Born to be Mild

I've mentioned The High Lord of Southwick's enormous steed on these pages before.

He rides a motorcycle slightly bigger than the Isle of Wight that is equipped with all mod cons: air conditioning, hot drinks maker, cocktail cabinet, satellite navigation, cigar lighter, in-seat jacuzzi, CD and radio sound system wired to in-helmet speakers, under-seat small Phillipino man-servant ... [note - not all of these are strictly true].

For bike fans - it's a BMW K1150RT, known colloquially as "that bloody great big thing". Seriously speaking the K1150RT is the touring bike that other touring bikes are measured against. All day at moderately illegal speeds in extreme comfort; set off in the early morn and just keep rolling until dusk - you might just find that you've ended up in Barcelona. Or Millbrook.

The point of this story, though, is the CD/radio and in-helmet speaker system. Imagine, if you will, the sounds of Steppenwolf thundering into your lug 'oles as you swish effortlessly along the motorway, sweeping past juggernauts, caravans and other assorted tin-tops.

Imagine then, if you will, The High Lord's choice of listening in the identical circumstance...


The High Lord tells me that he thoroughly enjoyed the episode of The Archers that played during his trip to Cornwall, but preferred to switch over when Gardeners' Question Time came on.

Altogether now,

"Get your motor running

Head out on the highway

Lookin' for adventure

Whatever comes your way

Elizabeth and Kenton 'n'

Ambridge Parish Council.

What's happenin' with David,

A pint of Shire's is on its way..."

[it is possible that not all of these lyrics are from the original Born To Be Wild by the unusually monikered Mars Bonfire of Steppenwolf]