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Category: Random
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I used to like the idea of being spontaneous and also did not fancy using a sat nav however once you have tried to get a room somewhere to find you cannot get one as they are full due to a local festival, over priced (Italy circa 2001, 11 pm in a roadside motel style @ €175 comes to mind) , you cannot find one (sounds strange I know but there are miles and miles of nothing in parts of Germany and France - well apart from excellent scenery) and to book into somewhere and find it awful, we now do as above - i.e. find a final destination and plan route around it.
We use a combination of Biker Friendly accommodation on www.thebikerguide.co.uk and if there is nothing in the area we want we also look on other accommodation websites.
We did a trip a couple of years ago with the final destination being Colditz Castle, which you can stay in. Went in July for 3-ish weeks with everything booked, set into sat nav and you know what - thank goodness as it rained everyday but one. We would set off with the next place in the sat nav - take off route when we wanted and arrive at destination stress free.
We stayed at some great places, travelled fantastic roads and routes, ate well, found our way easy even with the many roadwork diversions and would pass by others at the side of the road battling with a big wet soggy map to find their way. We did also pack a map as back-up or to look at a vaster area on a larger scale, however we are happy to say it return dry and not soggy.
I think once you have used a sat nav on a big trip which gets you to destinations easy, gets you out of a diversion and back on route, helps you navigate/find food and petrol, you wonder what you did before the United States militaryreleased the technology for GPS!
In fact travelling without the technology and maps on hand is a gamble...
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Dartmoor is a beautiful place and perfect for a retreat. Whether you need a break from city life or simply want to get out and enjoy a new area of the UK, Dartmoor is the place to go. Relax, rejuvenate, and get rid of your stress. With this guide, you’ll master your downtime.
1. Get Out in Nature
One of the best things to do in Dartmoor is to explore the countryside. Dartmoor is, after all, the largest moorland in the south of England, and also features the largest area of unglaciated upland. This makes for stunning landscapes and truly tranquil walks.
Heading out and enjoying nature walks, or even just sitting down for a picnic, does wonders for our health and wellbeing, and with so many great trails in Dartmoor, you are spoiled for choice.
If you need help picking out some stunning walks to enjoy during your time in Dartmoor, here are our favourites:
Fingle Gorge 
This is a spectacular riverside walk that promises sweeping views and enchanting sounds.
Easdon Tor
This rock-topped hill is only ten minutes away from Moorland View on foot. Head up and enjoy 360-degree views of the area. Perfect for a sunny, clear day and especially during sunset.
Grimspound
Grimspound inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Hounds of Baskerville. It is known for its 24 Bronze Age roundhouses, so head on out and tour them for yourselves.
River Bovey
For a flat, lovely walk, head from Moorland View to Bovey Castle. You’ll enjoy wildflower woodlands, stone bridges, and of course, end up at one of the best attractions in Dartmoor.
2. Enjoy the Spa Facilities Available
There are so many great spa facilities available in Dartmoor to continue your downtime from the city.
Relax and get pampered in a variety of locations in the area, including the stunning Bovey Castle.
Bovey Castle
Bovey castle features the Elan Spa, which offers excellent packages and views of the River Dart.
This ladies-only spa is elegant and offers award-winning services right on the English Riviera.
Another award-winning spa, this one is located in a stunning manor house on the Exeter Gold and Country Club grounds.
Don’t be afraid to have a quiet evening in when you are in Dartmoor.
Your stay in Dartmoor should be relaxing and allow you to destress. Make your trip here a regular treat and explore the entire area to its fullest. Find your favourite haunts, and don’t be afraid to just spend a night in without a care in the world. Dartmoor is here for you, year after year, so experience it slowly and enjoy it luxuriously.
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Mitas, part of the Trelleborg Group, enhances its offering to the trail/adventure segment of the motorcycle market, and due to popular demand reintroduces a number of sizes to its E-07 range alongside the successful E-07+ to give riders in this dynamic segment even more choice.
Gustavo Pinto Teixeira, Vice President Two Wheels and Specialty Tyres, explains: “The E-07 is a true 50% on-road and 50% off-road adventure tyre. Over its long years of service it has continued to be one of the most desirable choices for adventure riders, as it combines road riding performance and wear with more adventurous off-road trips. Due to its hardwearing compound and optimal performance on- and off-road, the E-07 remains a preferred choice on many journeys across the world.”
