tonym

It's like knocking on your best mates door during the school holidays only to then realise he's away for a few days.

Cheers Peter. I must say some folk think they are ugly but I've always had a thing for 'wedges'; not just TVRs but cars like the old Lotus Esprit --- must be takingme back to childhood thing. Anyway I appreciate your enthusiasm. You should hear it -- the over-run is great, pops and gurgles in all the right places. Always happy to oblige. PS. I'm doing bits to the bodywork today, the odd touch up job. My blue TVR valve caps should be here today too

Going topless is now a joy.

So thanks all for the advice and interest shown here. My wife thinks I'm mad --- some sort of early-onset Mid Life Crisis. She could be right, but that would have meant it started when I was 18. Anyhow, here is said motor. BTW the garage is now the same colour. Cheers.

Well I have now a new motor I have spent a long time trawling the net and classifieds for something that met my criteria and have, over the last month or so, chosen to view a few cars. The whole business of travelling to see one is so time consuming and difficult to organise given my circumstances. However, I was fairly judicious and chose to pick out only those that may have had me reaching into pocket. Actually this one was only 90 miles away. It's a TVR 350i with a bit of modification, and it sounds absolutely gorgeous. Over the next few weeks I will be spending a bit of time doing stuff on it to bring it up to tip top condition. The motor etc are excellent, the bodywork is very good but there are 4 or 5 very small nicks and chips that need doing. I'm in V8 heaven. For the ride home I had my pre-prepared tape ready. Side 1 -- Bullitt soundtrack. Fatal for travelling to; I was constantly looking in my rear view and shifting down B-) Side 2 ---- Needless to say it rained all the way home. Yesterday was worth the wait though

There are probably loads more but I have one disc with Trane/Dizzy playing 'Coast to Coast'. Apparently the album was called Bebop Professors TOCD5626.

Not on your own doorstep then? Always obey the first rule.

That is indeed the shop I was talking about. You do get about.

I remember it was on a canal. That's actually not that helpful really is it?

This may be a bit too vague but last time I was in Amsterdam I took the opportunity to vist Delft, which isn't that far away. There they had a few record shops, one of which had a very good stock of jazz vinyl, in particulay old Blue Notes. Map showing distances here!!!

All the best Gary. Get your feet up and double your daily dose of 'Trane.

I've too much time on my hands.

A view from across the stream in Spring.

BTW what the hell was Kloden doing this afternoon?

This is indeed grossly disrespectful. Regardless of how you feel about someones motives or whatever, these guys are really bareing their souls out there. Would have been nice for Lance to plant an 'oyster' on one of these idiots. You never have a problem mustering one of these up when you're on the rivet.

I think people would just have a bit more time for him if he could at least bookend his Tour wins with a Leige - Bastogne - Leige and a late season win for example. Most classic rides in Tours over the years have come from riders who've also added some other palmares to their season.

Voeckler did a sterling ride today to keep the jersey. Unfortunately the action on the last climb seemed unbearably routine.

What will you be doing on this day? You could try staying in.

To go with the purchase a couple of weeks ago!

s' Funny because I heard on our regional news the other day that they were predicting affluence and an economy boost for the North East of England. We'll be the new South!!!

Blue Seven -- Sonny Rollins for starters. My Song -- Keith Jarrett. Too many to choose from.

It was indeed at Newark Bev. Actually South Yorkshire/ North Notts is somewhat of a mecca in it's own right for this sort of 'way of life'. A trip on North Sea Ferries will confirm this when waiting at the bar behind large hatted and waistcoated blokes with pony tails, you then hear them say "Ta, duck" or "Int th' none from Cud'th mate". I'm not into the whole Americana scene, my friend is, you know; the Eagles on full blare all the time, cowboy boots on a Friday, stars and stripes handkerchiefs the works. He seemed tame in comparison with, well, what you've just described. The music was awful, and one band were from Middlesbrough my home town but sang with an Arkansas twang! Nice atmosphere. No fools charging around in cars, just gentle gurgling from the car owners... like content infants really. My friend wondered why, about halfway around, how we, the British don't celebrate our heritage and culture in such a way. I suggested that maybe we do but it's usually associated with the monarchy or, at best, quaint village fetes and Morris dancing. I've a feeling he'll stick with the bigger, better option.

£70K and it's yours.

Inside Gt Shelby.

Just ot back from the 'Americana' exhibition/ car show in Nottinghamshire (Bev Stapleton country!!!) UK. Wow, it was like I'd gone to heaven. Haven't decided what to splurge on yet but I was amazed by how many lovely condition Camaros and Trans Ams we have over here. A few nails too though. It seems everything had a V8 in it; bikes, trikes, motorhomes, ice-cream vans, kids scooters... I travelled own in my mate's Firebird 305ci which sounds luurverly, I also had the pleasure of driving it back a bit. In the wet, on slippy North Yorkshire roads. I was tempted by the Shelby GT500 (signed on driver's door insert by Carol Shelby) but I would have had to remortgage the house. Some lovely 'Vettes aswell, many big block ones, but out of my price range. I am very taken with the older Camaros though, they will fit in the garage, just.