Thu 9th Sep 2004/1. Hartside

Andy took me to Hartside today. It was such a gloriously sunny day....and if you've never been to Hartside, you should whether in a car or on a bike. You can see phenomenal countryside for miles and miles and miles.
He took me into the wee cafe and we had a drink with cake. I remember sitting down at the wooden table and just watching him the whole time. There was once he looked round and I didn't even look away embarrassed. He gave me a long lovely smile, and winked at me. Can't say I ever recall him doing that again (other than a drama wink when having a laugh about something).....but when he did it before turning back to the counter....I just felt myself begin to smile....he never saw the full effect. I took one more look at him in his leathers and really smiled from ear to ear before looking back at the table.
After Hartside, he took me to see his Mum. I will write about that tomorrow as it feels right, being Mothers Day.

After we left his Mum, we went for something to eat at a pub (more time for me to keep looking at this gorgeous man), and by the time we left, we were riding home in the dark.....and something happened that neither Andy or I ever forgot. An owl swooped out if the trees straight for us. Andy managed to not hit it, and keep us both on the bike!
There was another time a rabbit ran from the side of the road and SOMEHOW managed to go between the wheels.
It's tjose kind of crazy moments that, when you've been together for so long, and you recall them sitting on the couch one night......that it kills being the one who feels those things were special. Things that we shared.
But they must only have been so very special to me....part of the embroidery of tiger and Mr muff/GMD that has me loving him forever.

The picture I have isn't the one from that first visit, it is a subsequent one when he took me back about 4 years ago.
He and I did take a picture that first visit. It was uncanny.....he walked away a bit, but in the direction of the sun light. I got my phone out at the exact time he did, and we each took a picture of the other taking a picture of us. Always loved that we thought to do the same thing at the same time that day.