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As a biker, you've experienced the enjoyment and freedom that comes with riding a motorbike. Thinking about giving life saving medical treatment to a fallen biker is probably not the first thing you think about when riding your bike. But having a plan on how to deal with a Road Traffic Accident (RTA) involving a motorcyclist could help to administer first aid or even save a life.
Let me introduce you to the 5 Point Plan (5PP).
 Point 1 - As a rider get trained in motorcycle first aid. Motorcycle first aid training, terminology and environment is different than the normal first aid at work. There are many organisations across the United Kingdom that cover this type of course. 
Point 2 - Carry a First Aid Kit. When you are dealing with a casualty that may have sustained a fracture or bleeding wound, not having a first aid kit at your disposal becomes very difficult when one has to improvise. There is no excuse by not having room on your bike as there are many different types and sizes available to cover all motorcycles.
Point 3 – Dealing with a Road Traffic Accident or Collision.
If you arrive on scene or witness an RTA involving a motorcyclist there is a set procedure to follow. This would be covered in a motorcycle first aid course however I will summarise the main points.
Ø Safety – You are in a high risk environment look after yourself, your casualties and any bystanders. Call for help 999 on landline, 999/112 on mobile.
Ø Check for immediate danger and protect the scene by using other motorbikes, cars or bystanders wearing hi visibility clothing.
Ø Check for casualties who need first aid assistance. Follow current first aid protocols which is Danger, Airway, Breathing, Bleeding or CPR, Defibrillation, Evacuation) on all casualties. Evacuation means being moved to hospital via ambulance to Emergency Medical Care (EMS). Some casualties may have hidden or multiple injuries, prioritise and treat.
Ø If you suspect major injury ie: Neck, Spinal, Fracture – Do not move them but treat in the position found. 
Point 4 – This is a contentious issue involving helmet removal.
Ø A motorcyclist who is breathing leave motorcycle helmet on and treat accordingly.
Ø A motorcyclist who is not breathing, you may need to remove his helmet. However, it takes 2 people to remove a helmet and only carryout this procedure if you have had suitable training in helmet removal.
Ø If your casualty is not breathing normally and you feel that you do not have the confidence to remove the helmet then “CPR Only” may be the only option. I would rather do something than nothing.
There are many schemes in the UK which advises not to remove the helmet ie: the crash card that inserts inside the helmet which carries vital medical information for the ambulance personnel. Some riders have a sticker on the helmet which states “Only to be removed by medical professionals”. Whatever system you use, this goes back to having some training in motorcycle first aid.
Point 5 – Don’t forget to “Reassure” the casualty or casualties. This sometimes is forgotten and to be honest, reassuring the casualty is all that is needed prior to the arrival of EMS.
Remember the 5 Point Plan. “Training, First aid kit, Get help, Don’t remove the helmet unless absolutely necessary, Reassure”
Article was written by KJ Training Solutions
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When I lived in Greece, working lots of hours, a bit stressed and without a tan, a Greek friend told me this story...
An American tourist is staying on a small Greek island and goes into a small taverna one evening. Takes a table outside and after a while orders a carafe of local wine and some plates of Greek mezes. The order is taken by a middle aged Greek man, who after a short time brings him his order and leaves the American to enjoy. During the evening a few locals and tourist come into the taverna, either to drink, enjoy the delicious Greek dishes from the small menu and/or see Kosta their friend, the owner of the taverna. The American leaves around midnight.
The next morning the tourist passes by the taverna and notices it is closed and so he finds another place to take morning coffee. Whilst he sits, watching the world go by, a little later he sees the Greek man from the taverna leaving the harbour in a small boat. 
The American sees Kosta return a few hours later, with a small catch of fish. He is surprised to see him back so soon as he presumes that the catch of fish is his food supply for the taverna for the evening. He passes by and asks if he had a good fishing trip. The Greek man says he had a great morning and was just going home to have lunch with his family, play with his children, take a siesta and see some of his friends before he opened the taverna for the evening.
The American ponders what he has seen and is a little confused by what he thinks is the Greek man’s lacking of business opportunities, so he returns to the taverna that evening to give the Greek some ‘free advice’.
He waits for Kosta to arrive at the taverna, thinking he will give his valuable advice, before the evening rush… He boasts "I run a very successful business in the USA and I could help you. This is what you should do - You should open your taverna for more hours and with the increase in profits after a while you could buy a bigger taverna and employ more staff. Then after a few more years you could buy a bigger boat, takes on some crew, fish more and increase your profit margins more. Then you could open another taverna, employ more staff and then you would be able to purchase another boat, more crew and increase your profits even more. In fact you could buy several boats and eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of just using your catch in just your taverna with these extra boats you could sell to other tavernas and restaurants, you could even export.”
