In hindsight this was not what I had expected at all.
I got very sick. Two weeks of half life. Lost weight lost strength lost balance in fact I got old !
I soon realised I was not really strong enough to ride a 200kg bike.
The smart idea was buy a car and that got to be a challenge so while I was recovering and looking I should try to rehabilitate. My new knee is a failure. Uncomfortable not working well and interrupting sleep. My health was in the dumps so the remedy was to start walking
My great Grandfather was a walker before moving to the "colonies". I had read part of his diary which I would love to see again but I felt sure he would have walked the South Downs Way so I started.
Not what I had hoped for an apparent legendary right of way. Neglected overgrown muddy poorly signed and overall a major disappointment but I like a challenge and probably chalked up over 60 miles of the 100 total distance but also chalked up another 100 in other routes round Kent and Sussex.
So not by any means all bad. Some of it was inspiring. Some of the people wonderful and I hope to meet again and some walks were uplifting.
And my health improved fortunately. And my love of the Bike returned. I will find a car for the future but I will also find rides that I can enjoy before I hang up the helmet.
So 2017 was a success. I will become a walker as much as a rider. I will look to walk again in the UZ and then to explore EU assuming they let me. And finally I am so grateful to the people, Michael and Gordon and some kind Air BnB hosts (there are some despite the ABnB system being tragically flawed), and some walkers along the ways I traversed, the people to whom I just walked and talked to who after the initial surprise shared some lovely stories. Fellow drinkers and diners which were numerous and again after the initial "who is this" shared stories and made my trip more memorable.
Finally to BMW sort out your business. It is to care for our bikes, and the great flaw in on line commerce is not a model to pursue where every customer can be monetarised. Fitting new tyres and ignoring a fault light is not a service. Misinterpreting instructions in writing is not service it is immoral and BMW should take a look before they destroy their trust.
That was my experience maybe it is the new financial model ?
Au Revior, Adios, and hooray for 2017.
Saturday, September 2, 2017
Thursday, August 24, 2017
UK service
This country has more problems than Brexit.
Nothing gets maintained. No one listens. There is no service.
Example.
I stayed at a small Pub called the Jack and Jill in Clayton in Sussex
It caters for walkers on the South Downs Way.
Do you have a washer for walking clothes. No.
After some cajoling the Chef said he would do it. And dry it.
Half way through the wash the machine broke down apparently. The dryer was not working either. So on the point of departure I was handed a bag of wet clothes soaking in detergent. (Smelt like acid).
I expressed my disappointment but apparently the Chef who got a bit prickly was overruled by his boss. The boss is the large person sitting in the dining area doing the books and glowering at people.
So I tried to make up for my let down by booking into a "flash " pub in Winchester with a Spa and I requested a massage and pedicure (after 100 miles of trails) I needed one.
The check in took half an hour. Can't take cash cards only accept credit cards so you cannot run a tab.
Travel warning Cash cards have been a negative experience.
And the Spa ! Well nothing at all available for two weeks. What a bloody joke.
Oh at this showpiece, and England the home of beer does not have a local beer on a pump. It's all pressure kegs with Major brand fizzy beer mostly made who knows where.
And while on Beer some local small breweries still make excellent beer. But they actually still sell Fosters on tap.
So what's good. Some beer. Some pubs but not the caccommodation Pubs they are all run down. And are they expensive OH yes beer food bed, all expensive.
So what's the option Air BnB well that's a disgrace as well. No sensible pricing, no standards, no supervision. However I did have some delightful stays oddly for a reasonable price. Really good people. So my complaint is with the system really it sucks.
Country lanes are magic. Walk them or ride them just brilliant apart of course from the horse shit in abundance and the mud from those bloody farmers that give not a toss and make biking hazardous !
Hooroo.
Nothing gets maintained. No one listens. There is no service.
Example.
I stayed at a small Pub called the Jack and Jill in Clayton in Sussex
It caters for walkers on the South Downs Way.
Do you have a washer for walking clothes. No.
After some cajoling the Chef said he would do it. And dry it.
Half way through the wash the machine broke down apparently. The dryer was not working either. So on the point of departure I was handed a bag of wet clothes soaking in detergent. (Smelt like acid).
I expressed my disappointment but apparently the Chef who got a bit prickly was overruled by his boss. The boss is the large person sitting in the dining area doing the books and glowering at people.
So I tried to make up for my let down by booking into a "flash " pub in Winchester with a Spa and I requested a massage and pedicure (after 100 miles of trails) I needed one.
The check in took half an hour. Can't take cash cards only accept credit cards so you cannot run a tab.
Travel warning Cash cards have been a negative experience.
And the Spa ! Well nothing at all available for two weeks. What a bloody joke.
Oh at this showpiece, and England the home of beer does not have a local beer on a pump. It's all pressure kegs with Major brand fizzy beer mostly made who knows where.
And while on Beer some local small breweries still make excellent beer. But they actually still sell Fosters on tap.
So what's good. Some beer. Some pubs but not the caccommodation Pubs they are all run down. And are they expensive OH yes beer food bed, all expensive.
So what's the option Air BnB well that's a disgrace as well. No sensible pricing, no standards, no supervision. However I did have some delightful stays oddly for a reasonable price. Really good people. So my complaint is with the system really it sucks.
Country lanes are magic. Walk them or ride them just brilliant apart of course from the horse shit in abundance and the mud from those bloody farmers that give not a toss and make biking hazardous !
Hooroo.
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
Wednesday 23 rd at Clayton
If anyone thinks Air BnB is without risk think again.
I instant booked because English hosts regard this as a hobby. I will get back when I can so waiting a day to be told sorry I told Air Bnb to blank that out is maddening.
So I instant booked.
I was uneasy when I arrived, something was a bit odd, but who is perfect and what's the worst that could happen ?
I was in the attic and in the middle of the night a door slammed.
I went down the skinny steep stairs ( how they get consent is beyond me) to attend to the nocturnal pee only to find someone had left a jobbie on the floor in front of the toilet.
That was scary. Very scary.
Air BnB are the pits actually. Did you know you cannot contact them ? They are unreachable. Office in London money laundered in Ireland.
Sadly most of the time the system works. I still use it and the billionaire owners get richer every time.
There are huge protests in Europe about Air BnB and yet no one is making a better mousetrap and there is lots of room to improve.
Would someone please create a better system.
So having moved I spent two days walking the South Down Way, again.
It is not all overgrown mud paths although some is. Some even have reasonable signs and once just once I found a sign that said where to !!! Bloody amazing. A few other walkways give some information not many do. The paranoia of invasion !!
But walking the hills behind Brighton was pretty good. I could even see the Seven Sisters in the distat haze.....I was walking there three days ago
I continue to meet wonderfully polite interesting people and that is huge fun. Even a lady on an Irish Cob horse named Clodagh. With a delightful rider. I then by coincidence met a couple at the Pub who also had a part Cob Part Irish hunter. Same story, wonderful horse will aven do dressage if you can imagine a horse with feet the size of tennis racquets you get the image.
I have been rubbing my are since last Sunday when I went to the horse and dog show thinking I had contracted Lyme disease but in fact the stiffness is walking 10 miles a day is causing the stiff joints.
With luck I will get a massage tomorrow at the 'flash hotel' I have booked.
'That is something better to wake up for.
Oh by the way the weather is improving, it rains at night !!
I instant booked because English hosts regard this as a hobby. I will get back when I can so waiting a day to be told sorry I told Air Bnb to blank that out is maddening.
So I instant booked.
I was uneasy when I arrived, something was a bit odd, but who is perfect and what's the worst that could happen ?
I was in the attic and in the middle of the night a door slammed.
I went down the skinny steep stairs ( how they get consent is beyond me) to attend to the nocturnal pee only to find someone had left a jobbie on the floor in front of the toilet.
That was scary. Very scary.
Air BnB are the pits actually. Did you know you cannot contact them ? They are unreachable. Office in London money laundered in Ireland.
Sadly most of the time the system works. I still use it and the billionaire owners get richer every time.
There are huge protests in Europe about Air BnB and yet no one is making a better mousetrap and there is lots of room to improve.
Would someone please create a better system.
So having moved I spent two days walking the South Down Way, again.
It is not all overgrown mud paths although some is. Some even have reasonable signs and once just once I found a sign that said where to !!! Bloody amazing. A few other walkways give some information not many do. The paranoia of invasion !!
