Take a listen to Patti Smiths’ cover of “When Doves Cry”, just follow the link below.
When Doves Cry https://g.co/kgs/CU1zh3
I had only ever heard the original by Prince until today when Radio Paradise played the Patti Smith cover.
I really like the original Prince release, but to my ears, Patti Smiths is the superior interpretation.
What do you think ?
Sunday was the last Breakfast Club for 2023. As usual, there was a great turnout of both classic cars and spectators.
As usual, I’m posting a few photos from my visit.
First up then is this Gordon-Keeble. A British car marque with a local base, The original concept was conceived in Slough, and construction was in Eastleigh, near Southampton. Build took place between 1964 and 1967.
Oddly, the cars badge features a tortoise. The story goes that a pet tortoise walked into frame at a photo shoot and was chosen as the emblem.
And now for something completely different. Here, we have a Daimler Scout Car, known in service as the Daimler Dingo. It is a British light (3 tonnes), fast four-wheel drive reconnaissance vehicle.
Powered by a 2.5 litre 6 cylinder engine with 5 forward and 5 reverse gears, it was capable of speeds up to 55 mph. Although, speaking to the owner, this would be a noisy experience for the driver and scary, too, as stopping could be an issue. This vehicle only has drum brakes !!
No, this next one isn’t an aircraft carrier. Although it seems big enough. All I know is that it is a Ford
Oh, and 302 CI (cubic inches) equates to around 5 litres.
Next up is a rare beast. It’s a Rover P6 3500 Estoura. It was never a production car with only around 160 conversions having been completed.
Bought new in 1973 for around £2000 the conversion cost was just under £700.
I don’t really know much about this next car. I had to Google it, and this is what I believe it to be.
An Austin Seven Mulliners Style Boat tail c1938. Providing a truly minimalist driving experience.
The Citroën 2CV, in French deux chevaux i.e. “two horses.” It was designed with the french farmer in mind to replace the ubiquitous horse and cart. It was literally designed to cross a freshly ploughed field with a basket full of eggs on the passenger’s seat without breaking them. Due, at that time, to a lack of paved roads in France. The 2CV was produced from 1948 to 1990.
A bit of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. The Triumph Vitesse looked just like it’s cousin, the Triumph Herald. But under the bonnet, the Vitesse had a straight 6 with twin carburettors.
Available in either a 1600cc or 2000cc version. I was lucky enough to own a 1600 version for a couple of years until the differential failed. Sadly, at the time, I couldn’t afford to pay for it to be repaired, and with no willing buyers, I had to scrap the car.
One of the prettiest sports cars ever produced was the mid-engined Lotus Europa. Produced from the mid 60’s until the mid 70’s, nearly 10,000 cars were produced.
Just look at the beautiful flowing lines of this next example, a classic Jaguar XK120, presented here in racing trim.
Potentially worth in excess of £300,000
Back across the channel to France for another beautiful car. The Citroen Traction Avant.
The Avant was one of the first production cars to incorporate front-wheel drive, a monocoque body construction, and all-round independent suspension.
Here, putting in a rare appearance is Russian GAZ M21 Volga saloon. Produced between 1956 thru 1970
And that is it from the Goodwood Breakfast Clubs for this year. Of course, there were many more vehicles on show. I have barely scratched the surface.
The Breakfast Club events are always good value for money as they are free. Even the car parks are worth strolling around as many more classics are there to be seen
What’s your go-to comfort food?
Nothing beats the aroma, taste, warmth and belly filling attributes of a good Cornish Pasty.
Not just any pasty will do. Not for me are those supermarket, factory produced pasties. Typically, they disappoint with their flaky pastry case filled with some kind of tasteless slop.
A true pasty has to be made with shortcrust pastry with a chunky “handle” around the perimeter. The filling should comprise chunky, not minced meat and potato, swede, onion. Other veggies are acceptable. The filling should fill the cavity, “floor to ceiling.” So often, the factory versions are just full of air.
Probably the reason the pasty is dear to my heart is that my mum used to regularly make them. The circle of pastry was dinner plate sized, filling added, then folded. So our dinner would be a pasty that filled half the plate, then additional veggies and gravy.
Also, we holidayed for many years in Cornwall. Highlights of those holidays had to be walking around Mevagissey with a freshly baked Cornish Pasty. Usually followed by clotted cream ice cream, but that’s the subject of a whole new post.
Pure heavenly, peppery scrumptiousness. .
