The last two years have flown past. Big Boat Man has finally settled into retirement in that there is no rush to his activities. After vehemently declaring that he would never go on a cruise, we took a cruise this year to Alaska. While he enjoyed the fact that he now knows first hand what a cruise is like, he now says he doesn’t ever need to go on another. This, despite his enjoyment of having food and drink available 24/7, and being waited on hand and foot. Somewhere deep inside he is likely trying to think of where he would cruise next, if ever he were to have his arm twisted to cruise again.

BBM was on his bike this week for the first time in a couple of years – primarily because we shifted to a new house where it is a simple matter of entering the garage and riding the bikes out. No more trekking with the bikes up and down the goat track that we had at our other house. It was becoming more dangerous for BBM even with using his cane for stability.

Having not been on our bikes in ages, we both ended up coming off our bike. I, because I was looking over at BBM to make sure he was OK getting back on his bike after we had stopped. My looking away from my own bike caused me to turn the handle bars too far and the bike went over. I was OK.

I knew something was up when BBM brought his shoulder bag along for the ride. He wanted to reward himself with a cold beer for finally having gotten back on the bike. As we pulled up to the cafe, there was a slight incline which made stopping tricky. I stopped my bike and saw from the reactions on by-standers’ faces that something was happening with BBM. I turned just in time to see him complete a roll on the ground. Thank God for martial arts training in how to fall without injuring yourself! He popped up and everyone laughed that nervous laugh you hear when people don’t really want to be tied up with ringing an ambulance.

The problem on BBM’s bike is the ‘passing’ button. It is unfortunately situated just under where his left thumb naturally sits on the handle. It is a button that aids passing other bicyclists – a spurt of speed that you certainly don’t need when coming to a stop. I don’t know what to do about the button. It’s not really something we can tape over or remove. So, I just remind BBM about the dangers of that button and hope for the best.

But most days we are not biking, we are sitting comfortably with our feline companion. Nothing beats a glass of wine and a relaxed cat for an excuse to continue as we are. I have not been walking because BBM needs to have his second knee replaced. This means that he cannot walk long distances and I feel the need to walk spontaneously when I have sat at the computer as long as my backside can endure. We have always done everything together, particularly exercising. This means that I have not kept my own fitness or physical activities in a healthy state. So, upon my doctor referring me to a Health Practitioner, I realised that I had to do something for myself.

BBM had agreed to shifting to this new house because he could have a mobility scooter like the other old men around town. He was looking forward to having wheels where he could go around without pain in his knees. So, after talking to the medical people, I stopped by the scooter shop to buy one so that BBM could go with me on walks.

Now, there are two reasons why this was not a good idea. Firstly, BBM had just seen a guy he has known for 50+ years on a scooter for the first time – minus half a leg. This means that BBM, instead of looking forward to buzzing around on a scooter with his hair flying back and an orange flag flying overhead, began to see the scooter as something unfortunate people were resigned to. Secondly, although BBM had looked at scooters and even test driven them in anticipation of getting one, he was having trouble making any concrete decision.

So, I stopped by the shop and did some test driving of scooters myself – seeing which ones handled the easiest. I chose one which had bigger wheels and higher clearance than any others. Unfortunately, it was the only one in the shop – and it was maroon. I asked if they could deliver the scooter and they said yes, their young man was available right then to deliver it the three blocks down to our house. Well, I should have told them to take a week or so to deliver it – so that I could prepare BBM. He doesn’t like surprises.

The delivery appeared right behind me when I got home. BBM came out, already waving his arms around to tell the delivery man to take it back, he didn’t need a scooter! I pulled BBM aside and whispered that the scooter was for ME for him. I quickly explained that my doctor had said I must be more active and for me that means walking at a quick pace. BBM said that he could ride a bike beside me. I pointed out how dangerous it would be to ride the heavy electric bike slowly at a walking pace. It’s hard enough to ride normally. I stressed again that the scooter was so that I could go for a walk knowing that he could choose whether or not he wanted to come with me pain-free on the scooter. He refused to even test drive the new scooter. Yet I went on the first guilt-free long walk I had had in several years. It is now his choice whether he comes with me.

And, as a note of significance, everyone who has seen the scooter admires it. They assume that BBM is actively using it – and he doesn’t correct their perception as long as the scooter is sitting in the garage while it is being admired.