But walking the hills behind Brighton was pretty good. I could even see the Seven Sisters in the distat haze.....I was walking there three days ago
I continue to meet wonderfully polite interesting people and that is huge fun. Even a lady on an Irish Cob horse named Clodagh. With a delightful rider. I then by coincidence met a couple at the Pub who also had a part Cob Part Irish hunter. Same story, wonderful horse will aven do dressage if you can imagine a horse with feet the size of tennis racquets you get the image.
I have been rubbing my are since last Sunday when I went to the horse and dog show thinking I had contracted Lyme disease but in fact the stiffness is walking 10 miles a day is causing the stiff joints.
With luck I will get a massage tomorrow at the 'flash hotel' I have booked.
'That is something better to wake up for.
Oh by the way the weather is improving, it rains at night !!
Monday, August 21, 2017
21st Seven Sisters
Had not known that the White Cliffs of Dover went so far.
I had walked from Eastbourne the other daybut fell short of the rather majestic 7 faces of cliff known as the seven sisters.
So I returned to do the last bit today.
As usual met the nicest people French and a couple from Jerusalem who are walking in the Himalayas next and an English couple off to walk the Mont Blanc.
Good people out there doing it.
Meanwhile one jerk is loading up young idiots to go out and kil people.
We really at a FU world !
One idiot. We have to be able to shoot people like this. It is stupid and being done in the name of Islam and they hate it as much as Christians Jews and agnostics do.
I truly believe the screen games that these kids are exposed to fail to teach them right from wrong.
We do live in a very disturbed and irrational world. The village I am in tonight was a dormitory that fed labour into industry. Now there is no industry. Small town UK is shutting down. The biggest retailer after Tesco is charity shops. Cancer, Red Cross, missions, Churches, Illness charities, health charities, Churches, and they are falling apart too.
Built up to1000 years ago and the materials are starting to collapse. The few that attend can not keep up the payments.
The UK has more than Brexit to concern them but already I see the mood changing.
I will repeat, there will not be a Brexit there will be a Wesuva. (We screwed up vote again. )
The Pollies will find a way out. They have to. What is interesting is the economic victory they are claiming, production is up exports are up but fail to say the £ is through the floor so wait until the import bills come in and the returns from tourism. The country is full of tourists so the income would be 20% higher on last years exchange rate but pollies will tell you what they want you to believe.
And the Police tactics are the same here. Report an incident and the cars rush toward you to know who you are, where you live, date of birth, bath night, colour of your jockeys, do you drink or smoke oh and have you been to a foreign country recently ........?
Every one is a terrorist.
As the saying goes to a hammer the world is a nail !
I had walked from Eastbourne the other daybut fell short of the rather majestic 7 faces of cliff known as the seven sisters.
So I returned to do the last bit today.
As usual met the nicest people French and a couple from Jerusalem who are walking in the Himalayas next and an English couple off to walk the Mont Blanc.
Good people out there doing it.
Meanwhile one jerk is loading up young idiots to go out and kil people.
We really at a FU world !
One idiot. We have to be able to shoot people like this. It is stupid and being done in the name of Islam and they hate it as much as Christians Jews and agnostics do.
I truly believe the screen games that these kids are exposed to fail to teach them right from wrong.
We do live in a very disturbed and irrational world. The village I am in tonight was a dormitory that fed labour into industry. Now there is no industry. Small town UK is shutting down. The biggest retailer after Tesco is charity shops. Cancer, Red Cross, missions, Churches, Illness charities, health charities, Churches, and they are falling apart too.
Built up to1000 years ago and the materials are starting to collapse. The few that attend can not keep up the payments.
The UK has more than Brexit to concern them but already I see the mood changing.
I will repeat, there will not be a Brexit there will be a Wesuva. (We screwed up vote again. )
The Pollies will find a way out. They have to. What is interesting is the economic victory they are claiming, production is up exports are up but fail to say the £ is through the floor so wait until the import bills come in and the returns from tourism. The country is full of tourists so the income would be 20% higher on last years exchange rate but pollies will tell you what they want you to believe.
And the Police tactics are the same here. Report an incident and the cars rush toward you to know who you are, where you live, date of birth, bath night, colour of your jockeys, do you drink or smoke oh and have you been to a foreign country recently ........?
Every one is a terrorist.
As the saying goes to a hammer the world is a nail !
Sunday, August 20, 2017
Sunday
Today I went 'local'
The local horse and dog competition at Firle.
Local yeah about 150 horses as many dogs even a couple of Kiwi girls in the equestrian events.
Cross Country Showjumping and Dressage.
Terrific day really.
And it didn't rain.
I have not seen as many horse floats the size of a decent apartment.
The Brit countryside is really special.
There is nowhere I have been in New Zealand or anywhere else that has the beauty of "English" countryside.
I did manage to walk the course as well about 3000 metres apparently, not 10 miles but pretty good exercise never the less.
Saturday, August 19, 2017
Better day today
Only rained once
Pitted my wits against the POM that wrote the book of wonderful walks. Again he won. I got lost again. I must walk 50% further by the time I have wandered the countryside looking for the next little disc that indicates a walking path. They are devlishcunning where they hide them.
No chance for an invading army because they only show a direction. Not to where, not how far, in fact very little thats is useful because having seen the general direction it is then a process of deduction as to where it may be and that doetimes involved walking to both corners of the field.
But it is the way to see incredible wealth. These pathways sometimes go very close to some amazingly expensive properties.
I mentioned the fiftieth or whatever Lord Gage in his stately home. I have no idea who lived at the most georgeous Tudor style mansion with manicured grounds almost a small village of housing for the "staff" new Bentley, Range Rovet outside the considerable number of garages.
How well some people live amazes me.
It is also s credit to them that they can retain that much property and keep it going but here is the rub.
According to my man Peter who voted retain, no one has revealed what massive subsidies these 'farmers' get. His idea was it will be good to deal with the commonwealth again and good old NZ lamb for Xmas. I was a little concerned that the lambs we once produced is now milk powder.
However to beat that drum again I am now being listened to when I say a political solution will be 'found' that allows everyone a victory, yeah right.
So tomorrow I return to the home of Gage to watch an equestrian event. Should be wonderful and if not the Ram Inn is nearby.
So the news is all about M Barrymore being acquitted and Bruce Forsyth passing.
Wow England thought a lot of Brucie.
I like rural England. Lots of old people of course but where stet here not, the usual Asian shopkeeper, yes even here but in the main a very white community.
I wonder for how long ?
The relentless march of Africans is coming through Europe including Spain who are getting what for at the moment. If these people were coming to integrate then perhaps maybe, but according to the times they are similar to Pacific Islanders in that they gone they work and the money goes home. No doubt I will get a message from Gareth if I am incorrect.
Since I have bought up Politics I see the US pundits are op only saying it is the era of against. Which is my story too.
So what will Kiwi voters be against.
And on the matter of Kiwi I stayed a few nights with a man called Kivi and his partner. What nice people. He is a butcher Carpenter and I reckon capable of anything but from Estonia and I had a wonderful meal BBQ lamb and pork potato salad and fried saurkraut. That was pretty special.
We could do with more people like this. Can't understand why we take the dregs when people like this educated civilised law abiding, want to get out of Europe.
Pitted my wits against the POM that wrote the book of wonderful walks. Again he won. I got lost again. I must walk 50% further by the time I have wandered the countryside looking for the next little disc that indicates a walking path. They are devlishcunning where they hide them.
No chance for an invading army because they only show a direction. Not to where, not how far, in fact very little thats is useful because having seen the general direction it is then a process of deduction as to where it may be and that doetimes involved walking to both corners of the field.
But it is the way to see incredible wealth. These pathways sometimes go very close to some amazingly expensive properties.
I mentioned the fiftieth or whatever Lord Gage in his stately home. I have no idea who lived at the most georgeous Tudor style mansion with manicured grounds almost a small village of housing for the "staff" new Bentley, Range Rovet outside the considerable number of garages.
How well some people live amazes me.
It is also s credit to them that they can retain that much property and keep it going but here is the rub.
According to my man Peter who voted retain, no one has revealed what massive subsidies these 'farmers' get. His idea was it will be good to deal with the commonwealth again and good old NZ lamb for Xmas. I was a little concerned that the lambs we once produced is now milk powder.
However to beat that drum again I am now being listened to when I say a political solution will be 'found' that allows everyone a victory, yeah right.
So tomorrow I return to the home of Gage to watch an equestrian event. Should be wonderful and if not the Ram Inn is nearby.