What do you listen to while you work?
I’ve been retired now for eight years. So work is perhaps not the right word. Perhaps the question is really, “What do I listen to while doing my chores ?”
The simple answer is Radio Paradise.
I stream this station, up to eight hours a day, sometimes more. They are the soundtrack to my life. The primary reason for my choice is the eclectic mix of music played, followed closely by the distinct lack of babble.
Music is the priority, no inane chatter from self-indulgent DJs. Below is a snapshot of the music that has been playing while I type this post.
In their own words …
RP is a blend of many styles and genres of music, carefully selected and mixed by two real human beings. You’ll hear modern and classic rock, world music, electronica, even a bit of classical and jazz. What you won’t hear are random computer-generated playlists or mind-numbing commercials.
Our specialty is taking a diverse assortment of songs and making them flow together in a way that makes sense harmonically, rhythmically, and lyrically — an art that, to us, is the very essence of radio. We hope that you’ll enjoy RP so much that you’ll want to share it with your friends, family, co-workers, neighbours, Facebook buddies, Twitter followers, etc.
Bill and Rebecca Goldsmith
Notably absent from the RP airwaves are the typical pop chart fodder. There is a distinct lack of breathy blondes, boy bands and rappers. What you will find is rock, prog rock, folk, jazz, classical, reggae, and pretty much every other genre. A veritable musical stew whose ingredients have been intelligently curated.
I have never been bored by the music they share. Sometimes, a track will be aired that I don’t particularly like, but just like with life, I grin and bear it. There is always the next track to look forward to.
Every so often, RP plays that classic track, work/chores stop, and I ….
Turn It Up To 11
Well, after yesterday’s rain drenched day, today is dry. But it is blowing a hooley with the British forecasters issuing a yellow alert.
What then are we to make of the St. Swithuns day prediction ?
It makes no mention of wind. Hopefully, the next forty days will be dry but free from the wind that is expected to gust up to 50 mph today.
More profiteering and no concerns for Waterlooville or its residents.
After my earlier post regarding a proposed development of 29 flats, I have just become aware of this new proposal.
This new proposal would place 90 new homes adjacent to the existing West of Waterlooville (WoW) development, which currently has plans for some 2.5K homes.
So another 99 homes is definitely more woe for Waterlooville residents.
I don’t intend to repeat my points from my earlier post. Since the two developments are probably less than a mile apart, my concerns are still the same.
What time do you go to bed and wake up currently?
What time do I go to bed ? Easy answer, around 02:00, sometimes earlier but very rarely before midnight. Why so late ? I’m usually watching movies, reading or listening to music.
What time do I wake up ? The answer to this is a bit more complicated. I know that I wake around 05:00 every morning for a pee. Just in time to view the sunrise from the bathroom window. Then I go back to bed and sleep for another couple of hours. However, according to my Fitbit, I have multiple wakeful periods throughout the night that I have no memory of.
This chart shows my sleep stats for last night. It shows that I was awake for 53 minutes. Well, I know what I was doing for a couple of those minutes ! What the hell was I doing for the rest of the time ?
I think, they say, you need less sleep as you get older. Not sure who “they” are. My dad used to get by on around 4 hours a night.
So, typically I get up at about 09:00 ish. So I’m getting about 7 hours shut-eye minus the mystery 50 minutes ….
How do you express your gratitude?
How to express gratitude ?
A simple question, but requiring varying degrees of response and application.
If someone holds a door open for you, or steps aside to let you pass, then a simple “Thanks” or “Thank You” is enough.
I’m of a generation that was taught to be polite. So much so, that if I am not extended the same degree of politeness in return it makes me angry.
If I hold a door or step aside for someone and they don’t acknowledge the act, I will say “Thank You” for them. Loudly !!
For larger acts of kindness or helpfulness I will show my gratitude by sending flowers and / or gifts.
And finally, where gifts or flowers don’t seem appropriate then I resort to my standby, a good meal at a nice restaurant.
What are your daily habits?
It didn’t take me long to identify my daily habits.
I have found that I eat every day. Not just once but multiple times per day.
Is this a habit or an addiction ?
Sometimes, depending how busy I am, I’ll eat just the once, usually in the evening. Habit ?
But, often, I will eat two and three times per day. Sometimes, while preparing dinner, I will make a sandwich, even though dinner will be ready in 30 minutes or so. Addiction ?
WrAnTz 