Merry Xmas war is still not over...

Christmas in the Trenches

(John McCutcheon) My name is Francis Tolliver, I come from Liverpool.
Two years ago the war was waiting for me after school.
To Belgium and to Flanders, to Germany to here
I fought for King and country I love dear.

'Twas Christmas in the trenches, where the frost so bitter hung,
The frozen fields of France were still, no Christmas song was sung
Our families back in England were toasting us that day
Their brave and glorious lads so far away.

I was lying with my messmate on the cold and rocky ground
When across the lines of battle came a most peculiar sound
Says I, ``Now listen up, me boys!'' each soldier strained to hear
As one young German voice sang out so clear.

``He's singing bloody well, you know!'' my partner says to me
Soon, one by one, each German voice joined in harmony
The cannons rested silent, the gas clouds rolled no more
As Christmas brought us respite from the war

As soon as they were finished and a reverent pause was spent
``God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen'' struck up some lads from Kent
The next they sang was ``Stille Nacht.'' ``Tis `Silent Night','' says I
And in two tongues one song filled up that sky

``There's someone coming toward us!'' the front line sentry cried
All sights were fixed on one long figure trudging from their side
His truce flag, like a Christmas star, shown on that plain so bright
As he, bravely, strode unarmed into the night

Soon one by one on either side walked into No Man's Land
With neither gun nor bayonet we met there hand to hand
We shared some secret brandy and we wished each other well
And in a flare-lit soccer game we gave 'em hell

We traded chocolates, cigarettes, and photographs from home
These sons and fathers far away from families of their own
Young Sanders played his squeezebox and they had a violin
This curious and unlikely band of men

Soon daylight stole upon us and France was France once more
With sad farewells we each prepared to settle back to war
But the question haunted every heart that lived that wonderous night
``Whose family have I fixed within my sights?''

'Twas Christmas in the trenches where the frost, so bitter hung
The frozen fields of France were warmed as songs of peace were sung
For the walls they'd kept between us to exact the work of war
Had been crumbled and were gone forevermore

My name is Francis Tolliver, in Liverpool I dwell
Each Christmas come since World War I, I've learned its lessons well
That the ones who call the shots won't be among the dead and lame
And on each end of the rifle we're the same

---

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Motorcycle Action Group comments on the initiative by Sussex police on high visibility clothing

From the el Presidente of the Motorcycle Action Group(MAG) sent to the Sussex Police force regarding their policy of enforcing cloting rules on motorcyclists!

"I have read that Sussex police are stopping motorcyclists who are spotted riding without reflective clothing. An article in the weekly ‘Motorcycle News’ states that police officers are providing advice on the use of reflective items, handing the riders reflective vests which they are urged to wear, and checking their bikes for roadworthiness.

As a body that exists to represent the interests of motorcyclists we are concerned that riders are being stopped on the highway when they are doing nothing wrong and implicitly told that their behaviour falls short of what is deemed appropriate.

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) is concerned that a tactic whose value in reducing road accidents is unproven, is being promoted in a way that does not appear to reflect the uncertainties and sensitivities that surround this issue.

MAG is uncomfortable with the implicit suggestion that riders are partially to blame when involved in accidents with motorists who claim not to have seen them. MAG has a philosophic commitment to free choice over the clothing style and standards which riders adopt and so we view any attempt to coerce riders into a code of clothing conduct as worrying.

MAG remains sceptical of drivers’ claims of not seeing motorcyclists. It seems reasonable to speculate that no driver at the scene of a typical intersection accident would admit to seeing a motorcycle but pulling out anyway in the belief that there was enough time to complete the manoeuvre. MAG believes that the issue of ‘unseen’ motorcycles is more complex than many think. Moreover there is concern that riders who wear reflective kit believe themselves to be more visible to motorists in all circumstances and subconsciously ride less defensively in consequence, sometimes with tragic consequences.

As the road safety debate has evolved to a more sophisticated level, the aspects of human behaviour I have mentioned here are enjoying more serious consideration, certainly the phenomenon of risk compensation is pretty much now universally accepted as axiomatic.

