Returning home from my first day back at school after the summer holidays, I enjoyed a unexpected spring in my step. The dreaded return to work had been rather pleasant. What made it even more enjoyable was the fact that the pupils don't return until Wednesday.
Buoyed by my exuberance and with an unusual amount of energy left at the end of a day at school I decided to take my son to the park for some cycling practice. The last time we went out we managed to eradicate the need for stabilisers. H had whooped with joy as he went round and round in a circle for the first time unaided. I'd had a genuine tear in my eye as I realised the satisfaction of teaching H a skill he would enjoy forever...or so I thought.
Admittedly it has been some months since that eureka moment. The second H got in the saddle he seemed to have lost all sense of balance, control and movement. Every push off resulted in H in a crumpled heap. So much for the old saying suggesting that once you've learnt you never forget!
With his steadfast resilience and impressive determination H continued in his sorry succession of defeats until his senses seemed to awaken in unison and off he cycled. A sense of relief washed over me and my chest once more filled with pride as I enjoyed the sight. After a few revolutions I started to day dream only to be rudely awakened by H ramming right into the back off my leg! What happened to the brakes? What happened to the well-mounted bells (one on each side)? Well that's okay I thought, he may have had a couple of acres in which to manoeuvre but he's still finding his feet after a long lay-off. It serves me right really for leaving it so long to encourage H back onto his bike.
It was at this moment that a foul stench burnt my nostrils and it dawned on me that H had cycled through dog's excrement. Upon inspection it appeared that he had impressively found the largest canine (I assume) turd ever observed and got it lodged in all sorts of intricate nooks on the bike.
I guess what Einstein failed to adequately explain in his tidy soundbite is that the obstructions are many and often rather unfortunate.
Great website
Sounds like H came away covered in glory.