The sun sets over Suceava, Romania
Well the Twin Town Courier experiment has finally finished. I managed to meet the new Mayor of Nuneaton and Bedworth to deliver photographs and certificates from all our twin towns. On June 30th I dropped off my final delivery to Coventry, from its twin towns of Ostrava (Czech Republic) and Dresden (Germany). Mission accomplished, 20 countries visited and every delivery done using a 1968 Lambretta SX200.
 Seen off by Nuneaton Mayor Brian Hawkes |  Greeted by new N&B Mayor Barry Longden |
The final drop-off, with Michael Hammon, the Lord Mayor of Coventry
Along the way I learned not only about the fate of town twinning as a concept in the 21st century, but also about how politics, history and, most importantly, personal relationships make all the difference. All these factors are intertwined like a poorly-packed parachute.
My biggest lesson was how fate itself can take you on many enlightening, educational and emotional paths if you simply follow coincidences rather than ignoring them. It also helps if you choose an unconventional form of transport. The trip wouldn't have been half as much fun, or such a challenge, on a reliable motorbike. My Lambretta turned a journey into an adventure.
Twin Town Courier will eventually become a book. A rather excellent one too. Prospective publishers should form an orderly queue at my door.
No pushing at the back!
My biggest lesson was how fate itself can take you on many enlightening, educational and emotional paths if you simply follow coincidences rather than ignoring them. It also helps if you choose an unconventional form of transport. The trip wouldn't have been half as much fun, or such a challenge, on a reliable motorbike. My Lambretta turned a journey into an adventure.
Twin Town Courier will eventually become a book. A rather excellent one too. Prospective publishers should form an orderly queue at my door.
No pushing at the back!
A few stories from the trip can be found on my radio interview with Vic Minett here. It's on BBC iPlayer so there will be a limited period to listen again. The interview starts at 02:20:20.
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