Swinging to Swindon

We woke to a beautiful summer day at Lower Shaw Farm.  I took an early breakfast and sat with other guests and family members waiting for the master to appear and when he did there seemed to be a problem.  I mean a bigger problem than a normal day on the tour. Overnight Richard's back had gone  into spasm and he was in a great deal of pain.  Immediately this brought the future progress of the tour into doubt. It did not seem possible that Richard would be able to get up on the bike and let us not mention the trailer.    Medication and some form of exercise to get the back working.   It was a good job that we were staying at the cocoon of love which is Lower Shaw Farm.  Lots of ideas and suggestions. Real concern and help.     We needed to return to Corsham in order to retrieve the bikes which we had left at the Pound Arts Centre where  they were receiving  the special attention they required from Spindles and Sprockets.     John Holland came over to lift us back to our starting point for the day.  No cheating on this Eco Tour.   The hot sun was already high in the sky. As we arrived at the scene of last night's crime there they were at work on the Norco.    Boy had they brought them back into trim.    A test ride and it felt like a different bike.    Fully medicated now Richard gingerly got his leg over the bar and rode around the car park.  He felt ok.  Perhaps things would be fine.   We packed up, paid for a few refreshments and pulled out.      A brief stop in town  to buy more  pain killing tablets. Music could be heard and we came across a man playing a penny whistle. Enchanting.   Just as we were to set out for a 25 miles to Swindon and a meeting with Louise and  the children a kind a lady who had attended the concert the previous evening and had heard of our predilection for a caramel slice, stopped me in the street,with her family and handed over two very nice slices for a  mid morning break a bit later. How kind people are. I spoke to two of my gang, Joseph and Naomi.  So good to hear their news and check all was well.   I am looking forward to seeing them later in the tour.  Once out of town our wounded soldier insisted once more in removing his shirt for the ride.     With the bikes so well sorted we simply flew back to Swindon, over the hills with no problems.  My bike had lost all those irritating squeaks and untraceable noises.   Nothing to report en route. Underneath a spreading chestnut tree we took our pre planned rest stop and John found us on his motorbike.   Three miles to the farm.   The back pain had eased.  A brief moment for a wash and brush up and some practice for the evening show which would mark the end of the Swindon Literary Festival.  Louise arrived and what do you know she had brought a fresh supply of  caramel slices.        New nails required for the maestro and so at the appointed hour we rode into town. Onwards to the venue and a hive  of activity.   Scene set for two sets.     Doors at 07.10 and the evening was a sell out.  Poetry, storytelling, music, electric atmosphere  and much much more.     No issues with the lights and I think a got the sequence right in the Coventry Eagles piece.  Success.    Packed up and now time to peddle home in convoy.   Off  the artiste went and promptly fell of the curb and the bike.   I jumped off my ride to ensure that all was well. Lying in the road and with a grazed knee our man from Shoreham was not pleased. In fact I would say extremely angry.   One or two of the big three swear words in rapid succession and that straight after a literary festival.  Not appropriate.    At odds with the world he hopped  back on his bike and sped off leaving his assistant and general factotum lost and lonely in the centre of Swindon. Crew abuse.      Luckily, with a good nose for navigation, I found my way out of town and back to Lower Shaw Farm.  About a mile out shepherd, John, had come out on his motorbike to find me.  I arrived safely eventually with his guidance. A welcome dinner was on the table and much talking and chatting together with some music ended a busy day or did it start another?    Ta much to all.