Fish and Chips

The sun is out and the sky is blue take one guess what I will do.

As Lucipher had recently had a new rear tyre fitted that needs scrubbing in before the weekends adventure to Bude. I decided to make the most of the brilliant English sunshine and head out on the bike to unexplored pastures. St Ives was on the list of to-do’s and as Neil has a Chippy down there I thought it would be a good excuse to stretch Luciphers legs (wheels) and head off down there. First port of call was back to the dealer who fitted the tyre to complain of a scratch I had found on the swingarm when they fitted the tyre. Not the best resolution but never the less it will have to do. Free fitting of my tail tidy and money off the next service. They did suggest in painting the swingarm but having experience of paint shops, the time it would take (being without the bike!!) and the possibility of a worse finish and less durable than the original paint I declined that offer.

Then it was off down the A30 in brisk fashion paying extra care and caution to the tourists, caravans and general idiots that the sun seems to bring out no dramas except for an Ambulance yes and Ambulance who decided to change lanes without checking his mirror. Still I thought if something was going to pull out on me an Ambulance would probably be quite handy!

Doesn’t take too long to get to St Ives and I have some general directions stored in the brain on how to find Neil’s plaice (get it). But blimey, busy was not the word to describe it at least everyone could hear me coming as Luciphers voice echoed from building to building winding down narrow, steep and tight little roads. I had ignored the advice of a friend who had suggested to leave the bike outside St Ives and walk into “town” but soon realised where this advice had come from. Very difficult if you haven’t been there before, the street signs are not much help and full of one way roads. Fortunately however with more luck than judgement I found Neil’s shop the Balancing Eel quite easily. Even more impressive for me was the fact I had managed to remember the directions given to me.

A quick stop for some lunch and a chat followed by a brief tour of the harbour, and yes it is a lovely place with great views and a stunning beach, I will be going back again. Then it was off, trying to find your way out of St Ives takes some effort and if you’re not careful it would be quite easy to end up going round and round and round. But I had local knowledge on my side, Neil had told me how to escape St Ives grasp and it wasn’t long before I was back out onto the A30 heading home. Decided to break the monotony of the A30 by heading back down through Truro, some nice little roads that way and a good opportunity to start work on removing the chicken strips.