I haven't updated this blog for ages. No, I haven't foine away, I just haven't had much to say.
The weather has been poor for most of the autumn and winter, so not much riding for either Mr Gerbil or me. I have been out a few times on the goldwing 2-up in the last couple of weeks. I'm really enjoying it, so that's good.
I haven't been back on my hornet. Partly the weather, but also things on it needing attention. The battery had died, despite being in the house and kept topped up. Probably because it's not been used. After several charges and discharges it seems fine. Then, the throttle return cable was broken, do that needed replaced. It's fixed now, thankfully.
I'm hoping on the next 2-3 weeks I can get back on my own bike. Mr Gerbil'll take it somewhere quiet and I'll have a shot. Them take it from there. Hopefully, it'll be fine.
The restriction on my licence to 33bhp has now expired!!! So, legally I could ride Mr Gerbil's bike. I think I may learn to walk before I run.
So, that's what's happening now. Going 2-up on the 'wing tomorrow with a group of other bikes tomorrow. It should be a good run and we're all looking forward to it. Pictures and story will follow.
Friday, 9 April 2010
Saturday, 26 September 2009
Back in the saddle again
The Goldwing was delivered early yesterday morning. That was a laugh to begin with. The driver went past our house twice! My hubbie went outside to wave on his third pass. Yes, we do have a house number.
Anyway, it's not the type of bike for the shy and retiring type, I've discovered. As the delivery driver was lowering the ramp 3 school kids turned to be nosey (I would have). There faces were a picture. Just awestruck, with a hit of wow - that's very cool.
I wanted to head out to see my Mum on it before she left for work. This was the first time I had been a bike since the crash. As I was getting my kit ready and on, I was a little nervous, but really looking forward to it.
It's such a comfie ride, but a very powerful machine. My hubbie had warned me to hold on when he accelerated and I'm glad he did!!!
As we went along the road to my Mum's (she lives about 8 miles away) I took in the sights and sounds. This is a road I travel on frequently in a car. It's so different on a bike. Better visibility, due to being higher. You feel the road in a way you never can in a car. I love it. As we were going along, I thought to myself "I forgot just how much I loved this".
My Mum was well impressed. She was only on the Pan once and loved it. I think she's aiming for a ride on this too!
Everywhere we went there were people admiring the bike. Kids and adults noticing it in a way the Pan (which is a large bike) never was. Where we were parked for lunch, a passerby came had been admiring the bike and came in to ask the staff about it. One of the staff knows us and told the passerby to speak to us, as she knew we wouldn't mind. I think we made his day!
It's looking to be reasonable weather today. I'm busy this morning, but hopefully we can get out for a run in the 'wing this afternoon.
I think there's going to be tales aplenty from the pillion seat of this bike!
Anyway, it's not the type of bike for the shy and retiring type, I've discovered. As the delivery driver was lowering the ramp 3 school kids turned to be nosey (I would have). There faces were a picture. Just awestruck, with a hit of wow - that's very cool.
I wanted to head out to see my Mum on it before she left for work. This was the first time I had been a bike since the crash. As I was getting my kit ready and on, I was a little nervous, but really looking forward to it.
It's such a comfie ride, but a very powerful machine. My hubbie had warned me to hold on when he accelerated and I'm glad he did!!!
As we went along the road to my Mum's (she lives about 8 miles away) I took in the sights and sounds. This is a road I travel on frequently in a car. It's so different on a bike. Better visibility, due to being higher. You feel the road in a way you never can in a car. I love it. As we were going along, I thought to myself "I forgot just how much I loved this".
My Mum was well impressed. She was only on the Pan once and loved it. I think she's aiming for a ride on this too!
Everywhere we went there were people admiring the bike. Kids and adults noticing it in a way the Pan (which is a large bike) never was. Where we were parked for lunch, a passerby came had been admiring the bike and came in to ask the staff about it. One of the staff knows us and told the passerby to speak to us, as she knew we wouldn't mind. I think we made his day!
