I’m wondering if it was John Clare who offered to take your photo. Why else would a chap be outside JC’s cottage making such random offers to passers by?
And to be fair to your bike, it was probably hurt and worried by your implication that it might be superfluous. Beneath that gruff exterior there’s a human being, after all!
Your commments on bikes having pesonalities reminded me of Flann O'Brien's "The Third Policeman". Worth a read if you haven't come across it. It's a satire written at the time when particle theory was becoming a big thing in science/physics. The central character (a local policeman in Ireland) spends so much time on his bike that his molecules gradually enter the bike. He finally becomes the bike - and vice versa. I hope that no such fate befalls your good self. I'd hate to think of you having wobbly handlebars or a a flat tyre!
It's funny you should mention The Third Policeman John. It's one of my favourite books and I'd included a reference to it in an early draft but I couldn't make it work somehow. Anyway great minds and all that...
Love your writing ! Aren't I right when I tell people 'You just don't know who you are sitting next to in ADEA' Actually, I think I rather have done since day 1!
I’m wondering if it was John Clare who offered to take your photo. Why else would a chap be outside JC’s cottage making such random offers to passers by?
And to be fair to your bike, it was probably hurt and worried by your implication that it might be superfluous. Beneath that gruff exterior there’s a human being, after all!
I wonder if that was indeed John Clare? Now you mention it, I detected a poetic air about him...
Your commments on bikes having pesonalities reminded me of Flann O'Brien's "The Third Policeman". Worth a read if you haven't come across it. It's a satire written at the time when particle theory was becoming a big thing in science/physics. The central character (a local policeman in Ireland) spends so much time on his bike that his molecules gradually enter the bike. He finally becomes the bike - and vice versa. I hope that no such fate befalls your good self. I'd hate to think of you having wobbly handlebars or a a flat tyre!
It's funny you should mention The Third Policeman John. It's one of my favourite books and I'd included a reference to it in an early draft but I couldn't make it work somehow. Anyway great minds and all that...
Really nice prose that matched well with the poet and the bit about the bike being somewhat ornery and the following dialogue is a delight.
Thanks Gary. Ornery is a good word for the bike.
I love ‘You’re a big soft lump’ and ‘faffing on’. Just spot on!
Thanks Kath. I definitely have a love-hate relationship with the bike so that dialogue seemed to write itself.
Love your writing ! Aren't I right when I tell people 'You just don't know who you are sitting next to in ADEA' Actually, I think I rather have done since day 1!
Cheers Rosie
Thanks Rosie! I'm pleased you're enjoying it. Best wishes Allan