Buffalo Bill

More recent shot of Diplo Jnr's workbench. The knife blank is one of those rather pricey hand forged steel pieces from Scandinavia favoured by Ray Mears and his followers. When it arrived in the post I couldn't quite believe how beautifully made it is or how sharp ! The plan is to make up the handle with a brass hilt and a collection of bits to be bonded and shaped as one, probably finished with a turned piece of aluminium for the butt. For the main shaft of the handle we have a very fine and extremely hard piece of Box we turned up on the lathe. We've an assortment of Buffalo horn, Red Deer antler, Rhinoceros hide (from and old pair of boots) and some Ivory to make up the laminated pieces. Finished product should be great and certainly unique. MORE LAMINATION !

High Speed Comfort

Travelling at speed in this country is becoming more difficult with increased traffic levels and a shocking prevalence of toady driving. Comfort is, of course, paramount and the Raleigh Police Issue from the '60s combines cycling luxury with awesome speed.
24" frame and 26" wheels leave the pedalist with a commanding view of his surroundings and a confidence inspiring presence on the road. Unmitigated discussions on the other chanel have driven me to haul the machine out for a photo shoot. A couple of months back a twelve mile, pre-pub, jaunt around the Eyebrook proved no problem for machine or rider and many a modern Disraeli geared hi-tech cycle was left for standing. This particular bike was bought new by my dad in the mid sixties in an effort to get fit, it spent most of the next thirty years gathering dust and a wholesome patina before being shocked back into life about fifteen years ago. Whilst I don't pretend to be a regular cyclist, this is definitely my machine of choice when required and no amount of marketing will see it replaced with a "modern". MORE SWEAT !

Second Home Scandal

Forthcoming trip to Inverness has prompted trials of the Series dirigible camper. The dirigible brings to mind an F350 truck with a jack-leg unit by Winnebago securely bolted on, complete with shower and beer fridge. We're starting as we mean to go on, and efforts to keep the cost below the second home allowance radar has forced us to compromise a little on luxury. The subject of aerodynamics has been raised and the need for much tying down became apparent as the speedo crept up to 45. Let you know how we get on. MORE IMPROVISATION !

Bubble & Squeak Part 1

Just a quick up-date on the livestock at Diplo Hall. These two chaps are Tamworth/Gloucestershire Old Spot cross and very feisty little critters they are too. The GOS has become noted for its scavenging skills, according to Mr Tinley. He goes on to say that the Tamworth, another good forager, makes an excellent bacon carcass, as do most cross breeds. So here's hoping. I'll keep you posted but we're aiming to be making sausages around the end of October. MORE PORK !

Keep Them Dogies Movin'

Usual bank holiday drizzle didn't put out the fire at Diplo Hall. Armed with a four pound slab of top-side, a couple of plant's worth of Jersies and a bulb of garlic you can make your own sunshine. Cooked on last year's air-dried oak from deepest Buckinghamshire, this lot kept the wolf from the door aided by a bottle or two of a fruity Fleurie. Mrs Diplo's home made ice-cream with crumbled up Flake in it for afters was a treat. Good vittles as Frankie put it. Cut 'em out, ride 'em in: RAWHIDE !

Works Band

In the light of our Unmitigated friend's failed attempt to join the Foden works band I thought I ought to share this with you. As it happens the band were transported to their engagements in the company bus. Sadly the actual machine has long since died but in the late '50s this ex brewer's dray from 1923 was converted into a replica of the band's transport. I haven't seen it for years but it did do the rounds of steam events in East Anglia and is still around. I feel sure homeward journeys were fuelled with a case or two of beer and much noise. MORE BRASS !

Testing Times

Off to the ministry. The joys of special building are often hidden in the detail. I now have a registered bike to be tested, along with a V5 which has the correct engine number, wrong engine capacity, correct colour, wrong frame number. A lengthy letter attached to the offending log book is making its way to Swansea in the hope that things will come good. This should give me time to put right a few minor problems which we let pass at initial re-build. We knew at the time that new swing arm bushes would be needed and I've got a chain c/w sprockets on the way. Extensive reading of the MOT test rules tells us we can get away without the indicators, front mudguard and front brake switch. New fork seals are just keeping the oil in despite some hefty pitting on the stanchions, a new set of gaiters should hide the worst. We really ought to stretch to a new pair of shocks. MORE PASSING !