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Malcolm’s Journal
August 25, 2010
So hungry was the worker driving this BT van today, that their desire for a good ol’ McDonalds meant anyone wanting to use the zebra crossing, couldn’t.
August 14, 2010
A beautifully restored BSA Combination Sidecar:
July 1, 2010
The Afghanistan Peace Walk for Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, organised by Justice not Vengeance arrived in Colchester shortly after 5pm today.
By 6pm a group of about thirty had gathered for the final leg, from the War Memorial outside Colchester Castle to the Military Corrective Training Centre in Berechurch.
Congratulations to all who joined in the walk from London.
June 27, 2010
Passing through Copford yesterday, I couldn’t help but notice a number of scarecrows outside peoples homes. It transpired that today is an Open Gardens and Scarecrow day! These are the photos I took:
June 19, 2010
From the headline of the article below you would be forgiven for thinking Cycle Colchester has been awarded a further £1 million. As it turns out it is actually part of the original £4.2million budget, so no big deal after all. Still less of a deal is what it will be spent on:
“Upgraded” (read ‘shared-use’*) path along North Station Road rather than dedicated facility (owing to the importance of parking bays); “improvements” to Crouch Street that won’t include an adequate contraflow (owing to the importance of parking bays)… with all this and more, I just can’t wait for the final year of ‘Cycling Town’!
Given how cyclists were treated in the winter, I’m sure Essex County Council spokesman, Michael Page, wasn’t being serious when he said their, “objective is to make cycling a genuine option”. Nor when he spoke of, “improving cycle paths and signs”, since everything (bar the undergrowth) in my Route 51 report (submitted a year ago) is still outstanding.
As if by chance, today is the start of Bike Week, but not in Colchester! Still, I’m sure there must be plenty going on in July, or August…
* So keen are Cycle Colchester on putting cyclists and pedestrians into conflict, they’ve produced a leaflet to enlighten us all on how to get along!
June 17, 2010
I have finally managed to process pictures and video from the ‘Scotland in Colchester’ pipe band contest, held in Castle Park on Sunday. The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association put on a great show, and the people of Colchester came in their numbers to appreciate it.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable day out, with the most terrific sound!
While the pipers and drummers were at lunch, the crowd were kept entertained by highland dancers.
June 5, 2010
Set of Continental Grand Prix 4000S tyres for my road bike, sourced from Hargroves Cycles.
June 1, 2010
Had a fantastic day out at the Wivenhoe May Fair yesterday. With live music, Transition Wivenhoe’s bicycle-powered cinema, craft stalls, and beer tent, there was no shortage of entertainment!
May 29, 2010
Yesterday I went to London for the monthly Critical Mass, my first in daylight.
Rather than make the trip purely for that, I made a day of it and cycled along the Regent’s Canal towpath from Limehouse Basin to Regent’s Park.
Critical Mass had the usual mix of jubilant cyclists and angry motorists, resulting in at least two incidents of bikes being rammed by vehicles (both taxi’s), but it was mostly a very pleasant affair.
The numbers had dwindled somewhat by the time we arrived at Parliament Square, but there was still a good, strong number which excited the protestors at the so-called ‘Democracy Village’.
I haven’t kept abreast of Brian Haw’s ongoing campaign, so was amazed to see a large number of tents actually on the green, rather than just a handful at the kerbside as was the case my last visit.
May 25, 2010
Not only do humans needlessly lose their lives to motor vehicles, but animals too… like this badger.
May 16, 2010
I took part in the ‘Tour de Tendring’ for the first time this morning, along with hundreds of other cyclists. It has become my favourite of the three local Bike Events rides, for the pleasure of the route, the organisation, and entertainment at the start/finish.
Even Essex Police took part!
Desford Lane Pedallers VCC brought along a collection of vintage bicycles.
The Harwich Royal British Legion Brass Band played for the masses.
I got a train back to Colchester, with a change at Manningtree, where on Wednesday an attempted raid took place on the cashpoint. The damage doesn’t look too bad from inside.
See the archives for more entries.