New Years Resolutions? Don't Bother!

Why not make a departure from the traditional way of making "New Years Resolutions?".

Why not instead just say; "to hell with it all and lets take it as it comes".

This way you aren't putting yourself under pressure. You will find it more relaxing and exciting to see just what happens and anyway, who said you have to make resolutions at this time of year?

If you just try to accept life a bit more, try not to judge others as much and just try to relax a bit more and try not to worry about things you just can't do anything about, then your going to find your outlook on life is a whole lot better.

Just be a bit easier on yourself this year!

My Funny Dog - Tilly

Here she is on Seaton Carew beach in summer. She is swimming in mid air which is really funny. How cute can you get? Just click on the link:

http://goo.gl/vlnaid

Bonzo - My Beloved Dog

The short and tragic story of Bonzo.

Malta was a strange place. It was bustling, dusty and noisy. Yells, bells and smells it had been described by someone and I tended to agree.

For all that, I loved the place, after all my wife was Maltese and I had grown accustomed to the place for all its faults. They weren't so much faults but more it was me trying to impose a certain standard on the culture that was certainly different from the UK .

We were able to rent a small flat in Malta's capital Valletta, an interesting place steeped in history. It's the sort of place you can become attached to very easily with its grand architecture and laid back people not to mention that wonderful climate.

I was not able to work in Malta at this time and I was taking a big risk by applying for a visa every thee months, not knowing if this would be granted or not. Having a Maltese wife and several relatives no doubt helped a lot. We began to settle quite well and I began to slow down to the leisurely pace of the Maltese people. We also decided to get a dog.

It was by now the late summer of 1984 and we were able to get a small Labrador puppy from the local dogs home. We called him Bonzo and we loved him so much. He was so cuddly and adorable and we had so much fun together. We would take him everywhere we went in the Island and he became an adept swimmer. He would sleep under the bed most of the time especially in summer because it was cooler on the tiled floor. There was no air conditioning so we would just have the windows open wide.

In the 1980's, Malta was still a very basic sort of place and could not be compared to the UK. We were still young and irresponsible and never gave a second thought about vets or inoculation. We barely had any money to eat let alone money for vets bills but this was to be a big wake up call for us as we breezed through life without a care in the world.

When Bonzo became ill, we at first didn't take much notice of it and we carefully nursed him as best we could. He was still a puppy at this time and it was suggested that he had Parvo. We hoped for the best but he deteriorated. A few days later he lay down under the bed and stayed there. We tried to coax him out to eat but to no avail. The next night, I was up reading in bed when Bonzo suddenly got up walked out from under the bed and staring intensely into my eyes, let out a groan as I gently stroked his head and then died.

I could not believe my eyes as I tried to revive him but to no avail. Both my wife and I were distraught as we woke our relatives next door. The tears rolled down my face uncontrollably and I could not be consoled.

Wondering how to dispose of Bonzo's body, the relatives said I would have to wrap him up, weight him down and throw him into the harbour. This was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do and as I walked toward the harbour alone in the dark, I cried like a baby knowing in my heart that I could have done more for him. As I stood at the harbour wall I could not at first bring myself to cast his body into the deep cold waters. He was still warm as I held him close to my chest and I said a small prayer before finally throwing him in. I watched as he quickly sank out of sight before quickly turning away to return to my family and seek some sort of consolation.

As I look back over the years, and I look at my present dog I try somehow to make up for the neglect I feel that I was responsible for and give her so much love. I try to console myself and look deep into her eyes and imagine that somewhere, somehow Bonzo is there in her spirit.

How things have changed after all these years. Now our present dog is up to date with her inoculations against all the common diseases and we intend to make the most of every minute of time we have together.

Although it is now almost 30 years ago, I still have the odd tearful moment for that little puppy we called Bonzo.

New Look New Ideas - Window Cleaning Tips For Free

Welcome to my new look blog. Previously it was all about the book I wrote but now it's all about helping YOU to get yourself back into employment or self employment or just to get into something completely different.

What you will find on here are links to hundreds of instructional videos which have been specially developed just to help people like you to understand and learn just what the trade is all about.

All this is completely free and you won't ever be asked for any money or to do anything at all - it's just something I wanted to do to help others out. It's taken me four years to make all the videos too but you know what? I like doing it and have acquired a reputation for this in the industry.

