Way on back in the earlier days of their blog my dear bogging friend Lili, of fantastic cakes and rock climbing fame nominated me for the “Liebster Award.” I was pretty chuffed at the time (Chuffed = British slang for pleased) and duly did what was required of me and posted a response as required by the award; you can link to that here.
Fast-forward to the present and out of the blue that USA based Scottish Photographer, Blogger and International Chocolate Connoisseur, Alba has challenged me with another “Liebster.” This is of course both very cool and a bit humbling; after all it is an acknowledgment by another blogger that you must be doing something right, therefore thank you Alba!
As part of the deal with the award I have to answer a series of questions set by Alba; so here goes, this should be fun!
1. Why do you blog?
I started blogging as a way of recording some of the motorcycle tours that I do. I used to tour around and send friends emails to let them know where I was and what I was up to. It just sort of seemed the logical thing to progress to, I hate “Face-Twit” and blogging enables me to capture thoughts and moments that I can look back on and relive the moment. It has also enabled me to develop some posts into magazine articles, which is pretty cool!
The blog has developed into something more than just being about touring on motorbikes and I’m pretty pleased with that. In the not to distant future I’m looking at overhauling the site, changing a few things around and maybe going “Premium.” So I may need the considerable skills of Alba in the field of Website development!
2. If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I’d like to be able to visit anywhere in the world that I wanted to and have the freedom and peace to be able to do that without the restrictions of Politics, Fanatics, Race-hate, Dictators and Wars…
…as John Lennon said “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.”
Broadly though, I’ve pretty much gone everywhere that I really want at the present, my only current “Itch” is to go to Nordkapp/Northcape in Norway, it’s the most Northerly point in Europe. I would naturally have to go on a motorbike.
Why?
Well, because it’s there of course!
3. Star Wars or Star Trek?
Star Trek. No doubt at all.
4. Favourite Movie?
Diamonds are Forever.
Pure escapism James Bond before it all got too commercial.
5. Favourite Book.
Tricky this one.
I’ve a number of railway and engineering technical tomes that I really enjoy dipping into from time to time, but would be far too boring (and specialist) to recount here.
Fiction-wise I like Ian Fleming’s “Goldfinger” and I had a lot of fun retracing some of the route described in the book on one of my trips a few years back.
In the footsteps of James Bond.
6. Favourite Song
Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen.
“Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau,” the Welsh National Anthem – I have tears running down my face every time I sing it at a rugby international!
Do you like to Cook and what is your best dish?
Yes, I adore cooking. Best dish, well I make a pretty ace Game Pie!
My Game Pie.
8. What makes you laugh?
I’m very British when it come to my sense of humour, so I love irony and satire. I like laughing at myself too!
9. Most embarrassing moment?
With skin a thick as mine, embarrassment doesn’t come into it!
10. Singing or dancing?
With my Welsh Blood, naturally it’s singing!
11. T.Rex or Dragons?
Hmm really tricky.
I loved T.Rex in those far off Glam-Rock Days of the 1970’s; Marc Bolan was just fantastic and amazingly it was 40 years ago this year that he died in a car crash.
Dragons live in my beloved, magical, Welsh mountains…if you know where to look! The Red Dragon/Y Ddraig Goch is found on the flag of Wales.
The Welsh Dragon at Mametz Wood, The Somme.
I’m going to have to say Dragons…!
Did you know that T.Rex made an album called “Futuristic Dragon”?
There you are then, I hope that answers your questions Alba.
Now at this point I’m supposed to come up with my own string of questions and pass it on in a chain letter sort of way, but ‘cos I like breaking the rules I’m just going to suggest a few sites that I follow and are well worth dropping in on!
Finding Myself Through Writing
If anyone feels like having a go themselves and linking me in on their answers here’s a few questions from me:
1. How do you decide on a subject for a blog post?
2. What has been your own favourite blog post.
3. Vinyl or digital?
4. Have you ever been surfing? (No not the internet – real surf, as in the Ocean!)
5. Where are you planning to go on your next adventure?
6. If you could go back in time to witness something in history what would it be?
7. Have you ever seen a ghost or UFO (or both)?
8. Rolling Stones or Beatles?
9. Most precious item that you possess that has no monetary value?
10. Who do you most admire and why?
11. I have a spare pillion seat on the back of my Harley, where shall we go?
Catch you soon.
Dookes
Hogrider Dookes 
Great answers and that pie looks amazing! I’m going to answer one of your questions – take me to the Australian outback on your Harley. 😊 We can pet kangaroos and photograph crocodiles and drink Australian wine.
And of course I’d be happy to help you with your website. 🙂
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Thanks Alba, you could have a deal there, but whilst you photograph the crocs I’ll stand by with a rifle, just in case!
I like the idea of Aussi wine though.
I’ll be in touch about the site too.
Dookes
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Definitely with you for both your answers to number 6!
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I couldn’t just have one song, they both mean so much for very different reasons.
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