Happenings

Stuff that has happened. Mostly for me to remember.

Contents

February 2026

February started off with a trip to see my nieces. Lovely day.

Weekend 2 is all about getting the garage ready for the new bike. I need to stop so much moisture getting in (or at least get it out once it's in!). The plan is to build a stud wall in front of the roller door. This will add a bit more security (not much), but will hopefully stop so much moisture getting in over the top of the roller door. It will have the added benefit of creating some more wallspace to hang tools too.

I've got some C16 timber in the garage, left over from a previous project, which I'll use to build the structure. I've then got about 10 sheets of 18mm ply which I liberated From some pallets which will become the wall covering.

I've also obtained a dessicant dehumidifier, but the main thing I need to sort out is the side door which has largish gaps at the top and bottom of the door.

Weekend 3: The bike has arrived! I got the train up to Dobles in South Coulsdon and picked up the GB350S. It's beautiful and I've nicknamed it 'Blue Rohan'.

January 2026

January was a beginning and an end. A new relationship floundered and ultimately ended. No hard feelings, but fair to say it hasn't been fun. I reacted with near-hibernation, films and, frankly, a bit of retail therapy in the form of a new Denon mini-system stereo for the bookcase I'm building in the front room. I got a brilliant deal via a friend that works for the manufacturer.

The big thing at work for me in January was the 2026 run of the dome project. Have a look at the Geodesic Domes project page from the original sessions for all the info, but here's the 2026 installment:

I've also locked in the order for a new motorbike, a GB350S. It's a simple bike, only 348cc and the whole point of it is enjoying the ride. It's gadget free with an analogue speedo. Really looking forward to the summer and some trips out and about.

Found some pictures of my last couple of bikes too. Haven't had a bike since I moved to my new house, which will be 5 years in February 2026. Time to get back on the road!

The SR400 was my transport while I lived in Thailand, it was a great bike and I made an epic journey from Kanchanaburi down to Koh Lanta (about 1000km) with it. The trip was achieved with a mix of train and motorbike. I first rode about 200km south from Kanch to Hua Hin, then put the bike on the train for 600km to Surat Thani. I literally rode the bike on to the train platform and they put the bike in a crate for me! From Surat Thani it was another 200km or so on to Koh Lanta via a ferry. I sold the bike there and flew back to Bangkok and then back to the UK.

The RV125 VanVan was my ride when I first started working at the University. It lived outside my block of flats and had a bit of a hard life... Along with the sea air rusting it, it was stolen twice and had various parts stolen off it too. I didn't live in the nicest part of town at that point!

The GB350S is pictured freshly imported from Japan, waiting in the Honda dealership for me to pick it up. More pictures next month when I pick it up, but for now here's some motorcycles I have known and loved: