Do you remember that BBC programme years ago with James Burke, called 'Connections'? You know, the chap who was the sainted Raymond Baxter's straight man on 'Tomorrow's World'?

Well, there's a branch of Hakim Optical opposite my motel.

"Gosh, that's interesting" I hear you say.Not so fast; cast your mind back to My Caribbean Adventure, and a stupendous floating gin palace in the marina on Isla Mujeres. It was owned by that jolly nice Iranian chap Hakim, aka Sir Karim Hakimi, who is not only a motorcyclist but owns a chain of giglamps emporia here in Canada. The one and the same. There's a thing. There's always something with a link to something else in this trip.

And due to one's clothing's propensity to disintegration, from the bottom:
Sandals from Las Vegas
Socks from Chile (a gift from Fabiola - Winnie-the-Pooh, of course)
Trousers from Brazil
Knickers from Texas
T-shirt from Mexico
Shirt from Tokyo

Not to mention consumption of a frame, front suspension, a front wheel and brake disc, an engine bottom, a driveshaft, nine pairs of tyres, two GPSs, three windscreens, a mirror, a crash helmet, a pair each of summer and winter gloves, a tankbag, a dead sheep, a set each of valves/seats/guides, piston rings and rocker shaft bearings, but only one headlight and stop/tail bulb; around 8,000 litres of fuel, about 400 litres of engine oil (never mind transmission and fork oil), quite a lot of wine, and a modicum of Bombay Sapphire.

Anyone who says they can do this on the cheap is riding round a completely different planet.

So, the new shaft arrived, and (eventually - lack of appropriate special tool, I gather) was fitted this morning. The UJ on the old one was a complete mess. Anyway, having recovered from the shock, stashed the spare clutch plate I'd ordered just-in-case, and ridden back to the motel, I was doing a little light luggage rearrangement. "I'll just have a little check over things" I thought; "Can't be too careful".

There's a big rubber boot covering the join where the gearbox output flange is bolted to the shaft. There's a socking great split in it, on the top. I cannot believe the mechanic, sorry, technican, didn't notice it. Possibly he did and thought I wouldn't. One very fierce phone call to the dealer later and they're having one couriered to arrive tomorrow morning. I'll have to fit it myself as they're booked solid, but I'm past caring.