10 Days to go

Well, the scoot has had it's final fettling in Ellesmere Port.  Had two new tires fitted and was convinced that I should take the best of the of the old tires fitted to a new split rim.  Wasn't totally convinced until I saw the guy demonstrate how easy it was to get the wheels off both front and back of the bike.  Undo five nuts and the whole wheel comes off like on a car.  Was shown how to turn off the fuel, then run the engine till no fuel left, then lie the bike over on the grass verge to change the wheel.  Those at Miniaddicts will at this point be rolling about laughing at the prospect of Mr M managing anything as complicated as this.  I have bought a complete set of spares, throttle cable, choke cable and clutch cable, all with funny little screw on ends that are apparently essential along with spare inner tube, four replacement bulbs and plugs.  I have raided my extensive tool kits at home so that I have exactly what I need to carry to allow a mechanic to fix whatever goes wrong on the trip.  Points and whatever I am advised are a real workshop job.

I have sourced an insurance company that can provide a full year's breakdown cover including continental recovery for a more or less manageable amount, through the RAC, for a 35 year old vehicle and am prepared to set off on the basis of managed liabilities.

My Renault has been fitted with a tow bar, and a rack to carry the bike is being constructed as we speak.  The justification for all of this work is twofold.   One:- I'd like to be able to carry the bike on the odd occasion to somewhere, ride it and then bring it back.   and Two.  Grace needs to be brought home from her six months in Italy, towards the end of July.  She could fly home, but as on each trip to Italy she has taken more luggage than she has brought back, and she's been buying everything she can see whilst she's there, and my cousin Ingrid, who Grace is staying with needs mountains of "stuff" taking out there, I am intending to drive back to Italy, to pick up, Grace, the Bike and her luggage to bring her home.

Therefore if the scoot breaks down irreparably between say here and Paris, Christine can come and pick the bike up and return with it.  Any further on , The RAC will either repair it or recover to UK with me traveling down to Italy on the train.