This week saw the death of a childhood hero of mine, Gerry Anderson, at the age of 83. He made numerous children's TV shows from the late '50's to the '90's. But it is the puppet space shows of the '60's that were my era. Supercar, Fireball XL5, Captain Scarlet & the Mysterons (I didn't like Stingray). And of course the greatest of them all - Thunderbirds. High production values, colourful, an array of space ships & other futuristic vehicles, always lots of massive explosions and a great theme tune.
Friday, 28 December 2012
Saturday, 22 December 2012
Featured Bike - Norton Wulf 500cc Prototype 1975
I was interested in this bike because it reminded me of my old
Suzuki GT500 I rode ages ago. It is also a 500cc two stroke twin but the engine
uses an unusual "stepped piston" design where the lower chamber pumps
the mixture to the opposite cylinder rather than through the crankcase thus
lowering emissions because the crankshaft does not need to be lubricated by the
mixture.
The bike never reached production because of the state of
the British bike industry at the time and the era of the two stroke was coming
to an end.
Photographed at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham
in 2009.
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| How it works |
Wednesday, 5 December 2012
Out in the Cold
I've not been far on the bike over the last couple of weeks
due to persistent freezing conditions. But today it was sunny so I decided to
wrap up warm (thermals, mitts, balaclava, multiple layers of clothing etc) and
take a short run down to the coast. The roads were mostly clear but any
untreated surfaces were solid with ice.
Port Glasgow
"Ginger" by
sculptor Andy Scott in Greenock. Ginger was a local dray horse who sadly fell into the
harbour & drowned in 1889. Not one of Andy's best I think. The head &
neck don't match the body.
The Pole Star is a
lightship supply vessel that was built locally.
The great Scottish
Engineer James Watt was from Greenock
Me at Gourock in my
winter gear.
Memorial to Free
French Navy that operated from Greenock during the war.
View of the Firth of
Clyde from the memorial
Nymph statue, also by
Andy Scott, Greenock
Our horse Fritz, like
me, wrapped up against the cold.
Well I stayed warm & comfortable during the short run
and had a very enjoyable afternoon out.
Friday, 30 November 2012
Featured Bike - Kawasaki W650
I recently saw one of these parked in Helensburgh and
thought that it looked like a neat retro. The bike is an accurate modern
reproduction of the trad British twin of the '60s. Although it could also be
said to be an updating of Kawasaki's own W1/2/3. These were based on the 500cc
BSA A7 and produced from 1967-75. Yes, amazingly, Kawasaki were building a
pushrod non-unit engine in the mid '70s along side the Z1 & two stroke
triples. Not imported to the UK I'm pretty sure. The W650 was build from
1999-07 and replaced with the W800 from 2011. The bike has all the period
details - spoked wheels, peashooter silencers and even a kickstarter. The
engine is an eight valve single overhead cam twin strangely with a bevel drive
to the cam.
It's a good looking bike and no doubt appeals to those
wanting the classic bike experience without the hassle of an old Brit. I'm
maybe still too young for one and anyway they are expensive - price from £3,000
on Biketrader.
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| W650 |
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| Bevel drive can be seen in cutaway |
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| '60s W1 |
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| '70s W3 |
Tuesday, 27 November 2012
Landmarks Challenge 2012
Way back in February "mr combo" set us a Landmarks Challenge . It's taken all year, but here's mine.
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| No.1 - Castle - One of Scotland's best known: Eilean Donan |
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| No.2 - Telephone Box - Cowal Peninsular |
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| No. 3 - Mail Box - South Queensferry |
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No. 4 - Flag - Eyemouth
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| No. 6 - Bridge - Tay Rail Bridge, Dundee |
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| No. 7 - Body of Water - Firth of Forth at Burntisland, Fife |
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No 8 - Church - Kilfinan Parish Church
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No. 12 - Stadium - St James, Newcastle
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Tuesday, 20 November 2012
Solway Coast Run - Part 3
For the final part of our journey we cross the border into
England.
Burgh by Sands to St Bees Head
The River Esk flows into the Solway just south of the
border
King Edward I monument, Burgh by Sands. He died here in 1307 on the way to fight the Scots.
Salt marshes outside Burgh by Sands
Radio station at Anthorn. This is a NATO facility for
submarine communications using very low frequency transmitters
Seafront at Silloth
Ice Cream at Silloth
The harbour at Maryport
The FJ at the marina at Whitehaven. In the past this was a major port exporting coal but has been redeveloped.
The end of the journey - St Bees Head.
Well that's the journey completed. I really enjoyed touring this area that is, especially on the Scottish side, quiet and undeveloped and not full of tourists even in high summer. The route was about 250 miles and took a bit of planning since, in general, the main roads in Scotland are remote from the coast. I did this trip in three journeys from home covering over 800 miles in total.
Solway Coast Run - Part 2
Part#2 - Kirkcudbright to Annan
Fishing Boats in Kirkcudbright
Dundrennan Abbey
Wickerman near Dalbeattie. I think human sacrifice may
still be practiced in this area.
Hestan Island
Orchardson Tower - a unique 15C round house near
Dalbeattie
Rockcliffe
Southerness Lighthouse - the second oldest in Scotland
completed 1749
Dumfries
Glencaple - south of Dumfries the River Nith flows
into the Solway.
Bankend - Lochar Water swollen from recent rains with
the ruins of Isle Tower in the distance.
The harbour at Annan - I've never seen water in it but the boats must have got there somehow.
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