Across the wounded galaxy

Well, just across Snake Pass really. I am on a secret mission on behalf of my brother-in-law. My mission, which I have accepted, is to go to Sheffield from North Yorkshire and pick up this bike which is a surprise Christmas present for my sister (bought on eBay - isn't everything?). So I pick it up and then wind my way slowly across Snake Pass in lovely weather to Chester. When I tell my niece that I have been on a secret mission that day she immediately says :

"You haven't been picking that bike up for Dad have you? Why doesn't he buy mum something she really wants like a holiday in Mauritius?"

So not such a secret mission