Riding Down Under - Tropical Cairns Australia

[MacDoc]

Once again can't keep my eyes open with 1/2 hour left in a series.
Very Australian tho. Spectacular scenery.

Found the dog awake on the couch at 3 am for reasons known only to her.
Marc enjoying Thailand and angsting over elephants. Cute riding partner but platonic

Maybe ride this morning as up at 7 and lovely day. Doc this aft then Bowls.
Sounds reasonable.

Bowls yes ride no ....forgot about appointment for new glasses.
Then successful doc visit - they let me ride another year
TWO new specialist appointments to add to my "getting old sucks" list.
Podiatrist or some such ....have a big toe that hurts with any pressure on it - no sure what's up.
Sinusologist ( pure guess ) - have a badly impacted upper sinuses which explains the long term post nasal drip.

Off to drown my sorrows in bacon, cheese on chips melt.

 

[MacDoc]

24 hours later a birdie and a lovely evening. 22 c quiet.
Watching Charlie and Ewen. Gotta say Ewens second wife is lovely. I liked his first wife and sad when they parted ways but this second girl is very attractive. Ewen and cat that ate the canary look

 

[MacDoc]

Took longer for the lightbulb tonight. Chilly 16.6 C
Short ride today - New gloves need some breaking in but feel much more protected.
Scored a $5 bacon deluxe

No wonder I skipped supper.

 

[MacDoc]

Slept late Sunday morning ....did not want to leave warm bed.
The lengths I go to stay warm in a house with no heat.

Love the hospital socks. My 60 lb weight drop certainly shows here tho camera aided.

Marc in Thailand.

No sign of Noraly lately.
It's noon and "may" finally be warm. Quite a windy day and of course wide open deck to the wind....normally the breeze is nice but not when it's chilly.

Noraly having fun in London chasing her book and sight seeing. The Tenere 700 she borrowed looks good. Buddy here is buying one for around Australia trip. Really nice luggage set up

She is still enthusiastic and giggly at new things even after 8 Seasons.

 

[MacDoc]

Off to urology on a rainy day.. Much warmer tho.
Youtube beating on Brave so sorting that and Facetime face planting

 

[MacDoc]

18, rainy, have headache tho at least warm enough
Might be a ride today now rain is clearing

Yep - found a only worn twice Katmandu down puffy pullover for $50 and snagged it. Is a size too small so a bit of wriggling to put on but that's okay for its use as keeping warm in bed when in teens. Down is nice.
At least with half zipper pull over the zipper won't seize up and it weighs nothing. I just had to soak my Nike jacket zipper in vinegar for a few hours to get the zipper to release. Perils of tropics

Seller did not like the colour...I'm "okay" with it but the black sleeves a bit odd. Does not bunch up lying in bed = good thing
Packs down very small with built in pouch.

19 and rain gone at 2 am

 

[MacDoc]

Itchy Boots having some adventures in the UK. Riding buddy here wants to buy a new 700 Tenere to loop Australia and vLog it.

Nice riding day but too little sleep .....see how I do later

 

[MacDoc]

Woke up about noon and found a great deal on a new Nolan 80-8 helmet for $50 - so I got a ride. $300 average helmet but fits comfortably and will damp the wind noise ...nice to have new unmarked visors .....my C30 is just getting old.


Found out the CB500F will do a real 400km before running out of fuel. Given what happened when my instrument cluster was out and I actually ran out of fuel and coasted into the station ...I still had at least a liter in reserve but was still nervous today as it went waaaaaay into the reserve.

Stupid smoke detectors went off at 4 am for no reason.
I was awake but partner was not.
Gotta be some sort of atmospheric condition that is triggering them ....we could not even figure which one went off. Third time now

Watched Lavi and Ollie in the Maldives. FWIW..used to be on our bucket list.

Marc running around with his cute friend.

 

[MacDoc]

Next day

 

[MacDoc]

Good sleep Winter Solstice for Down under

• Date: June 21, 2025.
  
  
• Time: 12:42 pm.
  
  
• Significance: The winter solstice is the day with the fewest daylight hours in the Southern Hemisphere.
  
  
• Daylight Hours: In Cairns, the day will be approximately 11 hours and 7 minutes long.
  
