alastairq

I have to share my home with a male, and a female, not-my-cat. {As mentioned before] Also I get regular sleep-overs from another of next-door's female ex-ferals..Something to do with next door having to lock their cat flap to prevent a newly arrived, very undersized rescue kitten from escaping until she is physically big enough to be ''seen-to''.. Now, this female [tortoiseshell & white...mostly white underneath] has a very appealing personality, will tolerate being picked up [my two won't] and is noted for grabbing anyone's lap, especially if it's raining outside. She has a very appealing facial expression.... The female not-my-cat seems to have taken a leaf out of 'Shelly's' book for getting one's own way. [Known as ''Lu-lu'' next door...there are name changes once the hedge line is crossed] Hence, now, if she finds I'm sitting in her favorite office chair in front of my computer, she sits very close in front of me at the desk, leans against me and chucks her head under my chin, and stays there, purring. Most Would consider this to be an overt sign of affection on her part. I, on the other hand, know that, as soon as I get up to put kettle on, she's grabbed the office chair toot sweet...meaning I have to resort to a harder,lower, chair alongside her.... a point she seems intent on being oblivious to, my new discomfort. The tom not-my-cat [so I tell my landlord!"], on the other hand..when he finds me sitting in my favoured chair, [AKA, HIS favoured cushion]...simply lays on the floor giving the impression of incredible discomfort, looking at me accusingly as being the cause of his discomfort...and when I get up to put kettle on, I have to find a new seat immediately on return. Two very different approaches to getting their own way, politely.

Plus, the wheels seem to have fallen off?

My mistake....I should have posted ''ethnic russians''....which is what I meant.

If the Russian nationalism flag is being flown, I don't hold out much hope for Canada if Scotland votes for its independence from the UK. As I see it, russian nationals who have built their lives in Ukraine, have a choice. Exactly the same choice as a Scot who lives in Canada. [For example.... & speaking as someone who was repeatedly told as a child that I had a Scottish heritage, only to find out that the paternal side of my family actually hailed from Ireland! I'm not confused [dot com]}

That was tried & done. Under Russian supevison. Generally agreed by the UN to have been rigged.

On the sub-topic of electricity generation systems [and the taking-out thereof]...most of Ukraine's power generation is using old soviet era equipment. Massive, on a massive scale, as much Soviet era engineering can be. It is known that, due to Ukraine's incredibly effective air defence, most Russian missiles and drones do not get through to their targets. It is also known that Russia is running out of various missile stocks....so coal fired UK power stations are pretty safe i that respect for the foreseeable future. What does get through, and actually hits the intended target, does a lot of damage, yet Ukraine's engineers work marvels in returning power to the grid in a reasonable time [ Northern Powergen, take note?] The upside is, Ukraine will be able to replace the old existing [and damaged] soviet-era power generation with modern, more efficient, up-to-date systems. Russia seems to have a real problem with the concept of 'repair'..[example, the Kirch bridge?] . A pity, then that Ukraine apparently lacks the means to strike as far as Moscow, in return. The disruption such a strike [or six?] could achieve would be far away and beyond that in Ukraine.... That the russian hierarchy is worried about that idea can be witnessed by their recent installation, in the middle of Moscow, of one of their air defence systems. They lost one of their arctic-suitable systems the other day, to a Ukraine artillery strike [possibly using new guided munitions, although there is currently silence on that possibility.]

This is, if you like, 'evidence' of the two totally different artillery doctrines of the opposing armies. Russia still follows the WW2 artillery doctrine of identifying a target, then plastering the whole area with rounds, hoping that at least one will hit the target. Ukraine is following the NATO artillery doctrine, of exercising precision shooting. Hence, when a target is identified, 3 or 4 rounds [or fewer] are enough to eliminate said target. Hence, by using western precision munitions and targeting, Ukraine has been able to reduce , if not completely eliminate, Russia's artillery abilities in certain areas, by precise targeting of Russia's ammunition stores. [For example, the current tactical situation in the Bakhmut area....with Ukraine forcing the Russians [mostly Wagner] to not be able to pursue further advancement [only mainly spoiling attacks] due to having destroyed with longer range artillery, Russia's localised ammunition dumps...] I feel a lot of Ukraine's doom n gloom is aimed at twisting the arms of western states to get their fingers out and start upgrading the aid being sent. Interesting opinion from a [retd] head of shed, UK army-wise..that the UK's Army is about 10 years away from achieving tier 1 status.... Especially in light of the last Defence Review... Which means, if NATO were confronted with an extreme provocation, the UK would not be able to contribute [nor would the others expect the UK to?] significantly for some considerable time. Rather a different viewpoint to those who think the UK would be able to step up alongside the US. Also interesting is the fact that currently, the largest and most Tier1 ready military in Europe is in fact, Poland! Which likely worries Germany and France? Never mind wee Lithuania!

