Went to the Suzuki garage and they indicated they could have the bike serviced and a new tyre fitted within one and a half hours ( the fastest time offered yet !). They directed me 200 metres down the road where they said I could get something to eat. Walked down and the whole area was an industrial complex and the place they had recommended was like a canteen for all the workers. They were getting meals ready for a big influx of people at lunchtime. Found someone who spoke english and he kindly offerred to make me an english style breakfast of ham and eggs. I agreed and went and got a large coffee ( arare event) and waited for my breakfast. When it arrived there were four fried eggs, each on a fried piece of ham. I thanked him and started, and soon realised the eggs had been cooked just enough to make the whites, white at the bottom, but virtually all the egg was raw!!.
I dipped the bread into the yolks, and eat as much as I could, but even for me this was a bridge too far, I couldn't eat them.
Went back and patiently waited for my bike.
The one and a half hour milestone flashed past and when I went into the mechanics part of the garage, my bike is in pieces, fairings off, tank off, and the mechanic was seeming to have trouble fitting the new air filter.
I talked to him for a while and he was a nice chap called Armic. He indicated the service was going fine and the bike would be ready shortly!!
Went to the guy at the service counter and asked him about the job. He said "I will check whether the tyre has been delivered yet!!"
He phoned up and said the tyre is due in 10 mins! The only tyre they could get was a Metzeller which is the tyre I used to have on the BMW so agreed.
Whilst I was in the garage with the mechanic I saw how he fitted the fairings and that was useful, the little catches that hold the fairings have a central pin that if you push this inwards it clicks into another position and allows the stud to be removed. If I had had to work that out myself I would have had to break one to determine how it worked!!
Phoned Savi and told her when I was setting off and then made the 20km journey to Hotemaze where Jenny from Skipton˙s sister June lives with her husband Franz. Spent a lovely afternoon with Jenny, June, Franz, Micky, Kristina and Savi, talking about my trip and then communism and the holocaust etc.
Later we went and looked at Franz´s new factory close by. Franz makes very high quality turntables for hi-fi systems. Later at his home he gave me a demonstation of his top end range turntable (€20,000 +) I have to say it was brilliant, I have never heard music as clear as that on any system before!! Not sure I can afford one though, or start a vinyl collection now at this late time in my life.
Savi and I went to a local hotel for the evening and had a lovely meal sharing soup and then a large trout.
More later
TOR
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