So the news is all about M Barrymore being acquitted and Bruce Forsyth passing.
Wow England thought a lot of Brucie.
I like rural England. Lots of old people of course but where stet here not, the usual Asian shopkeeper, yes even here but in the main a very white community.
I wonder for how long ?
The relentless march of Africans is coming through Europe including Spain who are getting what for at the moment. If these people were coming to integrate then perhaps maybe, but according to the times they are similar to Pacific Islanders in that they gone they work and the money goes home. No doubt I will get a message from Gareth if I am incorrect.
Since I have bought up Politics I see the US pundits are op only saying it is the era of against. Which is my story too.
So what will Kiwi voters be against.
And on the matter of Kiwi I stayed a few nights with a man called Kivi and his partner. What nice people. He is a butcher Carpenter and I reckon capable of anything but from Estonia and I had a wonderful meal BBQ lamb and pork potato salad and fried saurkraut. That was pretty special.
We could do with more people like this. Can't understand why we take the dregs when people like this educated civilised law abiding, want to get out of Europe.
Friday, August 18, 2017
Why I like England
I have had a rather forgettable trip. First I got the Airline flu. What a blighted it really held me down for two weeks.
Then I decided I needed to walk to recover. It did slowly but it also got my replaced knee that has been a major dissappointment actually moving again.
So while I experienced the joy of uk rules, you must have insurance, but you can only get it if you live here, but we do recognise insurance purchased in the EU. Is that as daft as Brexit?
My investigations last year said Brexit will happen.
My investigations this year suggest a mood change.
I believed a 'Political' solution will be found. The Brits will claim victory, we got the concessions we wanted and we will stay. The EU will stick the knife in and no one will say boo.
But I rode into a village called Firle, a feudal village owned by the local Lord whom I understand to be Gage. Long standing family many centuries and whom a local chap said was in charge, the top military man, in the British army that lost the war of independence in the US. Still got his castle though he said !!
He was sore about the UK ditching the Empire in favour of the EU. Get a lot of that here !
As I have said Brexit was about the Law and Immigration. That's about it.
So Firle village is holding a big equestrian event this weekend so I will attend if I can.
I say can because last night coming home to my non Air BnB I ran into a pike of mud off a farm machine on dark lane way and ended up sliding into a large mud puddle and needed rescuing.
Nasty. So I do fall off. Not often I hasten to add. Got very muddy, mud in everything, lost some skin, and some superficial bike harm but should be good to go to the horses on Sunday.
The weather remains "inclement"
But why I love this place is not the bloody dirty farmers that pollute the waterways as they do, but the walkways the laneways and the little pubs where someone will have a chat and walk down the road and help pick the bike up !
AirBnb Air BnB
No matter how it is spelt it means "Frustration".
For the odd stay maybe OK as long as you know exactly where it is and you have time, lots of time to waste searching.
You can not contact the host.
You cannot ring the host.
You cannot get the host toting you.
The reason being that Air BnB want to protect their excessive commission.
The commission that it seems by using an Irish Company is structured to avoid tax.
Classic American model. But apart from the feeling of being involved with an immoral entity the system itself is flawed.
If you know exactly where you will be on a precise date and you are prepared to stay at an unintended location far from where you wanted to be then go for it.
Half of the hosts do not respond then those that do say "oh I am do sorry I had blanked that out" it's Air BnB's fault.
So when you find a site that fails to say where it is exactly or even where the nearest bus or train is do not be surprised. I was wanting to walk the South Downs way and the logistical nightmare that caused is unbelievable.
Near the SDW it says but no mention of how after walking 15 miles how do you get back to the accommodation ? No idea and most of the hosts have no idea either.
In reality it is a shambles.
The down side is that Google accommodation is half baked as well.
The seeming problem is that the Uk is not as internet savvy as one would expect. It is hillage life and the next village is a foreign place so staying here and wanting to go there is a huge issue.
Oh and should your think you will tell the Air BnB financial gnomes that there are some things that would help improve the system, well don't call us we are counting money.
WOULD SOME ENTERPRISJNG TECH SAVVY ENTERPRISE REBUILD THEIR MODEL !
This is a great concept but like many other great ideas the people that thought of it believed they could build it. They tried and it does not work as it might have with some better thought for the user. It is a sales model NOT a consumer model and that's the problem it was made to sell beds anyway they could, not to provide an acvommodation service to the modern traveller.
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Glyndebourne
I did not know it was an opera house. I thought it was one of those outdoor music festaival places. Oops wrong. It is Opera at its British best.
So NZL rolls up to La Traviata on the August the 14th summer. They had one in July that lasted a little longer. Nevertheless NZL 07 is there
Amongst the Bentleys and your good self amongst the
Dinner suits and Champagne in the casual look drinking Pear Cider.
I can say Placedo Domingo at the Covent Garden was astonishing never to be forgotten. This production is delightful also not to be readily forgotten.
The Brits do formal casual like no other.
So I sit in the manicured grounds on a bench while those scattered about sit in camp chairs at picnic tables. This is special.
It is easy to forget that low life forms exist in the IRD on NZ but that's life. I guess they came with rabbits possums and gorse.
So intermission is nearly over and my cider consumed so back to the most delightful timber lined
Opera house for some more astonishing Verdi !
placedo
14th
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
Battle
A place in Kent which mumbled to the sound of invasion in 1066 when the French walked ashore and gave Harold a walloping in half a day. Poor old Harold and a few of his men having marched from Scotland, good time to invade when the guard is away elsewhere. However it changed England.
Lots of houses changed hands.
So here I am again for more walking.
I have been off the air. No decent email in most of rural England and certainly not in the small tent I have been camping in.
My walking exercise based in East Mean came to an end. I had walked the best part of 40 miles from the start of the South Downs Way from Winchester in several days of hard slog on pretty bad paths.
So I gave up and resorted to do day walks in Kent.
The walkways were a bit better but just as confusing. The English are preparing for another invasion from the sea. Forgetting that they now come by train truck and air !
So the cunning brits have taken all the reference points off the walkways. Roads still have destinations but not walkways. Some of them have a coloured arrow, some even point the right direction but woe betied the council that actually maintains the muddy overgrown walkways ( but at least I got a good supply of blackberries and plenty of scratches and muddy boots in high summer by telling the walker the direction or destination ! No just an arrow sometimes with a Local Body proudly inscribed on it, why they own up bemuses me.
However I had another several days of walking. Clocked up a hundred miles plus and happy about that. I learned that the towns that end in ....den as in Biddenden were places when Kent was covered in Oaks on which pigs fed, the clearing into which pigs were driven was yes a "den", well of course it was.
The summer is now apparently autumn. Damn near frost a few days back, but a pleasant day followed.
My exposure to the "weird ways of the Brits" continues. I have to buy insurance but can only buy it in the UK if I live here bearing in mind it is compulsory, so it can be purchased from a motorcycle tour operator in Italy or Germany to enable me to ride legally in the UK. If that is not as silly as not having proper signposts on walkways I remain confused. But they do not have a compulsory ACC which in my experience takes money under false pretences, but that is my experience, may be totally untrue. Having said tat, those that know I had a knee replaced after it was rammed by a Ram, which was not the problem according to ACC it was "age", well the walking is doing me a world of good, not the physiotherapy which was not part of the replacement, $25,000 can only cover so much !
Back to the present, do not for a moment think the walkways are not good, the good ones are magical, and the good ones have Pubs that are open. Often they are not.
A bonus bit of luck, where I have been camping in my wee tent shivering through the night my host took his family and me, down the road to an outdoor presentation of Hamlet. What great fun. So we sat in camp chairs in a field and celebrated Shakespears wonderful dialogue with cups of cider and a walk home for a home cooked dinner of roast Pork. What great pleasure.
So the Tennis has been, the Grand Prix, the Athletics, Womens cricked, and now the womens rugby, they love their sport here.
One thing is they do have a housing boom not of course caused by immigration, but greedy speculators. Maybe just maybe the councils that used to build houses and allow other people to do so as well, much like another place I know, have played a part.
The other interesting follow up research from last year, is that BREXIT as I thought I discovered was an ANTI vote. In their case the imposition of EEC Law, and immigration, most Brits have had enough of the invasion, no jobs no houses and a breakdown in law and order, like acid attacks, to live in the UK one needs 20 acres, high fences and a dog, somewhere in the country.
