The first flowers of spring are emerging - snowdrops, crocuses and towering over them, everywhere, daffodils. One of the biggest advantages bikes have over cars is their openness. There’s nothing between your leathers and the world, nothing but the visor between your face and the air. The quality of the air changes with the seasons - the cold of early spring does not feel the same, somehow, as the same temperature in winter. I’m sure there’s a complicated meteorological reason for that, but I’m not a scientist. I’ll just appreciate it, and the sight of colourful nodding flower heads on the verges, medians and roundabouts.
There’s something oddly satisfying about the combination of a sunny pub terrace, daffodils popping up haphazardly as they do, and a wood fire taking the edge off the chill.