"It'll be fine Mr Winterburn. Why don't you take a walk into town, have lunch maybe. Say one ish? They will be pretty much done by then I think"
No use saying don't worry, it's what I do. This has been months coming, and I cannot imagine it will go smoothly. My mind drifts and I let it. Route Napoleon, sun strobing through the trees. Picos de la Europas, Breathtaking views to sleepy farmsteads below. The Outer Hebrides, Harris and Lewis, and midsummer at Clannish. Lost in Europe, France, Italy and Ice cream on the shores of Lake Garda, Austria, Switzerland, swimming in the icy waters of Lake Constance. Germany, Netherlands. Nordkapp, was I ever so alone? Nope, great company always. Rocky roads and heart in mouth. The Fjords of Norway and smiling faces at VMCK, the first time. Sweden, and Sweden, and Sweden. Faces come and go. Dear friends and the sun always shines.
Can't put it off any longer. I walk straight past. The guy smiled and pointed back the way I had come. Satnav Jane sits perched on the handlebars of the new steed. The operation was a success. Jane continues beyond Elsa. Bertha is a fine machine. Another beemer. R1200GS, for the forests and dirt tracks that almost had Elsa beat. If I strain my neck, and look out back I could see Elsa standing lonely, waiting for collection. I did this with a good dog once, turned my back and walked away. Is it the same for all bikers?
The wonderful thing about love is that every time is the first time. It always comes again, if you let it.
