Writers Harbor

Author: Francis Meyrick

  • The Great Sidecar Experiment (Part Five)

    The Great Sidecar Experiment Part Five: Solidarity The horrible realization sank into me, that we were in big trouble. Too late I remembered the rear brake pedal, that we never did get replaced. We had figured that the front brake was providing 70% of the stopping power anyway, and we’d find a replacement rear brake…

  • The Great Sidecar Experiment (Part Four)

    The Great Sidecar Experiment Part Four: The Master Plan Now the essence of The Master Plan was a two pronged attack on the problem. A mechanical attack, and a psychological attack. Firstly, I felt that we needed to do much more testing, before we launched recklessly off that steep hill. Duh. To this end, I…

  • The Great Sidecar Experiment (Part Three)

    The Great Sidecar Experiment Part Three: trench warfare If “Deja Vue” was a movie, then what I was seeing was a surreal re-run. I already knew from personal, painful experience, that motorcycles do indeed crash occasionally. I also knew what it was like to find yourself unexpectedly suspended in mid air, wondering how, when, and…

  • The Great Sidecar Experiment (Part Two)

    The Great Sidecar Experiment Part (2) Invocations to Divinities based on true events… One moment we were all cheering loudly. The next moment, there was a stunned pause amongst us, followed by peculiar, strangled sound effects. Hands shot up involuntarily and covered mouths. Arms were raised to the heavens, as if in devout supplication. Gasping,…

  • The Great Sidecar Experiment (Part One)

    The Great Side Car Experiment Part One: A Good idea based on true events… It seemed like a good idea. The word spread like wildfire around the Dublin area motorcycle fraternity. You can build your own motorcycle side car. Deklan and Tim had it all worked out. They were doing it! Of course, in the…

  • Dropping Anchor at Writers’ Harbor

    Dropping Anchor at Writers’ Harbor If you are sailing into our protected waters for the first time, there are plenty of coves and sheltered bays waiting for your leisure. What follows is a checklist, tongue-in-cheek style, designed to make it easier for new vessels to find their way around… 1. Have you figured out that:…

  • “Come into my Parlor ” said the Spider to the Fly

    photo: marykbaird “Come into my parlor ” said the Spider to the Fly (a cautionary tale? Nah…. just really silly schtuff…) “Come into my parlor, said the Spider to the Fly; the place is very comfy, the ceiling nice and high. Your wings could do with leisure, they look quite beat to me come in…

  • Diary, July 27th, 2011 “The Norwegian Massacre “

    Diary Entry Wednesday, July 27, 2011 “The Norwegian Massacre “ Just surfing the news of our little planet, and I find myself falling back on some of my core, basic beliefs. That have sustained me, kept me going, and keep me… sharp. The Norwegian massacre, with a lone gunman bombing and killing his way to…

  • The Burning Soldier (Part 4) “Riding the Wind “

    The Burning Soldier (Part 4) Riding the Wind “I don’t speak the language”. His words were half defiant and brusque, as if I was trespassing on hallowed ground. But they had also sounded a trifle apologetic, as if his lack of Gaelic somehow put him on the spot. For my part, I was almost relieved,…

  • The Burning Soldier (Part 3) Molotov Cocktails

    The Burning Soldier (3) Molotov Cocktails There was no point in trying to escape. I was trapped, and I knew it. If I tried to do a U-turn, I would be burning in seconds. Or shot. There was no way around the barricade. The only chance was to bluff it out. At least I knew…