Against this background your initiative, though obviously well motivated, appears conspicuously simplistic and worrying inasmuch as it shifts the onus of responsibility to the rider’s detriment. We would value your comments on these observations and hope that you will take this letter as an invitation to an ongoing dialogue in pursuit of enhanced road safety for all road users.

I wonder in conclusion if you would consider an operation that involves stopping motorists for random roadside eyesight checks? Operation spectacle perhaps?"

Ian Mutch
MAG President

Information: Ian Mutch theroad@mag-uk.org

Dreaming...

Originally uploaded by Giorgio Violino

Originally uploaded by Giorgio Violino

.. Of high roads in high places..finding fun and adventure in far away places and just riding my bikes... must be that time of the year again to start fettling and planning for the summer.

Originally uploaded by Giorgio Violino

MAG applauds Birmingham bus lane decision

MAG applauds the decision by Birmingham City Council to open its bus lanes to motorcycles. In an effort to make more effective and efficient use of its roads, Birmingham City Council recently completed an experiment allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes. The policy allows motorcyclists to see and be seen in congested traffic.

The Birmingham experiment confirmed the experience of other towns and cities, that allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes was beneficial to motorcyclists, with no disadvantages to other road users.

MAG in Birmingham and nation-wide has been campaigning on this issue for years, first winning access to bus lanes throughout Bristol in 1996.

London opened all of its major route bus lanes to motorcycles recently and now the second biggest city in the country has followed suit.

MAG President Ian Mutch said ‘There seems to be an outbreak of sanity among local authorities all over the country, this is great news and shows how MAG’s campaigning is helping to produce real results for riders.


Further information:

Ian Mutch theroad@mag-uk.org

Nich Brown: nich.brown@mag-uk.org

For more on MAG’s bus lane campaign see http://www.mag-uk.org/en/index/a6296


The Motorcycle Action Group – Protecting motorcycling

Biker jailed for 166mph is mad BUT

MAG condemns the madness of the biker convicted of riding at 166mph on an A road in Scotland – BUT – asks if the law is failing in its commitment to be consistent and proportionate in sentencing.

MAG notes that the nine month prison sentence is poignantly identical to that recently handed down to a motorist who caused an accident which resulted in the death of a motorcyclist and injury to his son.

MAG President Ian Mutch said:
‘Traveling at 166mph on any A road is lunatic behavior but lunacy cannot be the sole factor in determining sentencing policy. For the law to be recognised as just it must be consistent and I suspect that the magistrates in this case have let outrage blind them to that responsibility.’
He added,
‘Let’s be crystal clear about this. Traveling at astronomic speed on public roads warrants serious sentencing BUT if nine months is deemed appropriate for a rider traveling at high speed but hurting no one then a driver whose hazardous behavior causes death should surely deserve a higher penalty. Magistrates should be accountable for major discrepancies in sentencing or the law loses respect.’


For further information

Contact Ian Mutch

theroad@mag-uk.org

The Motorcycle Action Group – Protecting motorcycling

Autumn Fruits

Autumn the season of mist and mellow fruitfullness. Have been sorely tempted by these guys this year, Shaggy Inkcaps very more-ish when gently poached in milk and butter... leave it until next years and there will be a bigger clump... Tasty!

21st Sword and Stoned Rally 2009

21st Sword and Stoned Rally 2009
Originally uploaded by Scouse_and_Jules

Rich Evans and D&P Classics Meet-up with The Nation of GO Tour

Just another cool random Kustom Kulture pic from flickr

Rich Evans and D&P Classics Meet-up with The Nation of GO Tour
Originally uploaded by The Nation of GO

triumph

triumph
Originally uploaded by Jalakanen

Just a random shot from my Favouriets set on Flickr... nice innit...

Derby Festé 2009

Derby Feste 2009
Originally uploaded by Scouse_and_Jules

Last night we went into town to see the performance by Compagnie Transe Express - "Mobile Homme" which was part of the weekend long Derby Festé.

It was spectacular combination of Tambours becoming a human mobile and aerial gymnastics but almost impossible to photograph and video, while being jostled by the crowd in the market place. But we did get some excellent footage and images which we will share once we have gone through them and weeded out the crap ones :)

feel a hacksaw moment...

bmw_bobber_rodney_aguiar.jpg
Originally uploaded by cwe_expressible_everything

Cool, the most underrated bikes to customize but I feel the time is right. just need to find one cheap enough to set a hacksaw/angle grinder to.

