I had lovely neighbours, but had to move out of the village for financial reasons very quickly
-It made sense to move where i worked and where i grew up -but unfortunately this place has become very different - no longer a farming village but second home/retirement/country living style and completely lacking in community spirit - but your community sounds like my former one was which was lovely.Perhaps you could repay the kindness of the soup and buns with hand made easter eggs or similar.
I used to be into bikes too -although breaking my back coming off one ended that -but i still love to see them and hearing the engine of an old BSA or Triumph always has me looking round. I now work as a graphic designer -paid work for a software company -but, dumb as i am, it took a while to work out how i could use the skills to support some of the causes i care about and because its all digital now doesnt have to involve having loads of cash or overcoming social anxiety to meet people all the time, but too a level inadvertantly has done. If you have a role rather then just be a visitor i find it is easier. Perhaps your chocolate skills could in the future lead to integration and overcoming some of your shyness.
This morning i watched an interview with Rod Gilbert -the comedian -he is bringing out a new programme about shyness -i was really suprised to hear he can stand on a stage in front of thousands yet has too work hard to summon up courage to go into a coffee shop.
I have found wildlife priceless in helping me get through this journey and combatt loneliness, you are never really alone when surounded by it even when devoid of human company.I am lucky that my garden is completely private so i can do what i like. -It is very much geared to wildlife and food growing - so learning,about permaculture - again online has created some social contacts over time and i have been recently asked to design a community garden (for a community away from this one)
But it does all take time and on the way you will find yourself stumbling about in the dark -going back where you started from and taking the wrong paths before you start to connect the right ones.
waffling is good -knowing about each other is good -and no-one would mistake you for a village idiot, but even if you were one the compassion and care here applys too all.