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Old age is no Barrier...
Amazing the amount of enthusiasm and energy a few old School boys can generate. Anth and I certainly did at the Kemble Steam Extravaganza last week. Most of the volunteers were over 50 .. despite the so called "energy of youth", there was a lack of physical activity on the part of some .. maybe they were saving their talents and energy for other fields.

My thanks go to John Stickland and his able crew of helpers, we (Anth & I) thoroughly enjoyed the experience of being around some of the "big boys toys" and driving the various vehicles to move the "essential safety products" around the site. A bit daunting to see the big picture to start with, but all became clear(ish) the second day. The characters made the experience enjoyable, and the feeling of doing something usefull for the enjoyment of others made us both hungry to repeat the process again (hopefully, if they`ll have us) at the new 200 acre plus site at Cerney Airfield.

The body (in my case) couldn`t stand the pace, and even though the mind was willing, I had to retire to bed on Saturday. My stomach became an acid tooth paste factory, my hands lost connection with my brain for a bit due to a neck / back injury. Not wishing to spoil the weekend for anyone, home was the best place to be to recuperate. Shame about not seeing much of the show, but last year was brilliant and maybe next year will be too.

Catch you guys later .. things to do
Aug. 13, 2010  (Edited Aug. 25, 2010)
 
Picture of John Stickland
John Stickland
Hi Guys
Thanks for the compliments Bill. I'm sure that Anth will update you withg all the happenings after your early retuirement.
Nice to have you guys at the show.
Doing this in Ireland and only two minutes left, will explain later!!!!!
Sticky.
Aug. 13, 2010 
 
Picture of Steve Coffin
Steve Coffin
One of the few drawbacks of drinking cider Bill!!! Hope you feel better now.
 
Cheers
 
Steve
Aug. 13, 2010 
 
Picture of Stuart Stickler
Stuart Stickler
The old fermented apple joose don't have no effect on me, now what was my name ?
Aug. 13, 2010 
 
Picture of Mike Hallett
Mike Hallett

There’s no shame in growing old disgracefully.

 

Took the unheard of step by looking to buy a small sport car yesterday.  Always wanted one but load lugging, daughters and their countless friends requiring transport, visits to IKEA and numerous fully laden trips to far flung University Halls of residence meant that every time the idea cropped up in conversation it was rapidly mown down by Mrs H on the grounds of economics, practicality and lastly, and what I felt was a little below the belt, references to my  advancing age and grasp on reality.

 

Well we passed Lansdown Mazda and Mrs H commented that she rather liked the “blue one over there”.  Not being slow off the mark (when my best interests are at stake) we arranged a test drive, and low and behold before we even got to the racecourse she was saying that perhaps she might consider giving me the green light to buy one.

 

The experience not the same as my mates old Spridget that we hammered around the lanes of Mells, Vobster and Whatley all those years ago.  That glorious heap of rubbish shook your fillings out and I’m fairly certain that my dodgy back is due in not small part to the suspensions crashes I got from hitting pot holes (normally to found outside farm entrances).  Still, in this little Elan look alike, we were open to the sky, I was playing with a 6 speed box and the back end was as lively as bag of ferrets.  Oh joy!!!

 

Later, on viewing the brochure, daughter number one weighed in with the comment that she was seriously embarrassed by the fact that her father was considering buying a hairdressers car (she has got to stop watching Clarkson and all his evil doings!), daughter number two only asked how much it would cost to put her on the insurance.

 

I eschewed both comments on the grounds that they both seriously impressed by my choice of personal transport but were not prepared to celebrate my motoring liberation – it could have been worse,  a Ducatti Monster or, God forbid, a Harley D.

 

Still, I have now got to convert Mrs H’s tacit interest in my project in to full-on enthusiasm – softly, softly catchy monkey.

 

Frankly I don’t care if others think “who does that old git think he is in that sort of car?”  We dropped into a farm shop recently where a mini-bus was disgorging 4 or 5 wheel chair borne seriously incapacitated old folk for a cup of tea and carrot cake – I’ve got some seriously living to be done before I get to that state.

 

Raging against the inevitable

 

Mike

 

Aug. 14, 2010 
 
Picture of Stuart Stickler
Stuart Stickler
Go for it Mike ! "Proper", as they say in Devon speak, if you find getting Mrs.H 100% on board a little difficult send off for a brochure for the Aprillia Shiver, a naked 750cc. much more animal looking than the Ducati Monster, I should forget any idea of a Harley if you've got a dodgy back, street cred might be OK, but carring a walking stick on the pillion definately ain't, anyway everyone's got one of them ! (cept me of course).
 
