Don't Be Too Optimistic

Gaius is too optimistic. They will not be reaching Cradle Mountain tonight.

They set out from Launceston on the road to Westbury and Deloraine.

It is already quite chilly.

Squeak squeak. The Platonic Ideal is squeaking. What can this mean?

Schopenhauer is obliged to slow right down. He regrets eating the Poached Pear Financier.

Arthur too is riding slowly. Not for any reason.

Unni is fed up.

Come on! says Unni.

Yes, come on! Full steam ahead! says Captain Louttit, sticking his head up from the jug in front of Schopenhauer's face.

This is too much for Schopenhauer.

He stops and places the jug containing Captain Louttit on the roadside. He rides on slowly.

Squeak squeak.

Captain Louttit looks around to see where he has landed. It looks like farmland country. Poppies, herbs, onions and potatoes. Charming!

There are two distinct ways of saying Charming! and Captain Louttit's is the second.

What's up? says Arthur who has been riding slowly for no particular reason, and has now caught up with Captain Louttit.

We have been dumped, says Captain Louttit. A mutiny has occurred.

What do you want me to do about it? says Arthur.

It's not ideal, says Captain Louttit, but you could fit us inside your blue Seahorse World bag.

No, says Arthur. I couldn't.

Then he says, What about the water?

Perhaps he is about to change his mind.

.........

But let's catch up with Gaius and Unni, who are riding faster.

They have already reached the pretty town of Westbury, the most English village in Australia. Westbury contains an excess of delights, superb buildings and lovely bays. It appears to have been preserved in aspic. The Post Office opened in 1832.

They pass a camping ground, without stopping.

At this rate they will soon be in Deloraine.

........

Schopenhauer is in between two parties, and he doesn't like it.

Why don't the ones in front of him slow down? Why doesn't Arthur speed up a little?

Where might he find a toilet?

What is the matter with his bicycle?

So many existential questions.

He stops to relieve himself behind a tree.

Scheise!

Shopenhauer remembers something.

He is supposed to be writing a philosophical article for Velosophy magazine. When is the deadline?

Here comes Arthur. No doubt he will know.