Wrecked...

I've told before that February is the birthdaymonth in our family. My younger brother and my sister in law celebrate their birthdays 2 weeks apart, but usualy they have a combined party. That's why Roel and I go to Siep and Atsje on sunday, February 25.

Surprise...
I was hardly sitting, or my brother rises, turns around and takes out the February-number of Motor Magazine of the KNMV. He opens it up and gives it to me. When I look down on the pages, my surprised look changes spontaniously into a big smile. Leo Schuil smiles at me from the pages. The first time I met Leo, was on the Harley day in Leeuwarden, two years ago. Last autumn I drove with my brother to the province of Noord-Holland to fetch a bike. On the way back, Siep told me, that he had taken over all the Honda CB parts from Leo. I had heard the name often before, but I had never been to his scrap-yard. Because we would pass his place very closely we stopped by at Leo's place. There in the old slaughterhouse, my heart started pounding much faster.

The paradise...
On the outside there is not much to see, exept the sign that tells that the Frisian Motorcycle-scrapyard is housed there. But when you enter, a new world opens. It's paradise, all parts of classic bikes, with here and there an almost complete bike. I needed to have a look around between all those treasures. Jawa, Matchless, Aermacchi, you name it. Siep had told me on the way there, that Leo was in the possesion of a very special vehicle. I should see that. It was a socalled Kettenrad. A catterpillar vehicle with a bikefront-steering. Indeed very special. I asked Leo, if I could come back someday to make some pictures. He said that I could. Until now I had not made the effort yet, but sunday-afternoon my brother makes the suggestion to go and see Leo again together this week.

Return...
And so on thursday-afternoon Siep stops here to pick me up. Together we drive to Leo Schuil. While Siep is looking for a new helmet that fits, I shoot pictures of the most diverse things. Fueltanks, engineblocks, shelves packed with spare-parts, rims and here and there an almost complete bike. Wonderful to stroll around and discover the "treasures". When Siep has succeeded to find himself another helmet, Leo invites us into his office to have some coffee. Leo is a very special man and is full of stories, we can't stop talking. The afternoon is almost coming to an end as we leave for home. He walks us to the door, where we say goodbye. We will come back, if only just for some smalltalk. But the first time I entered this place, I will never ever forget.

Betty Smit.
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