I hope something is done about the left side front ammunition storage locker on the Leopard? The Ukrainian military is proving to be a lot more competent at warfighting than perhaps most of NATO? Yes, they've lost a lot,casualty-wise, but not a fraction of those lost by Russia..who don't care on that particular front anyway. The Ukrainians are good at tactical withdrawals . They may even have to do that from Bakhmut....unless they can shift that russian incursion to the south west? Soledar was a tactical withdrawal, but not a retreat, as many may imagine...more a move to strong defensive lines. It appears the 'allies' are looking at building a brand new factory just over the Polish border, to repair and rejuvenate those tanks being supplied? Such a pity the SAAB Gripens were somewhat sat upon by the US? They would be ideal in Ukraine, being simple to maintain with low numbers of ground crew required, and the ability to use a decent A road as a runway? Now then, does Sweden need NATO? Or will NATO need Sweden? Don't mention the Turks!

Moomin?

This channel always worth a look-see...

About ten days ago? 'Twas the best thing on telly at the time.

Shortage of mice?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Webbox-Naturals-Cat-Mousse-Multipack/dp/B09RWLJJ4C/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=Webbox+Cat+Food&qid=1674825794&sr=8-5 Webbox Mouse flavoured cat fud at last????

There is evidence to suggest the nuclear blasts in Japan did not hasten capitulation one iota. Indeed, the conventional [ incendiary ] bombing of Tokyo yielded far greater casualty rates, and devastation, than either Hiroshima or Nagasaki. There is also a suggestion that the Japanese Govt were in fact vaguely aware that, with the two bombs being used, the USA had no more [or, one more?] in it's arsenal. At best the bombs were possibly a nudge towards the idea of total surrender already being mulled over by the Japanese state?

I think this is the result of a peculiar by-product of empire-building. From 1917 onwards [and especially under Stalin] one aspect of empire building is the watering-down of race, or nationalism. Ukraine's big problem currently is that there are [or were?] far too many russian ethnics embedded within the government, and the state system. Many are still trying to subvert Ukraine's stance on this whole war. The Ukrainian govt has a real problem on its hands, rooting out the russian-style corruption that prevailed[and still prevails] amongst the fabric of the State itself. Not only Ukraine, but many other states that were once part of the USSR. Moldova has already shown how this watering-down of ethnicities [done under the communist rule, mainly] can now prove to be a real thorn in the backside of nationhood. We in this country see the acceptable side of corruption[an inherent issue with democracies, I fear?]...in the shenanigans amongst the Conservative party, and the MPs within the House [both houses, as it happens] We even have russians able to silence critics in our own press and media, due to the invidious rules surrounding this country's libel laws. Why has this not been addressed, when it is so blatantly obvious? Ask the conservatives, why not? When looking at how ordinary, outer-circle 'russians' [probably not russian, but hey, who is counting?]...view the russian state and government, it is known that most actually do not lay any blame with Putin himself. He is seen as their 'Uncle' at the head of the state. The blame lies with those around him, in the russian public's' eyes. I think Putin will survive what I hope is the outcome. He will not be blamed for Russia's failures. At least, not by the Russian Fed's voters. Which will be a real problem when the rest of the democratic world lay the blame squarely at his feet. As for the rest of the world? I think polarisation will develop, as apparently 'friendly' States see the war as an opportunity to have a good go at the USA. Bearing in mind, the USA is also vilified amongst many States...

