Friday 5th March, 2010.

Honda's RC30 quickly became the mainstay for many a privateer racer at all levels of the sport. This one is being eased through Cadwell Park's Hall Bends at the British Champs meeting on 26th June 1988 by Brian Morrison. He came first and set the fastest lap in a heat and then came second to Darren Dixon (Suzuki RG500) in the final. The meeting was overshadowed by the fatal accident that befell Kenny Irons during a warm up lap (of all things).

Thursday 4th March, 2010.

Any visit to Birmingham for a haircut also provides a splendid opportunity to call in at the city's remaining music stores for a swift browse. First port of call is Tempest Records. But, what's this? It's closing down! This is very bad news indeed but explains why they couldn't get the latest Transatlantic (it's been on order since well before Xmas - in the end I had to get it from HMV for more money and sans bonus DVD). Kept saying that it was on order from Germany. Expected any day. Keep checking. Humph. Transpires they haven't ordered any new stock for ages (no Airbourne or Joe Bonamassa then) and now all stock is in the sale and when it's all gone they will close forever. Even their web site is closing. This is very sad news as Vicky and I have been going to Tempest records for at least 25 years. It's always busy as well. Full of weird people into rock's rich tapestry, hip-hop, trance, dance and all things in between. Stocks vinyl as well for those who can afford it.

Next stop is Swordfish. Not a regular visit for us. This doesn't appear to be closing down just yet but it probably will do eventually given we are the only ones in there. I'm looking for anything by Mick Taylor or the albums by the Stones on which he played (even tho' it sticks in my craw 'cos I know that Jagger and Richards don't pay him royalties). There's no Mick Taylor solo stuff and all the Stones albums are full-price (i.e. a bl**dy rip-off). Same thing at Tempest (apart from the fact that they were a third-off in the closing down sale) by the way. So, nothing purchased at either independent record store.

Finished up at HMV where they don't have anything by Joe Bonamassa (couldn't even find a section). The Rolling Stones stuff is even more expensive and they've never heard of Mick Taylor. At least they've heard of Airbourne and confirm that the new album will be out next week. To assuage my frustration we settle for Midlake's latest album of mournful folke rock. If it's a s good as that last album of theirs ('The Trials of John Claude Van B*ggering F*rt Knocker' or whatever it was called) it'll be bostin'. But we leave town slightly frustrated at the way the world's going. But what can we do? It's progress, eh?

It's the internet from now on methinks. Let's hope web sites employ loads of people.

Tuesday 2nd February, 2010.

It's official. Spring's arrived and you read it here first.

Brrrrr, there's still a chill wind, mind.

Sunday 28th February 2010.

1) There's no better way to beat those pre-Big Match nerves than to take a long walk along the River Severn where friendly robins let you shove yer Pentax right into their bushes and take their photo.

2) Back home and it's all-set for the kick off of the 2010 League Cup Final against those dastardly dirty-cheatin' Manure-fellas.

Lucky 2000 Cup Final Villa T shirt (under jumper)? Check. Lucky 2000 Cup Final Villa scarf? Check. Lucky Villa flag from 2010 Chinese New Year? Check. Lucky Villa knitted mascot made by an Auntie many-many years ago? Check. Howard the Bright Green Christmas Reindeer who keeps us safe and well on our travels and so is bound to bring good luck today? Check.

What can possibly go wrong?

Friday 26th February, 2010.

1) We don't have many photos of Joey Dunlop. This is partly because we've never ventured over to the Isle of Man TT races (heretics) but mainly 'cos 'Yer Maun' wasn't one for the mainland's short circuits. And when he did make an appearance he was an elusive bloke who had an avid dislike of the spotlight. So Vicky did well to get this shot of him strolling unassumingly through the Donington Paddock on the way to the Honda Pit during the 1988 WSB meeting. He looks more like a fan than a rider, doesn't he?


2) History tends to emphasise his 'pure roads' achievements but he could always give the top riders a run for their money on the short circuits, when he put his mind to it, as this shot of him leaving the front row on the Factory Honda RC30 proves.

(Now play the 'name all the other riders' game. Go on, you know you want to).

3) And here is Joey on the podium after finishing in third place at the end of the First Leg. Not bad for a 'pure roads' rider, eh?

All this, and he starred in the greatest motorcycle video of all time ('V-Four Victory', in case you were wondering).

Evesham Cats Protection, Sunday 21st February, 2010..

1) These two are inseparable and have been here for two months at least. Unusual, to say the least, given that the turnover of cats is pretty swift. They always look friendly and are very interested in what we are doing. But once we step inside they are not so friendly. This doesn't bother me much. I just make sure it's Vicky who cleans them out. I'm good like that.


2) This cat was purring. No, really, it was. Truly.

3) Ah, the mutual benefits of a session of thorough head-rubbing with 'Ian' (so-called 'cos he's 'Beefy' - geddit?).

4) The Prisoner of Cell Block 5 has made his escape and is enjoying a spot of warden-baiting. 'You'll never get me down alive, copper'.

Friday 12th February, 2010 (Pt 2).

These photos were taken at the very first WSB round which was held at Donington Park in April 1988. By now I was working for the ACU and so got passes for the Paddock/Pits. It was just like going back to the glorious '70's when fans were still allowed access to the Paddocks and, at lunchtime, the Pit Lane. Back then, I didn't have a camera. Now I'd got a second hand manual-everything Chinon SLR camera with a standard 50mm lens and a second hand 75-300mm Sigma zoom lens, and Vicky had got her faithful Olympus Trip. So we were all set.

1) This is Kenny Irons. A favourite rider 'cos he was from Luton. He was riding a Honda RC30.


2) Davide Tardozzi won the first leg on a 750 Bimota but crashed in the second leg.











3) Marco Luchinelli fagging-it down Pit Lane with the spoils of his second leg victory on an 851 Ducati. History tends to write off Marco's career once he left the GP's but, as we recall, he was still pretty good at this time.











4) Phil 'Mez' Mellor. We must cherish such images.

5) Three top British riders. Name all three. You might struggle with the one in the middle.

Roger Burnett (left), Ron Haslam (right), and Leon Haslam (centre). Obvious now, isn't it?