Reconnection

I was reminded today how we can know things at an unconscious level before we become aware of them consciously. Still running rather slowly, it was late afternoon before I eventually took the bike out for a spin to get some air. I was aware of a need to find someone for a portrait, something I admit to not being particularly inclined to do today. It's at times like these when I wonder what I'm doing with this project, but whenever I find myself harbouring doubts I seem to be reminded why it's so important to me.

In order to ride a bit of road that's new (something that's getting increasingly difficult), I planned a route to the north-east. I cycled through a village I very rarely go through and passed a fellow walking in the opposite direction. I barely registered him, but a few hundred yards down the road, just as I was about to turn off to discover that new section of road, I got a 'hit' and went back to try to find him. He'd turned down the drive that led to where he lived, but I called him back and we chatted for a short while. He soon remembered me as the person who took his picture on Ilkley Moor over two and a half years ago. It was only then that I recognised him too, and even remembered his name, just as he remembered mine. We made a connection back then, on a cold winter's day, and renewed that in T-shirt weather today, talking about all kinds of things. He gave me some considerable food for thought for the rest of the ride.

We talked for so long that it was almost dark when I eventually got back home. The nights sure close in fast this time of year.