At first light one morning, I stood beside my bike and contemplated the 40 yards or so of approximately 4' deep water ahead from an overnight flooded river. On the other side of the flood, the road was on a steady downhill curve to the water. I was just going to radio for signs when I heard the unmistakeable sound of a scooter with a big bore exhaust creaming down the long hill opposite. It came into sight, flat out and didn't stand a chance of stopping. It hit the water and lifted like a paddle-landing swan, with a beautiful flat spray of water to either side. It covered about twenty yards on the surface and I thought it might make it, but it then suddenly lost speed and stopped, the water up to the rider's shoulders. He got off and stood up. "Are you going to come and help push?", he said.
I gave this some deep and serious consideration, "No", I said, and switched on my blue lights.
UB
Let us hope all politicians are masochists, that they may truly enjoy our fondest wishes...