It's looking to be reasonable weather today. I'm busy this morning, but hopefully we can get out for a run in the 'wing this afternoon.
I think there's going to be tales aplenty from the pillion seat of this bike!
Saturday, 19 September 2009
The new tourer
It's now been 7 months since the crash. Since he has been able to, my hubbie's been using my hornet. Until now he had neither the strength nor inclination to replace the Pan.
He's always aspired to the Honda Goldwing. I have no problem with that - a pillion seat that's potentially more comfortable than my car seat and a 1.8 litre flat 6 engine...need I say more???!!!
So, this is to be delivered on Friday...
He's always aspired to the Honda Goldwing. I have no problem with that - a pillion seat that's potentially more comfortable than my car seat and a 1.8 litre flat 6 engine...need I say more???!!!
So, this is to be delivered on Friday...
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
The offer
I had a call from my lawyer yesterday regarding the claim following on from the crash. All I can say is I was really surprised how much it was. It's a lot of money.
A bit of me feels a little odd and guilty about getting money I've not earned by "the sweat of my brow", but as both my nearest and dearest and lawyer have said I am entitled to it due to everything I've been through as a result of the crash. And I will also have a 5" scar and titanium plate for the rest of my life.
Well, the main thing is this is another step towards getting this whole incident out of the way. At least the insurers of the driver have done this and my lawyer isn't now advising me to take the case to court. I really didn't want to go down that road if I could help it.
Now, what to spend it on...?
A bit of me feels a little odd and guilty about getting money I've not earned by "the sweat of my brow", but as both my nearest and dearest and lawyer have said I am entitled to it due to everything I've been through as a result of the crash. And I will also have a 5" scar and titanium plate for the rest of my life.
Well, the main thing is this is another step towards getting this whole incident out of the way. At least the insurers of the driver have done this and my lawyer isn't now advising me to take the case to court. I really didn't want to go down that road if I could help it.
Now, what to spend it on...?
Thursday, 20 August 2009
Claim
Now my lawyer has received my medical report and photos my hubbie has taken of my scar, the claim is now being sent to the insurer's of the driver which pulled out in front of us.
They have been given 5 days - yes, 5 days. I was a bit surprised by that! - to make an offer. If none is forthcoming, court proceedings may be raised. I hope it doesn't come to that. I just want to get this behind me and move on. Until the claim is settled I won't feel I can move on properly.
They have been given 5 days - yes, 5 days. I was a bit surprised by that! - to make an offer. If none is forthcoming, court proceedings may be raised. I hope it doesn't come to that. I just want to get this behind me and move on. Until the claim is settled I won't feel I can move on properly.
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Annoyed
Today my hubbie phoned the procurator fiscal office to which the police had referred the charges levelled against the driver who pulled out in front of us. The procurator fiscal makes decisions on whether or not to pursue the criminal case and take it to court.
In the case of our crash, the procurator fiscal has decided not to pursue the criminal case! Apparently they believe it can be dealt with through the appropriate civil channels. I.e. us pursuing the insurers of the driver.
So, the driver caused us to be injured to an extent where we required surgery. Both her car and our motorbike were written off and she could have killed us. What does she get? Nothing. There will be no points on her licence nor a fine. My hubbie and I will have a piece of metal and substantial scar for the rest of our lives.
It's not that I think points and a fine would change things nor necessarily amend her behaviour, but at least the authorities would have acknowledged the dangerous nature of her driving. Personally I would have preferred her to have to re-sit her test. That would have modified her driving.
What I find particularly annoying is if someone's done for speeding, they automatically get at least 3 points on their licence and a £60 fine. Now I'm not condoning speeding, but they haven't put anyone in direct danger. Yet, a driver pulls out in front of a motorcyclist, injures both the rider and the pillion and causes thousands of pound worth of damage and nothing happens.
