Scenes of a New Year Nature

First off, a belated happy New Year to you all - you deserve it.

Secondly some scenes from a secret location in Hessen, Germany as the Nikos World team go ballistic, as it were. 

I'm pleased to report that Germany is back in the rocket building industry so soon after Werner von Braun spilled ze beans.

Minutes after I launch the NW special Saturn 12 1/2 rocket with integrated Hochgeschwindigkeitsscheißeauszieherpumpe (patent pending), the city centre is evacuated.

Champagne is all that really matters tonight.

Don't try this at home, unless you are having an angina attack during a firework display or the launch of the NW special Saturn 12 1/2 with the  Hochgeschwindigkeitsscheißeauszieherpumpe (patent pending)

Soup Slurping Ottoman Greek Style

A tradition handed down to me by my Forefathers and considered to be the height of politeness in Asia Minor.

P.S. The Mrs Nikos commentary probably adds a little je ne sais quoi  to this rare and offensive footage.

Happy Christmas Bloggers Wherever and Whoever You Are!

P.S. that my super new recycling wheelybin there under the gold bauble.

I am CanBus

Following a devastating bout of ManFlu (R), black ice and slush in my drive, I have managed to pick up CanBus, my new passport to be enslaved and beholden to the mercy of BMW Motorrad workshops and specialists who own a GS-911 Fault Code Reader.

In this near live image feed, CanBus awaits the proving run to Knutsford.

Take Five

Roger of New Zealand threw down a  gauntlet and with much haste I scanned my photographic output for five evocative images of 2011.

April : Mrs N finds a nice motorcycle instructor for refresher training.

July:  We become demented in the heat of New York

October:  A fine early morning view on the way to Hamburg celebrating my entry into Lufthansa frequent flyer status

November:  Son comes out to play at Formby beach.

December:  Daughter is 21 and I take her and her Grandmother to where my parents took me when I was 21 (yes, the Cherwell Boat House is still there by the River Cherwell).

Ich bin zwei Motorräder

Actually drei if I count Ronny Barker the baby GS that really belongs to Mrs N.

She is a 2007 model - the height of perfection with brakes that work and proper gearing.  This is a stock picture - mine will look filthier than this 5 minutes after I pick her up next week.

A Berliner is No Donut

That depressing time of the year has arrived again aka my Birthday.  People who forget my birthday (many) are able to remember my name day on December 6th , although I can see here that I could claim April 26th too.

Enough of this polite intro banter, I'm now going to display some of my snaps taken whilst spending a weekend in Berlin, a present from the kind Mrs N who was also present.

I travel to the airport in my usual way on a machine made in Berlin.  There is a secret, well lit and relatively secure parking area within 100m of the terminal that  the Airport Information desk says does not exist, rather directing motorcycle parking 5 miles away at a long term car park!

The Iron Curtain as rendered in Berlin - This handy landmark has now vanished and many times I asked Mrs N were we east or west?

West

German precision matches Japanese

I was most taken by this 35 Ton dame with a gilded pigeon on her head. (Siegessäule)

The Victory Column lady : She has got around a bit known variously as Viktoria, Germania and Soldatenfrau and in 1939 was relocated 1 Roman mile to her present location at der Großer Stern.  We access her through a tunnel.

Viewing platform  - looking down at shadow from Siegessäule

You have to hand it to Anton von Werner, he did a wonderful job here at the base.

The S Bahn crosses the canal.

I'm not sure how you can express currywurst that is already a fast food

The Free University where Mrs N studied

Where Mrs N studied anatomy  - now sadly derelict.

A rare shot of the Author

Why are the red men dancing the Sirtaki?

Dem deutschen Volke - Norman Foster style

And so to bed - quite a large one actually

We stayed in the east at this cranky Kunsty Hotel where ear plugs are supplied due to the proximity of the S Bahn!

Beer drinking self propelled bar.

Spot the obvious mistake

Soon to close, a new airport is being built in the East at the site of Templehof - goodbye Tegel!