I have no qualifications whatsoever and in telling you this I hope to make you feel a whole lot better and at ease. You don't need any to enter this industry but it might help eventually to do a course on it but that's going to entirely up to you and I don't have any affiliation to any of them.

Where to start? Well at first, it will all seem daunting and complicated but just have a look at some of the videos and we'll take it from there. Just click on this link and get started http://www.youtube.com/user/MyWagga

My Book - "Running For Home" and what I did before I became my own boss!

In my book "Running For Home", I go into great detail as to what I did before I became my own boss. I can honestly say that it was without doubt, the best decision that I ever made and I have no regrets other than wishing I had done it from the beginning.

"Running For Home" is an autobiography about a man that could not settle at anything but finally finds what he's looking for in self employment.

It goes into the agonies of being employed and the unhappiness that developed as a consequence along with life's uncertainties and disappointments on the way.

Should you want to know just what I got up to before I became  successfully self employed, then you must read my book to understand how I felt and how I arrived at this point wishing to help others get into a better place. "Running For Home"

Be Your Own Boss!

Be Your Own Boss -  Never work for anyone else ever again!

I made a whole bunch of instructional videos on being a window cleaner and they are all free and informative.

Emphasis has been placed on DIY in these videos and especially on saving money when it comes to getting into the trade.

Find out how the professionals clean windows quickly and easily earning decent incomes in this climate of austerity and minimum wage.

By following me on my channel you will be getting some of the best sought after free advice currently available on the internet.

Never be unemployed ever again. Do your own thing, be your own boss like me and never regret it.

I show you how to get into this business quickly cheaply and effectively without having to invest a lot of money.

Many people know me in the industry and I have gained a lot out of it and now it's time to give something back in the form of this series of informative videos specifically formulated for beginners to help them enter the trade.

Just click on the link here http://www.youtube.com/user/MyWagga

Unemployed? Get this!

Unemployed then get this!!

I was unemployed once and I didn't know what to do but then I looked at window cleaning and realised just how lucrative it can be given the right tools and knowhow.

I've had many years of continuous employment and a consistently good income and not regretted any of it.

Window cleaning has become my life and I now have a passionate interest in it, so much so that I have compiled nearly 200 training videos completely free to anyone who wishes to avail themselves of this valuable knowledge.

Technology in the window cleaning industry has moved on so much that it is possible to clean windows without a ladder and  in fact I have not climbed a ladder now for years.

Interested, then have a look at my extensive videos which may just change your life for good even if it is just out of curiosity! Just click on this link and it will take you to my channel

Professional Window Cleaning Instruction Videos

Professional Window Cleaning Videos for Free

Ever wanted to start your own business and wondered just how to do it?

Ever thought about window cleaning?

Is it as hard as it looks?

How has technology moved on since the ladders and chamois days?

This information has taken me four years to compile.

AND IT'S ALL FREE AND FUN. Click on the vid for an intro into window cleaning basics.

Window Cleaning - Best Instructional Videos Available

Window Cleaning -  Best Instructional Videos Available

Do you want the best instructional window cleaning videos available on YouTube?

Starting your own business in window cleaning?

Ever wondered how the professionals clean windows?

How to clean windows without ladders.

What equipment to use.

Whole sections with DIY in mind.

Want the best tips and ideas on window cleaning on the internet?

Expert advice for free and when I say free, I MEAN FREE!

Just curious? Then just go here to my channel by clicking on the video. Have fun!

My Day Job - Best Autobiographies

Do you know what my day job is? I'm a window cleaner, that's right a window cleaner. I have been for nearly 28 years now and I can tell you it's not been easy especially physically.

After all it's a demanding job yet one that can have more satisfaction in it than first meets the eye. When I first started in 1986 I bought my window cleaning round from a guy that was retiring. It was a risk I had to take and boy did it pay off. Since then I have had regular, uninterrupted self employment and at pretty good money.

The window cleaning industry has come a long way since those early days in many ways including health and safety. The risks I took when I first started when I used ladders makes me shiver even today. I worked on ladders for about 20 years or so but I miraculously, never fell off and I never had any serious injuries.

