There is a story behind this. It starts in the year of 1983, when I was 22. I met a man and married him. It was a difficult marriage that ended in 1989.
Amidst the difficulties however, and as a result of this union I developed two long standing relationships: a love of motorbikes and a love and respect for Alison Wafer (pictured above).
The marriage ended and eventually so did my contact with Al.(Please don't think the two events were related).
In September of 2008, I met and fell in love with a man who arrived into my life on a Moto Guzzi 1100 Griso.
"Oh you just love him for the bike", say those evil doer's.
Well sheesh - look at the bike! Nah. He's the bestest, this man.
So after 15 years of quietly observing motorcycles, sideways glancing quick, pointing out the sound of a Ducati to my kids and thinking "That's all in the past", I met Col and willed Alison back into my life.
Alison has been a motorcyclist since her maiden years. I tracked her down via the net and her blog (see this is why you need to keep writing blogs - your old pals find you!)
Et Voila! Australia Day shall now be remembered as the day for reunion.
So I meet the man of my dreams - someone I respect and admire, say yes when he asks me to marry him, get to ride on the back of a motorcycle I sniff/pat with delight AND meet up again with the most interesting woman I've ever met.
And - that's AND! - I decide to learn to ride myself knowing I am completely protected and supported by these two exceptional artists of life.
Life is good!
Alison's artwork here.
Charcoal sketch of (Ben Wa)by Alison Wafer.
tanks my darlin! moto tanks! I am off to get the bmw registered tomorrow.... wish me luck... there WILL be issues... new tyres, the rain, where will the money come from, will Devil's Country be flooded, and shall I be forced to take the main highway instead... from which issues my WILL.... I WILL do it!!! and then, registration forms, certificates, endless legal hoopdancing permitted, I shall be registered and riding. Freedom!!!! et toujours gai!!!
Posted by: al | February 18, 2009 at 11:02 PM
Eh! Monki Moto! I sink you do good at moto registry tomorrow. Zen you ride like wind into night. Yeh.
Posted by: alisonctuck | February 18, 2009 at 11:16 PM
GO you two crazy,WONderful girls! GREAT to see friends reunited! Alisonct - you are TOO kind! Hey - had a lady pilot on the way back to Sydney yesterday - missed most of the potholes up there, softest landing EVER - AND she didn't get lost lol. Now if she had been a fella - instead of a high flying virgin - well, I may've ended up in Canbra!!
Posted by: colin s | February 19, 2009 at 02:19 PM
Hey colin s, Go the female machine operators hey. Girl pilots unite!That's the other thing I always wanted to drive... maybe...nah gotta get a bike license first. Tee hee and snicker snicker...snort.
Posted by: Alison | February 19, 2009 at 04:53 PM