Shirl's just been told that her firm's moving offices to an 'out of town' site, so a second car is in the offing here, I could drive the camper to work but don't really want to everyday, she's considered the idea of a cheap small car, but on looking at prices have noticed that you can pick up some really tasty limo types for less than a Peugeot 106 of the same year and mileage, now I know it costs more to run but I quite fancy the idea of a BMW 535 or a Mercedes E320 kompressor, and she could have our present car, it's registered in her name anyway, so wish me luck.
 
Got to say I agree with you totally about not giving in, one of the reasons I still go to live gigs, could stay at home and listen to CD's but nothing beats being there. The weekend after we return from Turkey in October we're going to see Midlake in Exeter, and the weekend after that have been invited to the Oxjam in Leadenhall Market in London, will definately have to go to that as quite a few friends are playing there. The wheelchair can wait, (unless it's got a high power motor), after all an electric powered bike lapped at nearly 100mph at the TT this year.
 
Stu
Aug. 14, 2010  (Edited Aug. 14, 2010)
 
Picture of Graham
Graham
I suspect from this thread that in another decade there will be white lines on the pavement, traffic lights in the Malls etc. to cope with all the souped up, go-fast striped disabled buggies we are whipping around in! Ear-plugs for the young as the speakers on the back blare out Stones, Eric Clapton et al! Graham
Aug. 16, 2010 
 
Picture of Stuart Stickler
Stuart Stickler
I'm working on it Graham, one of those big wheel electric trikes with raked and extended forks, higher power electric motor, lithium batteries, wide wheels at the back, 21" chopper wheel at the front, ape hangers and a loud stereo, and a custom paint job, just call me 'Bad to the Bone'.
 
Stu
Aug. 16, 2010 
 
Picture of Graham
Graham
Hi Stu, Sounds impressive! For those technically challenged with vehicles, like myself, pictures speak louder than words. I have created a photo file called 'Big Boys' Toys' in case anyone wants to add their real or fantasy desires. BTW neither picture posted was taken by me! Graham
Aug. 17, 2010 
 
Picture of Stuart Stickler
Stuart Stickler
Added a few to the wish list Graham, 'fraid I'll just have to carry on dreaming though.
Aug. 17, 2010 
 
Picture of Graham
Graham
I can see where you are heading Stu. Mean machines! When I retired early I wondered if the budget would hold up. I jokingly suggested if I got stuck that I would open a Sedan Chair business in Bath. (Trouble was no one else volunteered!) An ex parent actually believed me and offered me a chair (ex drama production)! Why is there no business like this in the city? The tourists would love it. Plenty of idlers on benefits to do the carrying too. Graham
Aug. 18, 2010  (Edited Aug. 18, 2010)
 
Picture of Ken Eynon
Ken Eynon

Hi All, just dropped in for my monthly visit. Firstly belated happy birthday to Stu.  Glad you had a good day and enjoyed yourself.  Must say I like Graham's photographs, a great variety of transport there.  Must say the only one I can relate too is the BBQ.  I think the tyres on that BBQ cost more than my BBQ cost. 

I have Had a busy month and today is our Federal Election (same as your General Election), in a few hours the votes will start to get counted in what is looking like a cliffhanger.  Reminds me of a funny thing many elections ago. A local star footballer was asked by a 'Dolly Bird' aspiring politician to come around and help her with the election. He heard the message incorrectly and thought she mean coming round and help me with an erection.  She got into the Parliament but I don't think he scored.  Ken

Aug. 21, 2010 
 
Sedan chairs ... H.S.E issues I expect Graham, you know B.A.N.E.S. , they have to have a report for everything ... including environmental issues like dropping woodworm on the streets from the old chairs .. and dandruff off the hats of the bearers. The other reason is .. they can`t police or montor it easily, just think of the pavement congestion up Milsom St. The pavements aren`t wide enough either ... hang on though, this could be the excuse that the council are looking for .. close all the roads in the City.

I`d jet off an email to the "woman who can" .. (she who runs the show with her "gang of 9") ... you could get a free pass for life into the Spa complex  .. or an O.B.E. at the very least !!
Aug. 24, 2010 
 
Picture of Graham
Graham
Thought for a minute you were volunteering to hold the other handles Francis! Quite correct BANES is on another planet. They might need cheaper transport by the time the Spa is paid for though! Odd how when you go to York you have the odd Roman in armour strutting their stuff, even in the States re-enactors appear in many National Parks, but Bath oh no! Never did get to one of those orgies they had in the King's Bath in the 1950s. Would probably get escorted to the city boundary if I suggested anything to the bureaucrats! Graham
Aug. 25, 2010 
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