I receive Private Eye. One would think the humour contained within would lift one's spirits? But I find, the more I read about the corruption and invidiousness that prevails across all spectra of our society [Teesside, for example?}, the more depressed I become. Annoyingly, it isn't something new, but has pervaded [British?] society for hundreds of years. To avoid the onset of a depressive state [my state, not the State's state}....leads me to think I should actually ignore all the shenanigans of society, past & present [& future] as being something I cannot change without recourse to using a shotgun as appropriate. But, what would tipping folk out of a high window actually achieve? The corruption would only shift to someone else, and the process of discovery and exposure starts all over again. But, Private Eye does fulfil an essential need, by calling-out all those who need calling-out. I would build a soap box and add my calling-out, if I could truly be bothered. But in the end, what would I achieve? I don't get conservatives knocking on my door anymore....I wonder why? [My Ex will happily tell everybody why!]...Or Greens....or liberals... Socialists are few & far between in this part of rural yarksheer... All I can do is take whatever is offered without any moral or social considerations....and indulge in my personal interests. That, and spend a half hour every day with a 4 foot long axe, splitting down the free wood to keep my home warm [and the two not-my-cats who have adopted me]. Making my meagre income cover what I think are, essentials. I don't smoke..{or, as they say in 'ull, smurk?}, I don't buy alcohol [don't need it], not because I'm teeetootal, but because it's an expense thrust upon us by society that many can [and should?] do without. Any alcohol to be found chez moi is stuff others have given me... I am happy to receive free cake too. But have found Lidl's Custard Creams to be cheap and good enough, should I need a cake rush. [The also currently stock Speculoos biscuits, which I find quite tasteful too. My treats are, a steamin' hot bath of a night , and, when I can afford it, a few gallons of petrol in my other interests. I'm glad I don't belong to the workplace any more.

Many thanks...Yes, they are entwined, and it's not in the least one-sided. I hasten to add, the windowsill isn't a repository for tools being used on a job. Living as a male singly [my choice really, rather than an imposed choice]....I don't really 'do' gucci ornaments, etc. My idea of such clutter consists of old tools, etc liberated from a late Uncle's estate, and essentially, ''on display''....Not keen on china and stuff... Thus, there's an old school ice pick/mountaineering hammer, a rock hammer, a new old mallet, one or two nice wood & brass tools [out of shot], and even an ex RAF air navigators''where-the-'eck-are-we'' device.... The distribution is entirely down to the cats' input. Last night they had to 'stay out' all night. Felix [the B&W tom] decided to go out around 8 pm..normally he's banging on the back door to be let back in, around 9-9.30....but not last night. When it came to my bedtime, [I had let the log fire die down] I called, and eventually found him just outside, oddly, very intent on watching for what I presumed to be, a scuttler of some description. He didn't want to come inside, even for a Dreamie...and Tiggy arrived downstairs, and though she'd join him in the scuttler-watch! I did warn them I was off to bed.....to no avail. So I locked up and went upstairs. This morning, early doors, as I arrived down stairs I espied Tiggy in the front garden...She spotted my presence and trotted rapidly to the front door, which I opened. She then turned and hesitated, appearing to be sending ESP messages to Felix, who appeared from under the hedge....both then came in, to enjoy a freebie pouch each. She does look after him really...Maybe it's a 'female' thing? This, despite their ''Cato & Inspector Clouseau'' relationship. {I did notice a very Pink Panther relationship between the two.}. Currently as I type, both ensconced in their favoured places.....Myself having lost the use of a very thick, new wooly jumper Tiggy has discovered.....upstairs. cannot use the settee as Felix is stretched out along it, in luxury.... Communication between them, and myself [and others] has developed a very strict routine. I note, they both use their voices to communicate with me...yet not between each other. Tiggy uses a lot of chirrups to me these days too. Good fudd like bits of chicken, etc, or fish, are often quite growl-worthy. I try to avoid letting them access stuff which may be salty....which doesn't stop Felix enjoying posh cheese & onion crisps,when he can get his head inside a crisp packet. They are both ardent washer-uppers, it seems! It now seems I have to sort out vets and medications for them....after more than a decade of not needing to. What will they do if I fail to wake up one morning [as oldies over 70 are prone to doing?]?? I cannot see them being happy to move to an entirely new house....they are hardly of the domesticated sort really.....not indoor cats by any means [although currently they are both dead-set on disproving my assertions!] Will they be happy to adopt a new tenant, come the time? Do I need to fix up a doorbell to the outside of the back door, low down by the cat flap? When the family visit, they are now used to getting up to open the back door when they hear the rattling of feline feet.....They find it mildly amusing that these cats actually knock on the door to be let in. By the back door is a ''coal shed''.......[which doesn't contain coal...can't afford the stuff anyway]....the bottom of the door having a tunnel-mouth shaped hole in it. Both Tiggz and Felix use the hole, as do two of next door's other garage cats, and probably one or two other feine visitors....Inside, besides some old new tyres and car seats being stored in the dry, are some old dust sheets....Just the job on a wet cold night for curling up on. I notice the hole getting bigger and bigger.....as all the cats gradually grow in size! I am not concerned about rodents and the car seats...not with so many 'hunters' hanging around almost constantly. I am thinking of making a nice carved surround to the cat's 'hole'....making a 'feature' of it, rather than trying to block it up...which would only upset feline folk. There is a well trodden path imprinted across my front grass [AKA, lawn?]....where next door's garage cats , over the years, have made their way through the hole in the hedge, round to my back door. Now, one could get all snarky and uptight about all this damage [alias, adjustment?]....One could get noggity about putting up with it all..But, really, what is the point? It's not as if I'm a ''superior being'' here....We all have to live on this planet, and share it. Ownership is really just a transient idea in the greater scheme of things. Far easier just to be laid back about it all, live & let live, get on with it and enjoy it for what it is. They haven't yet found my train stuff......Well, not really, although they have both crawled all over the various boxes and stuff.

