Emlyn update, Tuesday, 11th August, 2015.

Emlyn's perspective:

What we have here is something my slaves call 'a bit of a stand off'.

They want me to go to the Big House again and I don't want to go. I like it here in the living room and just 'cos I've got something's going on in my 'nethers' and I'm off my food is no reason, in my humble opinion, to have to go to that cowin' place.

Emlyn's slaves perspective:

N.B. Emlyn went to the Big House and had a nasty thing the size of an old penny that was lurking in his anal tract lanced (ouch).

He was very well behaved and very brave.

He's all the better for having it burst and is much more comfortable and eating well and doing plenty of 'proverbials' now his 'bits' have been cleared out.

Overall, he continues to make progress.

I bet you all have really enjoyed this latest update, 

what with all it's pleasant imagery and everything, eh?

Classic Motorcycle Festival, Donington Park, Saturday, 8th August, 2015.

Arrived at 11:00am.

We've been coming to this meeting every year since 2009 (it's only been a "Festival" since 2013) and we usually start off in the Paddock. 

But this year, just to be different, we've gone straight into the infield.

Down at The Esses, it's chaos.

Some folk are riding past on 350's, other folk have fallen off and are sat on the tyre wall having a nice rest in the sun, whilst marshals are telling them 'yer can't sit there mate, it ain't safe. Even more bizarrely, some folk are trying to take photos through the industrial grade safety fencing.

A 350 taken through the industrial grade safety fencing.

This is Paul Reed on his Honda twin.

Next stop: The Exhibition Centre. 

Get a nice cuppa tea here, by the way.

This is an olde BSA, complete with drum brakes and a Japanese 4-cylinder engine (Kawasaki?).

The four Festival Guest Star Riders (not to be confused with The Black Star Riders) are doing some promotion for a well known Insurance Company.

From left: Ron Haslam, Niall MacKenzie, Steve 'that's number 93 Marc Marquez I'm taking about' Parrish (unfortunately just in the photo), and Freddie Spencer.

We've walked through The Exhibition Centre and are now half-way to Coppice where Vicky finds a handy gap in the fencing……….

……and takes a shot of the leading 500cc riders hurtling down the straight and under what would be the Dunlop Bridge if it was still there but it isn't 'cos it's gone (boo!).

Moto 3, eat yer heart out.

Intense battle amongst the 125's out of Coppice.

Coppice Corner.

Back in the day, i.e. 1977, this was the place to watch. Thousands would stand on the banking around this double-apex corner. But now there's so much run off and safety fencing that not many bother to make the trek. This is the first time we have watched from here since about 1990.

The marshals post on the inside has gone. Remember that classic shot of Jean-Phillippe Ruggia on the Gauloise 250 Yamaha getting his elbow down? Caused a right old stir. No-one had done that before back in the day. Now they all do it, and some modern riders even get their shoulder down.

All those memories in just one corner.

Walked back down to The Exhibition Centre again for another cuppa tea and a walk around the rest of the exhibits whilst the lunch break is on.

This 750-triple Kawasaki was very desirable back in the day.

Lots of power and acceleration but the handling left something to be desired.

The clues are seen in the spindly frame, woolly suspension and dodgy tyres. 

Other than that, it was great! I would have liked one.

Howard is sat on a sidecar and The Press scramble (well me and Vic do) to take a shot for posterity.

It's a slow hot walk to the bank above the Craner Curves in time to see the start of the afternoon's racing and Ian Simpson dominating the 250/350 2-stroke race. 

The 'bikes are an awful long way off.

Ian Simpson, a bit bigger, thanks to a zoom lens and a bit of cropping.

Pre-1972 Sidecars getting to grips with getting out of Redgate Corner.

In The Paddock now and we find Freddie fancying a go on a Norton. We've just had a quick chat with him but were both too in awe to ask him to pose for a photo with us. 

Ah well, at least we can say we've spoken to the great man.

Hard-core two-stroke worshiper films choking fumes coming out of the exhausts of one of Freddie's NS 500 Honda triples. You gotta admire his dedication.

Garage begins to nicely fill up with two-stroke fumes as worshiper films on.

No, not that Spencer.

A Ducati we can afford?

All sorts of things to see in a classic 'bike paddock.

It's gone 4 now and it's time to get back home via the 'big shop' in Droitwich.

We haven't left Emlyn alone for this long since his op and we're feeling guilty.

Emlyn Towers at 8:00pm.

We've been home for two hours and he's ok. Despite his 6 o'clock meal, he's still hungry.
Which is a good sign, we guess.

Some of it is in the bowl, some of it is on the floor and a little bit of it is in his gob.

'bout par for the course, then.

Summer's finally here? Thursday, 6th August, 2015.

So, how do we know that summer's finally here?

When a certain someone nips off to the local garden centre to purchase a set of table and chairs (in a sale) so they can sit outside on the landing when the sun comes 'round in the afternoon, that's when.

Five minutes later (if that), that certain person was back inside muttering about it being 'too hot!'and said table and chairs were neatly packed away.

Summer funghi, Gheluvelt Park: Tuesday, 4th August, 2015.

We walk past this tree almost every day and yet we have only just noticed this little lot thriving just a few feet from the path.

As usual, not too sure what it is called but it has got the local flies pretty excited.

The things you see on a walk: Worcester, Monday, 3rd August, 2015.

In the morning - a female kestrel on the racecourse.

Back at Emlyn Towers and some folk couldn't give a cowin' flip about kestrels, female or otherwise.

Back out in the afternoon - flowers in the park.

Worcester walk, Sunday, 2nd August, 2015.

Worcester Cathedral - the back door.

No sign of a peregrine falcon. 

But he'll be up there somewhere looking down on the world from his lookout with his all-seeing yellow and black eyes and, if anybody shows the slightest sign of weakness, he'll swoop down and 'ave 'em (oh yes).

Stay alert, Vic!

Vicky loves her buttresses (flying or otherwise).

It's 'selfie' time!

Not much to say about this one, except it's a lovely shady spot on a hot summers day.

There's a Food Festival on this weekend.

We don't try the 'Portuganese' food and we don't go into Monsoon either.

One cream and jam scone and a darjeeling tea and one decaf tea, please, in The Boston Tea Party.

The old stand-bys are always the best.

On the way back home now.

It's been a gentle 4-miler today. Very nice.

Emlyn's latest update: Tuesday, 28th July, 2015.

Good afternoon everybody.

This is me in my kitchen getting ever so slightly impatient with the time it is taking my slave to prepare my meal. 

It's a right faff I can tell you and it's all because of that blessed lady that does those diabolical things to my body wot lives at the 'Big House' - you know, that place I can't stand going to.

Any road up, she reckons my recovery will be much quicker if I am fed raw lamb's liver.

"Raw!' I ask you. I'm not having any of that. Far too sophisticated for that.

And whilst I'm on about it, I don't like lamb's liver. Tried it, didn't like it.

So having got those messages across - which wasn't easy, my slaves are a bit slow on the uptake - I now enjoy a tasty repast of lightly fried pigs liver, finely chopped, and served with a dash of hot water.

Makes a nice change from all the usual shredded chicken and fishy-things they normally give me.

And it's helping with my…ahem…'regularity' an' all, so it's all good.

That's it woman. Stick it in me bowl.

Now, stop fussing me and let me get on with it.

Hmmm, yummeee!