Let me tell you about my first scooter. It was a PX 150, a deep wine red, bought secondhand from Sutton Scooters in Northfields, west London. God knows how I got it home -I was nineteen and hadn’t ridden anything motorised before. Really; I can’t remember a thing; it must have been traumatic! I do remember the absolute and unadulterated joy I felt, waiting for the next day to take it out for a spin on the local streets. Freedom…It’s hard to remember such times; moments such as these become increasingly rare as you get older, don’t they? When you’re almost leaping with excitement.

Anyway, I did go out on it the very next day, and around the first corner I almost ran straight into a moving car because I blanked when it came to braking. I ended up out in the middle of the junction before I found how to stop. The driver screeched to a halt, got out and gave out yards to me. Turns out he was an official motorcycle instructor and he commanded me to appear at the instruction centre. How fortuitous was that? Angels must follow me.
So, here I am at 54, still striving for elegance, still chasing the dream of living la Dolce Vita, except now in the northern maritime climate of Dublin…I’ve been an independent artist and illustrator for more than twenty years, working for national papers all over the world, including the Wall Street Journal. Now I’m combining my love for Italian scooter design with my artistic skill -it had to happen eventually; they’re such design icons that they dovetail perfectly with anyone with an eye for jet-age lines and Italian style. I am blessed and very very lucky and I’m so grateful. Most of all to that very patient motorcycle instructor for me being here at all. He should’ve given me a thick ear…

😳

Tell me about your Vespa or Lambretta* and include a pic. I’ll publish it here: ke***@mc******.ie

*nothing offensive or abusive will be considered.