The Wandering Waltons: 2013 Third Quarter Round-Up

Remember my very optimistic January blog “2013 Bring it on!”

Well not everything went to plan

Touring Derbyshire, Raymondo Style! CANCELLED!

Hardwick Hall - Derbyshire

16^th January - will see me in Bonds Main for the 11^th year with flowers in hand. “I Love & miss you so much Mum.” DONE!

Miss You Mum X X X

17^th January - Lefty, LBK & one other TBC will be in Blackburn Empire Theatre at the Foggy & Whit, "Giving it Gas Show." I for one cannot wait! DONE!

Great Night Out with the Lads

19^th January – It’s the Third Annual IBA UK January RTE to be held at John & Sonia’s. I've not put my name down but Ben & I will undoubtedly be drawn to the excitement, involuntarily. DONE!

IBA UK January RTE

27^th January – The Manc Riders, also, Third Annual RTE will take place at the Moorcock Inn near Littleborough. Something I’m proud to say I have arranged each year since joining the Manc Riders. (Sadly I’m unable to put up a link to the site as we are suffering administration difficulties at the moment but normal service will be resumed imminently). DONE!

Manc Riders January RTE

February, March and April at the minute are all FREE! Shock horror. Still with the onset of May it all starts to get really interesting.

Ben with his bike 'Trinity'

At Manchester Bike Show

March - I think France Hates Me! Done!

10^th April - Jeannie & I are going to see Mrs Browns Boys at Manchester Arena. DONE!

24^th – 26^th May - The IBA UK Britt Butt Rally takes place. As highest placed “Rookey” last year I’m giving it a miss this year but I do believe entries are still being take just take a look at 2013 Britt ButtRally

30^th May – 4^th June - Horizon’s Unlimited Travellers Meeting (HUBBUK) being held at the all new location near Donington at the Donington Farmhouse Hotel. I’m booked in again for the whole 4 days but it looks as if the family Walton holiday could wreak havoc! Only time will tell. DONE! (Well sort of!)

Ben looking far too comfortable on that Combination!

7^th June – It’s off to Manchester to see Eddie Izzard with Jeannie. Now that will be a blast as Eddie is simply amazing “In my mind, in my mind." DONE!

21^st – 23^rd June –See’s Ben and I participating in the RBLR1000 (Royal British Legion Riders 1000 miles ride). Having ridden it twice, worked on it once this year I will be riding the 1000 miles in under 24 hours with Ben my 11 year old son as pillion. If successful, Ben will become the “Youngest EVER Pillion” to have completed the ride undercutting the current record by an amazing 5 years (to the best of my knowledge but I’m sure Paddy will let me know if I’m miss quoting here, won’t you Paddy!?)

Ben & I would like to raise £500 towards for our chosen charity and would really appreciate it if you would drop by and make a donation please. “Well if you can’t plug your own fundraising on your own Blog where on earth can you?” DONE! & we managed to raise £650 for the Royal British Legion

RBLR1000 Done!

5^th – 14^th July – It’s adventure time! Bruce and I are off to NordKapp or North Cape as it’s said in English. Taking a leisurely crossing from Hull over to Rotterdam on Friday night we will then head up through the Netherlands, passing through the north of Germany into Denmark. Heading further north we will pass through Sweden and follow the Atlantic Coast Road up the West coast of Norway all the way into the Arctic circle to NordKapp. “On the return trip I would like to call into Finland Bruce.” All of which will enable me to add a further 3 flags to my panniers, “You see there’s method in my madness” LOL. CANCELLED!

August is a free month, as it stands that is, thus enabling me to ensure Mr T is full serviced and set up for a rather interesting end to September.

27^th – 29^th September – Roland & I will be taking part in the IBA Germany European Road Runner Rally, a 36 hour touring event set across the whole of Germany & Austria. Roland competed in the event last year and so I will be looking to him for guidance and inspiration. DONE!

IBA Germany European Road Runner Rally - Done!

30^th September – 5^th October – Ron & Ray Ride Again! We’re off down towards Greece (Flag Collecting Again) taking in some of the most stunningly beautiful Eastern European countries as we feel happy to visit. These will, I’m hoping, include Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, on the way south. Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, Croatia and Slovania heading back home. Followed by a quick dash for the Channel Tunnel through Austria, Germany and France. Thus adding another 13 more flags to my panniers. “Now do you see why I went for such small flags?” CANCELLED!

October RTTW 2013 - DONE!

So as you can see I’ve been able to get out and about a little but no where near as much as I’d hoped. The two Big Adventures where both cancelled leaving me donw in the dumps for a while. Still I did manage an interesting trip to Spain back in February that was not planned for plus I bought Tango’d a Yamaha XT660X and did it up.

Tango'd my Yamaha XT660X

As you can see it's been an interesting year to say the very least but as it stands there is nothing on the horizon, bike wise that is.

I’m having a good clear out of gear which is just cluttering up the garage. I’ve also started getting the 'New Wheels' itch! Having owned Mr T 2 & half years now and put 37,800 miles on the clock it just coming up to that time again.

To be honest I’m delighted with the Super Tenere XT1200Z in every possible way. Having the 31 Litre Petrol Tank built was a stroke of genius and just changed this all-round average bike into something of a star performer. The Ohlins Rear Suspension and the Akrapovic Slip-On just brought the rest of Mr T to life.

So what bikes have I looked at? Top billing still goes to the Honda CBR1000RR I just adore that bike but and its a big but the Honda Goldwing GL1800 is something else however a new one is totally out of my realm of purchasing power at £24,499+

Strangely enough the new KTM 1190 Adventure as landed square in my sights. Fast, sexy, smooth and fully loaded with loads of toys, it’s right up there with the ‘Blade’.

As Ben has only done one ride with me this year and Jeannie none! I’m really struggling to justify a tourer. As ever my head says ‘Wing’, my heart ‘Blade’ and the nutter in me is screaming ‘KTM’.