 ART Lets get one thing straight I'm not biased in saying Steve Whyman is Europe’s Premier Motorcycle Artist it says so on his strap line for his website. But don't ask me, just go and visit Valentino Rossi in his villa (if you can find it of course) or Marc Marquez at his parents place (presumably) and see his paintings hanging on the walls. So how did I find Steve? Well....
 After a conversation about 'stuff' I bought a slim pic, but it was to be delivered after the race. I mean what motor biker or even car driver do you know that would wander round a muddy track for hours holding a painting that is 5ft by 1ft and then ride off into the sunset with it strapped to your hump (no not that hump, the bike hump at the back called a seat cowl) like a boy racers oversized spoiler. It was going to arrive from KNK galleries in Nottingham (Kap is amazing – he now does my frames and prints). I do know where Rossi lives, however I wish I had a photographic memory, you see earlier (not that long before I arrived at the stand) VR had paid a visit and ordered one, signed the order book and left a delivery address. I am proud to say that this former Commonwealth Pole Vault record holder's address is on the back of VR somewhere in a metal vault. Here's Steve showing you how he does it. Has Steve painted your favourite racer? Why not check out his site. Steve is also on Twitter and Facebook  BEER Beavertown Neck Oil Session IPA 4.3% So the last Beavertown I drank and reviewed I wasn't sure if I liked it. BUT, you should never judge a Brewery on one beer. Only do so once you've tried everything in their range that appeals to you! I love the golden colour of Neck Oil, although I was expecting it to be a little darker i.e. like the colour of oil hahaha. There's a grapefruity citrus aroma, which is the same flavour along with light caramel on the tip of my tongue as I sip. As I swallow the the beer taste changes and continues to do so. This beer is Magic! For me right at the back of my tongue just after I swallow I get … (don't laugh, or, do I don't mind) .. freshly picked Pea Shoots. But it also reminds me of summer times spent being in goal and diving onto freshly mown playing fields. There is six lots of hops in this and nothing is overpowering, it is however very drinkable. There is a slight dryness and as I keep drinking right down to the last drop I am still finding other flavours and the pea shoots diminish. But, don't take my word as gospel (ever) – just 'Gerrit daan thee nek thee sen'. What to find out more about Beavertown – here's their blog about their new beer called Moose Fang, which sounds awesome can't wait till Christmas although I feel I may be too slow and miss out.  COVERED IN WEEDS Well I couldn't find any flower vaguely connected with motorbikes (unless you know of one please tell). It's been a great Bank Holiday weekend here in Cumbria and dare I say most of the UK. Four days off of work chillin out and relaxing. So I decided to take a small trip to my favourite little Nursery – Larch Cottage, and I came back with a small haul of plants. Some Heather, couple of alpine type plants, pretty flowers and some veg. Yes I'm cheating I bought some veg, hey I'm new to this vegetable planting lark, I need the best start possible. And I don't have a green house or space for a cold frame. That's that successfully justified then.
My veg patch was pretty much left in a small mess over the winter – with a cauliflower (from Larch Cottage) still growing. It didn't flower last year – in fact it hardly grew. We decided to leave it in the ground in the hope it gives us some white stuff. Didn't really have much space to spread them properly but in the patch we have, Cauliflower, Fennel, two Courgettes, Spring Onion and Spinach. Here's hoping they are edible by the time they are meant to be ready. Any one have any hints and tips please comment in the box below – I could do with some help  Burt Monroe & his bike. MUSINGS Some of you may or even may not know that I like motorbikes. I've been to a few British Super Bikes, World Super Bikes and MotoGP races, but alas since moving to Cumbria due to previous jobs I haven't been able to get to any races. So I generally try and watch on terrestrial TV. My Favourite racer is Valentino Rossi yes I know he's an Italian and I'm British where's my loyalty? Well that lies with Guy Martin! Sometime ago terrestrial TV aired a film called The Worlds fastest Indian with Anthony Hopkins playing a motorcycle racer called Burt Munro. If I'm honest I don't remember statistics and I don't know the names of every single motorbike ever made. So you may laugh when I say I thought this was going to be some daft Cowboy and Indian film! But I got a treat. The New Zealander Herbert James Munro or Burt Munro was born in 1899 is famous for setting an under-1,000cc world record, at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah on 26 August 1967, on a highly modified Indian Scout Motorcycle, and the film is inspired by this record which still stands today. Burt was 68 and was riding a 47-year-old machine when he set his last record. Fantastic film.  Photo: James Woodroffe/Channel 4 But I wonder... Guy Martin has done all kinds of crazy things over the past few years (not including the TT). He's taught us about the Industrial Revolution, renovated a Narrow Boat, Restored a Steam Train and a Spitfire. And travel across India on his Royal Enfield bike purchased in India, then went and won Ride Mania which is described as one of the Worlds most maddest bike races. But above all he has set records on his TV Programme Speed with Guy Martin. For me the most memorable British record was from Series One. He attempts to break the British record for speed on a bicycle. Instead of me blahing on about how he did it, here's the footage for you to watch. And so I wonder … What would happen if in Series Three of Speed with Guy Martin (if he does another) he decided to attempt to break Burt Monro's 48year old record? I'm sure by now you may have clicked on a couple more of Guy's record attempts but here's my second favourite. TUNES FOR THE WEEK
Kid Rock - Born Free Muse - Hysteria (used for BBC coverage of Motogp many moons ago) Foo Fighters - Hero (because I imagine Rossi wizzing past every time I here this song - sad but true. This was before I saw the video i.e last night!) SpeedTwins - Motorbike song (obscure but hey trying to keep a theme here) lol Did I miss any 'motorbike' songs? Tell me in the comments below please. Hope you enjoyed this weeks installment. Have fun this weekend and if you are off on your bike Keep it shinny side up.
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Places to visit Whitby Robin Hoods Bay Sweetheart Abbey (Scotland) Isle of Wight P1 Isle of Wight P2 Stoke-on-Trent HoleHird Gardens (Cumbria) Brougham Hall (Cumbria) I was asked to review a book, which I quite enjoyed
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My Journey to Cumbria and brewing beer!
Part One - Friends, Neighbours and Countymen Part Two Life's Sliding Door Moment Part Three Brewer - That's not a Job Title I Expected! |
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