January

January 30

Safely ensconced in my new home I aim to keep going. To stay on the road, like an old car. A very old car.

At 95 I would be classed as vintage. Possibly a model T Ford, in the 1920s the biggest selling model in the world.

The thought reminded me of a brilliant competition for the restoration of those vintage models.

Over twenty years ago my son-in-law Julio took part. He converted a section of the huge shed at Braydon Manor, a former farm where he had a growing collection of cars, into a workshop, bought Model T plans, and, with some help from his young son Ben, set to work. 

He collected parts for the most famous car, painstakingly put them together until ,after weeks, it took shape.

Finished, it was magnificent. Polished, gleaming and ready for the road,

He and Ben were in with a real chance to win the compe5otuin.

But they failed. The rules called for mostl reused parts and their car had too many new ones.

The family’s disappointment was eased by the magnificence of their creation and the thrill of driving it on the country roads.

Then their model T went intok4  the huge building where cattle had been wintered, to join their growing collection of cars they had preserved. Their own mini museum.

I don’t need spare parts but I am doing my best to keep going as a vintage human model.