I was astonished to hear a TV commentator suggest the London housing crisis could be solved by moving people to jobs in other cities ! Yeah right, what jobs. A bit like suggesting Immigrants to Auckland could move to Dargaville.
Back to the anti vote.....like the one NZ will see. I will leave it to you to determine what most of NZ is sick of, and watch for the backlash. Remember Theresa May, I will go to the people and get a mandate.....well maybe. One thing is apparent that Labour in UK and NZ seem good at selecting unpopular leaders !
So perhaps tomorrow I will walk the vast battlefield where the French prevailed in 1066, since it took half a day it will not take long.
Then it is either more South Downs Way from Eastbourne, or the Pilgrims way to Canterbury, or if the weather breaks make a run for Scotland. Been waiting for a clear patch of weather......and waiting still.
At last a picture.
1. On my walk.
2. After 4 days in the tent a soft bed with a view. The Battle memorial.
The news here has plenty on the US sites that charge for accommodation and do it poorly. Hardly a surprise.
We are being "monetarised" by the US corporates. We let them take control, and let them exploit us and wash the money to avoid taxation that should be paid in NZ, and maybe just maybe this will be a factor in the election......... the anti election.
Lots of houses changed hands.
So here I am again for more walking.
I have been off the air. No decent email in most of rural England and certainly not in the small tent I have been camping in.
My walking exercise based in East Mean came to an end. I had walked the best part of 40 miles from the start of the South Downs Way from Winchester in several days of hard slog on pretty bad paths.
So I gave up and resorted to do day walks in Kent.
The walkways were a bit better but just as confusing. The English are preparing for another invasion from the sea. Forgetting that they now come by train truck and air !
So the cunning brits have taken all the reference points off the walkways. Roads still have destinations but not walkways. Some of them have a coloured arrow, some even point the right direction but woe betied the council that actually maintains the muddy overgrown walkways ( but at least I got a good supply of blackberries and plenty of scratches and muddy boots in high summer by telling the walker the direction or destination ! No just an arrow sometimes with a Local Body proudly inscribed on it, why they own up bemuses me.
However I had another several days of walking. Clocked up a hundred miles plus and happy about that. I learned that the towns that end in ....den as in Biddenden were places when Kent was covered in Oaks on which pigs fed, the clearing into which pigs were driven was yes a "den", well of course it was.
The summer is now apparently autumn. Damn near frost a few days back, but a pleasant day followed.
My exposure to the "weird ways of the Brits" continues. I have to buy insurance but can only buy it in the UK if I live here bearing in mind it is compulsory, so it can be purchased from a motorcycle tour operator in Italy or Germany to enable me to ride legally in the UK. If that is not as silly as not having proper signposts on walkways I remain confused. But they do not have a compulsory ACC which in my experience takes money under false pretences, but that is my experience, may be totally untrue. Having said tat, those that know I had a knee replaced after it was rammed by a Ram, which was not the problem according to ACC it was "age", well the walking is doing me a world of good, not the physiotherapy which was not part of the replacement, $25,000 can only cover so much !
Back to the present, do not for a moment think the walkways are not good, the good ones are magical, and the good ones have Pubs that are open. Often they are not.
A bonus bit of luck, where I have been camping in my wee tent shivering through the night my host took his family and me, down the road to an outdoor presentation of Hamlet. What great fun. So we sat in camp chairs in a field and celebrated Shakespears wonderful dialogue with cups of cider and a walk home for a home cooked dinner of roast Pork. What great pleasure.
So the Tennis has been, the Grand Prix, the Athletics, Womens cricked, and now the womens rugby, they love their sport here.
One thing is they do have a housing boom not of course caused by immigration, but greedy speculators. Maybe just maybe the councils that used to build houses and allow other people to do so as well, much like another place I know, have played a part.
The other interesting follow up research from last year, is that BREXIT as I thought I discovered was an ANTI vote. In their case the imposition of EEC Law, and immigration, most Brits have had enough of the invasion, no jobs no houses and a breakdown in law and order, like acid attacks, to live in the UK one needs 20 acres, high fences and a dog, somewhere in the country.
I was astonished to hear a TV commentator suggest the London housing crisis could be solved by moving people to jobs in other cities ! Yeah right, what jobs. A bit like suggesting Immigrants to Auckland could move to Dargaville.
Back to the anti vote.....like the one NZ will see. I will leave it to you to determine what most of NZ is sick of, and watch for the backlash. Remember Theresa May, I will go to the people and get a mandate.....well maybe. One thing is apparent that Labour in UK and NZ seem good at selecting unpopular leaders !
So perhaps tomorrow I will walk the vast battlefield where the French prevailed in 1066, since it took half a day it will not take long.
Then it is either more South Downs Way from Eastbourne, or the Pilgrims way to Canterbury, or if the weather breaks make a run for Scotland. Been waiting for a clear patch of weather......and waiting still.
At last a picture.
1. On my walk.
2. After 4 days in the tent a soft bed with a view. The Battle memorial.
We are being "monetarised" by the US corporates. We let them take control, and let them exploit us and wash the money to avoid taxation that should be paid in NZ, and maybe just maybe this will be a factor in the election......... the anti election.
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Some one has to take control and it's not Donald Duck
Donald would know a quack from a quip.
Turkey arrests 1100 more of those that they provided refuge for. Poor Turkey the country that gave us possibly the worlds greatest General and leader.
And ISIS attacks the Iraqis embassy in Kabul.
But this will really scare you.
Britain summoned the North Korea Ambassador to tell them to "stop its dangerous missile testing".
Kim Jung Sick will be really scared now !
But on a more serious note to those that had their pocket knife confiscated the London City Airport has confiscated more "snow globes" than anything else ! Now what is in them that they want or perhaps just hard commerce to confiscate what sells best !
It is a really odd world.
Turkey arrests 1100 more of those that they provided refuge for. Poor Turkey the country that gave us possibly the worlds greatest General and leader.
And ISIS attacks the Iraqis embassy in Kabul.
But this will really scare you.
Britain summoned the North Korea Ambassador to tell them to "stop its dangerous missile testing".
Kim Jung Sick will be really scared now !
But on a more serious note to those that had their pocket knife confiscated the London City Airport has confiscated more "snow globes" than anything else ! Now what is in them that they want or perhaps just hard commerce to confiscate what sells best !
It is a really odd world.
Couldn't resist this
The illegal immigrants that squat in Calais waiting to illegally enter England and a significant reason why Brexit happened have just heard that the French Courts have determined that the Calais council must provide drinking water, showers, and toilets.
Next it will be meals on wheels and houses paid for by ratepayers. Think how councils would like that to justify more family on the payroll.
And in Papua New Guinea water and power were cut off to to a camp for asylum seekers.
I guess there is a difference. Fewer civil servants in PNG I suspect.
For how many thousand years have the people of the world resisted invasion? When a boat load of people turned up to walk ashore they were shot.
That is the history of the world that is being rewritten.
Of course you can go wherever you want to, just go. The idiots in charge will feed you clothe you provide for your needs so you can procreate mindlessly because it now their problem.
Good on ya Aussie!
And now there is a drought in the homeland of the sea pirates.
Is it possible that their efforts might have been better applied to self preservation in preference to piracy.
The lord works in strange ways.
Next it will be meals on wheels and houses paid for by ratepayers. Think how councils would like that to justify more family on the payroll.
And in Papua New Guinea water and power were cut off to to a camp for asylum seekers.
I guess there is a difference. Fewer civil servants in PNG I suspect.
For how many thousand years have the people of the world resisted invasion? When a boat load of people turned up to walk ashore they were shot.
That is the history of the world that is being rewritten.
Of course you can go wherever you want to, just go. The idiots in charge will feed you clothe you provide for your needs so you can procreate mindlessly because it now their problem.
Good on ya Aussie!
And now there is a drought in the homeland of the sea pirates.
Is it possible that their efforts might have been better applied to self preservation in preference to piracy.
The lord works in strange ways.
Sunday, July 30, 2017
It did not rain today !
That may not be a big deal to you but it since I came here in the "summer" it is for me.
So today more therapy. Walking therapy. I am recovering from the Airline flu ...at last.
I walked about 15 miles today and the knee continues to improve. My general health improves and overall I am getting fitter and better.
Tomorrow will be a test I think as it may be further. The maps are none too reliable.
But I walked and it was great.
And thats about it really.
Unless I change plans and going to France is on the cards. I think the weather is better there generally and I wish to visit the Loire Valley.
So maybe after tomorrow, vive la France ?
