I thought I’d better revise my assessment of work. The driving is still relatively easy, the hours aren’t long (I got caught in traffic so ended up doing an eleven plus hours shift, but so far mostly 9 or so hours) and I’ve finished the induction and going out with a driver bit. I did three days on my own last week. There’s the catch. It turns out when you are on your own tipping the wagon and reloading it with empties and such is quite heavy work. Not killer, but not the doddle I previously thought. Then we had a heatwave. Tipping in 31C, getting lathered, then getting back into a mobile greenhouse, with no aircon, was rough. I’m on my four days off, by the time I go back to work we should be back to normal May temperatures.
I’ve still not got my test results for the tachycardia. It’s coming on six months since I took the test. I rang again, but got put on hold for 15 minutes then told it still hadn’t been done.
I’ve had my 60th birthday, but it was on a Sunday, and the Monday was a bank holiday. It’s Tuesday now, but I’ve not heard anything off the army about my pension lump sum. I applied over three months ago, so I assumed the payment would go in to the bank on my 60th. I looked online earlier and some people were saying the army start processing it on your 60th, it can be up to 30 days before the payment. Bloody army! Hurry up and wait. Nothing changes with them.
The big news is: NEW PROJECT BIKE!
Yay!
I was looking at all sorts of bikes, CX500, 600 Fazer, a box of bits 600 Hornet, but then I spotted a cheap project Suzuki SV650s. It was down in London area, but the seller said he could get it shipped for about £200. I set up a bid sniper bid for £511. Then someone else put one up for sale with 20,000 less miles for £250 starting bid. When I compared the MOT history the London one had leaking brakes, a loud exhaust and was an MOT fail. It had been off the road since the MOT fail for 13 years. The other one had consistent MOT passes, it looks like a stock exhaust, and has been off the road for 3 years. I put in an offer of £450, the seller countered with £500, I’m hoping to pick it up on Friday!
The history check came back clean. It looks a good ‘un. I can’t wait to get playing on it. The seller said he had a bad accident at work so hasn’t ridden it for 3 years. It might just need a battery, fresh fuel, and the carbs cleaning. I’ll change the oil, of course.
I’ve wanted to try out an SV650 for ages. There is a video of a guy who’d just bought a ratty one with 90,000 miles or something on the clock, and he was out having a hoot on it. He was literally going “Weeeeee!” while he was riding it. They are supposed to be nippy, handle brilliantly, and a whole world of fun.
OK, it’s a bit yellow. But other than that great fun. If I can fix it on the cheap and I decide I much prefer the VFR, I should be able to sell it without losing out and I’ll have had fun working on it.
I say I’m hoping to pick it up on Friday because I’ve lost my bank card. To hire a van you need to pay with the card of the person doing the hiring. Cash or Wendy’s card (same account) won’t cut it. I reported it lost on Saturday (I think) but weekend and bank holiday again. And Royal Mail’s gone to the dogs. Hopefully it will be here by Thursday. If not I’ll have to pick the bike up on my next day off, which will be Wednesday.
I am keeping up with the running on my days off. I went for one today. 30C, not a breath of wind. I died by 6 miles and had to soak my top in the canal and walk for half a mile to cool off. I ran the final mile or so. I dragged myself inside and had a lovely cool shower, before collapsing in the heat. Then I dragged the 3 leftover oak sleepers down to the bottom of the garden, out of the way. Then had another shower.
Everything is coming together. Happy days!