Equipment and techniques have moved on to a level unimagined just a few years ago and is much more scientific. Take cleaning with pure water for instance, that is cleaning with water that has been purified and has no minerals left in it. When a window is cleaned, it is brushed and rinsed with this pure water and the effects are almost magical. The water is left to dry on the glass naturally and the effects are truly remarkable. Once dry there is no trace of the water whatsoever unlike if the job was done with tap water.

On that first day of window cleaning, almost 28 years ago, I had a set of wooden ladders a mop and squeegee in a bucket and that was my investment. Now the equipment can cost thousands.  For instance, I now have two poles with a combined value of nearly a thousand pounds not to mention the van and all the associated equipment within.

instructional videos
If you are interested in starting your own business or are just curious, just have a look at my YouTube channel with this a starting video, one of nearly 200 instructional videos on window cleaning.

Your Old Enemy - Time - Best Autobiographies

 Your old enemy - time

When you are young, you look forward all the time. The future stretches out before you like a conveyor belt delivering yet more life, more experiences more hope, such ambition!

Of course, when you are older and I think you know what I am going to say now, you begin to look back more on things, reflecting on all those memories, perhaps some regrets. You will have many memories to share, some good some bad. You will feel like a warrior that has come through a battle and survived. You may feel a sense of achievement, not necessarily because you succeeded financially, but more that you came through all those experiences and hard times and gained something.

Personally, getting older is not the the same as getting to thirty and beginning to panic. Yes you will go through all that and when you get to twice that age, you will look back and smile. Of course there is no stopping the onslaught of time. Yes time that old enemy that lurks at every corner. Time that does not let up. Time that catches you unaware when you let your guard down. "How long has it been?"  we often say when we realise just how fast time has floated by and caught us unaware.

Yes time will shadow and harass you but it's something you come to accept. It's like some sort of time travel itself. It just seems to get faster and faster but not for everyone else. You try to offset this by promising to make up for lost time by doing more things. Trouble is there isn't enough time to do all those things remember?

When I was younger, I could not sit very long before I had to be up and doing something. I could do so many things in one day it would seem. But now, I can sit in a chair and just think about all the things I am going to do. In fact I can now "sit for Britain" as though it is some sort of perverse competition. And yet, you just seem to accept it gracefully with an increasing sense of contentment.
Not what you would expect at all.

There was a time when I would look at older people and think that they must be incredibly frustrated at not being able to do the things that they want. Just sat there all the time. It's not that you wanted that to happen, but it is true that all you now want to do, is sit more and more yet at the same time wish you were younger and be able to do all those things. And as the saying goes " the mind is willing, but the flesh is weak."

You begin to realize that you are turning into your own parents. I can remember my dad always making a big issue over looking for his glasses and I would always be scornful. Now I am doing the same thing but accept it with an ironic smile. You know it's strange but they don't call them the golden years for nothing because you become more accepting of your old enemy - time.

If you want to know how just how I filled my time over my life then you can read my book, Running For Home

Music and Writing - Your Inspiration

If you are a writer or intend to be one then here is a small tip that you may like to help inspire you during those drought periods, when just what to write eludes you.
If you are able to collate a list of your favourite music then go ahead and do so. Just like the smell of freshly cut grass, a newly creosoted fence or your Mothers perfume bring back memories to you instantly, then the same can be said for music.

At the very moment I write this, I am listening to music. Over a period of two years, I have been able to amass several hundred of my all time favourite music tracks. There are several ways to do this and it is certainly getting easier. At one time you would have to save your pocket money, dash down to the local music store and buy what was called a "single". This was a vinyl record comprising your cherished number one on the "A" side and something a little less attractive on the "B" side. This could be a tedious way of accumulating your desired collection.

Now things are a lot easier. My collection is amassed on what is called "Spotify". I am able to download tracks from this provider completely free, many of which are very up to date. Adverts get in the way but if you pay £10 (UK) per month, then the ad's disappear and the music just keeps on coming. Due to the popularity of this service, a waiting list has developed but it may still be worthwhile trying to join.

So, getting back to the point of what this article is about, if you have never tried this before, whether you are an accomplished writer or a complete novice, have a go at writing whilst listening to some of your most moving and momentous tracks. It may well surprise you in the way it can inspire you. Different types of music can have different effects of course depending on your mood . Some music is bold, some is uplifting but all of it can be inspirational to your writing.

