#itsnotwhatyousaybutthewaythatyousayit

A very quick few lines.

Just back from my early morning bike ride. I have been riding from Seaview to Ryde and back along the sea front just about every morning for years. It is never busy - the opposite - but the path is shared by walkers, dog walkers, joggers and other cyclists of course.

Occasionally the width of the path is taken up and it is necessary to ding the bell so the people ahead move to one side. There is an art to this. I do a single ding about as far away as I can in order not to startle or sound impatient. I never have problems and people very often thank me for giving them some notice.

This morning I caught up behind an earnest older couple on touring bikes - helmets and full lycra. I am not sure how experienced they were - everything looked a bit shiny and new. The woman was harsh on her bell - several loud rings and in my opinion too close to the people in front. Instead of hi - I am just going to squeeze through her ring tone came across I think as belligerent - get out of the way - we are serious cyclists and you are impeding us. Of course people do not like that and there were grumbles. Care how you say it - care how you use that bell if you want to avoid aggro.

The other thing I have in mind is the great Ricky Gervais. I read an article this morning - Ricky has been given The Holywood Walk of Fame Award.  

Ricky Gervais made a controversial joke about sex abuse in show business after accepting a Hollywood Walk of Fame award.

The 63-year-old actor and comedian posed with his star at the Los Angeles landmark on Friday.

He then joked about how he was grateful to join an “exclusive club”, naming the pop star Michael Jackson, the comedian Bill Cosby and the silent film actor Roscoe “Fatty”Arbuckle. All three went on trial for alleged sex crimes.

Gervais said: “Thank you so much for this honour. It’s a genuine thrill to be part of such an exclusive club. And just looking around earlier at all the other stars, absolute icons, you know? Michael Jackson, Bill Cosby, Fatty Arbuckle.”

Maybe Ricky caused some people offence but the way he says is so funny and honest. He really made me laugh. What an amazing guy he is.