Well everybody, it’s the shortest day of the year and as is getting traditional, its time to give a blog update! As many of you know, I’m not big into religion these days. but I do believe the ancients were definitely onto something when they celebrated the Winter Solstice; the Season has turned and although we head into winter’s depths the days will begin to get longer, then warmer, ‘cos summer is on the way! I’m really a Celtic Druid!

Standing Stones of Stenness Orkney.

Looking back to my blog entry for the same time last year I see that I reported on the building work at Dookes HQ and how it shouldn’t take too long to finish…wrong, very, very wrong! The dining room was finally done by the last weekend of November, but you just can’t believe how much work it took. Got the big thumbs up from Mrs Dookes though, which has gotta be worth a few thousand miles on Harley…

Talking of which, she is currently tucked up nice and snug in my heated workshop, nothing but the best for my two-wheeled friend! I have done one or two little maintenance jobs on her and fitted an ambient temperature gauge, a birthday present from Mrs Dookes, but otherwise she is enjoying a well-earned rest; Harley that is, not Mrs D!

The weather here in Cornwall has been, well… awful; wet wet wet. As regular followers know, I don’t balk at riding in all weathers, but hey if its supposed to be for pleasure and I really don’t need to go out in it, I’ll pass until the sun comes out and the roads are not covered in cr*p! So it’s a good time to dream about days on two wheels under a warm friendly sun, reflecting on trips past and planning those yet to come.

…and what lies in the future? Well, who really knows. No hard plans yet, just a couple of ideas beginning to coalesce in the old Dookes grey matter. As a clue; fresh Pasta and Apple Strudel could be included in the menu…, but who knows! “I was born a travelin’ man and my feet do burn the ground.”

Its been a blast this year. Thank you all for riding along with me, for all the comments and messages, I really appreciate your support.

I met a lot of great people on the road and as is unfortunately inevitable I’ve lost a few too; so Gerry, Tom, Andy, Bob and David, who all rode on ahead,  this one is for you. Ride free my friends.

Have a great Solstice!

Dookes

“Now is the solstice of the year,
winter is the glad song that you hear.
Ring out these bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.”