Felix, and Tiggy [the tigah!] These are my not-my-cats......My only claim being, to have opened my door to/for them. They adopted me...rather than the other way around. They were part of a bunch of 'ferals' that the lady next door homed from Cats Protection...but hadn't had their ears clipped [unlike the other two, slightly older visitors I get]. These two abandoned the idea of a garage home, and literally have moved in with me. They obviously started out life within the same 'cat community' before being 'saved' by Cats Protection [from a factory that closed down, I believe?]..judging by their interactions with each other[chasing around my house[their house now?] causing mayhem...nothing can be tidied up any more.....for long].. They both ensure they're back inside by mid evening.... This is because the cat flap in my back door [I rent, it was there when I moved in]....only opens outwards, not inwards...it's a bit broken... They have both figured out that if the knock loudly on the cat flap, or back door. I usually open the door to let them back in. The other cats from next door don't do that. Clever, or what? :) Tiggy is a hunter par excellence...more like a SAM missile, she's so quick. WHen confronted by her main adversary [the other, bigger female from next door]....her ears go flat [unlike the others]...and she looks incredibly fierce and dangerous. Very much like those pictures of UK wildcats....same colouring as well...except for the white socks and ginger underbelly. She is also the one who has definitely 'adopted' me...and is incredibly affectionate [when she wants to be]...Being the one who wakes me up at the crack of dawn...mainy for a snuggle.... They can both go out as & when they please....but cannot get back in unless I'm awake and around. Hence, the knocking on the back door thing. Felix { the cat formerly known as Prince....his name next door]..., on the other hand, is absolutely useless when it comes to hunting, or fending for himself. He's the sort of cat that has a team of staff to look after his needs. He is also a chatterbox! I find myself having casual conversations with him at times. He is very 'needy' when it comes to fuss and affection....and likes nothing better to have a good chase around, and be chased, with Tiggy, or anyone else he knows on a more personal basis [like, next door's cats?] When the rest of my family [including my last Ex] come to visit, which is frequently....they are always greeted by these two......occasionally by the other female from next door..who doesn't live in my home, but isn't averse to snoring in the back bedroom when the weather is wet. Or pinching a tummy-load of the Go-cat cat biscuits I put down...[just one bowl, they help themselves as & when the mood strikes] I reckon it's all because I'm here most of the time, and they like company? Next door go to work and often stay out late, or don't come home at all for the night. The lady next door is perfectly fine with two of her cats moving in with me....as she says, cats are very much 'free spirits' and make up their own minds about what they want to do...unlike dogs, methinks? Tiggy is also on 'good terms' with some of the local dogs....She goes up to the farm nearby [300 yards up the road, opposite]....to give the barns a clear-out....and obviously is known to the farmer's big black Lab....Said Lab has a healthy respect for Tiggy [or rather, her armoury of razor blades?} so when they stop for a chat, on a dog walking session, [as villagers do round here] in passing, Tiggy has no issues with sitting right next to us... Joys of a very rural village? Next door has a Frontline subscription, so, up until now, Felix [AKA, Prince] receives and flea & worm drop session, like the other cats...Seeing as he will still go inside her house to raid the food bowls...but he doesn't stop long...but she can grab him in passing....Tiggy, on the other hand, doesn't go back inside next door....but still goes into the garden, etc....so she is a lot less easy to catch. In fact, I suspect any attempt to trap her [vets visits, for example?] will be an exercise fraught with futility, she is so quick and agile. Hence, when I detected she had a tapeworm, I liaised with next door , and got her some worm tablets to dispense myself. Thank heavens for Lick e Lix yoghurt...I crushed up the tablet in the yoghurt and she guzzled it down! But, I suspect she maybe had an inkling that there was something other than yoghurt in the bowl? I really don't want to have to don my welding gauntlets.... Life as a pensioner is full of surprises...? As a tenant, I'm apparently not allowed pets.....when my landlord visited, I responded, in all honesty, they're ''not-my-cats''.... He was fine with it all, and amused....seems two of his family cats simply moved in one day as well..Plus, he hasn't put the rent up....!