I read an article that may provide a solution for the pictures, so will try
Woohoo this is a fantastic Bodiam Castle built around 1200 by a local MP as his show home. Ostensibly to defend against the French.
The guides told me that it was to show the locals who is boss as well because the people that worked for him were "owned" by him as well. He totally controlled their lives.
It was a cracker of a castle, and I was blown away. It was a hard life back then.
I visited the Castle and then walked on a Historic Places marked route that none of the people I met along the way could find. I ended up no where near where I expected..but the invading forces can not find their way if there are no signs on the walkways. Now that is pretty advanced Council thinking !
So today more therapy. Walking therapy. I am recovering from the Airline flu ...at last.
I walked about 15 miles today and the knee continues to improve. My general health improves and overall I am getting fitter and better.
Tomorrow will be a test I think as it may be further. The maps are none too reliable.
But I walked and it was great.
And thats about it really.
Unless I change plans and going to France is on the cards. I think the weather is better there generally and I wish to visit the Loire Valley.
So maybe after tomorrow, vive la France ?
I read an article that may provide a solution for the pictures, so will try
The guides told me that it was to show the locals who is boss as well because the people that worked for him were "owned" by him as well. He totally controlled their lives.
It was a cracker of a castle, and I was blown away. It was a hard life back then.
I visited the Castle and then walked on a Historic Places marked route that none of the people I met along the way could find. I ended up no where near where I expected..but the invading forces can not find their way if there are no signs on the walkways. Now that is pretty advanced Council thinking !
Saturday, July 29, 2017
Being removed
I enjoy traveling. The unusual the wonderful the fascinating.
Not much of that in the last few days but it distracts as well so blogs get forgotten.
I figured out that a great grandfather of mine, the one that became a remittance man, would have been walking in the places I am walking 150 years ago.
He was sadly a rather indigent chap who loved to gamble all night and walk in the summer holidays and no doubt was totally shocked when hi father said, be gone to the colonies ! And he was gone lock stock and barrel with wife and kids.
My Grandfather, Francis Kent, was at the time articled to a Lawyer with Chambers in Lincolns Inn. I envisage Chambers was pretty much a Rumpole type of affair. What I did not know was the apprentice Lawyer PAID for his tuition from his boss. I guess that was just one more cost that his grandfather preferred not to have to meet.
He the family head was as I am informed a merchant in south London.
So off they went on ship complete with furniture to New Zealand. So to have that memory of the old chap wandering Britain and some of the best walk in Europe challenged my imagination.
I only hope that if he did walk the South Downs Way which has been a walkway for 8000 years that it was in better condition than it is now and the weather was better than rain every day.
The walk starts in what was once the Capital of England, Winchester, which also has a fine Cathedral and an organ that I love to hear played, even poorly as it was on Thursday.
So I find myself in a place called East Meon which is so bereft of about everything except I hasten to add an old and admired Church. They date back to the 1600's round here. Why then I do not yet understand. After Henry went about dismantling distributing and even dismembering the churches and occupants. I found a place where I stayed last year with an extraordinary history of monarchs Churches and insurrection.
All jolly good fun.
What is not good fun is the state of the English walkways. Bloody terrible. Unemployed locals unemployed immigrants, homeless people that may as well be homeless doing something in preference to sleeping in doorways, should all be out there cutting the grass and weeds and doing them selves and the walkers a great favour.
To add insult to injury the signage is abysmal. The signs say, Bridalpath, Walkway, even a named Walkway like South Downs Way but do not say to where or how far it is ! So it is a matter of good fortune where you end up unless one has an electronic map.
However whether I am walking Greatgrandfathers journeys or not I am doing it and slowly recovering from the carnage caused to my poor old body by a surgeon replacing a knee after being struck by a Ram. Of course as ACC pays less this was degeneration and therefore not ACC.
It is a damn shame that professional morals are determined by financial considerations. And they are.
So I can not report on the state of the nation. I don't see TV and when I last did it was preoccupied by the tweets of DT and the length and cost of Mrs Mays dress. All vital stuff.
But otherwise 2 Men and a Boy, the same US comedy NZ gets, plus the Chase, and the one with the sliding tokens, in fact I wondered if we just rebroadcast UK re-runs. Seems like it.
Well I walked yesterday from Winchester for about 11miles, and today from East Peon, for about 8 miles and it feels like it as I sit on the couch with my feet up.
Having a good run with Air BnB people. Air BnB actually sucks, greedy US financial model that makes communication like a contest in obscurity. Anyway the people are good. So many of them it is a very significant economy.
Sorry no pictures, thanks google ! I wanted to show some shots of a concert site for the "Boomtown" open air concert. Good luck with the weather. But the site is huge. Massive structures stages Marquees, walls fences and rows and rows of multi coloured dunnys. Fact of life I guess. I spoke to a guy that has been working it for 5 years. He reckons it doubles each year. Must be the best business in England!
Back to Google I guess it is my fault trusting them to provide a service free, when if they mess with the users, they will pay. I guess they will too, but why should I pay when they Google are giving away (or selling) my uploaded photo's.
I am upset because nothing in the clever tech business that I invested in ever paid me a cent !
So that is the story of Thursday spent on the road from Lewes to East Meon and two days walking in the rain and I do not feel very Fred Astair at all.
Not much of that in the last few days but it distracts as well so blogs get forgotten.
I figured out that a great grandfather of mine, the one that became a remittance man, would have been walking in the places I am walking 150 years ago.
He was sadly a rather indigent chap who loved to gamble all night and walk in the summer holidays and no doubt was totally shocked when hi father said, be gone to the colonies ! And he was gone lock stock and barrel with wife and kids.
My Grandfather, Francis Kent, was at the time articled to a Lawyer with Chambers in Lincolns Inn. I envisage Chambers was pretty much a Rumpole type of affair. What I did not know was the apprentice Lawyer PAID for his tuition from his boss. I guess that was just one more cost that his grandfather preferred not to have to meet.
He the family head was as I am informed a merchant in south London.
So off they went on ship complete with furniture to New Zealand. So to have that memory of the old chap wandering Britain and some of the best walk in Europe challenged my imagination.
I only hope that if he did walk the South Downs Way which has been a walkway for 8000 years that it was in better condition than it is now and the weather was better than rain every day.
The walk starts in what was once the Capital of England, Winchester, which also has a fine Cathedral and an organ that I love to hear played, even poorly as it was on Thursday.
So I find myself in a place called East Meon which is so bereft of about everything except I hasten to add an old and admired Church. They date back to the 1600's round here. Why then I do not yet understand. After Henry went about dismantling distributing and even dismembering the churches and occupants. I found a place where I stayed last year with an extraordinary history of monarchs Churches and insurrection.
All jolly good fun.
What is not good fun is the state of the English walkways. Bloody terrible. Unemployed locals unemployed immigrants, homeless people that may as well be homeless doing something in preference to sleeping in doorways, should all be out there cutting the grass and weeds and doing them selves and the walkers a great favour.
To add insult to injury the signage is abysmal. The signs say, Bridalpath, Walkway, even a named Walkway like South Downs Way but do not say to where or how far it is ! So it is a matter of good fortune where you end up unless one has an electronic map.
However whether I am walking Greatgrandfathers journeys or not I am doing it and slowly recovering from the carnage caused to my poor old body by a surgeon replacing a knee after being struck by a Ram. Of course as ACC pays less this was degeneration and therefore not ACC.
It is a damn shame that professional morals are determined by financial considerations. And they are.
So I can not report on the state of the nation. I don't see TV and when I last did it was preoccupied by the tweets of DT and the length and cost of Mrs Mays dress. All vital stuff.
But otherwise 2 Men and a Boy, the same US comedy NZ gets, plus the Chase, and the one with the sliding tokens, in fact I wondered if we just rebroadcast UK re-runs. Seems like it.
Well I walked yesterday from Winchester for about 11miles, and today from East Peon, for about 8 miles and it feels like it as I sit on the couch with my feet up.
Having a good run with Air BnB people. Air BnB actually sucks, greedy US financial model that makes communication like a contest in obscurity. Anyway the people are good. So many of them it is a very significant economy.
Sorry no pictures, thanks google ! I wanted to show some shots of a concert site for the "Boomtown" open air concert. Good luck with the weather. But the site is huge. Massive structures stages Marquees, walls fences and rows and rows of multi coloured dunnys. Fact of life I guess. I spoke to a guy that has been working it for 5 years. He reckons it doubles each year. Must be the best business in England!
