So by 09:15am this morning – Fri-15-Dec – I drive the little Toyota Starlet into the nearby Botany Down Town [Shopping] Centre, probably for the last time. This is not an ‘organically’ grown traditional high street-type shopping centre that we’re all too familiar with in the UK, but rather a purpose-built almost brand new indoor/outdoor mall, which, although bright, modern and well laid-out, seems to lack its own distinct personality and unique character. It typifies most Kiwi townships. I buy this specialised atlas on the recommendation of my good friend, John Jones from South Island, who incidentally, I have yet to meet in person?! You will no doubt hear a lot more about John from me during the course of this extended m/c touring holiday; and his good-humoured wife (she has to be to put up with John! ... ;o) called Philippa or ‘Pip’ for short
Later, towards midday, I fix-and-bolt the Sony Handycam's mounting brackets onto the TransAlp's handlebars. Hidden behind the taller screen, the camcorder's lens should be well protected from flying chippings and small debris, kamikaze flying bugs and other roadside dirt [sh*t to you and me!]
I have also fixed a mounting bracket on the bike’s rear offside frame, which will mean that I can shoot video from an oarsman’s point-of-view, just like the Superbikes and MotoGP TV footage we see so often on most Saturday afternoons during the summer racing season
I can’t wait to get out-and-about on two wheels and test-drive the camcorder. So I do just that … straightaway. I’ll try and edit (nothing fancy mind you) this inaugural footage later today and post a link to the final version ASAP – the link will appear in its own separate post, above. My little tour of the locality takes me into Howick Village Centre, where I stop here at this newly opened (just 6 weeks ago) Scots family-run chippy for the second time in 10 days, for what I anticipate will be another fine meal
I am not disappointed. $10 later (£3.50) I'm soon tucking into a huge helping - to order - of freshly deep-fried Cod & Chips, with a homemade fishcake thrown-in for good measure. Oh, I mustn't forget the accompanying mushy peas. The freshly brewed cuppa English (or Scottish?) tea was 'on the house'. Best Fish 'n Chips this side of St Columb Minor ... probably! I take back all I've ever said about the Scottish. 'Complimentary' is the new buzz word for a Scotsman, IMHO ... :o)
