A little song I wrote called Nettles and Thorns.

 

Nettles and Thorns

I've been strumming away on my guitar, and wrote this short song based on my experiences of riding my bike locally around Stanley and getting nettled and stuck with thorns... Well when I am riding.

Just awaiting to go for antibody treatment to try and help with this auto immune thing, and Ulcerative Colitis.

Anyhoo the song is called "Nettles and Thorns". I kind of composed it with like a Southern lick. I'm still not really getting anywhere on my guitar, but hey at least I haven't quit.

Hope "ya'all like it"...see what I did there put me Southern US accent on Lol

 Nettles and thorns by Glenn Johnstone

 

Nettles and Thorns, nettles and thorns

 

Feel the sting as the poisons injected in

 

Silica tipped hairs injecting their chemicals 

Nettles and thorn, nettles and thorns

Whiny bush your no friend, you have assaulted me 

Feeling my skin pierced and scratched now Im bleeding

Nettles and thorns, nettles and thorns

Now I'm itching burning bleeding all upon all upon this nightmare trail.

Kind of goes to a beat which is hard to describe

Do, doo, do , do - Do, do,do, do then a bit of Do, doo, doo, do, do 

You had to be there ha, ha LOL 

For geeks and talented music creators - I fit the geek category...

Being off work and on the sick I have had plenty of time to peruse the internet and Facebook. Well when scrolling through the usual ads that hold not one bit of interest to me, I actually came across this video, and upon watching it thought "Wow, that is pretty neat".

Instruo Specialist Synthesisers Pocket Scion

When I am fit and well, as most of you who visit my blog or know me will know, I love the great outdoors. That sense of just being out in all weathers, feeling the heat of the sun, or the fresh wind. The rain as it cleanses your skin, well, until I ride through a geet big muddy puddle, and yes, I have even been known to Fat bike in the snow.  

I love the sound of autumn leaves, as I ride through them, with their crisp, dry sound, and I particularly enjoy the crunch of the frozen ice as it forms over puddles. I love being away from the roads and off on some trail with no one else around, listening to the flow of a stream, and just standing at the side of my bike or when out for a walk listening to the sound of the trees, the birds, bees or any other inhabitants of the woods. It's lovely to just get away in your headspace and not have to think too much about anything else but the now.

Rear of the Pocket Scion

Anyhoo, I was telling you about this video, wasn't I, before I started getting all doe-eyed.

The video in question featured this bit of tech, which is called a Pocket Scion. It is by a company named Instruo Specialist Synthesisers. The Pocket Scion is what is known as a portable biofeedback device. 

Basically, in layman's terms, you can attach the provided electrodes of the small device to a plant, use the small pad on the front of the device like your skin and with your fingers, then the Scion picks up this data, and with an external speaker, you can get to hear the most beautiful sounds being created. The samples I  have heard from various videos I have watched are like amazing natural orchestras. It kind of made me think immediately of being out in a secluded area, and it was as if all the plants were singing and speaking, and I have to say...Yes am a bit of a geek; however, the sounds produced brought me great joy and instantly relaxed me.

Pocket Scion looking at right side

I am now thinking of investing in one of the Portable Scions, which are £129.00. I would love to take it out on a biking adventure, shoot a video of me cycling and then use the Scion to create a fitting musical accompaniment.    

Pocket Scion lookng fron the left side

Upon contacting Instruo Specialist Synthesisers, I believe it should be possible to use my Android phone, a Google Pixel 9 Pro, download an app like n-Track, then connect the Portable Scion via a power and data cable, then record the data to bring home and place on my computer to compose some music.

With thanks to Instruo for permission to use images from their site.

Gaurdian Designs - Just sitting in the house going broom broom

 It must be about 6 weeks ago that I decided to treat my wee Abarth 124 Spider to a new, and I suppose some would call expensive and not needed, steering wheel. You see, I got my eye on a company called Guardian Designs, who are based in Poland and loved the look of the steering wheels they offered.

Guardian Designs Steering Wheel Abarth 124 Spider

 The wheels can be customised, and all you have to do is select the style of steering wheel that you would like, then go through the process of making it your own. There are lots of options from different materials like nappa leather, perforated nappa leather, alcantera, etc. Then there is thickness, grips, colours, and the list goes on.

I chose a Corsa D design, which has a flat bottom, and specced the wheel up with a chunkier size, opting for the GT at 120mm, alongside thumb rests. I also went for Sports Ferrari red stitching with a red Ferrari Noon marker, and the wheel is done in black Nappa leather in a seamless Pagani style.

Oh, and I also requested that the steering wheel spokes be painted a silk black, which came at an extra cost, but in my opinion was well worth it.

  

Beautiful stitching and finish

I know the design will not be to everyone's taste. I wanted something that looked pretty minimalist, so that is why I didn't go full on bling, with various materials and colours.

The black fins of the spokes makes a huge difference

Checking the steering wheel out, the finish is amazing. The one piece of leather wrapping the wheel is perfect, and the stitching looks fantastic. The wheel does feel a lot fatter than my original, so it is going to take some getting used to. Hard to tell at the moment how it will feel on the car, as I am waiting to get someone to fit it. So at the moment I have just sat on the sofa and pretended to drive my car, holding the wheel, obviously making the necessary "Broom Broom" noises of my Abarth.

Just a little more info. As mentioned, the steering wheel took about 6 weeks to arrive. I didn't have to send in my own wheel. The time frame is so that all the custom work can be carried out. Communication with Tomaz over at Guardian Designs was excellent; he answered all my queries, and I paid by PayPal with no problems for the extra work and the painting of the spokes.  I was kept updated on the expected delivery of the package coming via FedEx, and when it arrived, it was very well boxed up, with protective foam and a cover over the wheel.  Basically, all that is required is the old wheel to be removed and the new one plugged in and positioned and tightened into place. I have been advised as the splines are so fine on the steering wheel that I will need my car aligned.    

Boxed up well

Wheel is protected with a cover

Foam on the wheel rim to prevent it getting damaged

  Once I get the steering wheel in place, I shall post some more pictures and be able to offer my thoughts if I have made the correct choice in getting the thicker rim.

Oh, and I thought I would also mention something else to do with my Abarth. After having her serviced, the mechanic mentioned some of the suspension bushes were wearing and could do with being replaced. I wasn't expecting the shock I got when I started researching just how many of these bushes there were, and just how much the job would cost.

So after having my car down to Mazda Dudes at Darlington (The Abarth is on the same design as a Mazda ND, and these guys know their stuff) and discussing the options, I came home and started looking into replacing all of the bushes, both front and rear. Initially, trying to find a complete kit was a bit of a ballache. Fiat/Abarth, from what I hear, tries to tell you that the bushes in the rear hubs cannot be replaced, and reading on forums, some people have been quoted absolutely astronomical prices to replace the hubs with new ones, something in the region of £2500, then the labour to fit them.

Example of Poly Bushes

Anyhoo, I have discovered a company called Polybush.co.uk, and they appear to have front and rear Poly Bush kits. The price is just a shade of £850 for both kits, and then of course I will have to sort the fitting out, hopefully with Mazda Dudes. As I intend to keep my wee Abarth, I figure it's money well spent. Now, just need to save up a bit more, wonga.