In the case of our crash, the procurator fiscal has decided not to pursue the criminal case! Apparently they believe it can be dealt with through the appropriate civil channels. I.e. us pursuing the insurers of the driver.
So, the driver caused us to be injured to an extent where we required surgery. Both her car and our motorbike were written off and she could have killed us. What does she get? Nothing. There will be no points on her licence nor a fine. My hubbie and I will have a piece of metal and substantial scar for the rest of our lives.
It's not that I think points and a fine would change things nor necessarily amend her behaviour, but at least the authorities would have acknowledged the dangerous nature of her driving. Personally I would have preferred her to have to re-sit her test. That would have modified her driving.
What I find particularly annoying is if someone's done for speeding, they automatically get at least 3 points on their licence and a £60 fine. Now I'm not condoning speeding, but they haven't put anyone in direct danger. Yet, a driver pulls out in front of a motorcyclist, injures both the rider and the pillion and causes thousands of pound worth of damage and nothing happens.
Friday, 14 August 2009
In praise of...the NHS
At the moment there's a lot in the press about the NHS, as President Obama is trying to reform health care in the USA. All I can say is good luck to him. I think what he's trying to do is amazing, but he really has a fight on his hands.
Now I'm proud of the NHS. Yes, it's flawed. It's not prefect, but what system is? My recent experience has been an exemplary example of the treatment the NHS provides. My hubbie and I were attended by 2 ambulances with 4 paramedics arriving within 2 minutes of the crash. One of the ambulances took us to hospital where we were X-rayed, examined and given strong pain killers. All free.
We were operated on and had to stay in hospital for 2 nights. We were well fed, watered and cared for by all staff. From cleaners to consultants. All free.
On discharge from hospital we were given a large selection of pain killers to take home with us. All free.
We had follow-up consultants' appointments and X-rays. All free.
We had physiotherapy sessions. All free.
All of this treatment would have cost us thousands, if not tens of thousands of pounds. We are comfortably off, but there's no way we could have afforded all the treatment.
We may not have been covered by health insurance or the whole cost may not have been covered.
The NHS rocks. Also, like many people in the UK, I have friends and relatives who good quality lives as a result of the treatment the NHS provides. Some may be dead or seriously disabled if not for NHS treatment.
And to any American reading this - The NHS to us Brits is a bit like a close relative that drives you to distraction. They are flawed, but you love them, are proud of them and NO-ONE berates them but you. Brits can moan about the NHS, but leave it alone. Oh, and check your facts. Stephen Hawking would not have been left to die by the NHS. In fact, it is because of the NHS he's alive. And he's British.
Now I'm proud of the NHS. Yes, it's flawed. It's not prefect, but what system is? My recent experience has been an exemplary example of the treatment the NHS provides. My hubbie and I were attended by 2 ambulances with 4 paramedics arriving within 2 minutes of the crash. One of the ambulances took us to hospital where we were X-rayed, examined and given strong pain killers. All free.
We were operated on and had to stay in hospital for 2 nights. We were well fed, watered and cared for by all staff. From cleaners to consultants. All free.
On discharge from hospital we were given a large selection of pain killers to take home with us. All free.
We had follow-up consultants' appointments and X-rays. All free.
We had physiotherapy sessions. All free.
All of this treatment would have cost us thousands, if not tens of thousands of pounds. We are comfortably off, but there's no way we could have afforded all the treatment.
We may not have been covered by health insurance or the whole cost may not have been covered.
The NHS rocks. Also, like many people in the UK, I have friends and relatives who good quality lives as a result of the treatment the NHS provides. Some may be dead or seriously disabled if not for NHS treatment.
And to any American reading this - The NHS to us Brits is a bit like a close relative that drives you to distraction. They are flawed, but you love them, are proud of them and NO-ONE berates them but you. Brits can moan about the NHS, but leave it alone. Oh, and check your facts. Stephen Hawking would not have been left to die by the NHS. In fact, it is because of the NHS he's alive. And he's British.
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