Back to Google I guess it is my fault trusting them to provide a service free, when if they mess with the users, they will pay. I guess they will too, but why should I pay when they Google are giving away (or selling) my uploaded photo's.
I am upset because nothing in the clever tech business that I invested in ever paid me a cent !
So that is the story of Thursday spent on the road from Lewes to East Meon and two days walking in the rain and I do not feel very Fred Astair at all.
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Lewes 26 July
Lewes is a apparently an old town in the South of England famous for what I do not know but it does have a bell tower somewhere near where i am Air BnBing and I love it. Reminds me of a visit to Colchester (I think) and the ABnB I stayed at the hostess took me to watch the bell ringing practice. Wonderful. Not as many bells I expect as Lewes. I do like bells and organs and I hope to hear more soon.
So it still rains in the summertime or was that a different song.
England is a land of dogs. They are everywhere and as I sat in the Green Man having a pint this pm I was not pleased to have one barkingbin the Pub.
But my Landlady tonight has a daughter in Waiheke Island. That was a surprise.
So why am I in Lewes ? Good question. I hope tomorrow to start on my journey along the South Down Way. It runs across the South Downs a name recognised in NZ through a breed of sheep but I read somewhere this has been a passage for travellers for thousands of years. Lots of history and not all good, a bit of spooky stuff here and there.
The bells are still ringing and it is just great.
And the rain is still raining not so great.
The bike is still going but the chap from Munich BMW told me the part number and a man I met and like immensely that runs a parts business, Kaspar, in Holland can source the part, but may know of a machanic in Kent that may be able to fix mine but certainly fit a new part if not.
This is the EEC. The reason Britain wanted out was because the old people (and they voted) were convinced EU law would harm them, and they hated the deluge of immigrants. That was it. Nothing else. What a misread of the greens as they say but the 'greens' are a misread ! They will mess up the NZ elections as well. I wish they would stick to conservation and ecology. Politics is for grown ups, or should be.
The bells still ring.
No pictures sorry. Blogger has sold out and will only download from the cloud and you have to pay for that. Once we were able to post pics from the phone or pc...... I believe there is a word for it called monetarising, or maybe oppressive financial conduct. But Mr Trump like the media.
Still widespread debate here over his election, and Mrs May. I see even she abandons the UK and takes her holiday in Italy. But Roger Moore died. Lot of celebs dying, even Mrs Frank Sinatra. Who next I ask ?
The UK is no different than any other economy that I can see, living on borrowed time and money and no way to sustain house prices. Or wages paid to people in public roles. In the face of massive homelessness and unemployment coupled with intergenerational state welfare dependency, I heard of three generations of unmarried wonen with a child on welfare in a state it council provided house.
The countryside however is magnificent. The tree lined lanes are a joy. The quaint homes, even the farmyards look like they did in the kids books I remember. The villages with the front door on the narrow footpath rather in danger of being flattened by an 18 wheeler delivering verges to the supermarket. I asked a French stall holder in the Rye market why he was there and he said when I came 20 years ago they want to run me out but now they ask me to stay because I bring French cheese. The English are not able to make. Well that was his story.
The bells still ring and it is nearly 9 pm.
So it still rains in the summertime or was that a different song.
England is a land of dogs. They are everywhere and as I sat in the Green Man having a pint this pm I was not pleased to have one barkingbin the Pub.
But my Landlady tonight has a daughter in Waiheke Island. That was a surprise.
So why am I in Lewes ? Good question. I hope tomorrow to start on my journey along the South Down Way. It runs across the South Downs a name recognised in NZ through a breed of sheep but I read somewhere this has been a passage for travellers for thousands of years. Lots of history and not all good, a bit of spooky stuff here and there.
The bells are still ringing and it is just great.
And the rain is still raining not so great.
The bike is still going but the chap from Munich BMW told me the part number and a man I met and like immensely that runs a parts business, Kaspar, in Holland can source the part, but may know of a machanic in Kent that may be able to fix mine but certainly fit a new part if not.
This is the EEC. The reason Britain wanted out was because the old people (and they voted) were convinced EU law would harm them, and they hated the deluge of immigrants. That was it. Nothing else. What a misread of the greens as they say but the 'greens' are a misread ! They will mess up the NZ elections as well. I wish they would stick to conservation and ecology. Politics is for grown ups, or should be.
The bells still ring.
No pictures sorry. Blogger has sold out and will only download from the cloud and you have to pay for that. Once we were able to post pics from the phone or pc...... I believe there is a word for it called monetarising, or maybe oppressive financial conduct. But Mr Trump like the media.
Still widespread debate here over his election, and Mrs May. I see even she abandons the UK and takes her holiday in Italy. But Roger Moore died. Lot of celebs dying, even Mrs Frank Sinatra. Who next I ask ?
The UK is no different than any other economy that I can see, living on borrowed time and money and no way to sustain house prices. Or wages paid to people in public roles. In the face of massive homelessness and unemployment coupled with intergenerational state welfare dependency, I heard of three generations of unmarried wonen with a child on welfare in a state it council provided house.
The countryside however is magnificent. The tree lined lanes are a joy. The quaint homes, even the farmyards look like they did in the kids books I remember. The villages with the front door on the narrow footpath rather in danger of being flattened by an 18 wheeler delivering verges to the supermarket. I asked a French stall holder in the Rye market why he was there and he said when I came 20 years ago they want to run me out but now they ask me to stay because I bring French cheese. The English are not able to make. Well that was his story.
The bells still ring and it is nearly 9 pm.
Monday, July 24, 2017
England jolly England
Could equally be NZ.
The headlines are the same. Sport is right up there along with serious concern over disconnected politicians particularly as they scramble to understand Brexit.
Still not understood. Brexit according to the locals was about EU imposed law ( we will not have them telling us what to do) and immigration. We have too many immigrants already that are creating a housing crisis. Homeless people are apparently at crisis level and yet the immigration continues.
Same thing in NZ.
Then the Council selling assets to pay their staff. Ratepayers are at the end of tolerance so in order to get my wage increase superannuation paid leave etcetera the answer is simple glogboff what they paid for. Nothing new there. Aucklands boating community is paying to use assets they paid for and morally own. Not the Maori.
And on and on it goes. The obscenity of what we call resource consents instead read exploitation for reward for council incompetence exists here also.
A mate I know wants to build a barn. Unbelievable that a council could consider it was their obligation to charge a ratepayer to do something on his land which was totally consistent with surrounding land use. The excuse it is a little taller than "we would like".....
Let's not mention the BBC. It is amusing to me that overpaid male TV presenters should be the excuse that women presenters should also be overpaid.
Elitism is rampant. The pigs are in control. Too many heads in the trough.
No one gives a hoot what I think but I saw Brexit and I saw Trump so I am a smart arse, actually no I am unusual in that I listen.
I hear the world is falling apart and I interpret inadequate politicians. Greed. Self interest. In the face of expanding social issues with no solution other then keep them away from my place !
But it is raining. I am trying to walk off Airline Flu, still after 14 days and since this is about biking now hear this.
I had my bike serviced by the BMW agent. Oh dear they said we have to replace the tyres "getting worn" and the battery "getting on", and we did a full service and test drive.
Interesting that the BMW agent sent the bike back with a warning light showing on my first start up.
I rode it back and the service person took it away from my ability to observe to return and say terminal problem with brake servo. It will still work but will cost £1500 to replace.
They were the last to run it and yet it was not evident.
What am I saying ? I believe commercial immorality is endemic. We are here to get your money the best way we can. Maybe the servo is not the problem ? Maybe meeting the sales budget is the problem.
Just like being at home !
People with "luxury" items bikes boats and flash cars are targets. How about land owners that want to develop their land, no difference.
Insurance is another confusing case. Only residents can buy vehicle insurance in the UK and only for a year not less. I do not understand that strategy. So a non resident can not technically own and use a vehicle ! I would like that to be implemented in NZ. Get rid of the freedom campers. Make them hire a van.
Yet in NZ there is a charge on all vehicle owners that relates to nothing. It is called ACC levies but if you are unlucky enough to need cover as result of an accident (not just a vehicle accident) hard luck if you are over 50. So what's the game in my view it's all ways undue enrichment. In the UK, the probably same answer but can't work out how?
So the weather is bad. Wet and wetter. Autumn has come half way through summer.
Saturday, July 22, 2017
Schoolhouse Air BnB
What a very comfortable home and a nice couple with kids.
