Fat Bloke on a Bike

Again my apologies to London Alan for the number of times that I have written about his bike in this blog and all the fettling that had to be done to it.  On his brakes, mudguards, front hub, etc..  Oh to be so smug eh?  There I was stood tall with arms crossed and a wry grin on my face looking down on his broken bike.  Yeah.  Too many times I've talked and sometimes written about my bike, a Koga World Traveller, and spouted on way too much about how good a bike it is.   Well yes, the bike has done me proud since new.  So that's for the last 10 years or so.  I've had only 2 significant problems in the last 15 to 20 thousand miles.  Some 6 years ago the headset handlebar height adjuster came loose.  So that was changed under warranty.  Then 3 years ago whilst on the LEJOG thing the Rohloff hub oil seal blew.  Black oily blood everywhere.  Supposedly repaired in London but again it leaked a second time about a year ago. ...

I watched the TV last night - a rerun of the 102 minutes programme originally shown on TV somewhere back in 2008 about the 9/11 attacks on the USA.  Re-living the images of the twin towers in flames and the reactions of the people of New York city.  Whether it was those who were on the street or on the far bank of the Hudson looking across at the towers as they belched smoke and flames into a gloriously bright blue sunny morning.   Also of the folk locked away in their apartments or on their balconies and rooftops giving running commentaries on their rudimentary smart phones just before the world went mad with social media.   I'm sat curled up on the sofa wide eyed as I relived those moments.  Of the pain and suffering and awe and disbelief on the faces of everyone that day.  Gobsmacked.  Unable to find the words.  But sadly also of the cameramen and news reporters who's only concern was to get someone to say something to the camera about what was...

It's 5.30 am and I'm awake.  Again with the birds, 'cept the birds have now buggered off as my neighbour The Major says, into the fields to gorge themselves on the fruits of this years harvest.  Mmmm yes, time for some Cornflakes.  Nonetheless, I'm laid in bed in the early morning light quietly thinking about last nights dream... and contemplating my plans for the day ahead.    With a groan, I reach for the wooden headboard and pull myself up.  As though raising an old storm ravaged hulk from the bottom of the North Sea.  I slowly rise, waddle into the bathroom to have a shave, a shower and a sh*t, not necessarily in that order.  I rest my back by leaning over the sink propped up on my elbows as I prepare to brush my teeth and in a flash last night's dream is there, all bright and as shiny as the crystal clear water in the sink beneath me. Every night I dream.  Some people I know say that they never do.  They close their eyes and the nex...