I did, for a moment, think, that might be me, driving my cheapo [£25] Bedford CA workobus, further up...??? :) :)

Yup, I have boxes full of recovered bulbs, fuses, etc. Sadly i seem to have more recovered bulbs, than I've had, bulb failures. When I ran my rear engined Skodas [for trialling, etc] I would recover [usually from scrappies, in the days when one could access the wrecks]...stuff like Japanese wiring & bulb connectors. These were far better quality than those used by Lucas or PAL....So I would take the opportunity to swap them out, for improved reliability. I also used to save chunks of wiring as well. Especially when it had nice connectors. But, with the advent of easy-access ebay dealers, it's hardly worth the hassle these days. However, I haven't purchased 'new' wiries for an age....I keep visiting the scrap wiring box, and chop out what I need. I look for wires that have clean cores...sometimes as much as 6 or 8 inches of wire can be chopped out before I get to the clean core. I also have relays......loads of 'em....But they must qualify as magpie fodder, since I don't think Ive ever had to resort to using a saved relay? These days, one can literally go, too far with hoarding.

Indeed. I believe there is a perception amongst the hoi polloi motorists [Drivers? No many could be described as such. But, hey, take no notice of me, I'm but overly cynical ]...that an old car is going to be a slow car. I have noted how, when following other cars when driving my [1951] Dellow, at their own speeds [often 50-60 mph] how they appear to be irritated by my presence. As if ''it shouldn't be allowed?'' Some couple of decades ago we owned a BMW 2002. We noted how, when driving on ordinary roads at 60-odd mph, we would constantly be overtaken by cars which then realised how fast we were all travelling, and would 'slow down' in front. They wouldn't overtake a modern car doing 60...But an early 1970's car in front was a different story, perhaps? I also think a lot of drivers of 'classic ' cars....[Minors, A35s, Spitfires, and similar...seem to see a lot more of those sorts of car]....tend to drive a lot more slowly these days than they would have done had they been driving the same cars back in the day? I think the perception of being 'unable to keep up with modern traffic' is more to do with the drivers [and their 'skills?'] than the actual capabilities of the cars in question. I find I don't get 'out-braked' by moderns either. Even with cable brakes [which in practice are better than under-serviced hydraulics any day] But then, I annoy following drivers by leaving decent space between myself and the vehicle in front.... Which means, when the vehicle in front lights up its brake lights, I rarely need to do more than simply, come off the gas. A month or so ago, a cyclist went head first through the rear window of my [stationary] daily bangah. {A 20 Y O Suzuki Grand[AKA Scruffy] Vitara. All sorted amicably, I opted for the Autoglass route, as being the cheapest option for all concerned. For some mysterious reason, the [optional for the year] high level brake light bar subsequently suddenly started to work again...after many years of being non-functional. It is full of silly little light bulbs, two of which I noted were 'deeead'....But, as a titewad [aka pensioner] I wasn't going to fork out the 6 or 7 quid Halfords wanted for a pack of those tiny bulbs, so I had not pursued its lack of function any further, for years. Now, suddenly, they work! Quite a surprise for me, I can tell you. Especially as I reverse [up grade] into my [rented] driveway....promptly lighting up the neighbourhood when I touched the brake pedal. I reverse up the drive, uphill, sort of, so that the doors stay open when I get in & out.Nothing worse than opening to door to get out, only to have it bang into my shins because I'm a bit slow & stiff these days. Also, I noted, one of the Suzuki's hydraulic tappets was a bit slow in pressurizing when first starting up.....and would take a few hundred yards before ceasing to clatter. By facing the engine down the slope a bit, the tappet seems to 'stay full' when not in use. Similar happens on the Mustang's inline 6 engine..there's a lazy tappet [again, hydraulic]....I've tried one or two of the bottled remedies, without any sort of success....so I live with it...it, too, shuts up after a while. I probably have better things to do with my limited , pain-ridden time, than worry about a sticking tappet.

