The extra loud alarm on my 2003 Smiths, 230v with battery back-up alarm clock, sounded at 7.31 on the starting day of my round the world tour.
I flung back the 12 tog duvet with the Dreamscene Funky Chrysanthemum 100% polyester cover, from my 14 stone body, stretched out my arms in a east to west plane, and yawned.
Since I was going off on tour, I donned my size Y gold with platinum band wedding ring. I hardly wear it, but if we are to be separated for a while, I'll make the effort.
Two 37.5 gramme weetabix and 200 grammes of semi-skimmed milk from Robert Wisemans Dairy, was my choice of breakfast, eaten, using a Bouillon spoon (I prefer the shorter 5 and a half inch handle on the bouillon spoon). I followed this with a cup of instant Maxwell house £4 for 300 grammes from asdas (usually over £7 but on offer last week) black with just a touch of sugar.
Suitably fed, I chose my Marks and Sparks black boxer short 100% cotton underpants to match my similarly coloured socks from the left hand upper drawer of the solid pine dresser, and donned all three items. Pants (left leg first, followed by right), right sock then left.
The Oral B Triumph Professional care electric toothbrush with a pea sized amount of Crest cavity prevention toothpaste, made quick work of the ageing teeth, and a splash of cold water done my face. I avoided showering as I had one at 10.30 the previous night.
Tee shirt and Levi 501 boot cut jeans were next and then my trusty Altberg clubman boots and BMW twat-suit jacket, leaving the zip six inches from the collar to aid ventilation. Gloves were my large kangaroo skin palmed Teknic unlined gloves, for which I have forgotten the model name as they are six years old now.
It was a balmy 23 degrees centigrade outside, so I thought I'd sacrifice safety for comfort on this leg of the trip.
I had packed all I needed the night before in the Touratech street pannier system, with inner waterproof bags and secured by 4 small 30mm brass union padlocks with matching keys.
My BMW sportintegral was last on. I chose to ride without ear protection as I had planned to use my Zen MP3 to provide entertainment on the road, but realised at the last minute that I'd forgot to charge the battery.
Setting off on the 2005 BMW r1150gs Adventure, selecting first gear with my left heel, I was away on my journey.
A few Cirrus clouds, wispy, feathery, and composed entirely of ice crystals, indicating the approach of another warm front, inhabited the sky above.
Up Melville Place and left onto Balmoral Drive and then left again onto Oriel Road. Progress was good.
Left onto the A92, a 7m wide dual carriageway with 6mm surface dressing affording good grip in all weathers, I sped-on towards the Forth road bridge (competed in 1964) at 72 mph, mostly in the right hand lane.
By the time I reached the bridge, I had changed gear several times, but had hardly used the brakes at all.
Next episode coming shortly ..... Rounding Edinburgh .... bypass or though the city. A difficult choice.
I flung back the 12 tog duvet with the Dreamscene Funky Chrysanthemum 100% polyester cover, from my 14 stone body, stretched out my arms in a east to west plane, and yawned.
Since I was going off on tour, I donned my size Y gold with platinum band wedding ring. I hardly wear it, but if we are to be separated for a while, I'll make the effort.
Two 37.5 gramme weetabix and 200 grammes of semi-skimmed milk from Robert Wisemans Dairy, was my choice of breakfast, eaten, using a Bouillon spoon (I prefer the shorter 5 and a half inch handle on the bouillon spoon). I followed this with a cup of instant Maxwell house £4 for 300 grammes from asdas (usually over £7 but on offer last week) black with just a touch of sugar.
Suitably fed, I chose my Marks and Sparks black boxer short 100% cotton underpants to match my similarly coloured socks from the left hand upper drawer of the solid pine dresser, and donned all three items. Pants (left leg first, followed by right), right sock then left.
The Oral B Triumph Professional care electric toothbrush with a pea sized amount of Crest cavity prevention toothpaste, made quick work of the ageing teeth, and a splash of cold water done my face. I avoided showering as I had one at 10.30 the previous night.
Tee shirt and Levi 501 boot cut jeans were next and then my trusty Altberg clubman boots and BMW twat-suit jacket, leaving the zip six inches from the collar to aid ventilation. Gloves were my large kangaroo skin palmed Teknic unlined gloves, for which I have forgotten the model name as they are six years old now.
It was a balmy 23 degrees centigrade outside, so I thought I'd sacrifice safety for comfort on this leg of the trip.
I had packed all I needed the night before in the Touratech street pannier system, with inner waterproof bags and secured by 4 small 30mm brass union padlocks with matching keys.
My BMW sportintegral was last on. I chose to ride without ear protection as I had planned to use my Zen MP3 to provide entertainment on the road, but realised at the last minute that I'd forgot to charge the battery.
Setting off on the 2005 BMW r1150gs Adventure, selecting first gear with my left heel, I was away on my journey.
A few Cirrus clouds, wispy, feathery, and composed entirely of ice crystals, indicating the approach of another warm front, inhabited the sky above.
Up Melville Place and left onto Balmoral Drive and then left again onto Oriel Road. Progress was good.
Left onto the A92, a 7m wide dual carriageway with 6mm surface dressing affording good grip in all weathers, I sped-on towards the Forth road bridge (competed in 1964) at 72 mph, mostly in the right hand lane.
By the time I reached the bridge, I had changed gear several times, but had hardly used the brakes at all.
Next episode coming shortly ..... Rounding Edinburgh .... bypass or though the city. A difficult choice.
