Absolutely loving my MLC! Passed full test in Nov 18 and have been racking up the miles on this ever since.

Thanks for your contribution one and all.

Ian

Chateauponsac, Haute Vienne, SW France. It’s bloody brilliant.

I started a similar journey a couple of months back aged 57. I had owned bikes when I was 17 (you could ride up to a 250cc back then) but never took my test. So following a thread on here I bought a Duke 390 and booked the CBT training. That went well (would highly recommend 121 training if it is available to you) so I booked the full test. I really enjoyed the experience, the Mod 1 was great fun. A bit more pressure on the Mod 2 but I still really enjoyed it and luckily passed first time. So tax paid (£42) and Ins bought (£352) and I am on the road and having a great time.

I only have a 390 but it is quite quick enough for me. I’m sure I spend most of my time on it grinning like a Cheshire Cat.

A quick update for anyone who is interested.

Tomorrow I take delivery of a 2018 390 Duke. I was offered a cracking deal on a demo/pre reg bike at my local dealer that I just could not refuse. Happy days.

Thanks everybody,

Ian

Yes the national limit has just been dropped from 90km/hr to 80 on some roads. I’ve not heard of anyone that has had there car crushed though!

The air pollution is only in a few cities at the moment (none near me) but is undoubtedly going to spread in the next few years.

Ian

I’d not heard of any limit either. That said I’m only looking at 370cc.

Limousin is a lovely area to ride a bike, and I’m sure it will be a great area to have a motorbike too.

Ian

I love STW. This afternoon I went to the local KTM dealer in Norwich (I’m back for my mother’s funeral) and had a good look at a brand new Duke 390. It is indeed a thing of great beauty and I am in love. So now the search for a S/H one starts. Then it is on the trailer and back to Limousin.

Thanks everyone.

Ian

Thank you for all the suggestions. I do like the trials/enduro bikes and it may be something to consider but for now the winner is the Duke 390! We have a dealer fairly close by so I am off this afternoon to take a look. If I like it I will start to look for a secondhand one in the UK.

The Flying Ox, any top tips on what to look out for when buying secondhand?

Ian

I actually had one of those Puch 50cc mopeds back in the 80’s. Awful thing.

Not a great fan of the cruiser style. I want something that is going to put a smile on my face whether I am riding it or just looking at it. The cruisers just don’t do it for me.

I do really like the Duke 390 styling, I shall go look on Gumtree etc.

Ian

Thank you for the input everyone. Some interesting ideas.

Maybe a bit too much garish plastic for your tastes though.

I didn’t mean to offend. What I meant really was that I don’t want a Moto GP race replica. I’ve just Googled your Duke and it looks fantastic, though I suspect it is probably out of my price range!

I don’t, I just get them delivered via John Lewis to our local co op store. But there you go.

Again, perfect if you have a Co Op store nearby. Wish I did. But I don’t.

John Lewis, proper uuni pellets. Haventblet me down and I’m not running a pizzeria so don’t see the benefit in changing brands to save a few quid!

Perfect if you have easy access to a John Lewis.

I’ll try the Plumb Centre, thank you.

Ian

Leave the car at home, a road trip by bike is great fun.

BB

Useful thread, thank you. BB

I use dscolourlabs.co.uk, I’ve never had any complaints with quality or service.

Not in the same league as so many other projects on display here but I’m quite pleased with my first attempt at pyrography.

A bit late to the Uuni party but I bought one last year for our house in France. It was a reluctant purchase (I wanted to build a proper oven) but it has been a revelation. I have used it every day since we got it to make a small lunchtime pizza to serve with salad.

I got a free bag of Uuni pellets but once they were gone I bought what ever was cheapest (France is awash with pellets for heating systems). As I say I use it everyday and it costs about 4€ a month.

I make my own dough, it takes 10 mins max and that lasts 5 days. Yeast, Salt, Glug of olive oil, 1 cup water, 3 cups T45 flour. Mix in a bowl. Knead for 5 mins on surface, put back in a bowl, cover with cling film and put in the fridge. That’s it. As I finish one batch I make the next. It really is that simple.

I’ve been living in Limousin  for 3 years and absolutely love it. It feels like home, though I do still have a house in the UK.

We bought a small house that needed tidying rather than a sprawling project. You asked of pitfalls, and this does appear to be one that many Brits make and go on to regret. It is so easy to buy a huge house to rebuild with several acres of land for next to nothing in comparison to UK prices. But unless you have pots of cash behind you it may always be that millstone rather than your grand design dream.