See just what effect it had on me when I was writing my autobiography.  Some peculiar coincidences with music and writing can occur also. For instance, as I was typing this, I was thinking of a track that might inspire you. I thought of "Wind Beneath My Wings" and guess what it is playing as I write this sentence.  Not only was it life-changing to have written a book but it did me a world of good and gave me so much satisfaction in my soul, that today I am a changed person.

See just how I got on with the writing of my book "Running For Home"

New Website - Best Autobiographies

New Website called Best Autobiographies

I have recently constructed a website called Best Autobiographies which features some of the more interesting autobiographies around. Some of these books are life changing titles and will give the reader a lot more than a "Celebrity" autobiography since these books are about real people.

If you are interested in books, especially autobiographies, which incidentally are particularly popular at this time, then have a look at some of these recommended books here: best autobiographies

Are Free Books Worth Reading?

From time to time, you might see advertised on Amazon, a number of free books for you to download to your Kindle, computer or phone among other devices. Are these books free because they are not by famous Authors? Not necessarily.

Actually, it is a way for Authors, both successful and new to the world of writing to promote their new labour of love.

Many extremely good books can be picked up absolutely free from Amazon by both famous Authors and otherwise. Personally, I fall into the unknown category, but I did not expect to become famous overnight. In fact it will probably never happen.

What has happened though, is in the writing of my autobiography; "Running For Home" is a great sense of achievement and a sort of "getting it all off my chest" type of situation. If you have ever thought of writing your autobiography or memoirs, then don't put it off. At the very least, it will be a lasting legacy to all your close relatives and friends alike.

The best bit of it all to me was that I didn't need a publisher. To publish a book with Amazon you don't. This may come as a revelation to some and might even give you the impetus to start writing. There's lots of help too and Amazon are very good at this and I have to admit, I will always be eternally grateful for such a great company.

If you are wondering just where to start in all of this, why not take a look at my effort. As I have always said, if I can do it, then most others can as well.  "Running For Home" is an example of a book written from the heart. It does not purport to be a masterpiece or to be anything but an honest attempt to put into writing the account of an ordinary man's life. A man that is not afraid to say he was scared.

"Running For Home" is available for free for the next five days, starting tomorrow, 6th August. http://goo.gl/pkIhOI

The Benefits of Writing a Book.

The Benefits of Writing a Book

This is why I wrote my book entitled "Running For Home". I was wondering just what life is all about. I found writing my book a very liberating experience and I found that all the bitterness of failure seemed to melt away as I wrote it. It's as though I was telling my whole life story to someone else and I suppose in reality, I was.

Now that thousands of people have read it I am surprised that I don't feel embarrassed about all the things I did that were farcical to say the least. One of the benefits that I have noticed in writing a book, is the sheer satisfaction of becoming an author. Don't get me wrong though, my book is no masterpiece but I knew that this would be the case right from the start.

I saw writing this book as a challenge in as much as I knew that I had no professional help whatsoever. All I had was a basic education and a computer. I have to say that I am overjoyed at the advent of the "Self Publishing" scheme run by Amazon. Of course Amazon is not the only company that have joined the e-book revolution but I chose this company to publish my book because it has the biggest selection of on-line books in the world and indeed the "Kindle" reading device is one of its biggest sellers.

Anyone can publish an e-book as long as you follow the guidelines. All the information and help is there if and when you should require it if you want to publish your own book. I found this opportunity of being able to by-pass the official publishing houses, quite refreshing and I knew that I could become an author should I finish my book. I did finish it and the rest is history.

One of the most rewarding things about writing this book I have to say was a bit unexpected and that came in the form of therapy. Yes I found the whole experience very therapeutic. When you write about yourself and have had traumatic events take place in your life, then the writing becomes a form of sharing your problems with others and you know how the saying goes; "A problem shared is a problem halved".

Even if your book does not become a best seller, then at the very least, you have left a lasting legacy to your relatives and an historical document for future generations.

Best Autobiographies - Write your memoir

Best Autobiographies - Why write your memoir?

Why write your memoir? Firstly, what is a memoir? Well it is a personal account of a period of your life such as "My Harsh Upbringing" or "How I overcame shyness" anything like that. A memoir is different to an autobiography in that it is a slice of your life rather than an account of your life from beginning to present day.