BHP per tonne?

Dunno about you lot, but........? Running an old {AKA, classic?] car these days seems to involve more costs than the original 'purchase' cost. That is, if the car is to retain its as-purchased paintwork, and running abilities. For example, if one pays out a decent amount for a reasonable old car, one is somehow tied to expending an unreasonable amount over the coming months/years, in at least trying to maintain,if not improve, the car's condition. The trouble is, if one's actual income is restricted,then one has to resort to more 'make-do & mend' procedures to keep on top of things, rather than splashing out larger amounts, regardless. Which then leads us to the situation where a 'professional' may start to criticise the repairs, etc, for being somewhat 'ham-fisted' rather than splashing out the hundreds of pension-quids for the 'proper fixes!' One may feel compelled to continue the expensive route started no doubt, by previous owners... simply in order to maintain the 'status quo' regarding the car's condition. I have a car which cost me 'a lot' to purchase [but still at the cheap end of that particular spectrum]....and whose required spares, although easily & freely available, still have a hefty cost attached. The purchase cost left me with little in the way of any surplus finance, to purchase any subsequently 'necessary' spares. As an example, I discovered recently that a rubber window 'seal' had become bent, and partially detached from it's metal base plate. The seal is a bit 'in yer face' visible [it is a door-to-side window seal]....so I was left with a choice. To purchase a replacement seal, new [for a pair] cost me around 40 pension-quids, delivered. [UK based spares supplier] Or, I could find my used tube of Tigerseal, straighten the metal backing plate, and tigersel the torn rubber to itself, and to the plate. In all likleyhood, the repair would be obvious. But, if the car were to be sold [if I karked it, for example]...the first thing that the professionals would spot would be, tigerseal repairs....the assumption being, I [the owner] couldn't afford to sort it all out in the pukkah fashion. 40 quid here, 60 quid there, 90 quid somewhere else...all adds up in very short order, consuming any sort of surplus income toot sweet. The exhaust pipe had a series of holes where it kicked up over the rear axle. The rest was in reasonable shape. The sage [according to the 'professionals'] advice would be, to cough up 3 or 4 hundred quids and get a new exhaust 'made up!' My titewad pensioner's choice was to purchase [off ebay] a bend or two of roughly the right order...for less than 30 quid including clamps, and weld up my own repair, from those bends and some 'scrap' straight bits....to suit. Took a while, and my mig had a trigger issue which meant, if I were to complete the job before it started raining again, the welds were of the 'blob-&-carry-one' type. But a classic car enthusiast, if looking it over, would exclaim 'bodgery,' and be full of the criticism. Yet, it works, even passed an MoT [not that it needed one]... It seems to me, as an enthusiast for 'old cars' [can't cope with bikes any more...legover issues, for starters]...that if one is to make use of old cars, for what they were made for, then one either has to buy a real cheapoh, almost, 'wreck' and just do what is needed to keep it running....if one's subsequent surplus income is virtually zero......or, not bother at all ? Which is the answer I suspect many financially comfortably-off classic car enthusiasts would be thinking? No good the likes of me thinking about buying a 10 or 20 grands worth of decent old car , if I haven't got another 10 grand sitting around doing nowt, so I could pay for a new exhaust, or 4 new tyres......or a pukkah repair, or new window rubbers, etc. {Bless Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure, my answer to old rubbers which are givng up trying hard] I am getting the idea that one needs to have an equally vast amount of dosh kicking around simply to be able to do what others think of as, 'doing the job properly'....as one would be prepared to spend purchasing one's desired motor in the first instance. Seeing as simple bodgery and innovation are indeed frowned upon in the classic car world. Been watching too much Bangers & Cash recently. Which isn't usual for me. So, does one purchase, as an example, a really decent Morris Minor, [maybe 8 or 10 grand?] which is clean & tidy in appearance, with a load of bills worth thousands to add to its boastabilty...? With the knowledge that, as & when things need fixing [AKA, go wrong?] then only the likes of Charles Ware will do? Or does one look for a less pretty 'runner' which is tatty but useable [if one keeps one eye closed?]...for maybe a couple of grand......or so....? Where fixes and mends done with the alacrity of a weather-bound bodger won't really matter to the so-called 'purists?' Bearing in mind, all I'd be looking for is something old to use regularly, rather than something I can 'keep in the garage?' Learnt a new old car expression recently.....the 10 metre{?} car. Meaning, one that can look 'nice ' from 20 feet or so away, but would not stand up to a close inspection. A bit like my Mustang.....Everybody tells me it's a lovely car, etc,. etc....but I know all about the warts and blemishes when one looks close up. Or the lack of an interior light, simply because I won't fork out the 30 quid for a pair of door switches, and the time to replace what turned out to be, burnt wiring. Or the replacement of the rather tatty [AKA, corroded?] interior light unit.... Simply because, I always have something else I can spend that 30 quid on, that seems more important than a mere interior light......Which, personally, I can do without, me being me! Crikey....interior lights? Or some petrol so I can go drive the thing??? I guess I'd rather it worked, and I can drive the thing, rather than spend that cash on making it look better. Such is the choice on a limited income.

