Tale of a Saturday Ride

Saturday afternoon on the bike path, and the sun is golden and the trees rush past, and I hear a beep from a passing station wagon and a friend waves heartily.

Cruising through the park three boys in footy shirts kick a ball around. I wonder briefly why one has turned away, then the light catches a liquid arch. Ok.

Turning down a quiet street, a granny watches patient from her tidy porch - the little patchwork world goes by.

As I pass a smallish figtree, I see a man, arms stretched to guard. A small voice cries,
"I can see the whole world from here!"

Another little person waves madly at me from the cosy grasp of mother's arms. Dad smiles,
"Hola".

A huge pom-pommed, blow-dried poodle trots by, owner in tow. I see a large man with a small dog, and a small lady with a large dog.

Among the rows of lonely boats, a cheery bunch of blokes enliven one craft - a tight rowdy circle, sipping their beers.

Down by the fish shop a mop-haired toddler dances on a grate while dad looks on.

I sit by the pearly water in my own mind as the waves crash and the sun ebbs.
The pebbled stone is warm beneath me.

Coming home two girls are faced away from the road, peering through a fence. One catches my quizzical glance and turns around. Lurching toward me, arms outstretched she intones,
"It's the end of the world", and collapses into giggling.

I laugh back.

Midnight Mystery Bikeride!

Once upon a friday night, about a moon ago.. 12 intrepid night-bike-riders set off on their mystery excursion. The only thing we knew was where it started!
One of the 12 was a random rider who bumped into us at our rendezvous spot outside the Stag in Mayfield and spontaneously agreed to come along!
Needless to say, we were all very excited:

 We wove to and fro, through Mayfield, on and off the highway, down dark spooky laneways and and unexpected gravelly hills - where one or two of our members came to grief. But they bravely picked themselves up and struggled on like the bold bikeriders they are.

Here is a fantastic old building we found - can't remember what it used to be, but it sure looks awesome at night!

We stopped for a drinks break at a suprise location in Tighes Hill. The dear people there had set up a mini bar there with a whole range of home-brewed beer, cider and spirits!! There was also non-alcoholic drinks, for the dehydrated among us.

Then off again, over the Carrington bridge:

Along the sleepily glowing foreshore, boats clustered together snug in their moorings..

Crazy lights!

And the final mystery location: the Lass O'Gowrie!
These are all our bikes waiting patiently outside:

The funny thing was though that none of the girls had brought ID, so as it was after 10 or 11 or something we all got locked out and waited dismally on the pavement until we got told off for looking untidy and decided to ride home. Somewhat of a downer, but it was still an awesome night!


p.s. thanks to Skye for the awesome phone pics!