Hello everyone!
OK, apologies first…
It’s been nearly a month since I last posted on the blog; that old problem of life just getting in the way of everything again I’m afraid! I’m sorry I have been “Off Air” for a bit, but I’m back now and have some lost ground to make up.
So what have I been up to?
Well, the seasons are marching on and here in the South West corner of England Spring is setting in with a gentle vengeance. We have lambs joyfully leaping around in the field behind Dookes H.Q. celebrating their new care-free lives; the trees are bursting into leaf and the early cherry and crab-apple blossom is beginning to show from dormant buds. Birds are busy squabbling over the best nesting sites and I have even had to cut the not inconsiderable acreage of grass at Dookes H.Q. a couple of times too. The last of the post-winter garden tidy up is nearly finished and best of all, the sound of my Harley Davidson’s engine has been singing it’s “Milwaukee Music” around the country roads that I love!
Yep, it’s always good to ride… but sometimes in the Spring is best of all!
A couple of weeks ago I took a long, meandering, ride over Dartmoor. Instead of heading for my normal haunts of the high ground, I thought I’d take in some of the valley scenery before the hoards of tourists arrived!
This is Holne Bridge over the River Dart near Ashburton, taken just before the trees started to really green up.
I have certainly been clocking up a few miles and not just aboard the ride-on mower either. The world, for me, certainly looks better from behind a set of handle bars. It gives me time to get my head clear of all those things that we often think are important, but in reality are not. Time to concentrate on staying alive and living this one life in the way that I choose.
The longer days bring the bonus of light evenings and the opportunity to watch the sun take it’s daily dip into the Atlantic Ocean in often glorious golden hues. Last Tuesday we popped over to Bude on the North Cornwall coast about twenty minutes from Dookes H.Q. by Harley and were treated to a delightful sunset.
The remaining section of the old Bude Canal enters the ocean by a sea lock and provides interest to the scene.
Whilst in the bay boats rest on their moorings as the sun disappears into the sea; if you listen carefully you can sometimes hear the hiss!
To the left and noticeably lower than the canal, the River Neet runs it course, whilst the old rails of the narrow gauge hay tramway glint in the last rays of the sun.
All that was left to do then was to mount up and enjoy the ride home, life can be tough sometimes!
“See me ride out of the sunset, on your coloured TV screen.”
Catch you all soon.
Dookes
Hogrider Dookes 
Great to see you back and feel the freedom of you on your hog. I love your photos, especially the clarity of your water in Dartmoor and sunset reflection in the canal. A fitting tribute to AC/DC!
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Thanks Sandy.
It’s cos I’m TNT! 🙂
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Nice to see you back, Dookes. I’ve never ridden a motor bike, but when I read your posts, it makes me seriously want to give it a go..,
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You should Curtis, but watch out it can be habit forming!
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Lovely description of spring Dookes, and great photographs too!
Hopefully next week I’m going to get some time to go out and about and try photographing some scenery and this one place in particular which you might be interested in seeing…. watch this space!
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Thank you my friend.
Hmmm, you’ve got me all intrigued!?!?
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Well, not THIS space, coz this is your blog, but watch MY space…. ach, ye ken whit ah mean! 😉
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Sigh…….
Yeah, I know!
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Good on ya Dookes, good to see you round and about again. It’s a small world, I know people who live in Lynstone Road in Bude.
Great images as usual, I’ll have to smarten up my footwork, sorry, camera work. Hoo roo from Downunder.
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Thanks my boney friend!
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I just checked the rapid where your friends live…and I must have ridden past their place last week as it’s on the way to Widmouth Bay which is my favourite return route. It is a small world indeed!
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Nice to see you out on the bike again Dookes, and back here too! 🙂 Missed all the beautiful photos like the ones you posted today! 🙂
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Thanks Lili. Blasted life matters keep getting in the way of riding! I’m heading off to the kitchen this weekend, I’ve got to make some more of that wonderful “Biker Cake!” 🙂
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No worries Dookes. Kitchen then off on the bike with the cake?! 🙂 We really enjoyed the one I took to the mountains. though I’d poured extra alcohol in by mistake… oops! it was alright after a few days maturing! Happy baking and biking to you! 🙂
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Well, if you can keep a secret…
I’m off on a little trip in a fortnight and will need to try that recipe out on the road; sort of a “Test Ride”if you like!
But don’t tell anyone, OK? 😉
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Lol Yes, your secret is safe with me Dookes! 🙂 And that’s great you’re off on a little road tr…you-know-what! Have a good one! 🙂
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