So… unfortunately I’m working today and tomorrow. I leave home on the bike at my usual time, 06:30, and head towards Junction 11 of the M4.

As I take the on-ramp I notice that traffic is very light. So light in fact, that there are no other cars around. I indicate as usual, and move into lane 1, glancing over my shoulder (again as usual). No cars around at all.

Within seconds I’m at motorway speed. And the black car that appeared from nowhere in lane 2 suddenly remembered to put his lights on.

Then, going home, I’m approaching the Buckingham Palace intersection (the traffic light was green for me) when I see an obstacle in the road. It’s a man crossing the road (not even at the pedestrian crossing!) with two white Highland terriers in tow. I flicked my headlights to high beam to more clearly see what he was doing, AND HE STOPPED. I didn’t have time to find the horn button as I was too busy braking. He put his hand out palm forward to indicate I should stop. I pulled up a couple of metres from him and he calmly continued crossing the road. Amazing. I was too astounded to do anything else (by this time the traffic light had turned red).

With apologies to Robert Pirsig.

So, after work on Friday I went out for a drink with some of my work colleagues, to meet up with two former members of staff who had left the company’s employ. Not voluntarily you understand. The place we went to was only two stops away on the Circle & District Underground line. As I normally commute into London by motorcycle it had been ages since I last took the Tube. So there I was at the ticket window. “Return to Embankment, please”. The ticket was issued with my change. That’s when I thought something was wrong. Five Pounds Ten!! For travelling just two stops on the Tube?? Daylight Robbery! And the powers that be want more people to use Public Transport? I can see why!

Anyway, I didn’t stay long (I was driving after all). Got back to the office, got kitted up, and climbed on the bike. It didn’t start. Checked the fuses and fiddled with the wiring – managed to get it going. Of course it was raining heavily all the way down the M4. The bike coughed and died twice, but then immediately sprang into life again. Turned out it was a short in the starter relay:

So I’ve ordered a new one. Unfortunately it will only be available next week, so for the time being I’ve had to bodge things. Here’s the bodge:

Hey, it worked!

By the way, the gear lever arrived, so that has now been fitted and works fine.