Today, in very little detail.

It's Sunday, that means I post a load of pictures and silly comments about what I got up to today. Okay, if there are no questions then we may as well get started.

I cycled to my parents in Buckinghamshire this morning, packing only the essentials (which included two children's books of course) for what is about a 20 mile cycle.

I arrived smelling like I'd just cycled 20 miles on a hot and steamy day.

Once showered I noticed my old copy of 'Guide To Tanks'. I loved this book when I was a child. It's funny, when I was about ten I loved learning about military vehicles, and playing with toy soldiers. Actually it's not that funny at all, it's just boys. And while I think about it, I don't think I've actually grown up all that much - I was watching an SAS documentary on Youtube last night. Anyway, I read the chapter on the Chieftain tank (a formidable beast), and then set off for a mate's kid's birthday.

Hughesy drove. (And yes, that is the smile of a man whose just been given a BMW by his Dad.)

This is Kyle, having his lunch, he was one today (hence the party).

While on my way to the water closet I was pleased to see a picture hung on the wall of young Kyle and his favourite uncle (not real uncle, but those pretend uncles that your parents invent).

Following the party we headed home. Hughesy drove, still smiling like demented fool following his 'touch' with the Beamer.

Once back at my parents I prepared for the off. They had my uncle and aunt over (real not pretend), and were planning a barbecue. I thought they might think better of it once it started shitting it down, but no, they ploughed on. Harry refusing to given in, you could almost hear him saying to himself again and again "it's only a little shower, it will pass".

So I packed my sack, readied the Specialized, and left York House. With some 25miles ahead of me (different route home, which is longer).

Little while later I was home. Tired and ready for something to eat. As luck would have it, Mum has prepared me a doggie bag, right off the barbecue - steak, lamb, potatoes, broccoli, and carrots. Nice one Mum.

Yum. Bum. Tum. Dumb...Shalom. (That doesn't mean anything, I just wasn't sure how to end this post.)

Err...the end.

Comments

[John Dodds]

Did slippers independently invade the frame or were they part of the kit?

[Paul H. Colman]

Well spotted Dodds; they stayed at home.

[Harry C]

Good to see you Paul. Did the steak and the lamb travel well ??

[Paul H. Colman]

Bloody lovely Dad, really very good.

[TomLR]

I love the name of your bike. The Specialised 'ALLEZ'. I'm going to rename my own bike 'ON Y VA' in recognition and out of respect. Maybe we can then go out 'on bikes' and do some endos and stuff. I've always been quite good 'on bikes'.

[Paul H. Colman]

Rename the fucker, and say the word, Tom.

[TomLR]

That's my mission for tomorrow, Paul.

[Paul H. Colman]

I'm going to learn to smoke.

[TomLR]

I'd start with Gauloises.

[lauren]

i love these weekend digests!! and i love how we all see different details - dodds and his slippers, tom and his french bike name, me and your matching specialized wallet. apologies to harry for the rain. i decided to go to a music festival in london and of course, that meant that it had to bucket down and ruin it for everyone.

oh, and paul, i'm sorry to say, but if you have to 'learn' to smoke, it's all over already.

[Paul H. Colman]

Thank you for your honesty Lauren, Harry will forgive you - he's like that.

[TomLR]

Don't discourage him, Lauren. If he practices in his own back yard first then no-one will know that he's only a beginner.

Paul - I am thinking about the method that I will be using to re-name my bike. I have thought of Tippex, and sellotaping a white A4 bit of paper contained within a see-through A4 sized document holder. Any other ideas welcome. I like the idea of string.

[Paul H. Colman]

Jesus Tom! You have to do these things right - use ribbon.

[Ben]

Elaborate on Hughesy, please.

[Paul H. Colman]

Best friend since we were 10. Master of the universe.

[TomLR]

Of course !

And bunting ?

[Marcus]

I think things were easier when bikes were called Grifters and only had three gears.

[Ben]

Bike don't have gears now.

[Harry C]

As a young lad I inherited a Royal Enfield from my older brother.He had acquired a new 'Rudge' (with gearcase and 'Sturmy Archer' three-speed device). My Royal Enfield looked like one of those steel farmyard gates on wheels - but I was mobile and happy !!

[TomLR]

Thanks Harry. My bike has about 84 gears - and I use about 2 of them.

And Marcus - it all started going wrong when they brought out 'SuperBombers'. Only the big kids had those.

I think I'm on the right lines with bunting and ribbon.

[Marcus]

Does you bike have a nice basket Tom?

[Paul H. Colman]

Bunting would be good.

Ben, bikes do have gears, only London types have those fixed gear things.

[Marcus]

*** I would just like to point out that my last comment makes perfect sense when spoken with a German accent. Thank you. ***

[Paul H. Colman]

That's how I always read your comments Marcus.

[Harry C]

Tom, has your bike got a bell ?
Mine had a bell to warn pedestrians that I was approaching at speed.

[Marcus]

Paul - thank you.

Harry - have you taken the bell off now? Is it a stealth bike?

[oakie]

mmm..Copy of Guide to tanks, you are scary since you were young.

[TomLR]

No, mine's a stealth bike. It's got a stealth klaxon which I only ever show to the right ladies. And it's for that reason that I'm picky about the thatch on my nice baskets. I need brakes because I live my life at a million miles an hour (Jesus it's hot in here).

[Marcus]

Tom - At that speed I INSIST that you wear a helmet. And knee pads.
And maybe do the clothes-peg/playing card combo on the back wheel. Gotta love that motorbike sound.

[TomLR]

Marcus - it's spooky and genius that you said that, simultaneously at the same time and conccurently with something else because I only just bought myself an ACE pair of knee pads that I've had my eye on for over a year now - I think they're for laying carpets but I plan on using them to trim the thatch from my own hedge.

And regarding the playing card - you've gotta be damn right on that score - how exactly do I attach it ?

It must accomodate the bunting and ribbon, too.

[Marcus]

Tom, you are in serious danger of over gilding the lily.

[Paul H. Colman]

I don't often say this, but - thank God for Marcus.

[Harry C]

I second that Paul - nice to see you back in touch Marcus. I should clarify though that my biking days ended in the 50s.
When I came to England I moved on to scooters for a while and had a Vespa and then a Durkopp Diana. Scooters had their hayday in the 60s.!!

[doug]

hughsey looked quite pleased with himself in a 10am meeting today. the reason is now clear

[TomLR]

I think you're damn right Marcus. Thank God for you.

[Paul H. Colman]

Now you know Doug.

I imagine he was playing with the keys as he sat there, gently rubbing the marque on the key fob.

[fatcraig]

Some mates kids birthday...

I'm sure you're 'godson' (non denomination) will appreciate those words.

Thanks for making the effort to get over...he has his eye on your tank book.

[lauren]

over gilding the lily? is that the same as flogging a dead horse?

[Paul H. Colman]

I understand Craig. I just didn't want to get into the whole he's my Godson, but not thing. To show that I'm dedicated to his well-being and development, I'd like to offer a loan of the tank book (for a short period only).

Lauren, no it's not.

[TomLR]

I'm not renaming my bike now.