Where's the champagne?

High all. Sorry I've been away. This rather boring photo is very exciting 'cos it's my first podium finish. The old Jag MK7 came third on Saturday at Snetterton.

Armstrong Coffee

I like coffee. Real coffee. I know what a real coffee is. Starbucks used to do good coffee but now they have dumbed down. Our 16th C house has a shop part and we ran a small coffee shop for a while. We had a real machine and good instruction. The grind is important, the time of the pour and the temperature of the milk. There must be a 'crema'; the light brown top to the coffee which is proof you have got it right. A cappuccino is so called because the milk disperses the crema to the outside of the cup and so gives the appearance of the hoods of Franciscan Minor Friars. It should be one third each of coffee, milk and foam. I experienced the real thing in Rome. The Tassa D'oro. No chairs or tables just stand at the counter, have your expertly poured coffee, drink, enjoy and leave. 

Back home I confess I contribute to to the ruin of the planet by driving into town to a little place off the cobbled high street that provides good coffee. Better than that it is 'manned' by attractive Polish wenches that make perfect Baristas. I have to get to town early to beat the rush hour and the parking restrictions. There is often an interesting car parked in the high street. Today I think it was an Armstrong Siddeley. Both set me up for the day.

My dad tooled me up.

My dad taught me a lot. These are some of his tools. I have let them go a bit rusty. I keep meaning to clean them up. We had a shed. It was the classic Anderson shelter corrugated iron thing. He had his bench one side and I had a smaller version the other side. We worked back to back. He had screws, nails, nuts and bolts etc in tins. Dried milk tins, Old Holborn and Golden Virginia tins.. These were the days when you picked up a nail off the street and took it home and straightened it and used it. You re-cut the slot in a screw with a hacksaw. Now, hacksawing: "Use the whole of the blade and take it slowly. Let the tool do the work". He called a hammer a 'blow tool'. Pincers, there was a tool with a technique. Some would think they were to cut wire. Others would pull at the nail with all their might but of course my dad told me the right way. Grab the nail as low down as you can and roll the pincers over the workpiece-easy! Then straighten that nail!

Some might be interested to know he worked for Baker Perkins. He was the field engineer. Repair man. Bakeries, laundries, biscuit factories, installing and repairing those giant machines. He would come home with cakes, broken biscuits (pressed shirts!) and stories. He worked at Trebor once. 'Fruit Salad is alright but don't buy Black-Jack. I've seen them sweep up the spillage and put it back in the pot' He taught me a lot, my dad.

Mrs Tatra

So here's the Tatra. I don't know that much about them. Rear engined V6?  It will probably get in the Revival as they like a few odd balls. I presume it will be at the back of the grid, but then perhaps not? You lads mentioned Borgward Isabella recently. Now if you know the whereadouts of one of those you have got a Revival entry! I think it has to be a TS coupe. Bill Blydstein was the man. I think he died just recently.

Who do you think you are, Stirling Moss?

The MK7 Jag is a heavy car and even in lightweight form is still a handful! Even the maestro here has found the limits of adhesion of Mr Bean's car. One excuse for involuntary spins is that the Dunlop racing tyres of the size required are only available in the old rubber compound which is far from sticky. In its day, perhaps surprisingly, the MK7 was a race winner until the MK2 turned up, and it did well in rallies too. Stirling Moss and others used to thrash these big cars around race tracks on DRUM BRAKES! My car is allowed to have front disc brakes for safety reasons. Even then we have had continuing problems with overheating and melting seals until the fitting of a revised design. So how did they achieve similar lap times in those early days? I can only put down to driver skill and asbestos. Modern drum brake linings seem to be made of cardboard and disintegrate at the slightest stress. Those drivers in the fifties were true heroes

Grace Space Pace and Race?

Today was Goodwood test day. This is where would-be racers with totally unsuitable cars turn up to hope upon hope that they will be chosen for the St Mary's Trophy at the forthcoming Goodwood Revival. I am fortunate to own a MK7 Jaguar that was created just for the Revival.

That is another story, but basically this lovely old lady is a cheap ticket into the most prestigious motoring event in the world. Most other cars in the Revival programme are expected to be the original example from those old days with specific racing history and because they have that pedigree expect to pay up to £5m. Some owners don't get to drive but instead have to watch a famous but geriatric pilot struggle round the track with their precious specimen. Rowan Atkinson owns an original lightweight racing Mk7 (magnesium body) but that cost him just  £55,000 or so. My 1.75 tonne example was a lot less. I've got my fingers crossed.

Sorry not a joke anywhere!

You petrol heads will be able to name the rest of the cars in the line except, I wager, the orange one!

Cover Story

Forget Jaguars, I'm going to do old buildings and brochures from now on. There is more money in it.
Having got the latest acquisition (XK 120 fhc RHD) back to the workshop I thought I'd give the rusty heap a hoover out. Next to a rat's nest (where do rats go? They're never in their nests.) I found this telephone directory cover circa 1969. I know it's not the most precious treasure but I thought I would share it with you Heritage buffs before I used it as a packing piece. I've heard of Whitley Bay. I think it is on the coast. The only gag I can get out of it is that Mrs Ryan provides Personal Supervision.

Why did one need directory covers in those days?

How do you start this?

Well, I've managed to upload a photo and these words seem to be appearing as I write them. Not sure I like the font. How do you change that? Damn you Peter Ashley, this is all your fault!

I'm not looking forward to writing my profile, I might be too modest!! I guess it is important not to give to much away, like where you live and your inside leg measurement, in case someone steals your identity . Even worse I could be stalked! This is taking a bloody (can you say bloody?)long time and I've got lots of important things to do. I have actually got to go to a meeting about the forthcoming conservation area appraisal in my village which will interest you heritage nuts out there. The Planning department will make a list of all the interesting buildings and then the very next day their colleagues will approve a carbuncle to go in the middle of them. Actually I could be enjoying this blogging lark. What's it for though? What is the point?

I am going to have to finish this later. Conversation will have to make way for Conservation.

Oh, in case your wondering it's an XK 120 ots 1950 (early steel) on a bridge on Ile Saint Louis Paris.