This winters project ?

xs650 custom "The Wizard Sleeze'

xs650 custom "The Wizard Sleeze' by ardcore choppers
Originally uploaded by chopzombies

The engine Triumph should have made... but a nice clean and simple chop. We like!

B...B...B...Bad to the Bone...

E01044E
Originally uploaded by alan57

Hehehehe... just love it , sooooo bad to the bone.
Roof could do with being a bit lower , but still it's just too cool for school!

The Triumph Bonneville is 50!

triumph
Originally uploaded by b-red

Just a quick note to say Happy 50th Birthday to one of the most iconic motorcycles ever, the Bonnie!

Motorcycle Airbrush Art

Motorcycle Airbrush Art
Originally uploaded by AirbrushTour.com

One of the things I would like to do with this blog, is to put images that float my boat out into a wider audience.

Sharing what we find with a wider audience seems beneficial so that Art and the artist get the audience they deserve. This image to me shows one artist appreciation of anothers work... great shot and great paint...so is that a third appreciation from me?

In the land of the Rising Sun...

IMG_5388
Originally uploaded by Janta9G1340

Somehow Japan keeps getting forgotten in the great scheme of Kustom Kulture. There are times I love their take on the themes over the more Western cultural imagery.

They do have a tradition of taking something existing and moulding it to their culture. Check out some of this guys pics on Flickr

Day Two... Dunkirk or Bust

Sunday, we get up at the sound of sparrows fart... or was that the sound of Bowsers' groaning as he lurched around all hangdog hangover'd , doing his packing up. Or maybe it was the alternative peal of bells aka portaloo doors banging as the early risers relieve themselves of last nights load.

For us anyway, it was a case of get everything re-packed grab a quick cuppa and say our goodbyes to all the folk who had muttered envious comments about the coming journey the previous night. Pete emerged looking far too healthy for the amount he had drunk the night before

Okay, 9:30 and we need to be checked in by 13:00 to get on the boat which sails at 14:00. A mere 120 odd miles in 3 and half hours... simples.

But no breakfast due to the size of the queue so a quick blat, south on fen land back roads, then down the A1 onto the A14 making rapid progress, then M11 and stop at the services near Stanstead for fuel and a pasty. 10:30 still got 90 odd miles to go ... no probs.

Back onto the M11 then sweeping on to the M25...roadworks...hit the PTT .."We should make it okay...if there are no more hold ups" ... clear of the roadworks and their narrow lanes and into the "bike lane " we go , carving through the Sunday snarl up like a hot knife through lard, sweeping into gaps between 4x4's and the odd white van.

Dartford 10 miles says the sign.."Bugger" says I , as we hit the almost stationary tailback for the crossing. Wind has picked up so loaded up with panniers and roll bags we are both dreading it. We come down the other side with no side wind issues after all due to the slower than normal speed over the bridge, but with 60 odd miles still to go... it's 12:20.

We hit separate toll booths to speed up the process, "We need to nail it, to make it !"..."Copy that " says Jules with the irony in her voice loud and clear over the airwaves. We take off like scalded cats into the maelstrom of the usual Dartford Le Mans start, to try and get into a moving lane. I damn near stoppie the fully loaded GS as a white van carves into my lane inches in front of me, as Jules takes off into the distance. ABS does have it's uses.

I catch up with Jules just after the M2 turning so it is M20 all the way now, and making progress at , ahem, "slightly above" the National Limit is a task that our bikes don't often have to do for extended periods so we have a potential maintenance morning tomorrow. The GPS is now a useful tool; as it is able to show an ETA using motorway routing... of 13:30!

We keep it nailed almost to our redline's and the ETA drops steadily by the mile. The EuroTunnel terminus hoves into view. The temptation to take the hit on the cheap Norfolk Line ferry fares, and let the train take the strain flares briefly in our minds ,but the GPS now says ETA 13:10... a few more minutes at license risking speed should see us on board before it sets sail!