The Greek man smiles and says “Then what would I do?”
“Well with all this extra income, you could leave this small island and move to Athens, and run a distribution centre for your expanding enterprise."
The Greek man smiles and says “Then what would I do?”
The American replies “Well with all this hard work, you would have people working for you who could run your successful business, so giving you more free time for you to enjoy life”.
The Greek man asks, "My friend, how long will this all take?" To which the American businessman replies, "15-20 years."
"But what then?" The businessman laughs and says, "That is the best part! When the time is right you would sell your company and become very rich. You would make millions."
Kosta smiles and says “Millions! And then what would I do?”
The American joyfully announces "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your children, take a daily siesta, stroll into the village and see your friends”.
The Greek man still smiling, looked up and said, "Isn't that what I'm doing right now? I am already rich”.
My thoughts…
We live in a world in which to some being successful is everything – but what is success? Too many it is measured by your job title, the car you drive, the control you have on others, the plush offices you work from, rather than how happy and healthy you are.
Is having more material things really a successful life? I know that some of the happiest times in my life (and the most lessons learnt) have been when I had a low income job and lived very basically; however I had a happy and healthy life, surrounded by friends, family and life.
In the story above, the businessman measures success by his own expectations, wealth, materialistic life and status. It is a thought process of many in this day and age that "The person with the most new and shiny toys wins”. I myself was once crititzed for have a very out of date phone (it only made calls and sent texts – shame on me) by someone who had hand-made boots, expensive suits, the latest mobile phone and dined in fine restaurants, smoozing to get business, however was in lots of debt to have this lifestyle and had not had a holiday in years. He was not happy when I pointed out that even though my brick of a phone was embarrassing for him, it did not bother the locals when I was on my last holiday a few weeks previously.
In the past few years I have seen a few people who have a great business, which is run on a very basic budget and idea. These include a chap on a beach in Cuba who drives up and down a beach in a little truck, selling Pino Coladas to all-inclusive guests for £6. At first you would think - How can he sell those to people who are on All-inclusive? Then he pulls up and you watch him make what was 'the' best Pino I have 'ever' had. Made in front of you from fresh pineapples, laced with quality rum, sprinkled with fresh coconut and served to you while you lounge on a white sandy beach. I think he made an average days wage for a Cuban in 2 hours one day. Was he happy? What do you think? Not only was he happy but his job involved meeting people who were happy and pleased to see him.
I also read recently of a business which had two very nice shops in affluent areas of Cheshire selling hade-made chocolates, with high rents, wages, vat, etc., who was closing (on the verge of bankruptcy) who had wished he had stayed in the small factory outlet he started from, selling to others, rather than run his own shops, which he had done as he felt it was the way forward and would make his business more successful. On the surface this man was rich and successful, however the reality is the man on the beach is Cuba is richer.
I have in the last few months had conversations with a couple of people in business which I find interesting to compare. One told me he was shutting his business for a few weeks as he did not want to go over the level for which he would pay vat, mainly for the extra work involved so he was jetting off to Australia for a couple of months. Another who was just starting and wanted to be known as a 'Director' of a business, so rather than start small and grow (making sure his business idea would work) he was going into lots of debt to start, taking legal advice, getting plush offices, getting suits hand-made and dangerously presuming that he was already a brand to compete with Coca-Cola! I did want to share some words of wisdom with Mr Director, however remained tight-lipped and wished him well, just as I wished 'Mr I am off to Oz for the winter' a great trip AND I meant it.
There is a danger in waiting to live the life that you really want to live, when you could actually do it now, by making a few sacrifices or by not just succumbing to the pressures of today’s sociality of materialistic possessions and job titles.
As Christmas draws nearer I am reminded of the best Christmas present I had as a child, (as an adult only Mr S's pressie of a Lonely Planet book of Thailand with a plane ticket inside comes anyway close) which probably gave me a lot of my thought processes and not be materialistic... I wanted a new red and gold bicycle and so my father bought a 2nd hand one, stripped it of the colour, rubbed it down and then spray painted it in the colours I wanted, bought new wheels, saddle bag and a brand new shiny bell. I loved that bike - and did not even think that it was not new, I was just so happy that my father had made that much of an effort.
So do what makes you happy, trust your instincts and never presume that your own expectations of life and possessions are what will work for others.
Right, I’m off to the pound shop…
SJ R-S written circa 2015
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