Back to Benelux - Spring 2025.

The first of two European trips.

It’s odd to think how life can change in an instant. And yet it can, all too easily. A week or so before Christmas, just over 5 months ago, this realisation became all too real for me.

It was approximately 3.20pm on a cold Saturday afternoon that I lay, not by choice, in a countryside ditch, a few short miles from home. With my Triumph Tiger 660 laid down, like a mourning dog by an owner's gravestone, a few feet in front of me. Despite my best efforts, I was unable to move, and I was increasingly aware of people kneeling beside me. I immediately knew my situation wasn’t good. I had been hit by a car, travelling on my side of the road, at a combined speed of circa 100mph. It all sounds quite exciting and dramatic but in reality it felt dark, foreboding and quite defining in the realisation that our lives are but a vapour.

I am determined to write about it at length. But whenever I try, I am unable to do so. In truth, it doesn’t even get to the stage of turning the computer on. This is due to the traumatic nature of the accident and partly because I want to elaborate on the mercies of God in an accurate and meaningful way. It feels, just at the moment, slightly out of my reach. I have also promised two close friends, who have been insistent that it should be documented, that I will do so. So I will, when I can.

Prior to this accident, I organised two trips in 2025 into Europe. Our standard late spring jaunt on the ferry for a few days to The Low Countries, and a longer trip in the summer.

It was something of a surprise that the Happy Pillion recently said to me that she was amazed that this trip would go ahead. Despite over 2 months of hospital visits, post accident, it hadn’t even crossed my mind. In truth, she was better placed to assess the situation and is probably right. Therefore, it is somewhat miraculous, and I don’t use that word lightly, that (a) I am physically and mentally able to do so and (b) she’s crazy enough to still want to ride with me. I'm not sure I would. The Happy Pillion never ceases to amaze me. The allure of seeing a Dutch stork must be strong.

We leave next week, for a few days, from Hull to Europoort in Holland. We head to areas not yet explored, and whilst collectively being somewhat nervous due to recent events, we are looking forward to doing what we absolutely enjoy so much.

If you are interested, then we will enjoy doing our daily reports as usual.

We’ll see you on the ferry.

Romans 8:28 - And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.