Random Encounter

Operative word: random.

I took a long ride after work, I'm still not sure where I got to. Somewhere around Burwash, Broad Oak, and Three Cups Corner. It was a very nice ride. It was relaxing and I had time to reflect on things that had been bothering me that day, I definitely felt better once I got home (an hour and a half later than usual). I'm not one hundred percent where it was, but there's a village on the route I took which had a nostalgic sense of tranquillity and harmony about it. I'll probably try and find the route again at the weekend if I find time.

Anyway. On this ride I caught a glimpse of what looked like a car's rear from behind a bush. I thought it was odd and stopped to have a look. I'm not sure how it ended up there, but through a small gap in a hedge was an abandoned silver car. The windows had been smashed in, the tyres deflated, boot and bonnet popped open, and it looked generally dishevelled. I took a closer look but there was nothing of special interest. It was half way down the bank onto the road, supported by wiry saplings and a thick bush so it was half way on its side. There was a minimal amount of vegetation inside the car and the seats still looked to be in good condition despite the sunroof being open (or missing, I couldn't tell). The registration plate was broken off so I couldn't make out how old the vehicle was.

I can only assume the driver lost control (perhaps on a day with poor visibility like the ones we've had recently) and drove through the hedge, slammed on the brakes and shat themselves as the car lurched sideways, almost rolling onto its side. I can only imagine the profanity uttered or screamed afterwards.

So. Travel for long enough and you will come across a random encounter.

The view from a stile next to where I had stopped my bike was particularly nice: a deep valley among several rolling hills, thick woods in between fields divided by wild hedgerows, and a flock of sheep grazing in the fog on the opposite rise. Because of the hills obscuring the horizon, it was easy to imagine being in an idyllic (at least, idyllic for me) region with a sparse population of farmers and honest, hard working people where the simpler things in life are valued and nothing is so convenient that you take it for granted.