Novice Beekeeper

  Swollen Paterson River  We've been inundated with heavy rain all through this week.  Today another 100mm  was predicted and although it never accentuated,  the river is swollen and traffic detours were in place.  Unfortunately government authorities told "consumers"  to "stay home " due to possible heavy rain, so weather. But being a poor conformist Ian's refusing to be paddled a consumer,  I went for a spin anyhow.  In the road,  everything was wet.  The drains were running and mergers was debris over the road especially in the bike lane. But with 8/8 cloud cover,  a cool breeze and at times misty drizzle, Vial was perfect riding conditions.  I immediately chose an uphill (Butt Rd) to get the legs working and it felt surprisingly good to be out.  The roadside vegetation was so long it was impinging on the tiny pieces off road outside the lane boarder.  So i rode at times on the wrong side of the road,  choosing to not give drivers an easy mark.   I made i

 Newcastle is not really a backwater But i never believed i would ever see either of these two bikes up close.  Let alone on the same day.  Bike one,  a spanking new Brompton folding bike.  Admittedly,  i was at a bike shop at the time,  but i was shocked to see a shiny orange Brompton.   Then just two hours later locked to  railings outside my local Aldi store,  a Yuba Kombi electric bike! I must say i was sad that it was electric,  but retro industrial design was a blast.  I may have drooled.  But,  the downside is the cost. $300 for the Brompton and another $1000 or more for the Kombi.  I could justify that expense if I develope a cycling habit of lose my car.  

 Even though i was thousands of miles away from California in the early 19780s, these guys spoke to me.  I was working in coal mining. Away from the beach and my family,  i was being exposed to human greed and environmental destruction.   DEVO reflected my feelings of estrangement from my culture, and gave weight to my need to scream  and shout "wake up people!" It's now too late.  We are deep into de-evolution and those addicted to greed, cleptocracy, are the same people holding the reins of authority and power. The rest of us are dancing our silly fucking arses off while the ship goes down

 So I move quickly through my morning chores, for nothing.  I arrive wih my freshly oiled chain, acres of quiet countryside to explore a and it starts raining. Buckets of the stuff. I xheck the radar, we're right on the leading edge. There is shitloads to come. Baa, I dont want a rest day!  I'll  rejig my work roster so I can get out for a ride through theweek. Besides, I think one ride a week is not enough now, my body has adjusted, I can at least manage two rides. Who knows, one time in the near future I might be able to ride every day? ... and go touring!  

 Busy week at work and rabid humidity,  and I'm feeling bonked. Very little time for cycling other than a quick shopping trip on my folder and some quiet hours  spent reading Coop on a massive number of Little Adventures through outback Australia.  Man,  inspiring and entertaining.  Great stuff.   I've also been r easing a mow esoteric ebook about "finding sanctuary" in your life.  A key component is realising that were all "consumers" now in a competitive world market that is unceasing in its insistence that we consume or die.  I had an experience that linked both books in a way.  I had taken a spare tube back to Big Lettered so because it had a French valve and i needed a car valve.  I was queued up at the Service Counter and overheard the Service Provider say several times "I'm sorry if you had use a Rewards Card at the time of purchase we can easily track your purchase and exchange it for you". This mantra was repeated until the Consumer gl

 A Sunday afternoon ride with new shorts,  gloves Wells handlebar extensions.  All designed to comfort my but and numbness in my hands.   I launch ed at the picturesque Taylors Beach boat ramp and road on Worimi lands through a quiet bush sanctuary  for koalas.  After 2k we hit busier traffic heading north to Soldiers Point. The shoulder was mostly generous though littered with debris and lose stones that needed some care to avoid punctures. Car traffic eased as we put the club's and bars behind us,  they were choked with patrons on the booze  listening to hits from the seventies. Give me peace and fresh air. A stiff sea breeze greeted us at the SP boat ramp.  A day cruiser belief diesel fumes as she punched into the wind and chop,  stealing boaties lashed their craft to their trailers before dark.  And a mob of pelicans hung by the fish cleaning station eyeing everyone down for some tish scraps. One fellow trying to photograph them made the mistake of standing buy the stern of his