  
• Seasonal Lag: Due to seasonal lag, the coldest weather in Cairns typically occurs a few weeks after the solstice.

Winter solstice: Australia celebrates shortest day of the year with icy swims and lantern festivals

Antarctic researchers got in first with a dip in a sub-zero pool, but there are other feats of endurance, and creativity, to mark the shortest day of the year

www.theguardian.com

Happy Summer Solstice
One of the few times of year I miss Canada. Long days of riding. Reasonable temps.

 

[MacDoc]

Spent day with the dog bingeing whatever and trying to stay warm on damp windy but not too cold day.
Something is making my sciatica hurt all day even with 30gm of codeine on board. Had Panadol in all day so upped the pain med....still hurting.
Tomorrow looks okay for a ride....partner said I could take a Celebrex so might do that if hip still sore.
Not sure why it started to flare again after a long quiet period.

the codeine worked and want to stay off the hip for extended periods.
Alexa says it is not raining and won't rain.....um

It IS raining ...can hear it on the roof and there is lots around.
Might discourage a ride later....but going back to bed now at 6 am and will read and snooze. Keep my hip happy - took a regular panadol.

 

[MacDoc]

Guess I better decide on Audiobook version or Ebook.

Nice day - looks okay for "mid-winter" ride.

 

[MacDoc]

or not

Found out codeine works well on my sciatica which does not move me forward on riding as won't ride with codeine.
I will try 100 mg Celebrex later today if I'm inclined to ride.

Disappointed with the Airpod Pros and the Samsung 4k 55"...no way can get enough volume out of them. Common problem apparently tho they are okay for loudness with phone or from computer. I suspect the Samsung is at fault.
When I look at "about these Airpods" I get a repair notice so I want to track that down while they are still warrantied.
Had some hope for them with the new helmet too - that alone should motivate me to get out for a ride.
Going to try them with some rock tonight from the laptop.
That's not happening either...
Really hope they work in hearing aid mode with the phone...the main reason I snagged them. They are fiddly things.
Trying to marry up 10 year old MacOS with current AirPods with like weeks old AirPodOS software on the laptop might just not fly and can't really blame Apple. The Momentum 4 headphone software is current and works fine with the old MacOS.
The Momentums are mostly flawless both sound and tech with all my devices tho the 4k TV forgets the pairing all the time ....not a major issue.
They really are a treat.....saw a set offered used for $500 on FB ....way more than the $385 paid.
They list $535 on Amazon now. Most are selling at $399 Aus. Did not know there was a Pride Edition - might have bought those - easier to find in the dark and Apple is good about support Pride

 

[MacDoc]

22c at midnight -

 

[MacDoc]

One day I will get out for a ride - I have had ZERO excuses all week
I did figure out an espresso solution that my stomach will tolerate. Two heaping tablespoons of Milo well frothed into hotter than normal whole milk and a light shot of espresso. Grabbed a new frothing wand and it works. First tryout was a messy disaster....hit the high speed button by accident.
Hoping resumption of coffee in the morning will kickstart my day.
Resumption of glutide after sepsis episode has been a mixed result ...appetite maybe too low at meals then get minor munchies or headache too soon....somethings still a bit lingering from week in hospital....mostly energy related.
Oxygen levels have been well up since I started my betablocker and heartbeat much steady and waaaaaay lower - even dipped into high 40s which is half my normal resting....the Apple Watch alerted to that.
I do want to try getting my heartbeat up to where tachycardio used to set in but too indolent to attempt.

Noraly buzzy all video after her bike was stolen plus giddy about her book.

Ah the roads in Wales amazing.
•••
My $170 50" Samsung TV died today.. Gave good service for the money - bought it in Dec 2022.
It's not entirely dead but not useable. Was a pretty good 4k image with HDR tho lowish nits.
There are loads of near new machines around.
This is tempting but too big for my space by 7.5 cm and perhaps too big nearfield)

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Running okay with the Dell 27" and the laptop but need a solution soonish.

 

[MacDoc]

Now even more jealous.

