Motorbike enquiries
After lunch at first I was planning to go to university, but I've had a sinus headache all day (more likely caused by the beer I had last night) and Debbie gave me a lift to Wallsend Library instead. After the library I went to a local motorbike shop and made a few enquiries.
They had a couple of Vespa / Moped type bikes there, and a couple of really good condition "Postie Bikes" as well. Each was just under $2,000, and I asked about other things as well. It seems that third party on the "auto" type of motorbike is in the region of $170 (instead of the $450 I generally paid for the Rauni). If I drove it all week petrol costs would be somewhere between $10 to $20! The biggestest bit of information he gave me was that I should go to the RTA and see about getting a learners. Went tothe RTA and they were very helpful. The process is that learner drivers first take a preliminary course that teaches you to manage travelling on a bike safely (e.g. not fall off or skid while you turn). It's a local two day course and costs about $75.
I'm booked in for Saturday and Sunday this weekend. I'm attending the 12:30pm session which doesn't come out until 4pm which means getting home easily might be difficult. However, if I ride my bicycle to Cardiff Station each day that might be less of a problem.
But, it's STEP ONE in getting my own bike, and that will give me greater independence in r=travekla nd my social life (I hope).