Why should I write a memoir? No one will be interested anyway. Never think like that since there is a story in everyone. Everyone has something of interest to say and that includes you. You don't need to have had a massive life to write a memoir. Everyone has something that they would like to say and put the record straight and it will be a lasting legacy to those close to you even if they don't seem interested now, the time will come when they will be glad you did it.

I can't write to save my life! I thought the same when I wrote my autobiography. I thought I could spell and boy, did we have a laugh when we came to correct them all! For instance, I actually wrote the following sentence: " I was never very good at grammer". Note that the spelling should be grammar! All you need is a computer and even then, if you don't have one, write it all down and get someone to type it for you.

Where do I start? Fix firmly in your mind what you want to write about first. Something you want to say to others about your life or that you feel passionate about. Write down on paper a framework of incidents dates and places that you remember and use that as a guide. Do some research if you can on the subject. For instance, I sailed on several ships but did not know anything about them except their names so I looked them all up to find out where they were built, dimensions and tonnage etc.
It will all help to make you more confident of your subject.

I feel inadequate, people will laugh at my work. You will be surprised at what you can achieve. When you write, write for yourself and not others. Don't worry about how it sounds or if there are any mistakes in it at first, just get it all down. Don't try to edit your book as you go along because you will get disheartened and give up, leave it all untill later. That's the beauty of writing, you can keep coming back to it, adding, correcting and changing sentence structures.

Should I set myself a target? I would advise against this in trying to finish your book in "record time". All I did was to write when I felt like it, when I was in the mood. It took me a year to write my autobiography but I just plodded on and finished it in my own time. This way your writing is likely to be more natural and unforced, you will tend to include more humour and display more exuberance in your writing and this will come across to your readers. http://goo.gl/GjwUs

How do I edit my memoir? Try not to think about this until you finish your writing. You can get lots of help to do this and besides, that's the fun part. Remember, be honest, write for yourself and be yourself when you write. It's the best way to succeed.

Locked in a cabin with a gay.

When I was in the Merchant Navy, as a 16 year old deck boy, I was a very good looking lad. Of course this was noticed by a rather large gay Officer who took a real fancy to me.

The rest of the Glaswegian crew knew this and one day conspired to get us paired up. Several of the crew pounced on me and once again I wondered what was to befall me. I soon realised what was to happen when I was thrown into the Officers cabin.

I was seriously terrified as he locked the door, removed the key and placed it in his pocket. I sat on his bunk with a certain amount of trepidation whilst my mind raced and I desperately looked for a way out.

He asked me if I would like a drink and to buy time for myself I sheepishly said "yes". It was then that I noticed that the porthole was open. Now at this time I was a lithe fit young lad and an idea sprang to mind. If I can just squeeze through that porthole fast enough.

Whilst he was fixing the drink I knew I had to act fast or become a statistic. I was up in a flash and through that porthole like greased lightening ending up back on deck. I can still hear him swearing as I triumphantly walked away.

Actually, I had been practising this manoeuvre some days before. Little did I know how handy it would be.

Safer Motorcycling - Top Autobiographies

Safer Motorcycling.

In the 1970's, I bought a brand new Honda CB750K7. At the time it was cutting edge technology, way ahead of anything British. I was really into motorcycling but I still had a lot to learn and it showed.

I loved my bike and indeed it was an impressive bike, a real head turner for it's day. But one day stands out that could have ended in complete disaster and when I think about this incident now, it still brings a shiver to my spine.

I was on an 'A' road with a pillion and behind a queue of fairly slow moving traffic. I wanted to overtake and of course I had the power and it would be quite an easy and safe move. Nothing was coming the other way (British roads and driving on the left) A quick check of my mirrors showed me that no one else behind had decided to go for it before me. Dropping a gear, the bike accelerated quickly and smoothly and I pulled out and would make the manoeuvre easily.

All was going well when suddenly my worst nightmare happened. A car from the queue decided to pull out with the same intention as me. The unfortunate thing was that I was virtually alongside him when he pulled out.

