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Here is a list of my hobbies, projects and interests.
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Photography |
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Computers |
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Web site building |
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Model Railways |
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Motorcycles |
Photography- I have been interested in photography for a number of years, starting off with a 35mm SLR camera. For slides and print film I use a Canon EOS 10 with a variety of lenses from 28mm up to 300mm.
- Recently I have gradually migrated from conventional film to digital photography. I am now using a Canon EOS-10d digital SLR. It is a great camera which allows me to use all the lenses and the flash etc that I had for their film SLR's the only limitation is the change in focal length between the film and digital cameras but unless you need the shorter focal lengths it is not a problem.
- I used to be a member of the Moray Camera Club. The club meets in the Elgin library every Monday evening at 7.30am from the beginning September until the end of April. It is one of the most successful clubs in the north east of Scotland.
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Computers- Over the last few years I have either built or upgraded all of my own computers as well as those for friends and family living close by. This was an interesting and worthwhile pastime which allowed us to have custom built computes designed specifically for our needs rather than one bought off the shelf that was a compromise and had to have various cards added on. Lately with the cost of PC and laptops coming down and laptops improving in specification and size I now just buy one nearest to my requirements.
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Web Site Building- This is a subject that I became interested in a few of years back. I have built web sites for both myself and the Moray Camera Club. The camera club site is now run by one of the other members now that I have left the club.
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Model Railways- Many years ago I was quite a keen modeller, but due to a move into a smaller house and no garden, I no longer had the room for a decent sized layout. I had a partially built portable Traction Power Depot which I have now retired. Instead a bit of work in the loft has allowed me to build a larger layout based on double track mainline which will see near full sized trains running.
- I have now got a layout partly built with all track laid and wired up for DCC running of track and points. All the points are operated by Tortoise slow-motion point motors which are controlled by NCE Switch-8 decoders - all tested and working fine, only one point with a problem which I will have to replace sometime soon. No scenic work has started yet as I have the track to weather and ballast once I get the Route Indication Panel finished and working. See the new "Railway" pages for updated details as the layout progresses.
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Motorcycles- I am a born again biker and over the past few years I have had several bikes of various types. In 1999 I bought a Triumph Trident T150 of 1972 vintage, after that I had a 1993 Suzuki GSX600F and then a 1994 GSX1100F. Then there was the Yamaha XS750s I got to sort out and I also had a go at a Virago cruiser before I bought a BMW K100RT but the crowning glory - a 1977 Triumph Bonneville T140J Silver Jubilee Ltd Edition. For years now I have wanted a Bonneville, but could either not get one (back in the '60s), could not afford one due to family commitments or could not find the right one when I was able to get one - but at last I was able to get one and I was 'fair chuffed about it' too.
- Now all these have gone and I have a couple of nice old bikes left, a 1978 Honda CB400/4 in nice almost original condition, and a 1991 pre-diversion Yamaha XJ600. I have sorted a few things on the XJ600 and will probably keep it as my run about bike.
- The Bonneville was almost in original spec with only a few safety related alterations done as detailed below.
- Progressive springs fitted to front forks
- Both brake discs changed to cast iron ones for better braking in the wet
- Oil pressure gauge fitted
- Electronic ignition system fitted
- Solid state voltage regulator fitted
- Halogen headlamp lens/bulb fitted
The bike was almost a basket case when I got it but after a few months sorting out what was missing and sourcing the parts I got it back on the road. And yes it was was a nice bike but I have now sold it on to someone who is enjoying using it. I am pleased to have rescued it and put it back into use again.
- So why not have a look at the 'Bikes' section, then follow the links to their individual pages, and find out more information and pictures of them.
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