There is also the issue of health care. I am just about in the French health system now but with Brexit terms still very much up in the air how people will get on in the future is anyone’s guess.

if you have any specific questions please do mail me.

That’s a very kind offer kayak23 but I’m based in SW France (Limoges) so I guess I am not that close. Paint it is then!

The last time I bought/used Humbrol I was 12 and rebuilding a Hurricane (model, obviously).

Thank you for the replies but unfortunately I do not have a laser etch machine in the shed, and I’m guessing it might not be cost effective to buy one for a one-off house sign.

So anymore paint recommendations please.

Oh and Norwich is a nice city to spend some time looking around, directly linked by train from Cromer.

This place has a good reputation locally if you like greek food.

http://www.constantiarestaurant.co.uk/about-us.aspx

And if you like NT properties Felbrigg Hall is worth a look.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/felbrigg-hall-gardens-and-estate

I absolutely loved my 350 SLK with 7g and paddles. I sold it as I needed the money to finance a house in France. The house is bought and if the SLK became available I would buy it back in a heartbeat.

I have an MX5 Mk1 (well it’s a Eunos import to be exact) that was manufactured in 1995. I imported it from Japan in 1999 and have owned it ever since. It has now done just over 110,000 miles but still drives really well. In fact it never ever fails to put a smile on my face when I drive it.

I really can’t see me ever selling it.

We have a Common Buzzard land in our garden in Norfolk most days. Happily it seems to be part of his routine. He hunts in the field behind us and then, once eaten, he sits on a post in our garden to digest.

Unless it is the Big Garden Bird Watch weekend which he appears to go in to hiding for every year!

Thanks all, but it does have to be a conventional mini oven.

I was offered redundancy/early retirement 2 years ago (at age 55). It seemed like too good an opportunity to pass up. The kids have both flown the nest and are (mostly) self-sufficient. My wife has another 2 years to do then she will join me at our home in France.

On the whole life is pretty good, I think retirement suits me, I’m always busy doing up our house/garden in Limousin or riding my bike.

Hi Dave, I’d be more than happy to contribute from my little corner of France. It’s a great idea and I wish I could do something similar for my mother, unfortunately advanced dementia has taken her from us.

Thank you everyone, some great ideas to work through.

I have a tiny house in the SW France that I spend most of my time at. I spend very little, have enough savings/investments that mean I don’t need to work. I have no idea how you measure “richest”. But I’m happy.

Thanks everyone. After a bit of investigation I have discovered it is actually an ATV 3. I think I’ll take it to France with me when I return home and see if I can use it for a few films etc

Thanks again,

Ian

Oh, one other thing. The French are very proud and protective of their memorials and statues that are in most villages and town centres. Locals will not be pleased if you allow your dog to cock his leg on or around the site.

I live in France but travel back to UK 6 or 7 times a year via Eurotunnel.

As others have said France really is very dog-friendly. They are allowed in most restaurants and hotels. Some hotels will charge a small fee but many “independents” do not.

Eurotunnel is really good for dog travellers. Just make sure you have all the paperwork to hand and allow 30mins extra before check in.

Dogs can go on French trains but you will have to buy a ticket for him. They should also be muzzled but I have never seen this enforced though I do carry a small nylon one with me just in case.

Dogs should be restrained in the car. You can use the full harnesses that are available or you can get a short lead that has a seat belt clip on one end. They are about 3€ from supermarkets. Again, I’ve never been asked for one but have one in the car just in case I get stopped.

Finally, be careful if you are walking around farmland. Farmers, very understandably, really do take a dim view of dogs off leads that “worry” their stock. Also be aware the the Chasse is in full swing at the moment which can mean packs of 20+ dogs chasing through farms and along the chemins.

If you have any other specific questions just ask and I will try to help if I can.

You really have been the best friend ever. I will miss you so much.

This is sooooooo easy; the iron. I buy clothes that can be washed, dried on a line/rad and then worn. Why anyone wants an iron is beyond me.

Thank you every body. Some great ideas, I will take a look at the map and see what suits us best. looks like it is going to be a bright day so maybe a lap of Grafham would be good fun.

Thanks again,

Ian

Thank you everyone. Wipac lamps fitted yesterday with Night Breaker bulbs, wow, what a difference. Very pleased indeed.

Ian

Thanks everyone for your help. Today I fitted some Wipac unites with Night Breaker bulbs. Such a difference! Thank you. The car is now safe to drive after dusk.