Eriskay – Outer Hebrides

Eriskay (Scottish Gaelic: Èirisgeigh, pronounced [ˈeɾʲiʃkʲej]), from the Old Norse for “Eric’s Isle”, is an island and community council area of the Outer Hebrides in northern Scotland. It lies between South Uist and Barra and is connected to South Uist by a causeway which was opened in 2001. In the same year Eriskay became the ferry terminal for travelling between South Uist and Barra. The Caledonian MacBrayne vehicular ferry travels between Ceann a’ Ghàraidh in Eriskay and Ardmore in Barra. The crossing takes around 40 minutes.

Enjoy some views of this beautiful place here :

Some more views from the Eriskay Ferry Terminal

& Finally the views from the Metal cage Pier placed on the embankments

Going Beyond – on next step I take you into the Barra Island, last one of the Hebrides and quite exotic one.  🙂
Watch out this space for more.

Beautiful gem of Scottish Hebrides.

GoPro 3 – The Excitement – Questions and the wait

I am quite sure that by now, more than half of the world already knows what GoPro is and what they make. For the ones who may still not know will know a lot more after reading this post. I have been thinking about it from a long time if I shall make a jump and spend these few hundred quids getting my hands on these small little geeky inventions which capture all your motion pictures in amazing quality.

Another reason, I want to get one is for my own safety on the road. On Friday, 21st June 2013 –  I was knocked on from my right with the impact on my right leg, the side of my motorcycle and left front of the car. It was slow speed at 2omph filtering through standstill traffic on motorway(A1M) heading north. Although, I was very very lucky to come off it unhurt in a nasty manner – Not that I don’t ride safe but because someone else’s mistake – I was about to lose my limb or even more – not sure if it matters now but it sure left me with a experience of a lifetime to remember once again. I ride to live and not ride to show-off so there is a difference in me being a motorcyclist. Motorcycle is my only way to life – for it constitutes my only way of transportation.  Going back to the topic – GoPro has been on my mind for quite long time but now I do feel the need for it even more.

So before I go buy one, I had several questions in my head about what I shall buy. There are already plenty of alternatives similar to the GoPro cameras but I prefer to stick with the known branded option as I have had no self experience with these little gadgets. The best I have used so far is the FULL HD on my Nokia Lumia 920 but I am restricted to use it on the move due to its size and shape. I want to mount it and be free from the fear of letting it fall off on the move. I have done my bit of homework but still I have no answers to few questions which I will find out once I get on with it.

I intend to use it for everyday move in and out from London all year long so it better be reliable, rugged and waterproof. So my basic conditions would have to be met and they are offered in GoPro by default. So which version, model and mounts. Huh, there is endless heap of information to dig when you go finding GoPro3 but it really is a heap to dig at. Some of the questions which I really still struggle to find answers even after 3 days of digging is very vague. So, I know what to find when I get it first and share it out.

So, after all the research, pricing and careful thinking I had to decide with the top of the range GoPro3 Black Version – which basically has the so called best resolution of this modern day and age in its little tiny camera which you can fit anywhere(almost) when you are on the move. I ordered mine online after finding the cheapest deal for £250.99 which actually retails at £359.99 + £11 Shipping reaching £370 on the GoPro website itself.  Now, this is the first time I am ordering from a different source so I am still bit anxious but the reviews on the website and other online sources gave me a piece of mind while ordering it.

Now, I have few questions in my head which are not very clearly answered anywhere – point to point.
How much time does it take to charge a GoPro3 battery pack ?
How long does the battery pack lasts on different modes under different weather conditions ?
How stable and smooth the vibrations are handled by GoPro3 ?
How many mounts shall I buy / what is the best possible positions ?
Is after market battery packs an option ?
How much space would it use on the 32Gb Class 10 UHS-1  Micro SD card ?
How do I play with the GoPro Remote while I am on the move ?

I have already downloaded the GoPro 3 app on the phone to see the live view when it is mounted so at least in that regards I should be well off. Also, awaiting for SANDISK 32GB Class10 UHS-1 Micro SD card which should be with me shortly. So in total  a bit of expensive thing to start with. But I am hopeful this should yield me something good and creative to share. To bring all those exotic British landscapes while I ride through them in all the good /bad /ugly weather conditions.

