Is your dog's unusual barking a secret code for something mysterious?

[patsylabrador]

We live near an old boy who is well into his seventies and has always fascinated me. He looks like a character from an Agatha Christie film and cycles past on our busy road seemingly oblivious of the buses and lorries. He has always loved and chatted to my kids, some people think he's odd but I don't. I think he's just a good old British eccentric. He drives around in a little sports car and today when we were in the front garden, we heard a beep and he pulled up on his Honda Hornet. After telling me off for standing too far away to hear him properly he told us that he is selling his bike. We started to murmur platitudes about age etc when he said that he was getting himself an Ariel, about 50yrs old, reconditioned, with apparently a gorgeous sound. Then off he wobbled on his Honda into the sunset. He probably irritates countless other motorists but what a way to be when you're old. We've all decided to go to the Ace Cafe together!

[The Dogmother]

Fabulous! Sounds like a lovely man with many stories to tell.

[Purplemaniacs]

Ahh he sounds lovely, I love the phrase, a good old British eccentric. I think that would have described my dad too. All the locals loved him as he cycled miles to lots of villages around his town, he got to know lots of people that way, hated cars, liked to go at a slower pace and stop and sketch when he fancied. In his seventies he would think nothing of doing 20 miles plus on his old push-bike.

 

But he would never go and visit anyone in their home or go to an organised party. He couldn't face going to my wedding.

 

Chrissie

[sparkysmum]

I know an old gentleman like this. He's well into his 80's still walks a particularly hilly cross country route most days with 3 treacle toffee sweeties in his pocket to keep him going He's so lovely, fit active and healthy.

[Purplemaniacs]

I know an old gentleman like this. He's well into his 80's still walks a particularly hilly cross country route most days with 3 treacle toffee sweeties in his pocket to keep him going He's so lovely, fit active and healthy.

Ah that's funny my Dad always had a couple of Fox's Glacier Mints in his pocket

 

Chrissie

[newcountrygirl]

Brilliant. Once a biker always a biker. Hope you have a great time at the Ace Cafe.

[Seagazer]

He sounds great, glad he's not giving up the biking either! Our 70 year old neighbour sold his bike last year, he lasted a couple of months before buying another one

 

I chat to a couple of old chaps, one who always travels around on his mobility scooter. He really likes Cookie and always stops for a chat. Through chatting with him I found out he used to work with my Dad at the Bank of England - very odd and just shows how small the connections between people are.

 

The other chap has a dog and likes to have a really good moan. He used to be a jeweller in Hatton Garden, he also did national service and tells me many tales of that time. He always apologises for moaning but I tell him I don't mind, I know he lives on his own. He knows that I know his daughter, but he still moans about her too

[Mrs Webmuppet]

Ah reminds me of my Dad he too is a 'grey' biker - in his 70's and rides old motor bikes ( at one time he had 2 Matchless and an AJS, I'm not sure what he has now), he goes all over the place including France and Switzerland on his bikes. He has a super scooter for getting around town. His car is a very boring Vauxhall!

[chickencam]

Long live the great eccentrics, we have a friend who is the ex senior partner in the firm that my husband works in, he took my OH under his wing after offering him a training contract when he was 22 and over the years we have become firm friends and he is my DS's godfather. He is a batchelor and a proper eccentric and we love him to bits