Is this what a mid-life crisis looks like?
Nahhhh. Truth is I’ve been saving my pennies for the past four years, attempting to pay off my mortgage early, but frankly I’m just in the mood to live a little this summer. Summers are a bit tough on me generally, because I live alone, and due to the nature of my job I work largely alone during July and August. So it’s time to create some change in my life.
For the past four years, I’ve lived life without a car, successfully, and I fully intend to continue doing all my local business by bicycle. But there are just those occasions when I need to travel further afield, and I hate having to leech off friends for this. In particular, I really miss visiting Ballymartin beach, a place that has been a part of my life since I was about twelve.
So, I decided it was time to invest in another mode of transport, one that was more economical than a car. The bike is a Honda Varadero 125cc, which is about as big as you can go on a learner’s licence. I have never ridden a motorcycle before. Wish me luck.
(Long-time readers may remember the mouldy monstrosity that was my old Nissan Terrano 4×4. It’s been sleeping in my driveway for the past four years, and I’m finally sending it to the knackers yard. I even got £200 for it.)
Darryl Sloan 
Nice! Beautiful bike! 🙂 Have fun and drive safely!
Good luck with the wheels, you both suit each other 🙂
Makes me yearn for my old Suzuki SV 650 – she was a beaut, but upgraded to a kiddo so the wheels had to go (yes the ‘sensible ma gene kicked in inevitably) however, one day I plan to get another albeit probably go for a 500, the only problem I encountered from the superbike genre was that my height, tiptoeing on a junction was maybe not the best idea I ever had – not that you’ll have that issue, your 6ft + aren’t you?
Enjoy the long summer eve cruising the country roads – and beware of lone hedgehogs crossing and dead rabbits – nothing says tailend backlash than running over little creatures!!!
BTW- Bring back BTV – please 🙂
Awesome. I could do with something like that eventually for journeys that are slightly too far for pedal power.
Hi, Lydia. I’ve actually been off BlogTV because my internet connection has been hell for a couple of months. I’m using “3 Mobile Broadband” and it has been almost worse than dialup for the past month or two. I kept thinking it would sort itself out, but it looks like I’m going to have to sort out another solution.
But the good news is, this week and next I’m keeping an eye on a friend’s house periodically while he’s on holiday, so I’ll have an opportunity to use his internet. I should be able to squeeze in a BlogTV session. Stay tuned.
Hey man – where’s your helmet – you should be setting a good example
Arrrgh, 3mobile BB should be renamed 666mobile ‘the beast’ incarnate – you have my sympathy after having gone down that route in 08, be careful they don’t try to extend your contract – they’ll do it without notifying you and then try to claim you can’t get out of your contract even when the 12 mths have expired – but they’re all the same, having a BT BB war myself atm haha.
Look forward to the next BTV installment – it’s been way to long! I guess you’ll be looking for some constructive criticism on your new bonus chapters?
From what I read a while back you’ve done RC justice – have you plans to add more bonus chapters?
Take care (on zee bike) 🙂
Lydia.
hi mate,james burns here,went to killicomaine high school.i just went through alot of your stuff on utube…my goodness…jason morrison and phillip topping.now my kids want to point out every bit of portadown where the zombie movie was set………..i like your thinking mate,good luck..