For Now, it is just the waiting period. Photos and videos will be shared once I get the order. Since I am not a video person in terms of shooting and editing – I will be on a new learning curve to understand all the technical depths of modern resolutions by doing it myself. Although in the meanwhile, I am considerate reading the reviews from all those who bought this and have experienced battery issues. Definitely, more battery packs needed.  We shall see it all once I get it.

 

British Weather

Of the British weather, there is no guarantee that it will be sunny when it says sunny and it will be spring when it has to be spring. Now, that said – we humans get used to these changes quite easily in our own nests and our own habitats. But about those in nature that depends on these changes – yes, I am talking of the birds that fly across from Africa after their long haul flights to breed and realise that its way too cold for them to breed.
May be I am overly cautious here but yes I am making a point here with the way this weather has been so far.

Well that said, here is a little view to the changing weathers of the Britain’s seasons. It just seems that the endless winter and cold is never really gone – It rains and stays gray for 6 days shows sun on one day and then repeats the same process again. [Read the whole article here]

At the same time, we are looking at this beautiful scene from the countryside of England.  You cannot resist saying its beautiful and indeed, it is. Just that the nature is something we humans can never be able to control but yet we unknowingly cause so much damage to it.

If at all I can, I would wish people could show respect to nature and teach our coming generations to give back to nature what we always take back from it.

Sitting here and watching the rain fall – it just never stops 🙂 … May be stops but comes back again faster than it actually stopped. Back to reality – Back to work.

Snow in April, London 2013

How strange could it get – for the first time I could remember since I have been in UK – I have never seen snowfall in London in April.
Is this the sign of the “Global Warming, perhaps”

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SORV4au8qJs%5D

For more on the snow collection : Join me on the Youtube channel

Triumph Speed Triple 1050 – 2013

2013 Triumph Speed Triple 1050
in Diablo Red.

On the side notes, the bike feels taller than previous Triumph Speed Triple model and also heavier but with the track tires on the bike it makes it more of a powerful naked beast in the traffic. 

Specifications

Engine and Transmission
Type		Liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, in-line 3-cylinder
Capacity		1050cc
Bore/Stroke		79.0 x 71.4mm
Fuel System		Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection with SAI
Exhaust		Stainless Steel 3 into 1 into 2, twin high level stainless steel silencers
Final Drive		X ring chain
Clutch		Wet, multi-plate
Gearbox		6-speed
Oil Capacity		3.8 litres (1.0 US gals)
Chassis, Running Gear and Displays
Frame		Aluminium beam twin-spar
Swingarm		Single-sided, aluminium alloy with eccentric chain adjuster
Wheel	Front	Cast aluminium alloy multi-spoke 17 x 3.5in
	Rear	Cast aluminium alloy multi-spoke 17 x 6.0in
Tyre	Front	120/70 ZR 17
	Rear	190/55 ZR 17
Suspension	Front	Showa 43mm upside down forks with adjustable rebound and compression damping, 120mm travel
	Rear	Showa Monoshock with adjustable preload, rebound and compression damping, 130mm rear wheel travel
Brakes	Front	Twin 320mm floating discs, Brembo 4-piston 4-pad radial calipers (ABS model available)
	Rear	Single 255mm disc, Nissin single 2-piston sliding caliper (ABS model available)
Instrument Display/Functions		LCD multi-functional instrument pack with digital speedometer, fuel gauge, trip computer, analogue tachometer, lap timer, programmable gear change lights, service interval announcement display, TPMS ready
Dimensions and Capacities
Length		2086mm (82.1in)
Width (handlebars)		728mm (28.6)
Height without mirrors		1033mm (40.6in)
Seat Height		825mm (32.5in)
Wheelbase		1435mm (56.5in)
Rake/Trail		22.8º / 90.9mm
Fuel Tank Capacity		17.5 litres (4.6 US gals)
Wet Weight (ready to ride)		214 kg (471 lbs)
Performance (measured at crankshaft to 95/1/EC)
Maximum Power		135PS / 133bhp / 99 kW @ 9400rpm
Maximum Torque		111Nm / 82 ft.lbs @ 7750rpm
Fuel Efficiency		Urban: 40.9 mpg (6.9 l/100km) – 56mph: 59.5mpg (4.7l/100km) – 75mph: 53.6mpg (5.3l/100km)
Price
On The Road		£8,999 (+ £600 for optional ABS)