Robert Merry, is an independent stone consultant and project manager who ran his own company for 17 years. He also acts as an expert witness. Here he presents his view of the stone industry this month.

It’s turned cold. Finally I can dig out the winter woollies and ride, baby, ride… on my new bike!

Looks good. Rides well. I’m in constant fear of its disappearance and stand in shop doorways shouting my coffee order across the threshold rather than leave it on the street alone.

It reminds me of when the boys were small and in a push chair, which always excluded me from narrow shop entrances and small cafes. Any attempt to manoeuvre into the premises ended in gridlock and usually shelf damage or banging into chairs or other patrons. Same with the bike. Not welcome.

One of my places of work has enough room for me to take the bike into the office and lean it against the wall, so I can watch it lovingly and pick it up if it needs attention.

Another of my places of work is a building site. Not suitable for new bikes. But there’s a railing just inside the compound, which stands on a stone wall. So I carefully hook the bike over the railings and there it swings by the handle bars. Perfectly happy and safe, while I get on with work.

I pop back periodically to see that it’s alright. Ivan the security man keeps an eye on it for me, too. I trust Ivan. He doesn’t seem like a bike snatcher to me.

Then there’s the first time I left it in the street on its own while I went to a meeting.

I knew I had to let go. We both had to learn to cope on our own. But it was a big wrench.

I remember the bright shiny look on its sleek silver frame as I ran back to where it was locked to the fence outside the nursery, with all the other bikes.

I noticed it had a chip on the frame this week. I felt ashamed that I had let this happen. What would other bike owners say if they saw it? “Not fit to be a bike owner.”

It wasn’t my fault. It’s not what it seems. You know how it is: They get into all sorts of scrapes.

I’ve had admirers. “Looks nice; l like the colouring.” “Disc brakes – very swish.” “That must have set you back a few quid.”

No, not really. I try to be modest, although inside I’m all aglow with pride. I admire other people’s bikes and talk about the relativity of Sram gears over Shimono, Gattor tyres compared with Continentals and which prevents punctures best.

You know, sometimes I think that’s all I ever talk about and I miss those days when I was bike free and had a life of my own.

But then I think of the joy I have in being a bike owner and the sparkle of the street lights in its reflectors as I close the bike-shed door at night and it makes it all seem worthwhile.

Oh bugger: this column’s meant to be about stone and building sites and project management and what I’ve be up to this month, isn’t it.

Sorry. It’s since the new bike came along. I can’t seem to think straight. And what with the sleep deprivation (checking it’s still there in the middle of the night… you know how it is), well… it has been hard to concentrate on anything else.

Look, I’ll try and make it up to you next month. I’ll put in the extra hours and everything will be fine. But I’ve got to rush now – I have to pick up the bike!

Robert Merry, MCIOB, ran his own stone company for 17 years and is now an independent Stone Consultant and Project Manager. He is also an expert witness in disputes regarding stone and stone contracts. Tel: 0207 502 6353 / 07771 997621