Keeping the peddles turning.

It was around 07.00 when I pulled the bike from the back of the van, ‘Someone burning wood’ I could smell it in the air, more clean burn than garden rubbish. “You’ve been lighting fires again” – “No me mum” – wallop – “O’ sha boy” – “Don’t lie to me, I can smell it

Jimmy sails for Turkey.

My ship had been in a supporting roll of the French at kereves Dere in Morto Bay. That big old battleship seemed so indestructible, like a steel overcoat rapped around us, I was on looked duty, staring out at the action on shore, such a surreal sight, like watching a play, the exploding shells throwing

The State of Shipping 1914

I am still peddling away, but nothing to write home to mum about, but plans are in place for my next big trip. We left Jimmy heading for Turkey and the war, but what was shipping like at the start of that war? In the early days of the war, Tramp charter came to a

Silly poems

 I bought myself a Brooks saddle, For Brooks they are the best, I was told this by a man with, RETRO emblazon on his vest, He said it I oil it and beat it like a drum, It will become, well, as soft as a babies bum, So I beat it and oiled it, Until

Learning the ropes,

The pit could not hold Jimmy and eighteen months on, with his mother’s help, Jimmy’s dad finally relented and signed the papers that would allow his son to enter boy service with the Royal Navy. They were given a thorough medical and other examinations when they made an appearance at the recruiting office, being one of

The Co-op sells better tobacco,

I have this idea for a story, but it is fat too long for a blog, so I thought I could break it down into small bites and put it on my blog each day as I did with the Tour of Britain, and still keep my cycling exploits going too. From school to the

Short and sweet

 It was early to bed yesterday, today I feel fine, a bit sleepy head and stiffness in the upper legs but that is only to be expected, yesterday was a long day for me. Short-run today out to Leuchars and back, and almost as part of the military surrounding the tune in my head was

Coming through

I left for the bus station at 07.45 I arrived back home at a just before 17.45 it has been a long day. After yesterdays constant rain today was fine, a few clouds but the wind would keep the rain at bay. The bus deposited me at Glasgow just before 011.00 it was getting late

Strips

Tim and I explore the beach, Wide-eyed in wonder at all it does teach, Watch a gull hang in the air, Yet not a string to hold her there, The mighty sea that ebbs and flows, But where does all the water go? Ignorance is bliss, I’ve heard them say, So maybe it is better

Forth and Clyde

I have been keeping an eye on sailings to Inchcolm Abbey and the Abbey on the May, both are now taking bookings but when I looked up the National Trust for Scotland website they are not opening up their sites until August and limiting the places you can visit the likes of gardens, so it