Pace of electrification moving quickly. op:

We test the baffling hubless Verge TS Pro electric motorbike

The Verge TS is anything but cheap, but it does feature cutting-edge technology.

arstechnica.com

 

[MacDoc]

Baching it with the dog. Partner dog sitting and being miserable with a cold I may have acquired.
New condition requiring minor surgery to add to my "getting old sucks" rant. Impacted sinus similar to concrete. Explains a few symptom.
One more thing sigh !!!

Trying a new sleep aid and very comfortable. My sinus issue was making it hard to sleep...this gadget works well.

Friend recommended and very comfortable and easy to set up - 14 hour battery

https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=musicozy+sleep+headphones&crid=16JELQ5ARYQKZ&sprefix=musicozy%2Caps%2C596&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_8

Hmmmph - 4k TV working again...will see if holds. Catching up on shows I was following but now not certain ....was all ready to buy a new one for $399.
Will squeeze this for a bit more.
Nah ...still failing

 

[MacDoc]

Partner miserable with a cold but dog sitting so she is vegging in front of the kids big screen.
My failing 50" is just watchable so bingeing The Mentalist. Hopefully partner can pick up the new 4k soonish....bit tricky on the motorcycle.
Dog and I getting along - day is chilly 23 and damp so have to lure her out with a treat but it's almost the same at night so not shivering.
Enjoyed the sleep aid - gave up fighting my diurnal cycle which is now ...fall asleep around 8 pm to midnight then wake from midnight to 4 am then sleep til 11 ish am. Somehow getting 7 + hours every night.

Totally engaged in Noraly's book...her journey to success was hard won.

Not the worst way to spend a rainy winter day. So many good laughs and good people.

I turned out to be the very first person to attempt to import a motorcycle through the airport, and the option “motorcycle” didn’t exist in their system. One of the officials showed me his computer screen; I could import horses of all colors—gray, black, white, brown. But a checkbox for “motorcycle” was nowhere to be found. The computer said no.

When I came back from the airport for the second time, again disappointed and empty-handed, I almost knocked into the hotel owner as I walked in. I had chatted with him a couple of times before, and he had immediately given me a free upgrade to a luxury suite when I told him that my bike had been delayed by two weeks. He was a beautiful man, and he always looked well-groomed and stylish. He wore nizwas (handmade) leather sandals and a dishdasha (a long, loose white garment) that reached down to his ankles. These were made of lightweight cotton, ideal for Oman’s hot desert climate. His dishdasha was decorated with subtle embroidery around the collar.

“And?” he asked, smiling.

I shook my head and sighed. “No. The computer system can’t import a motorcycle, even though I keep trying to explain that this is a temporary import, not a permanent one. I didn’t get anywhere, and I’m not quite sure what else I can do.”

He listened politely and then shook his head as if to say: What a load of nonsense. He whipped out his phone, dialed a number, and started speaking in rapid Arabic, occasionally looking over at me reassuringly. I waited politely, not expecting his phone call to be of any help.

That was until he hung up his phone and said to me in English: “I own the airport.”

Of course. “Ah,” I managed to say.

 

[MacDoc]

After some fiddling I found that the flaw in the 4k Samsung is with the dynamic setting - moving it off that setting it has been working for the last few hours.
So the TV is failing but so far not in a critical function. I guess will wait until the failure spreads as it's very watchable on other settings...and I turned the brightness down as well.
At least it's working again. Will binge more The Mentalist for a bit or some such and maybe get the 4k Blu Ray player hooked up and try some of the reference discs.

Between flaky internet on the back deck ( twas ever thus ) and missing the big screen was getting a bit annoyed and slightly bored. Certain things are fine on the laptop but there are limits.

Looks like it's a known issue with the dynamic settings on Samsung big screens.

No dog to take care of tonight but after a big sleep earlier today might be a challenge this late evening.
I have more of Noraly's book to read

 

[MacDoc]

Noraly looking a bit worn....her schedule pretty hectic with the book promotion, the adventure riders do in London and still putting out enjoyable travel vids.
Spent a little time in Snowdonia and took a 100+ year old train up the big mountain. Quite enjoyable

.

Asked the engineer if the trains were a problem to keep running ...."all the time" with a wry smile.

Marc also at the festival and loving his new ride.

Some of the UK charging stations look nicely thought out and appear to work,