So, finally gifted a sunny morning, and seizing the chance to do my cycle therapy for the spine I make good progress from Norwich, passing more bales of straw than people as the wheat harvest gathers momentum, I follow suit.
Passing my favourite railway bridge, climbing the hill, wondering if 'executive' cars will let me use my right of way today, and running over those hundred something discarded Advertiser's where the blackbirds used to play, I realise something is buzzing, and then itchy, and rapidly, throbbing pain alarms me...then the same again, on my left shoulder...and then yet again, ...I feel my back and quickly guess that somehow three bees made their way under my t-shirt, (brave souls), and in panic they stung me as best they could before falling to the floor...a sad event by all accounts.
From that moment I headed back home, my distance cut short, but at least I still had my life, unlike the bees, I recalled that one week previous I cycled with my German friend up a short 1-in-3 hill, (Freienohl), to reach an Italian ice cream shop...selecting the walnut variety, it was the largest I'd tried for years.
(It was so good in fact, that I promised the owner a mention here! Freienohl is a small town about 45 minutes south-east of Dortmund, between the bigger Arnsberg and Meschede...and has just the one, excellent ice-cream parlour! See yesterday's photo.)

Well, after a stinging, or sickness, or something, especially from natural causes, we have a feeling of heightened energy, which is exactly what I feel right now. I could never recommend bee stings, and certainly not on behalf of our beloved bees, but if this misfortune strikes, it's not all bad.
Bees and ice cream? Romantic??

And now I will spend some time with someone who needs my ears!

My desperately unhappy friend was down beyond words, all I could say was, the greatest rewards come to those who suffer terribly.
Nothing is enough when you have nothing.