How Stella didn't get her groove back

Oof. I went from posting four or five times a day to missing almost an entire week! It certainly took some time to readjust to being home: a day with Sally before she set off on her own trip around Ireland (she took in Dublin, Sligo, Connemara, Cork and now is with her sister's Amish community near Waterford) and, of course, much laundry ...

It's been strange, going from being so mobile to becoming rooted to the spot again in Tugby. But I've been delighted to discover that the sense of soaking in prayer which became such a delight during the pilgrimage hasn't worn off. I've been praying the Jesus Prayer everywhere I go, and singing the Psalms. At home but with a pilgrim heart. A good way to be.

I promised to introduce Stella, so here she is. A Sym Mio 50 in delightful chocolate brown and vanilla livery. Classic scooter lines. A visual delight.

Sadly, also, not a great engine. She's had issues since the day I bought her and they've only got worse over time. I've already had one mechanic work on her in the recent past without success, I've done what tinkering I can, and I've found in the last few days that the earliest appointment I can get for anyone to look at her here in Leicestershire is the end of August ... she won't be going on pilgrimage with me anytime soon.

While I was travelling I spent a surprising amount of time thinking about sunk costs: things you invest a lot of time and money into, and so become reluctant to let go. Economists talk about the sunk cost fallacy: the idea that pouring more investment into a bad investment will somehow make it come good. It's always better to face the truth and cut your losses. That idea is right at the heart of the gospel. You can't change the past but, Jesus taught, you can choose to live differently in the future. Metanoia the gospels call it. Changing your mind.

I've come to understand that Stella is a sunk cost. So I've been looking into alternatives and something is beginning to shape up. Watch this space ... the 50cc Pilgrimage Part II may yet still be on!

///glosses.vessel.shall