Mid-summers Day. A quick look at a computer at reception before getting out. Checked out Cov's fixture list for the new season. Norwich at home on the opening day & a tough looking last 3 games: Forest (a), Ipswich (h), and Watford (a). For non sky-blue fans we usually check the end of season games first. If you don't know why? then you don't know you're football!! Old habits die hard.
I got out and n the road fast. I had to cross Columbus and on the way into the centre I couldn't help feeling a rough edge to the place. In the centre I missed route 40 & got slightly lost but didn't take too long to get back on track. Actually, Columbus had a nice centre. There was a big masonic parade taking place which almost felt like an Orange parade on the 12th so I didn't hang around too long.
The suburbs on the West side again had that rough feel. I stopped to take photo of a bail bonds office. As I went back to the bike two druggies came around the corner towards me. I thought to myself 'Aw Jaysus here we go, Laurel & Hardy'. One was a tall black guy with wild eyes, the other a short squat Hispanic. They both watched me as I took hold of the bike & I looked straight back at them. The black lad mumbled something to me which I couldn't make out. He repeated it saying 'Would ya do a fava for a brutha'. I just smiled and said 'Ara yer grand!' Thankfully they didn't follow me.
That was my cue to get out of Columbus. Soon enough the shopping plazas and fast food outlets of the western suburbs passed by and shortly after that the traffic lights ended. What really signalled the end of the city limits though was the first mangled, unidentifiable rotting corpse of some animal that stank its way into my nostrils & an old farmer with a big smile, a wave and a shouted good morning. These were sure signs that I was back in the country. 9 miles down the road I stopped at West Jefferson & had my best meal so far. Pasta & a grilled chiken sandwich ad a Sam Adams.
40 mins later I was back on the road which ran arrow straight and was totally level. For the first time it disappeared in the distance into a watery mirage. After 1pm I began to encounter the first real headwinds of the trip & had to drop gears. As the afternoon wore on I began to tire. At a place called Harmony, about 8 miles from Springfield I stopped for a drink. Coming back out of the shop I felt like the heat & humidity had suddenly jumped a few notches. back on the road dark clouds suddenly appeared dead ahead, coming from the West. Its funny how you stop feeling tired when a big storm is approaching. I started pushing it as I didn't want to be caught out in the open. As I approached a petrol station I knew I was close to Springfield but a sharp gust of wind and a rattle of thunder made me scuttle for cover. 5 mins later the storm still hadn't broke so I made a run for it & about 4 mins after that I was on the edge of town. I saw a cheap Motel checked in. As I opened the door in to my room the heavens opened.
1 comment:
Yes Fran, But this year there'll be another 3 matches after those. Yeah I know!!. Two more signs for cov though, Kieran Westwood - Keeper - Was in Traps last squad for the republic. Skyblues are getting greener. And the next big thing out of Iceland - Aron einer Gunnarson. Coleman saw Kerry Katona advertising him during the break in corrie.
Post a Comment