As I was creeping up hill I spotted a young bird on the floor.I thought it must have fallen out of its nest, or had made a pathetic attempt at flight and become stranded in the lava like road. With out thinking I picked it up and carried it with me to find some shade. This is something I've always done since a kid, right or wrong, I try and help. Maybe that was its fate. To die on the floor, and it didn't need some giant on a tricycle interfering. It started to struggle so I stopped and looked around for somewhere to put it down. It then vibrated and made signs that didn't look too promising. I sat with the bird in the burning sun until it breathed its last breath. A strange moment for me. I spied some trees ahead and went over and laid the Bird to rest.

It was at that point I had a sudden realization. Nothing magical, nothing mysterious. A simple thought

Bird Flu !

Shit !... Shit!..... H5 N what ever you call it.....Shit !

Alright Rob, calm down. You maybe in the middle of nowhere, dehydrated, tired andhave just had a bird die in your hands, but there is no need to panic. Stay calm.

I washed my hands with soap and some very precious water and pushed on trying not to become overly excited.

What were the symptoms, what are the chances, what was the time frame before youreventual death. Do you vibrate without warning and die in the hands of some giant.

I already have the flu, or at least a really bad cold. I feel nauseous in this heatanyway, so how am I to know if I've got bird flu or not. These are the thoughts that kept me pedaling.