Brompton Bike Service - Penny Farthing Cycles

Brompton Mini Overhaul

I noticed my tyre was a little soft the other day so asked Ciaran to put some air in it for me. Two days after this when I went to cycle  it was back a little soft which led me to believe that I had a slow puncture. I was heading to work, so I returned home and switched my bike out for Ciaran's.

Ciaran then dropped my bike in for repair to Penny Farthing Cycles on Camden Street while I was in work, 

It was timely to get it to the shop as it was well overdue a service. 

Later in the day the shop called to ok the additional parts that were needed to be changed. New back brakes were needed along with a new chain. I ok'd these parts and then asked if they had a standard size seat post in stock. They said they would check and would install if they did. After all of that, they said the bike would be ready for pick up any time after 5.30pm.

Penny Farthing Cycles seem to do most repairs and services on the same day as drop off which is fantastic, They are also conveniently located on Camden Street, along with friendly staff. Given that they are official Brompton Suppliers & Servicers, I highly reccomend this shop!

So, when I arrived later to collect my bike, the mechanic advised that he did have a standard size post but it was black rather than metal like the extended one that was currently on my bike. The reason I wanted to switch out the post was because when travelling with my Brompton I have to take my saddle off in order to fit it in the travel case because I have the longer length post. The extended post came as standard on my bike when I bought it, but I really didn't need it because I never put the post up to its full length. I guess if I gave a loan of my bike to a taller person they would enjoy the extra length, but for me it is unnecessary.  So given the option of switching to a standard size post in black, I jumped at it.

And guess what?! It looks great!

I nearly think it looks like a special edition black Brompton and I feel like it has really upgraded the look of my Brompton. 

Of course it is about the usability too and it is so convenient to pull the post up to the top height and not have to readjust down. The mechanic also changed the postion of my saddle and this has also improved the rideability. It feels great to cycle on it, and for a 50 Euro part it is like a new bike!!

Here's a close up of the new pole. 

I was given the old post to take home so I will hold on to that. I could possibly put it up for sale on Done Deal or the like, but it also could come in handy if for some reason a taller person took a lend of my bike and I could put the older taller metal post on to the bike for this time.

In case you were wondering what my bike looked like with the metal post, here's a pic of me on it back in Malaga sometime in 2020 or 2021.

Let me know which you think looks better!

Sailing in Montenegro

We are back from our recent sailing trip along the coast of Montenegro!

It was a fantastic trip and after flying to Dubrovnik, Croatia we made our way to Herceg Novi across the Montenegro border.

From there we travelled to Tivat in order to meet up with our crew (and our boat Rumba) and then set off stopping off at places like Risan, Rosa, Kotor, Bar, Bigova & Budva.

There was so much to see all along the spectacular coast and I was particularly impressed by the walled cities of Kotor and Budva.

In Kotor, cats are king!

Breakfast and lunch was generally had onboard with dinner on land. The seafood was great and we enjoyed tuna, seabass, seabream and delicious swordfish.

As I mentioned in a previous blog post Ciaran did a competent radio operator licence so he was on duty as we approached marinas where he notified our arrival.

One unique experience we had was that we saw submarine bunkers built by Yugoslavia in perhaps the 1950's. So hauntingly erie and very scary but also a lot like visiting a James Bond film set!

I'll probably post a few more pics and memories of this trip over the next few days but I will mention what is always a trip highlight - dolphins. And yes we did see some on what was our last day as we headed in to dock in Herceg Novi. So exciting!

All in all a great sailing trip and when we left the crew (who are staying on for another week and will possibly head to Albania) we headed back to Croatia stopping off in Cavtat before flying back to Dublin from Dubrovnik.

National Cinema Day 2023

Satuday was National Cinema Day so of course we had to join in on the fun.  It was a gloriously sunny day and I was going to do a "double header" by going to see a film in the afternoon and then on to The Equalizer for a 9pm showing.  But it was such a nice day, I felt it would be a shame to spend it indoors during the day in a dark cinema. So I went and met up with the Friends of the Grand Canal instead and picked litter. And after that I sun bathed and read in the garden.

The neighbours across the road had set up a lemonade stand to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis so I also visted this and enjoyed a lovely glass of refreshing homemade lemonade and had a chat with neighbours. Such a nice thing to do in the neighbourhood and for such a worthy cause.

And then when Ciaran came home, we decided to go to Farmer Browns in Rathmines for a burger before we went to the showing of The Equalizer. 

Farmer Browns was busy but we got a lovely table half in and half outside which was just perfect. Food was great and it all felt very relaxing. We are both not drinking until our holiday so I just had a Coke Zero which Ciaran had water with our chicken burgers.

And then after dinner we walked slowly up the road to the Omniplex for the film, stopping off in the foyer to get some popcorn and a drink. I had booked the tickets a few days ago and had them on my phone - so convenient! 

The cinema was packed and I reckon that there was probably only one or two tickets not sold. 

Denzel Washington put on a great performance and I really enjoyed the film. And then to top it all off we had a lovely walk home in what was still very pleasant weather at 11pm. 

Just a perfect day I think!

Jimmy Buffett RIP - Rest in Paradise

Sad to hear that the eternal pirate Jimmy Buffett has died. I hope he is on a prorch somewhere enjoying a cheeseburger and margarita strumming his six string watching the world go by.

I've got great memories of going to see him in Dublin with my mother - you can read my Jimmy Buffett blog here.

Pictured above, is me outside the venue wearing my Margaritaville shirt waiting in line to go and see Jimmy.