1970 "S"

[BILLY BEAN]

As they have said Kirk….love the updates…don’t sell….we will all be a lot poorer for the lack of your diary……

Jonathan

Thanks Jonathan. Respect your prose too.
Kirk

[BILLY BEAN]

Long time and no post. Do I hear a sigh and thank goodness? Been out quite a bit in the car for relatively short journeys to nowhere in particular just an opportunity to get out of the house and drive.
Today was a 60ish mile route, I use sometimes, mainly because the road surfaces are not bad, the traffic usually light and there are plenty of curves. I live close to Blenheim Palace in Woodstock and Salon Prive started yesterday. I knew because of the gratuitous revving of engines just to make sure the locals know the event has started. Now a five day event including a drive out route and hotel stay and dinner somewhere nice. Nice price too in the £thousands. The event is a major willy waving event for the "super and hyper" cars and the concourse entrants. The concourse entrants are of course trailered in. Nice wheels can't touch nasty tarmac. Some of the concours owners land in their private jets just a mile away at wait for it..........Oxford London Airport. Hilarious. The place is at least 65 miles from London. My daughter's partner asked if the owners in the concourse washed their cars themselves. Well he is Dutch so a bit clueless about these matters. I told him they have 'people' for that kind of thing. I attended one of the earlier iterations of Salon Prive when I think it was a two day affair. Just shows inflation gets into everything now it is five days. More revenue for the Blenheim Theme Park. Sorry Blenheim World Heritage site. I hasten to add I did not pay an entrance fee and no I did not sneak in. It was in the days when I had private clients insurance for cars, house, contents, works of art, the wife, kids, dog, goldfish and business. The insurer was a sponsor of the event so as a "valued client" I got an invite. Only "valued" because of the amount if money they took from me . Lots of nice valuable cars and ladies (also valuable by the looks of the clothes and jewelry) in what they no doubt thought of as sophisticated hats and "facinators". As to the latter I was fascinated as to why someone would spend so much money on something so minimal perched on their head like something out of my recycling bin. It was Boodles ( sp) ladies day when I attended and there was a suggested dress code for ladies and gentlemen. I am far from a gentleman so wasn't dressed appropriately unless Sainsbuys Tu jeans are now derigour? Doubt it somehow. SWMBO put in her two pennies worth about my attire of course. Ha! Suffice to say it was not an event I would spend my own money on and the insurer obviously thought I was no longer "valued" as I was not invited again. Changed my insurer the following year.
Anyway as usual the S starts first time. Such a reliable car. Famous last words? Takes all of 3 minutes to get onto the A44 and drive past the main entrance to Blenheim. A small queue to get in through the main gate. A few "super cars" and the rest daily drivers wishing to dream of something more impressive.
Along the A44 with a 50/60 limit until I reach the A3400 to Stratford but turn off after a few miles and head towards Chipping Norton aka "Chippy". When I first moved to 'Wiidstock' ( a little joke to myself). there were people refering to "Chippy" a lot. Yes I thought it was a reference to the chipshop but thought it strange in an area where the demographic is ancient and predominantly middle class; ex Oxford University dons, former accountants, MBEs, retired doctors, nuclear scientists etc. It's the reason why I am a bit of a curio in the area. When asked why I moved to Woodstock I usually reply "To lower the tone of the neighbourhood". Should see the expression on peoples' faces. Through Chippy and head for Stow on the Wold and passing Salford. No not a geographical shift it's not Manchester but a small village. Decide to take a short detour to Lady Bamford's gaff and get a cup of hot chocolate and a fruit and nut loaf. Lady Bamford was nowhere to be seen and Lord Banford was not there either. He was probably still busy spannering on the record breaking car in the USA. It's a place where the posh people of the Cotswold congregate to do their expensive food shopping, expensive wine, get expensive ladies clothing, buy expensive plants, expensive kitchen ware, visit the spa and eat in the restaurant. Oh and to be seen. Its a very attractive shopping environment but ridiculously expensive. Its always extremely busy. Purchase my loaf. "Only" £7.50. My luxury occasional buy. It is delicious but silly money. I looked at a small packet of Parma Ham but at £28.00 I gave it a miss. Back on the road and into Stow. It's a tourist hot spot so always very busy and the traffic lights are slow. Head off to Burford. Nice road good surface and 60 mph. Car running beautifully. Enjoying myself when a Wood Pigeon tries to end it all by landing in the road. I didn't swerve as they are not my favourite bird. Indeed there are at least 20 of the bloody things around my house. The nearest wood is miles away so why plague my house? They start their cooing competition at 5.30am to wake me up. Later they invade the back garden but sit on the flat roof first to deposit their greetings. Then onto the pergola, more shite. Then into the garden proper to peck at the plants. I go out and they fly up to the roof, comeback down again and start over. Its an endless morning cycle. Poop everywhere. Next door's cat stalks them but so far without success. It's a bit geriatric. I hate cats too but find myself willing this one on. Perverted. Anyway success on the road as when I look in the mirror I see lots of feathers and one corps. Made my day. What a great road this is. One down, far from home, but it's a start. Traffic light and approach Burford which is another tourist attraction. Also very busy and a 20 mph limit right through the place until you hit the A40. Past the Farmers Dog but can't see Clarkson or his dog for that matter and onto the dual carriageway bit of the M40 and an opportunity to go a bit, actually a lot faster for a few miles. I always keep within the speed limit officer. Off the A40 towards Bladon. Nice stretch of road. Through Bladon and past Churchill's grave. He was definately in unlike the Bamfords and Clarkson. Back onto the A44 and only a mile from home.
What a lovely time out. Really enjoyed the drive and the bonus I got a woody. Not that kind of woody but a Wood Pigeon.

[jb]

I enjoyed that as I know those roads very well.
Many years ago I was on one of those roads on my 650 Triumph when I found that I couldn’t keep up with a very hot Mini Cooper with wide wheels that was driven like it was stolen.
I got a car not long afterwards.

[BILLY BEAN]

I enjoyed that as I know those roads very well.
Many years ago I was on one of those roads on my 650 Triumph when I found that I couldn’t keep up with a very hot Mini Cooper with wide wheels that was driven like it was stolen.
I got a car not long afterwards.

No motor bike probably the reason why you are still alive. Glad you enjoyed my scribble. Thank you.

[sladey]

Nice write up Kirk. These cars benefit from regular exercise

[rhd racer]

Excellent Kirk.

I have a phrase for over-priced anything, which is largely unacceptable to say out loud these days which is probably for the best. But my wife always chuckles knowing that I am thinking ‘where’s my BJ?’ - not that I know how much they cost ahem