My passenger was also seeing all this and I could feel him clinging on to my chest so hard I could not breath. I managed to avoid the car by swerving onto the grass verge. It was fortunate that the road in question did not have a curb or any drainage ditches as I fought to keep control of the bike on grass at about 60mph. I did not dare brake or close the throttle too quickly since this would cause me to lose control with the limited grip on grass.

After slowing down, the car rapidly moved ahead and I wrestled the Honda back onto the road and back into the flow of traffic and not a moment too soon since I was seconds away from running out of grass verge. I had got away with it by the "skin of my teeth" especially with a passenger. About half a mile up the road I got the opportunity to overtake the rogue car and point at my mirror as I passed him as a signal for him to look into his mirrors before making the same manoeuvre again.

From then on though I would always be extremely wary about overtaking queues of vehicles and would often wait until some had overtaken themselves first. Though a bit frustrating, it was always a lot safer. Often these days, what I will do when overtaking is to flash my headlight on full beam in the hope that it will be noticed by a driver that might be tempted to pull out having not seen me.

To be fair, when looking to overtake, you are so intent on trying to see if anything is coming the other way that you forget that another vehicle could already be overtaking you and that's why mirrors in this situation are so important. Of course we are all imperfect, and I have on occasion forgotten to look into my mirrors myself when overtaking, only to realise with a jolt what the consequences could have been.

Motorcycle Safety - Top Autobiographies

Motorcycle Safety

After riding motorcycles since 1970 and suffering several crashes and near misses, I got to thinking a lot more about safety. When you are young, you tend not to think as much about safety as you perhaps should. I was the same.

For example I tried to get "air" on my Suzuki 100 two stroke on a hump backed bridge. I got air alright but what I had not considered was what was on the other side. I went at it with some enthusiasm and the bike shot into the air but as soon as I could see the other side of the bridge I realised with a jolt that there was a junction and a car waiting to pull out.

It was no use applying the brakes in mid air and I knew that this was going to end badly. I landed just yards from the stationary vehicle and applied the brakes hard in panic mode. Of course both wheels locked up and a collision was inevitable. After all, the simple laws of physics were going to apply whether I liked it or not. It is not possible to stop in less distance than the laws of physics will allow. It would have to be a miracle.

This is in fact what happened. A minor miracle occurred, in that the car began to move off, just at the right time. Of course it was too late but when the collision happened it was just a moderate bump but since I was already on the brakes, the inertia on impact was enough to have me sprawled over the cars boot!

The car stopped as I unceremoniously slithered back over the handlebars and fuel tank of my still upright motorcycle. No damage was done to either vehicle and we went our separate ways. I was shaking like a leaf, my arms felt like jelly and it taught me a valuable lesson. I was exceptionally lucky to get away with this little misdemeanor.

The moral of the story I suppose is obvious, "if you can't see, don't assume that the road is clear" or words to that effect. There are many scenarios that this will apply to especially when thinking of overtaking on a bend but there are a lot more subtle situations that you might not have thought about.

One that could be lethal concerns junctions. This is a real life situation that has taken lives. You are travelling behind a large vehicle, it's a bit slow but you can see for miles ahead and it's clear. The motorcycle is capable of passing this vehicle in seconds. Unfortunately, you failed to spot the junction on the left about 300yds or so and the car wishing to pull out to turn right. He has quite a fast car, he also estimates that the lorry is traveling slowly and knows that he can pull out rapidly before the lorry gets to the junction. Because you are behind a large vehicle, the car driver cannot see you and does not assume that there is anything behind the lorry.

You make your move after checking your mirrors, pull out to make the perfect overtake but at the same time, the car has pulled out safely with plenty of space and has saved time waiting for the lorry.
The car turns smartly to the right only to be confronted by you accelerating hard to pass the truck.

The best advice about motorcycling that was to ever cross my path, is "assume that you are invisible".
It might seem to take all the fun out of what is an incredible experience but there is a time and place for everything but it's definitely not near a junction.

Statistics show that most motorcycle accidents occur in and around junctions so never ever let your guard down whenever there's a junction about. Can you think of any more scenarios like the one above that you can avoid? I had several motorcycle crashes but none were serious. They say you learn by your mistakes but this is one sport where it could easily be your last.

