I have a very old car a 1997 VW Golf to be precise. As well as an 'old banger' (sorry Jan), I know a really good mechanic who has just spent the last two weeks sorting out two relatively minor reoccurring but irritating problems. On top of that he doesn't charge a fortune. How lucky is that?
What a weird week.
First of all Aretha Franklin dies, the only international artist who we (The Tropical Boot Company) supported at Reading University in the late sixties. Apart from liking her music I have always had a sneaking regard for her and in particular her appearance in the film The Blues Brothers.
Then out of the blue the lead guitarist of the aforementioned band, who I have not spoken to for 50 years, phoned to say hello.
Added to all that I got an email from my first ex wife.
Bloody hell a real trip down memory lane. And mostly good!
We were walking the dog and passed the children's playground which had been invaded by several 15 years old boys. That's trouble I thought. A bunch of yobs.
One lad was sitting on a rocking toy meant for a 3 years old and he was carrying what looked like a bag of crisps. He dropped something and I noted that he picked up a half eaten carrot. That's not too bad I thought.
Another lad shouted that he felt nauseous on a small roundabout. Wow a youngster using the word nauseous. That's not too bad I thought.
As we moved further away another lad shouted 'what does nauseous mean?'
That's not too bad I thought, a lad who wasn't scared to admit that he didn't know what it meant.
My initial perceptions changed. Yob culture is looking up.
Just near Tunbridge Wells a roadside sign announces 'Weak Bridge'. I have passed this sign a few times now and am always puzzled. What am I supposed to do? What is anyone supposed to do? If I'm driving a very heavy lorry do I stop? If the bridge collapses does it give the local authority the right to say 'told you so'. Puzzling.
If you ever see an interview from outside the Houses of Parliament you will inevitably see a man waving the EU flag.
The though occurs to me how can he do this day in and day out? Who pays him? How does he support himself?
