23rd May. Motorcycle Tour of Arran, Islay & Jura.

There comes a time in every woman's life when they have to 'let themselves go' or more politely - 'surrender gracefully to the years' . However a woman is held in considerable disdain by other women if they 'let themselves go' at too early a point in the aging process, naturally the converse is true (mutton Vs. lamb), so every woman walks a tightrope when it comes to appearance and more specifically levels of macquillage. These thoughts passed through my mind on the bumpy and twisty road between Brodick and Lochranza with Isabelle riding pillion and a rucksack of cosmetics jammed up my arse. Each woman judges anothers efforts at attempting to recreate the authentic bloom of youth, a look that shouts to the world "I'm still viable!!" This inevitably losing battle supports a vast industry of supply, (every point of deceleration served as a pointed reminder). Techniques involve basecoat, primer/filler, application of David's Isopon, meticulous sanding down with 1000 grade wet or dry, custom metal flake and then it's all topped off with up to 40 coats of cellulose lacquer to acheive that desired lustrous deep sheen. To be fair every attempt had been made to whittle the number of products down to an absolute bare minimum for ' travelling light'. But it's not easy - a badly done paint job is so easily held up for ridicule which would be far far worse than simple disdain.