitched leather carry bag with a carry strap? Riding through our winter on the Bandit although while you are overheating in Europe we are having an unusually cold winter? Turned around on one of my favorite roads when I reached a sign that said next 12 kms is ice and grit! We use grit instead of salt on icy roads here which while our vehicles don't rust like yours due to the salt causing rust the grit doesn't melt so becomes a hazard on the bike for some time after the ice is gone! Ren you have my sympathies with your aching hip, my titanium hip aches in the cold my theory is the metal gets cold and affects the surrounding tissue so causing pain. The hip and the arthritic ankle mean I'll never use a kick starter on a bike again! I have to get the missus to help me roll the Bandit onto the centre stand these days! Getting old is a privilege but comes with it's challenges! Ride safe everyone through your summer, we are off to China for a month to have a look at where everything we use these days is made! Regards Jeff
06/08/2026 11:14:26 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I had to google U2 Battery, apparently it's what I would know as a D Cell? If I recall that's the big 'uns that were in the Ever Ready bicycle lights when I were a lad. Several weeks worth of pocket money for a pack of 2 D cells into the bicycle light that would be bright for 20 minutes, then dim for maybe half an hour, then dead. Today you fit a AAA into an LED light that'll blind drivers for several weeks. Kids these days, don't know how lucky they are(n't).
06/08/2026 08:27:11 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Nostalgia's not what it was.... As Glyn says, the 10A current measuring is a bonus - my digital meter has this but it's a bit of a faff. The AVO is a beautifully made bit of kit. I've found out why it doesn't work - the overload button has been activated and won't stay down It should be a simple repair or if necessary bypass it. When I hold it down it works for voltage (and I assume current). The batteries for measuring resistance have of course disintegrated. One is just an ordinary U2 - the other is special but replacements are available.
One use of an analogue ohm-meter is to check capacitors. Connect one way and the needle should make a slight kick and drop back to zero. Connect the other way and the kick should be repeated. This won't work on a digital meter.
I do have an old analogue job but it won't zero any more so when I get the AVO fixed that will be retired.
05/08/2026 13:08:16 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I would be Glyn but have a look at Chit-Chat. Due to "unforseen circumstances" I've had to remove the ability to upload images :(
Why do you want the old mulitimeter Ian? Nostalgia I presume.
05/08/2026 12:03:12 UTC
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Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I'm starting to form one of my cunning and devious plans now.
I go and stop in a nice hotel while the customer (victim) stops in my hovel - no heating, no hot water and I will reinstate the outside toilet. The first day I lead them on a ride around the tower blocks of Manchester, the industrial parks of Blackburn, and then onto Bootle's docklands. Treat them to a fine lunch at a deathburger van and and evening meal from a chippy in Oldham. One more night in my hovel (that should be enough for anyone) and then send them on their way. £500? Not enough? £800 sounds expensive enough to attract the executives and stockbrokers.
We'll all be millionaires this time next week Rodney.
28/10/2026 13:01:12 UTC
nab301 said :-
Quote "What do you think nab301? How much should I charge for my splendid tour?"
Ren, to make it appealing you'll need to pitch it on the expensive side , if it's too cheap it won't appeal to anyone , think , successful entrepreneurs wanting to relive their humble early years.
They'll either relish it and "enjoy" it for what it is or be too embarrassed to complain that they were outsmarted (scammed) by someone smarter than them, batties will keep it all going with spurious 5* reviews , give it say two years max before you have enough to head for the hills and live off grid.
Nigel
27/10/2026 16:57:11 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I'm starting to think Ian is onto something here...
24/10/2026 14:42:08 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
OK we could combine all our suggestions. Get a ratty old bike (oh, you already have one), attach a tradesman box sidecar and logo it up "Ren's mobile computer and bike fixes" and load up your IT and bike fixing stuff. Tow a trailer with a mini cafe - people do this by chopping redundant 2CVs in half. Then use the ensemble to lead your gritty urban tours.
You'll be a millionaire in no time.
24/10/2026 12:43:52 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I've gone right off the caff idea. Can't think why?
24/10/2026 10:38:13 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
"Ren's Caff" has a certain air of je-ne-sais-quoi don't you think Upt'? I'm imagining tea stained cups and greasy plates, torn plastic gingham tablecloths over wobbly tables, red and brown sauce bottles with caked on dried sauce around the neck, I'll be wearing an apron that's not seen the inside of a washing machine for months. It'll be grand with it's one star hygiene rating.
Tell me Upt', how will batties identify themselves to receive their discount? I'm thinking of an ID card that only costs £150. Monthly.
On a more serious note - in a perfect world which I know it is not - I would like a job where I pick and choose when I work. A cafe ties you to a location for each and every open hour. Which makes nab301's ideas seem more attractive.
Ren's guided tour of North West England. See such wonders as Runcorn Bridge, Manchester City AND United football grounds (Liverpool and Everton option available), the luxurious mansions of Cheshire and the slums of Burnley, step back to the 70s as we pass through Haslingden, and round it all off with a McDonald's by the sea in Fleetwood.
After a restless night at Travelodge Bolton if you're motorcycle hasn't been stolen you get to ride home in the smug knowledge that where you live is nowhere near as bad as you thought.
What do you think nab301? How much should I charge for my splendid tour?
24/10/2026 08:14:23 UTC
nab301 said :-
Ren , how about budget guided motorcycle camping tours , spam suppers included, or specialist on site one make motorcycle maintenance , CB 500 valve clearance checks done in the comfort of your own garage or on your driveway in my portable marquee!
Nigel
23/10/2026 12:52:44 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Batties half price. Obviously.
Upt.
22/10/2026 16:28:30 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Ed.....I've only gone and cracked it.
No! I have.....
Open a caff and charge someone else £3 for a cup of tea. £3.50 for a muffin, etc.
You're welcome.
I'm a blummin genius.
Upt. And elated!
22/10/2026 16:28:04 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Scantily clad ladies sounds like a recipe for trouble.
I'm trying to think more lateral. How about investing in a fancy diagnostic tool for motorcycles and charging a fee to come and list your error codes and reset your service light? It won't make me a millionaire but I could make some pocket money.
21/10/2026 10:39:25 UTC
Random Link - Bike Insurance for the New Biker - Aug 2013