New comers to Air BB but as to why the money, as an afterthought to introduce the boys to other lives.
I sense a bit of quiet separation in the UK.
The chap next to me in the Pub was going down the road to the pub frequented by homosexuals because there are no fights. That shook me but there in the pub was a large steady truck driver in a singlet shots and tattoos. Same objectionable looking person sweaty single yes tattoos at the pub round the corner.
Is the population of rural U.K. all over 60 ?seems like it.
And what is on the news apart from Brexit sport and overpaid TV people, hugely overpaid. Hugely overpaid, but I guess the same pigs trough applies in New Zealand.
What I was heading toward was the next crisis. Same here as everywhere no doubt, housing.
There is a real crisis in housing. Of course it all comes back to the privilege afforded to the few. The Council staff that determine what we can and can not do on the land we own. I stayed with a couple caught up in a rather sad row over a section they own that they want to build a shed on. It's a semi rural area and the council objrct because the barn is too big. They want it smaller and more rustic. Well it is next to a power station where no one actually walks or rides or drives or visits.
Meanwhile housing costs a fortune and a pursuit for the fortunate.
There is a serious social problem racing at us. Here it is not just unemployed it is across the board of the lower income sector. And it will not stop.
There is a reassessment in rewards coming. The commercial thieves ie overpaid lawyers doctors council staff, broadcasters. The list is long. The cost to society is unsustainable and the lack of housing will cause a very serious problem.
The difference here is the lack of reporting of home invasion. Maybe it is a New Zealand practice where we have to lock up and barricade ourselves from criminal invasion.
But frankly the difference in culture is significant. But the same overall image is similar "go home and lock the door".
What is ahead for society ?
Overall the state is misalocating resources overpaying "staff" and not managing but one area of crisis surely has to be those that get supannuation on top of their wages. They may well be the coming priveledged if the super funds have been properly managed and there is a question.
Sorry no pictures.
Google want to use the images and charge us for doing so. Classic US commercial exploitation. We want your images and we want you to pay us to steal them. Not a bad economic model.
So to use images I must upload to Google and pay them to allow them access, then I can get to use my photos on my blog.
What's the matter with this ?
New comers to Air BB but as to why the money, as an afterthought to introduce the boys to other lives.
I sense a bit of quiet separation in the UK.
The chap next to me in the Pub was going down the road to the pub frequented by homosexuals because there are no fights. That shook me but there in the pub was a large steady truck driver in a singlet shots and tattoos. Same objectionable looking person sweaty single yes tattoos at the pub round the corner.
Is the population of rural U.K. all over 60 ?seems like it.
And what is on the news apart from Brexit sport and overpaid TV people, hugely overpaid. Hugely overpaid, but I guess the same pigs trough applies in New Zealand.
What I was heading toward was the next crisis. Same here as everywhere no doubt, housing.
There is a real crisis in housing. Of course it all comes back to the privilege afforded to the few. The Council staff that determine what we can and can not do on the land we own. I stayed with a couple caught up in a rather sad row over a section they own that they want to build a shed on. It's a semi rural area and the council objrct because the barn is too big. They want it smaller and more rustic. Well it is next to a power station where no one actually walks or rides or drives or visits.
Meanwhile housing costs a fortune and a pursuit for the fortunate.
There is a serious social problem racing at us. Here it is not just unemployed it is across the board of the lower income sector. And it will not stop.
There is a reassessment in rewards coming. The commercial thieves ie overpaid lawyers doctors council staff, broadcasters. The list is long. The cost to society is unsustainable and the lack of housing will cause a very serious problem.
The difference here is the lack of reporting of home invasion. Maybe it is a New Zealand practice where we have to lock up and barricade ourselves from criminal invasion.
But frankly the difference in culture is significant. But the same overall image is similar "go home and lock the door".
What is ahead for society ?
Overall the state is misalocating resources overpaying "staff" and not managing but one area of crisis surely has to be those that get supannuation on top of their wages. They may well be the coming priveledged if the super funds have been properly managed and there is a question.
Sorry no pictures.
Google want to use the images and charge us for doing so. Classic US commercial exploitation. We want your images and we want you to pay us to steal them. Not a bad economic model.
So to use images I must upload to Google and pay them to allow them access, then I can get to use my photos on my blog.
What's the matter with this ?
Friday, July 21, 2017
Tenderden
I spent last night in Maidstone.
A fairly ordinary town but I had a night a costly one at the liacal hotel chain and found my way to the bus station. It was late but happily chatted until it arrived.
Finally on the road to Tentetden. A very English villiage town with a market that sold a nice Rye bread a pate and a cheese so off I went to the White Lion for a pint and a snack in the English sunshine.
The social climate is such that it would be pleasant to live. Loft knows what anyone does. I expect retired.
Brexit is all over the news ! This will be a Repeat of Dunkirk if they get out of this one in one piece.
I would be happy if blogger and iPhone did not hate each other because whereas once photos were easy to post now it seems they are restricting them to iCloud.
These gadgets that make life easier do not ! The money is on selling more gadget not selling a better gadget.
But good to be in rural England which is slightly different from rural Wales.
Either way more amiable than rural NZ.
A fairly ordinary town but I had a night a costly one at the liacal hotel chain and found my way to the bus station. It was late but happily chatted until it arrived.
Finally on the road to Tentetden. A very English villiage town with a market that sold a nice Rye bread a pate and a cheese so off I went to the White Lion for a pint and a snack in the English sunshine.
The social climate is such that it would be pleasant to live. Loft knows what anyone does. I expect retired.
Brexit is all over the news ! This will be a Repeat of Dunkirk if they get out of this one in one piece.
I would be happy if blogger and iPhone did not hate each other because whereas once photos were easy to post now it seems they are restricting them to iCloud.
These gadgets that make life easier do not ! The money is on selling more gadget not selling a better gadget.
But good to be in rural England which is slightly different from rural Wales.
Either way more amiable than rural NZ.
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Brecon in the Beacons
This is the interior of the Welsh hall built in 1400 and suffered many incarnations and indignities.
It was stripped with the panels on the interior walls being sold as antiques to the US and the after effects being water entry and damage but finally the sound parts were restored and the building rebuilt. New walls roof interior and slate floors but now boasting underfloor heating.
Nice enough now in fact a delightful moody old hall.
Wonderful wood working and building skills.
No doubt many of them immigrants as they were that rebuilt the stone buildings in London using European tradesmen
Funny old world.
Wales
I am attempting to find a way to fast post to the blog.
Let's see if it works. This is a book devoted to historic houses and their part in history. Fascinating.
Brecon
What did surprise me was a statue of Duke of Wellington in the Main Street.
It was not striking enough to even photograph, but it has left me now wondering why he was there on his plinth at all.
Perhaps because it was a British Army base.
Milford Haven
Out on the wild end of Wales.
Beautiful countryside not as dramatic as NZ but cleaner tidier and prettier. No wrecks in the yard !
I love the tranquility and the fact that people have been here 3000 years.
I enjoy Wales but of course like every socialist country and Wales and New Zealand both are,
the youth in the main have no moral obligation to the rest of society.
That's a pity. So we have here the same stupid youthful driving public behaviour and attitudes.
Boys do it in cars and girls by behaving badly.
The history is what is great.
Up the road from my friends house is Artilery road built to service the fortress on the hill and to allow
Reinforcements to rush down to defend the coast during the Napoleonic wars. Yes Napoleonic wars !!
That is the sort of history that we know nothing about. Not ever taught about it and only find out by going and looking.
Terrific really.
I enjoy Wales but of course like every socialist country and Wales and New Zealand both are,
the youth in the main have no moral obligation to the rest of society.
That's a pity. So we have here the same stupid youthful driving public behaviour and attitudes.
Boys do it in cars and girls by behaving badly.
The history is what is great.
Up the road from my friends house is Artilery road built to service the fortress on the hill and to allow
Reinforcements to rush down to defend the coast during the Napoleonic wars. Yes Napoleonic wars !!
That is the sort of history that we know nothing about. Not ever taught about it and only find out by going and looking.
Terrific really.
Monday, July 17, 2017
17 July moving at ladt
I was most grateful to a chap and his wife that are now true friends. We met while out walking in west Wales Saint Davids, last year. He was there in a heritage house for the annual holiday and I was visiting. We met in the street then the pub then in London more than once and had dinner with Gordon and Martine in their flat. Martine is a hot shot in commerce and Gordon her mate. She is astonishingly academic and Gordon I put in the category of too smart to have an ordinary job. Some people are just too clever for a common life. Gordon is one of them I reckon.
