While reasonably security conscious, sometimes we leave things out in our back garden, mostly out of convenience or laziness! Usually there are garden chairs, sometimes garden toys, and very occasionally, our kids' bikes.
About 6 weeks ago, my son's bike disappeared from our back garden. We have a side alleyway that isn't gated, so getting in to the garden is easy. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that someone came around the back and took the bike. I am surprised that anyone would steal a bike made for an 8 year old though. At the time, I was also surprised, they didn't take my daughter's bike too.
Anyway, as a result of the theft, we've had a 6-foot gate fitted, and had to buy new bikes for both the kids. We probably should have had the gate fitted a long time ago, and I am not too upset about having to buy new bikes as they were growing out of their old ones anyway. Also, Dylan got a BMX that is perfectly fine for me to ride too, and it has stunt pegs front and back. How long before I seriously injure myself I wonder? But I digress. We'd put the whole incident behind us, and moved on.
Last week, my wife was driving home, and as she approached our house she noticed a small bike propped up against the fence opposite. Doing a double take, she realized that it was Dylan's missing bike! I hate it when things like this happen – I also want an explanation; I'm not happy with simply "oh, how lucky it showed up again!"
That said, we *think* we figured out what happened. There are some construction works happening in the field opposite our house, laying some new pipes. They've dug some large holes and created some large earth piles. No-one has been on site doing any work for a good few weeks though. We think that someone took the bike so that they could have some fun on the hilly terrain, and then simply dumped it in the long grass once they were finished. Then, last week, the workmen finally came back to work on the site; they must have found the bike and left it leaned against the fence in the street so that the owner might see it. Which we did!
Anyone want to buy a bike for an 8 year old boy? Good condition, only one owner, one theft and a month sitting out in a field in the typical English summer rain.