My book - Running For Home

Hi Everyone, my book Running For Home, was completed about a year ago now. So how has it done? Well I'm no expert on writing and if you've read my book then you will perhaps have noticed that but the whole point of writing it was to share my experiences with people and not to try to impress anyone. The point is, if it didn't go down well with some, then there is nothing I can do about it since that was/is my life, it's what happened whether I liked it or not. Sure, other people may have had more inspirational lives and have written better books but some of these people have had professional help. When I wrote my book I had no help whatsoever.

I figured that people would be more interested in what I did than how it was written. I could be wrong here but from some of the reviews I've had, it seems that I've done a reasonable job. At least I had a go at it and I hope that I can encourage others to have a go too.

Like newspapers, a lot of people seem to like celebrity Autobiographies, but I find these empty and sensationalist. I prefer down to earth stuff that's real, not exaggerated or hyped up in any way. It might make my work look dull and uninspiring but could it just be that we are so used to all the hype?

Anyway, thanks to everyone that read my book or even downloaded it. You know I never expected to be an author and I didn't expect it to get this far. Thanks for your support.

Chris http://goo.gl/D9kTI

Counter Steering on a Motorcycle

How to counter steer a motorcycle

If I had known about this years ago, it may have actually saved me from crashing my bike.
The tip I have in mind is called "Counter Steering". You might already have heard about it but if you haven't or are unsure about it, then read on, it could save your life.

Steering a motorcycle is intuitive right? It just seems to happen and you go around that bend just like you did on your bicycle (and perhaps still do since cycling is cool too) and you steer in the direction of the bend right? Wrong! Whether you like it or not, when you steer a motorcycle or bicycle around a bend, you are actually steering in the opposite direction. Unless you are crawling along at a very low speed in which case you do actually steer in the direction you want to go, but increase that speed and the reverse happens.

I now realise that when I was travelling at around 90mph on a dual carriageway and I encountered a left hand bend, I began to veer to the right hand side of the road and was rapidly running out of space. The more I tried to steer how I figured it should be, intuitively to the left, the more I ran out of road. When I had about 2 inches left the bend thankfully began to peter out.

When I learnt about counter steering the above incident hit me with a jolt. It was so clear now and so armed with this extra knowledge, I set off to try out this exciting new tip. I would not have minded so much if I had not been riding for long but the truth is that I had passed my test in 1973.

So counter steering is where, on entering a bend you just ease the handlebars in the opposite direction to that in which you are travelling. For instance, on entering a right hand bend, try gently easing the bars to the left instead of the right like you imagine you are doing and just feel the difference. You will feel the bike respond immediately and it will turn in much more accurately and will inspire more confidence in your riding. Of course in a left hand bend it's the other way round but it won't take you long to get into it.

At first this will seem to be a great novelty but don't overdo it and choose a nice dry clear road with as little traffic as possible. To some this will come as a revelation as it did to me though I do realise that there won't be many that haven't heard of counter steering.

When I crashed my motorcycle way back in 1974 by approaching a bend too fast, the knowledge of counter steering might well have saved me.

This is what I now do

If anyone is interested in window cleaning or interested to see what I do in my spare time to help others, then this is it. http://www.youtube.com/user/MyWagga?feature=mhee

Cockroach Encounter

Here is an incident whilst I was living in Singapore as a child:

I went swimming one day and my trunks were sort of uncomfortable. I was in and out of the pool for a couple of hours. I found out what was wrong with my trunks when I came to get changed. A very large cockroach staggered out. How it was able to breathe, is a matter of conjecture.

Giant Snake in Singapore

Giant Snake in Singapore

The old Singapore of the 1960's was a whole different world from what it is today. If I was to go back there now, I know I would not recognise it at all.

My Dad was in the RAF and we were based at Changi. Changi village at the time was no more than a collection of Atap huts and Changi Creek was a sewer. We loved it all the same and it had character. It was one of the best times of my life as a child and I have fond memories of the place.

The Angling Club in Changi was where we would fish and my Dad also kept a small boat. Adjacent to the Angling Club was a beach which we would often venture on to. In the sixties, the wild-life in Singapore was certainly still very abundant and this included snakes.

As I made my way down the beach with the back drop of Jungle which still existed to an extent even then, something caught my eye. It was just a movement which on closer examination turned out to be a very large snake. I had seen snakes before including the venomous Cobra, but this thing was immense. I could not believe my eyes. Though I did not know what type of snake it was at the time, I can only conclude that it was a Boa Constrictor or similar.

