Another big one ticked off the list

[Fanum]

I've been here a few times in the Lardy and once on the bike but the tide was always in, so I didn't chance it..........but the other day I was out for a head-clearing blast and dropped in to have a look.....Horsey Island, Essex.

I must admit I debated whether to do it or not.......it's a very muddy estuary and there's not much room to turn around......I had visions of getting stuck in gloopy cack half way across and the tide coming in, but wtf, it had to be done

The surface of the causeway was actually a lot better than I thought it'd be.......

But in places the mud from the previous tide was still there.......and that weed was damn slippery!

Half way across and quite amusing to see the GPS showing me half a mile out to sea

Five pleasant minutes bimble later and I was on the island.....I was quite surprised to find that there's a full working farm there, a really nice property, but they had half a dozen peacocks roaming around and they started getting extremely noisy as I rode up, which attracted the attention of the farm Collie dog who didn't like the look of me either, so I didn't hang around or take any pics

Back down the the island end of the causeway though and I found this interesting beasty;

A cross between a tank, a boat and a crane.......presumably for dragging small boats and pillock's GS's out of the mud ....looks like a bit of a hoot to have a play with though

Didn't really want to push my luck too much as the water had started coming in, but had to stop one more time on the way back

Don't park your 1200 here....it'll dissolve

I went back the next day with Rosie ...I'm not sure she was too happy to get sea water up her nose as we sploshed across but the happy squeals from the back said she was having a good time

SO another one ticked off the list of fords........there are enough in the UK to keep me going for a good few years but I intend to do all of them one by one...I reckon I've done 70 or so, only another 1733 to go

 

[Rosie]

only another 1733 to go.........

 

[Coolcarbon]

Looks like a wheeze....loads of fresh water applied later.... ...

Is there website listing all Fords...apart from Henry's of course...

 

[DavidHale]

I had visions of getting stuck in gloopy cack half way across and the tide coming in, but wtf, it had to be done

I was going to write something about Pink at this point, but then I remembered that I am quite likely to meet her again in the future and I happen to value my testicles, so I not going to.

As for the "wee beasty", it's an M688 Loader/transporter for the Lance tactical nuclear missile launch system, which was in service with the British Army in the 1960s/70s. (IIRC)

M688 Loader/transporter

Launchers:

This has been a Public Information Broadcast.

 

[Yellow Peril]

Yep wetroads and the list is getting longer all the time www.wetroads.co.uk

 

[Fanum]

Looks like a wheeze....loads of fresh water applied later.... ...

Is there website listing all Fords...apart from Henry's of course...

As Shaun's just said, Wetroads is the bible for forders........that, and Mouse's superb co-ordinate databadase that he did from it

Er...fresh water.....hmmm, no , not yet.....Rosie's got no water supply handy for the bike......I guess I ought to pop out and do it now

David good call...that's the beasty

 

[Rosie]

....I had visions of getting stuck in gloopy cack half way across and the tide coming in, but wtf, it had to be done

David I think the title of this thread confirms that he's done that already....

 

[DavidHale]

David I think the title of this thread confirms that he's done that already....

Very good!

"Ticking off a big one" ... a phrase I'm sure Sir Burton has used once or twice...

 

[GS_Mad]

Fanum,

Slightly off topic but I see you have a 53 plate with 41k on the clock. Have you had the bike since new and is the bike still going strong? Any plans to change or will you do another 40k. The bike looks good BTW.

I have an 1150 GSA SE since new. I now have 11k on the clock so I know there is loads of life left, but i'm always interested to hear first hand experiences.

Thanks

 

[Fanum]

Fanum,

Slightly off topic but I see you have a 53 plate with 41k on the clock. Have you had the bike since new and is the bike still going strong? Any plans to change or will you do another 40k. The bike looks good BTW.

I have an 1150 GSA SE since new. I now have 11k on the clock so I know there is loads of life left, but i'm always interested to hear first hand experiences.

Thanks

Yup, got it brand new......it should actually be slightly more than what it's showing as well, I didn't get round to fixing the speedo cable for a week or two when it broke.


It's properly run in now, no major problems, just a bit of corrosion about because I don't clean it.

I've had two clutch master cyl seals go (but that was down to my bad habit f sitting at lights in gear....once I was told that this was causing it, I've stopped doing it) one set of starter ring gear replaced under warrenty (ahem.....couldn't possibly have been caused by hydro-locking the engine while fording, oh no ) and one set of plug coil packs replaced (again, fording collateral damage )

I run TKC's all year round 'cos they're great in the dry and predictable enough in the wet, and I do a fair bit of ad-hoc off-roading (see a lane or byway, it's got to be done )

Its only let me down once really, that was in North Wales last year coming back from Achill island fully laden and two up ...the final drive bearing started getting clonky and as I had another couple of hundred miles to do and it was wet and dark, I got us recovered home.(plus the kebab shop was still open )

It's spent a lot of its time overloaded.....my ex and I were, er, 'large' and travelling fully packed, we had (added up on paper) over 300KG of flesh and kit on board.....the rear WP shock is suffering now and I've grounded her out with Rosie on the back a couple of times, so a new shock and heavier spring are on the list for when I can afford them.......but it still goes round corners and over bumps safely and predictably so it's not a top priority.

The Panniers are superb....Vernatechs with extra extra large lids...they'll swallow practically anything and they're wel bashed about now, but still do their job...damage?? It's character

It's a keeper......and it's going to be much used in Africa in the next year or so on Moto-Morocco trips.....I don't want a fragile and overly plastic 1200 that can't go through water because of their inherent design faults, and I don't think there are any other bikes that will do the job I want this one to do, so I'll stick with her

PS EDIT......I've just been reminded that if I ever get rid of this bike, my balls are going to be chopped off!!!

 

[LiquidLAN]

Bill, you are a brave man! good point about the 12s though I can feel mine corroding just thinking about attempting the crossing

 

[Speggo]

I've been here a few times in the Lardy and once on the bike but the tide was always in, so I didn't chance it..........but the other day I was out for a head-clearing blast and dropped in to have a look.....Horsey Island, Essex.


SO another one ticked off the list of fords........there are enough in the UK to keep me going for a good few years but I intend to do all of them one by one...I reckon I've done 70 or so, only another 1733 to go

Have you done Osea & Northey Islands yet? If not, we could do it one evening along with a beer or two.....

 

[Fanum]

Have you done Osea & Northey Islands yet? If not, we could do it one evening along with a beer or two.....

Don't think I have......I've done a fair few up in Suffolk and east of there, but nothing in Essex apart from Horsey causeway.

Up for it though.......are they tidal?

 

[GS_Mad]

Yup, got it brand new! [/COLOR]

Thanks for that Fanum, sounds good.

 

[Speggo]

Don't think I have......I've done a fair few up in Suffolk and east of there, but nothing in Essex apart from Horsey causeway.

Up for it though.......are they tidal?

Only twice a day

 

[BAKERMAN]

BRAVE CALL, Bill