Suddenly we are at the end of the motorway! Seemingly now dawdling along the A-road into Dover, I check and decide an indicated 80 MPH even at this point is a wee bit fast for a potential speed trap road. ETA now says 13:05, we should just do it by the skin of our teeth.

We start to hit static of other users on the radios as we enter the Norfolk Line check in queue, so decide to turn them off and save the batteries. Paperwork handed over and we get our boarding cards... 13:30! Then after the deep joy , well for me , of handing over passports and "crossing the border", we get pulled by in by Customs. Bummer... how long will this take.

Customs lady responds to my helpful grin with a face that has sucked it's fair share of lemons.
I got the usual "Have you ...yadayadayada" questions... then came.."Have you any penknives,multi-tools or pepper spray in your luggage?" Okay , pepper spray was pushing it , but with a small gulp and fighting an urge to touch the tank bag (with a multi-tool and a penknife in), I replied "Not that I am aware of"... not fully a lie and not fully the truth...

Next question made me happy... "Where are you heading and for how long?"

Hmm lets see , "tonight a Campanile in Dunkirk, tomorrow a B&B near Spa, then Klotten on the Mosel, then back up to the Haute Fagnes for the following weekend" of course not declaring we were off to meet a bunch of Belgian and Dutch friends and some more of Excalibur MCC to go to a rally!

Suddenly it seemed more of a journey...

European Tour 2009
Originally uploaded by Scouse_and_Jules

13:59! We made the boat with seconds to spare; the gates raised up just after we rode over them and the ropes were being tossed off of the quayside as the bikes got tied down... next stop Dunkirk!

Day One.... Did you know that Pete is 50??

IMG_5407
Originally uploaded by Captain Smurf

Bikes finally checked and all gear stowed and packed; we set out to catch up with Pete to celebrate his 50th birthday at the Plough in Farcet Fen. Off we head with sunny skies towards the good route... A6006 to Melton Mowbray and the A606, past Rutland Water, to the A1.

This trip, having splashed out on a pair of Midland G7's complete with headsets and PTT kits from Maplin, we have bike to bike communication. This proved invaluable for being able to talk while still moving in town, and gives two pairs of eyes for spotting cashpoints in Oakham. Not so good on the motorways or above 50MPH with the bottom end (cheap) mikes we have which came as an offer with the radios.

First issue found, the maps I had loaded on the GPS were not ROUTING maps! Bugger, means we can only tell where we are , and not depend on the magic box. No probs really,as we are loaded to the gunwhales with Michelin maps...

First minor navigation problem was the road I thought I could take is now closed off due to a bypass being built! Diversion is in place, but signs run out... a quick u-turn and we are in territory I know and arrive in style... not too late and not the last.

Tent goes up presents are presented and we get stickered... boy do we get stickered. Dawn, Pete's other half, has three times the number of stickers for the event she was expecting and they all have to be used. Great, stickers,kids and drunk bikers... what a combination for mischief.

Pete's do coincides with a wedding and another birthday party that is a mini music festival. Apart from the wedding the guests mingle and get drunk together... the wedding guests are a wee bit discomforted by lots of people staggering round wearing yellow stickers stating "Pete's not accident prone but a bit unlucky and 50!" And finding them on their cars...wonder how that happened....

We imbibe some of the local brew and after a brief torchlight lust session over the Wunderlich BMW parts catalogue with Bowser we head for bed... quiet start really.

Delays......

Well here we are looking out the window at a fairly good day. No rain and possible showers, but Jules has a badly bruised foot ankle knee and leg from a fall yesterday and I am wiped out after a hectic couple of weeks in work after our main client pulled a go-live date forward by a MONTH!

Most of us booked the end of July off as we expected to be working flat out through August, but nooo, computer says go go go for July.

That and swine flu have caused a shed load of extra work and one very tired Scouse, who is still a day of bike prep away from leaving... so tomorrow we hit the road. Can't wait!

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Rock Store

Rock StoreOriginally uploaded by Elrod Racing

Nuff said...Roland Sands...his bike..far from ordinary...but it's a tractor...purty ... but still a tractor!

Why is it an inline V is considered the "ultimate" engine for a custom bike; when it is nowhere near as aesthetically pleasing as a British made twin or triple?