9 April 2016

I have abandoned my plan to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis through this blog. The idea was that, for every viewing of the blog, advertisers would pay the charity a small amount of money - at no cost to the viewer.  Naturally advertisers want to see large numbers and my viewing figures have stalled at about 16 per week. That is not going to attract much revenue!  Ironically the other blog I am writing about my son's restoration of an ex-Irish lightship built in 1878 is attracting over 1,000 views per week.  Ah well, I will continue with this one at least for a while, for the faithful 16.

I sometimes worry about the car. When I had to have a new king-pin (me not the car),  I was physically unable to drive for five weeks, with another four or five before I got the all clear. Wives are not much 

help in such circumstances. Yes I know there are exceptions, but mine is not one of them! Have you ever seen a car looking reproachful?  I certainly had to do lots of miles to make up for this. Now that was nice!

I also worry about the future. Will there still be craftsmen who know how to repair old cars? Will there still be spares available? I am constantly coming across small firms and individuals who have a tremendous reservoir of knowledge, skills and spares. I am also sure that there are huge numbers of so-called rare/unobtainable/hen’s teeth spares mouldering in store rooms/sheds/garages, waiting for that day (which may never come) when they will be needed. 

 Just like the legions of tatty old cars rotting under canvas/plastic covers, condemned by over-optimistic owners who keep promising themselves that they will start the restoration any day now (ready for take-off Mr Pig?). 

    It is sadly true that there are very few ‘apprentices’ coming through these days. So, echoing the call for owners to regard themselves as temporary ‘custodians’ of our wonderful cars, perhaps our craftsmen could look upon their skills as being in trust and needing to be passed on intact?

Poop. Poop.