My eighth anniversary is today.
Eight years ago … at this moment…I’d have been just getting on my bike.

Good to see my ex employee the other day.

Uttam is now all grown up, married with a daughter, and with his own optical practice. Last time I saw him I think I still had to wipe his nose for him !

Congratulations Uttam!

I had to file a complaint to the police last week

When I’m out attached to my Triride, I get a fair bit of ‘ attention’ from other road users. Until now, all positive or neutral… but last week – oh wow.
I was heading to Ealing Broadway station, for a look. It’s part of the Crossrail project, and as such has been massively upgraded, including having lifts to all platforms. It’s odd isn’t it, that ‘ main ‘ stations can NOT have lifts, in 2021, but lots actually don’t.
Now it HAS though, which means I can leave town by another route, far more easily.

Anyway, on the way there, I got properly harassed. It was a 20mph zone, and I was doing 20, keeping to the kerb as a cyclist would.
This Audi A3 3.5 turbo went past me at at least 50, with the horn pressed for a good 10 seconds. To be honest I thought it was probably a bloke just saying ‘ cool chair mate’ cos that’s what I always seem to get.
Of course in London you always catch up with cars at the inevitable next traffic lights.. so when I did, I passed just car and tooted my own horn as I went passed. Their window was open and what I got back was ‘ FUCK OFF, YOU C*** ‘.
Well that was a surprise tbh… and I then got the same flak when the car soon passed me again.
At the next lights I pulled alongside, and asked the ( young – 30?- ) slight female what her issue was. I said she was harassing me and I’d report her. She said ‘ too late, you C***, I’m already reporting you!’ I asked ‘for what exactly?’ She said ‘ for being on the road ‘.

Well that’s a first… evidently I’m supposed to just stay in and watch Countdown, until I die… and not venture out unless it’s on The Sunshine Bus.

When you fill in the online form for the police, almost the first question is ‘ Are you disabled?’ Disability hate crime is obviously being addressed then. ..

So I got a visit within a few days and well, they take it seriously, as they should. I can’t imagine for a minute that she’ll be prosecuted, because it’s my word against hers, and she’ll lie. But if she gets a talking to, and thinks twice next time then that’ll be a victory.
If you are on a bike tho and see an Audi, Reg no below..

do watch out.

She’s an angry one.

🤷

I met up with someone I know in Regent’s Park yesterday.
Well it’s a lovely place, and it’s not that far. A couple of tubes and a bit of Triride’ing.
Anyway… come going home time I realised that they’d locked all the exits. People were climbing over the high railings all over the place. Well how am I gonna do that !!?

I was about to call the Fire Brigade!
Then I saw a fella in a Warden type jacket…. And he let me out… I mean they COULD have someone going round with a loudhailer, giving a 15 minute closing warning. I mean surely that would be reasonable? How long before someone sues them for ‘injuries sustained during an escape, after unexpected imprisonment ‘ or something?

Another adventure… almost! 🤦‍♂️😂

I had a Christmas party last night!

Presents and Slade, and Shakin Stevens etc etc. Even a Secret Santa

For a few years now I’ve held a little dinner thing at Christmas for about 10 peeps – always the same ones, but of course it was all COVID cancelled in December..

So I had it last night.
Well I tell you, having Xmas in warm weather is much better! Outside In the open air.. bloody marvellous.

That’s what the Aussies do, right?

We shouldn’t find out when the Aussies do their Xmas and do the same….
🤪

Isn’t normal life a laugh!
In the last four days I’ve been to two comedy clubs, a party , a BBQ In Orpington, had friends for lunch and ( lots of ) drinks, and been to watch a football game actually in someone else’s house.

Thanks to Toby, to Kim, to Rob and Belinda, and to Chris for their hospitalities… ( though that’s not a word )

And I’ve really been aware of my Mojo flooding back, which is a blimmin relief. I thought it was gone for good, but no, I am back to being me again.

So Brentford beat Swansea, which means that my frozen season ticket from last year ( or was it the year before that?) is now valid for this forthcoming season. I’ve only ever been to 2 football games, but I’m going to be going to quite a few, as of soon. And of course I get a free companion ticket, so book early to avoid disappointment! Yes you may have to do the odd thing to help me, but cmon, I’m worth it !

And the sun has finally come out.
I’ve actually got a tan. Factor 50 makes me go far browner than having factor zero on. That’s strange, isn’t it?

Things are certainly looking up. Lots of gigs to go to in the near ish future, and even a trip to Portugal.

The Bird Man of Brentford flies again!

And good luck to my lovely mum tomorrow, in hospital. It’ll be fine, I’m sure. ❤️

It’s a bit heady, isn’t it.
Nothing for more than a year and then –

a comedy club tonight

another tomorrow, as well as a lunch with Yukon Rob and his new girl

a party on Saturday

a bbq on Sunday.

Not sure I’ll cope 😂

Conversation just now with two 12 year old boys, on their bikes. ..

( about my Triride ). ‘ THAT IS SICK!!

Me – thanks.

‘CAN YOU WHEELY IT ?! ‘

Ha – no I can’t

‘Can I have a go in it, and try?’

No… because I can’t get out of it.

‘Oh, ok then….. ( not understanding why I can’t, I think )

But yeah… ALL teenage boys love the Triride MadMax!

And after 8 months plus of Lockdown lovin’… Lizzy and I have parted company.
Irreconcilable differences…

We got each other through the worst of lockdown, stayed together through the interminable winter of 20/21, and split up just when there was actually something to go out and do!
Yes, that does sound a bit daft. I can see that.

She’s a superstar lady, and we’ll probably remain friends. Thank you Lizzy for the times we had together. No regrets on my part.
The traveling back and forth to Sevenoaks I shan’t miss. Trains and the ‘ I don’t know if the ramp will arrive to get me off ‘ bit … well that bit isn’t my favourite.
Once there, Lizzy was always the perfect hostess ( with the most’ess obvs ).

But Russ n Lizzy.. that’s RIP.

I wonder what 2021 will be like?

I went to the Banksy exhibition today ( and thanks to Lizzy for the tickets! ). Lizzy sadly couldn’t go .. so I ended up inviting me old Uni buddy Mark C.
He’s bloody clever, is Banksy. Anonymous of course, which adds to his persona… but obviously a VERY clever guy.

Loved it.