won ’ t be long .” The man driving turned off the engine , got out and opened the rear doors . After a quick visual assessment , he said , “ Cancel the breakdown . We ’ ll take you .”
I had at least another hour ’ s ride in front of me to Tewkesbury where I was presenting and book-signing at a weekend bike show for women . I was due to display my bike and do a talk at eleven o ’ clock the following morning . These kind people should just leave me to wait for the breakdown service . After all , it was summer ; it was late afternoon and it wasn ’ t raining . I ’ d be fine .
They would not hear of it and the matter was taken out of my hands . I cancelled the breakdown service and clambered in the back of the van , crouching next to my Royal Enfield which by now had been secured with ratchet straps .
“ We just need to pop home to feed the animals ,” they said , as we veered off the main road and into a nearby village . It was not a large , grand house and the space was filled with teenaged children and pets within a relaxed and affectionate atmosphere . Even the goodnatured animals were at ease with each other , the rabbit freely wandering around the garden together with the cat and the dog . Across the lane , the horse plodded companionably towards us as we waited with her hay supper at the wooden gate .
After petting the animals , giving them their dinner and having a cup of tea ourselves , we set off again for a field somewhere the other side of the historic market town of Tewkesbury .
Conversation was easy . We chatted about who we were and what we did as you do when you ’ ve just been rescued and are travelling with people you don ’ t know although you ’ ve just been to their house , met the members of their household and had a cup of tea ; that great leveller ,
comforter and sociable drink the whole world over .
He was a scaffolder and she a carer in a residential care home . I told them the world travel history of my motorbike . We discussed local places we all knew . They said they came into Bristol on special occasions for a slap-up meal at their favourite restaurant .
We arrived at the beautiful riverside location and unloaded the bike near the presentation hall ready for the morning . There was a pub on site where the couple allowed me to buy them a drink , but they would not let me pay for their meals .
They looked upon the episode as a bit of fun and better than staying indoors on such a balmy , summer evening . They would not accept a contribution towards petrol and left after giving me their address and a request for a postcard from wherever I travelled to next . I thanked them profusely for their kindness , but they told me they were happy to help a biker in need .
The weekend went most enjoyably . I met people I already knew , made new friends , and learned from the presentations of other women .
On the Sunday afternoon , the bike and I were taken home by breakdown truck . I visited their favourite restaurant where a voucher was specially made for me to send to them as thanks for their ready thoughtfulness .
I was used to people helping me with roadside repairs , directions , and impromptu accommodation . It had happened countless times during my world travels with this dinosaur of a motorbike , but I hadn ’ t expected such magnanimity on my home ground . It was yet another lesson demonstrating that wherever you are , be it Thornbury or Thessaloniki , Bristol or Bangalore , Melbourne or Hobart , it ’ s the people you meet who give cause for humility and gratitude .
It ’ s the same the whole world over . JF
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