Tango

I'm going to attempt another bbq this evening. Friday's one ended with me stood in the garden with a rain jacket on cursing the weather! Probably gave our neighbours a good laugh and confirmed their view that les Anglais are all mad!

Well, our move out here was initiated around 18 months-2 years ago. The headquarters in Montpellier sounded her out about a European role based out of there. I investigated early retirement and she geared up for the move. I retired in August last year and we were investigating places to live out here when she got a call to say that, because of the pandemic and a slowing down of business, there was a headcount freeze and her job offer had to be withdrawn. Anyway, we'd already made our minds up to move over here, so we just went for it. She set herself up as a freelance consultant, but work has been very slow. So, this current job came out of the blue, but fits in nicely, as they pretty much let her write the job spec and dictate her hours. So, yes, Pete.....it's all falling into place nicely now.

She was Sales and Marketing manager at a medical company in the UK before we moved, Pete. The company's European headquarters is in Montpellier. They contacted her a short while back about a technical liason type job, as she used to work in the labs, so, a slight change of direction for her, but she always preferred the more technical jobs anyway.

She's pretty desperate to get back to work......I'm not sure if I should take that personally or not?

You can travel outside the 10km limit with an Attestation I think, but I'm not sure which category it would fall within. I went to Montpellier to pick up the new bike and filled in the one for collecting purchases. I guess it depends on how far you need to go and how likely is it that you'll get stopped?

I've done a whole 200m on it since I got it, Pete! But once we move and the missus starts work I'm hoping to get out on it a lot more.

Pissing it down here! I didn't move all this way for British weather!

I personally don't have a problem with a discreet and relevant ad here or there, as long as it doesn't eat up too much screen space or become to obtrusive, if it means the survival of the forum. Voluntary donations are also OK I think. But this is going at a tangent from the original post. Yes, buying up forums and killing them off doesn't strike me as a robust business model!

One of my old bosses used to say "if it costs nothing it has no value" , although this was in the context of giving customers something for nothing, which the sales guys liked doing....frequently!

Exactly! There's a strict flouncing protocol that has to be observed......leaving without following this protocol is just "buggering off", AWOL.....etc!

How about this guy?

If the lockdown gets lifted and it stops raining! ???

Great pictures.....and great bikes too. ?

That's a hard won title that I hope to one day aspire to! ??

Lol....no, I'm not underselling my linguistic abilities, I have perfected the glazed "I didn't understand a word of what you just said" look! ?? We're actually moving very soon to Cébazan, which is just up the road from Capestang. I managed to bring the majority of my tools over with me, so fitting a set of bars shouldn't be too much of an issue, as long as they line up with the mounting holes reasonably well. I've only dealt with the salesman so far, so I've yet to terrorise the workshop guys yet! ?? But, if I get stuck I may well take up the offer of help from your oppo! Cheers. ?

He's just trying to make you jealous, Pete........treat 'em mean to keep 'em keen! ???

Yep....we're all tarts! ???

Lol. Shhhh....don't tell Xtreme, but I'm on there too. ??? Thanks, Six....looking forwards to getting out on it soon. ?

Thanks. I'm looking forwards to getting to know it, but that engine seems to be pretty good from what I've read. I've owned various Triumphs for many years now, so this will ring the changes. ?

Lol ? I guess that I wanted something a bit "adventure" and less "hooligan" than the Speedy. The CB500X seems to be fairly popular and at the price including 5 years warranty and breakdown cover it ticked most of the boxes. Like Xtreme, there's a good number of dirt tracks and fire break roads around, so something with a bit of mild offroad capability seems like a good idea. ?

Good points. I guess that the Honda ones not featuring in the owners forums is not an encouraging sign? I would speak with the mechanics at the dealers, but they all talk funny here! ??

Yes, definitely good to have 2 wheels at my disposal again. Yeah, I see what you're saying. Only trouble is that the dealer would probably point me in the direction of the Honda ones......which are considerably more expensive than any of the others and they're rarely mentioned in the owners forums. But I guess that they'd fit ok. ?

It's a nice pearlescent white too.....looks really good in the sun....?

Yes, I'll do a review once I put some KMs on it. TBH the difference in prices between used and new was generally so small that I thought I'd go for new and have the 5 year warranty and breakdown cover.