Running back to the Angling Club I ran in shouting "snake, snake!" I wanted everyone to see this monster but it was to be fatal to the snake. What I did not realise at the time, is that the local people would kill it on the spot. Several Chinese seemed to appear from nowhere and expertly climbed the tree and got the thing down. I found this mesmerising but when I realised what they were doing, I could no longer watch. Greatly saddened for opening my big mouth, I turned away feeling all the fool for opening my big mouth.

Motorcycling - touring or sports bike? - Top Autobiographies

Touring Bike or Sports Bike? Or could there be something in between?

I used to have a CBR1000F but I sold it because of lack of money, mainly because it needed a new exhaust system and I could not raise the money. Now I am determined to get up and running again but this time with a touring motorcycle.

A typical sports/tourer. Kawaski ZZR600

The CBR1000F I had was what is called a "sports/tourer". This as the name suggests combines the best of both worlds, a bike you can comfortably tour on yet possesses the looks and some of the characteristics of a sports bike. This was one of the things that really appealed to me at the time and I was quite happy with the set up.

Now however my age is having an impact and my eye is beginning to drift toward the dedicated tourer. There are several reasons for this; the first being the riding position. Though the CBR presented a reasonably upright riding posture, it was nevertheless a compromise and because I was leaning forward to a greater extent, I would at times get aching wrists.

The next thing I found was that when trying to look over my shoulder during overtaking manoeuvres or looking left and right at junctions for instance, I would find it more difficult to turn my head to an adequate amount. When I rode a touring bike with a bolt upright seating position, it was so much easier and safer.

Control comes into the equation too. When I rode a Honda PC (Pacific Coast), I found that the wider handlebars and low centre of gravity combined with the upright riding position gave me a lot more control, especially in traffic.

Although the seat was actually very good on the CBR, the seat on the PC was extraordinary especially for the pillion. Though I never toured on the PC, I could tell that this bike would be a supreme candidate for this exercise.

Fairings. The difference a fairing makes on a bike is quite amazing though some people like the raw experience of the naked motorcycle. It all depends what you want. I have done many long journeys on naked motorcycles. I used to do a trip from Preston to Porstmouth, a distance of 257 miles each way on a regular basis on a naked motorcycle and this was only a Honda CB175! At the time I did not notice much stress or wind noise; but when you are young... Later I got a Honda CB750K7 (now something of a classic) with a large touring fairing. The difference was astonishing.

The aerodynamics of my more recent Honda CBR1000F with its specially designed fairing was impressive and kept most of the wind off, including my hands. The only thing was the wind noise on my helmet was still loud due to the diminutive screen. Aftermarket screens were available of course but I never got around to trying one out.

Unfortunately, wind noise on my helmet whilst traveling on my PC was just as bad and it also suffered from a little buffeting. I did experiment with a "lip" on the screen of the PC but it would only work up to a certain speed. It may not have been set up correctly but I will never know since I was forced to sell this wonderful bike due to financial pressures but yet again the fairing generally was amazing. Incidentally, I always wear earplugs when riding a motorcycle.

So once again I am looking to get back into motorcycling but this time I know what I want and I know what I am looking for. It's got to be a touring motorcycle but it's not going to be too big like the much revered Honda Goldwing because I will not have the time to use it for touring very often. It will need to be a bit more weekend friendly.

Though I enjoyed the raw power of the CBR I never actually used it to its full potential and was more interested in the way the bike would appear to do everything in an effortless way. This got me thinking that the bike was wasted on me and what I really wanted was torque which is what you can usually get on a tourer. I am one of those motorcyclist's that likes A roads and motorways and strangely, not so much the twisties. Don't get me wrong, I like all aspects of motorcycling but it's just a preference. They do say that older riders often like torque rather than high revving engines and I suppose in my case it's become a truism.

I'm now saving and looking at ways of making some more money so I can afford to buy a second hand bike but I am more patient these days and besides, my mate who has a Kawasaki ZZR600 sports/tourer, is having an operation and will be out of commission for 11 weeks. This gives me a bit of time to get sorted. At least it gives me something to look forward to.

Whatever bike you own, ride carefully and have a load of fun this year.