But we are now mates. We dined we drank we walked and chatted to each other and anyone else that happened to encounter us. Great fun.
So when I got the Shanghai Flu, the nastiest thing you can encounter on holiday, I was just delighted to be invited to Wales where they were again holidaying in Natiinal Heritage home. You know the sort of humble flat built in 1400 and done up like it was recently made. Lots of character and delightful architecture complete with rabbit pheasants cattle over the fence and total quiet.
So was I lucky you bet.
So as luck would have it Martine has to go back to being a London hot shot executive and I to get on my way.
So here I am in Brecon famous for the Brecon Beacons a bunch of steep hills wonderful for motor biking, hiking, and farming yes welsh sheep.
I did get a picture but of course I have a newer iPhone so what once worked is probably now superseded as Apple seek to control every aspect and charge for it. Ooh progress well ???
But we are now mates. We dined we drank we walked and chatted to each other and anyone else that happened to encounter us. Great fun.
So when I got the Shanghai Flu, the nastiest thing you can encounter on holiday, I was just delighted to be invited to Wales where they were again holidaying in Natiinal Heritage home. You know the sort of humble flat built in 1400 and done up like it was recently made. Lots of character and delightful architecture complete with rabbit pheasants cattle over the fence and total quiet.
So was I lucky you bet.
So as luck would have it Martine has to go back to being a London hot shot executive and I to get on my way.
So here I am in Brecon famous for the Brecon Beacons a bunch of steep hills wonderful for motor biking, hiking, and farming yes welsh sheep.
I did get a picture but of course I have a newer iPhone so what once worked is probably now superseded as Apple seek to control every aspect and charge for it. Ooh progress well ???
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
London 11 July
It has been a tough journey so far and it has not started yet.
A day in Shanghai getting the fly.
A day in bed in Amsterdam
Asleep ons train to Paris
A day in bed in Paris.
A walk in the Paris streets in a light humid rain. Followed by another sleep on a train
Then I took a wrong turn on the embankment and another long walk to the digs onbankside.
Followed by a long sleep and up at 4 to do the laundry.
Now it's breakfast time hardly looking foreward to that but I have no
Appetite.
The I go to Headcorn to pick up the bike and frankly iWork dethowsmart that is. Iamnotfit emough.
The butcher of Nelson that left me with a half useless knee so i need a serious rethink.
So what is the favourite plan. Sell the bike and buys sports car or camper.
I like that idea. So much time is lost finding booking and getting to a bed. It is great to meet people but it looses lot of the day. .
Watch this space.
A day in Shanghai getting the fly.
A day in bed in Amsterdam
Asleep ons train to Paris
A day in bed in Paris.
A walk in the Paris streets in a light humid rain. Followed by another sleep on a train
Then I took a wrong turn on the embankment and another long walk to the digs onbankside.
Followed by a long sleep and up at 4 to do the laundry.
Now it's breakfast time hardly looking foreward to that but I have no
Appetite.
The I go to Headcorn to pick up the bike and frankly iWork dethowsmart that is. Iamnotfit emough.
The butcher of Nelson that left me with a half useless knee so i need a serious rethink.
So what is the favourite plan. Sell the bike and buys sports car or camper.
I like that idea. So much time is lost finding booking and getting to a bed. It is great to meet people but it looses lot of the day. .
Watch this space.
Sunday, July 9, 2017
Trip 2017
Not an auspicious start.
Finally enough strength to pick up the phone and send a message.
Shanghai flu. Compliments of China Eastern.
Lowest price is not a way to buy travel perhaps ?
So far Shanghai where I could still get about. Interesting city but no place to want to go back to.
Then Amsterdam. Saw a little of the canals and a lot of bed.
Slept on the train to Paris and the most memorable experience there was paying 7 euro for a pee.
So in a cab and off to Air BnB. This is a wonderful concept being screwed by the system.
It is not possible to communicate with the host so the shitty directions and inability to get advice means taxis. They are so flat out protecting the income stream they make travel very frustrating. The map provided is a cut down version and not possible to navigate by.
Never mind thems the breaks.
So in bed in Paris is not the way I planned it would be.
It will get better for sure.
Hooroo
Finally enough strength to pick up the phone and send a message.
Shanghai flu. Compliments of China Eastern.
Lowest price is not a way to buy travel perhaps ?
So far Shanghai where I could still get about. Interesting city but no place to want to go back to.
Then Amsterdam. Saw a little of the canals and a lot of bed.
Slept on the train to Paris and the most memorable experience there was paying 7 euro for a pee.
So in a cab and off to Air BnB. This is a wonderful concept being screwed by the system.
It is not possible to communicate with the host so the shitty directions and inability to get advice means taxis. They are so flat out protecting the income stream they make travel very frustrating. The map provided is a cut down version and not possible to navigate by.
Never mind thems the breaks.
So in bed in Paris is not the way I planned it would be.
It will get better for sure.
Hooroo
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Greeting folks from Auckland
Let the fun begin.
I had a great day today loosing things and finding them.
I hate the thought of getting old and really forgetting things that matter.
So I am sitting in a cafe with a Rioja well why it and contemplating 6 weeks trying to stay upright on two wheels.
Can't wait.
I hope I can make it interesting dnough to bring you along for the ride.
Nzl07
I had a great day today loosing things and finding them.
I hate the thought of getting old and really forgetting things that matter.
So I am sitting in a cafe with a Rioja well why it and contemplating 6 weeks trying to stay upright on two wheels.
Can't wait.
I hope I can make it interesting dnough to bring you along for the ride.
Nzl07
Sunday, July 2, 2017
Biking Europe 2017
NZL07 is about to take the road again.
The bike is serviced.
The bag is packed and the itinerary broadly in mind.
I want to pay a farewell to Scotland so will head North.
Then it is back down to the ferry and over to Ireland.
From Ireland to Wales.
Wales to southern England and a ferry to France. I wanted to ride the Loire Valley but have not managed it yet. Then hopefully back to Monaco and on to Italy.
Then to choose south through Florence and a ferry to Split or just head East.
After that the plan becomes less clear
But I do have a plan, go slow, stop more often and talk more. I discovered last year that Air BnB was a great way to meet people and experience their lives. For example going to bell ringing was a new experience. There were more like that.
I was really defriended by a couple in Milford Haven. I was so fortunate and was taken on a "family" outing on the sailing boat they had just restored and we went up the river to a pub for dinner.
I do not have a family and to share that event with that lovely group of people was a tremendous thrill.
It was two years ago that I stayed with a couple in a pub in Miltenberg in Germany. The husband and wife team were truly so kind I wanted to stay. Incidentally Miltenberg has a plaque in the street near their hotel that signified "a" start of the Paco Camino, the St James way. Doubt it could have got much further, but do recall a book I read that had the start in Switzerland.. fascinating.
I found that I only find those things out by going slowly, looking and talking......
So I am looking forward to talking my way round Europe in 2017.
I have "found" Facebook, maybe i will try that as well.
The bike is serviced.
The bag is packed and the itinerary broadly in mind.
I want to pay a farewell to Scotland so will head North.
Then it is back down to the ferry and over to Ireland.
From Ireland to Wales.
Wales to southern England and a ferry to France. I wanted to ride the Loire Valley but have not managed it yet. Then hopefully back to Monaco and on to Italy.
Then to choose south through Florence and a ferry to Split or just head East.
After that the plan becomes less clear
But I do have a plan, go slow, stop more often and talk more. I discovered last year that Air BnB was a great way to meet people and experience their lives. For example going to bell ringing was a new experience. There were more like that.
I was really defriended by a couple in Milford Haven. I was so fortunate and was taken on a "family" outing on the sailing boat they had just restored and we went up the river to a pub for dinner.
I do not have a family and to share that event with that lovely group of people was a tremendous thrill.
It was two years ago that I stayed with a couple in a pub in Miltenberg in Germany. The husband and wife team were truly so kind I wanted to stay. Incidentally Miltenberg has a plaque in the street near their hotel that signified "a" start of the Paco Camino, the St James way. Doubt it could have got much further, but do recall a book I read that had the start in Switzerland.. fascinating.
I found that I only find those things out by going slowly, looking and talking......
So I am looking forward to talking my way round Europe in 2017.
I have "found" Facebook, maybe i will try that as well.
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