I had two Mk1 Fiestas.....including one rebuilt from write-offs. {Easy to do, providing panel lines were followed, rather than traditional cut n shut..ie sawn in half] Didn't find either of them slow in the least...but they had to be driven hard and well...an easy task in the Fiesta...certainly compared to a AH Sprite! My favorite was an S plate Renault 4 TL. 70 flat out [downhill] yet I still overtook many a bit of traffic in it. Yet, I think my point was, providing one was aware of a car's limitations, one could have fun driving it well, within those limitations. None of which [even a 948cc Morris Minor] had limitations less than the sorts of speeds on normal, traffic-laden roads of today. It wasn't about the size of the engine [or, tyres?] but what one could do with it all.

The word I would use is ''cache.'' I would ask, which came 'first?' The basic [cheap?] runabout transport for the masses? Or the supah-doopah hopped-up performance version? Without exception [ in my limited experience] I have found the basic 1 litre or 1.1 litre versions of most mass-market small cars to be nicer to drive than the hopped-up so-called 'performance' versions. Perhaps it's a 'weight' thing? I have rarely, if ever, driven any car that could not ''keep up with modern traffic.' Legally-driven modern traffic, that is. Indeed, I often find that 'modern traffic' can tend to get in my way...Even at my time of life! Not that I drive particularly fast.....In that respect, the constraining factor is, cost! Same with speed limits......I utilise them to retrain my motoring costs, not to 'be a pompuss nuisance' to the driving-world at large. I am also aware of the even-lower speed limits of other categories of prevalent vehicles..... These days, being a retired bodd of limited means....I tend to drive roads that appeal to me..thus avoiding motorways or dual carriageways as far as is feasible. Less stressful driving environments, less full of ''people'' who could not give a tinker's toss for others....