philmayfield

Square cut! So actually it’s made from turf.

I’ve been going to Scotland both on business and pleasure since the early 60’s. Way back then the food was dreadful and they seemed to live on chips. Over the years it has much improved, certainly on the west coast where we stay. The best food though is fresh crab or lobster bought on the quayside at Oban and taken back to the cottage where I ‘expertly’ prepare it. I doubt fine cuisine has moved to the very far north as very few potential regular customers live there.

I’ve been to the Navenby chippy and I remember it was rather good last time. Our nearest is the Chinese chippy in Southwell but during the four mile drive home the chips go soft. The best solution is to eat them in the market place just over the road but it looks a bit ostentatious laying a tablecloth and buttering bread!

Our weekly chip van disappeared years ago. There’s one that parks at the Southwell Co Op each Tuesday but the chips were soft, inedible rubbish and had to be thrown away. The problem is that chips don’t travel well. By the time you get them home, even driving at breakneck speed, they’ve gone soft. I like chip shops with a dining room but there’s none in these parts sadly.

Is that made from grass clippings BK?

Just because the spuds are called Maris Piper doesn’t make them Scottish. Then there’s the fine English cod. It costs a fortune to send proper food to the barren north. Let them eat porridge - that’s probably made in England as well!

Thanks for the offer. I may well take you up on that once my wrist sprain has healed!

The only fish I'm ever successful in catching is mackerel. I feel like its it's cheating a bit because it takes no skill and it's just too easy!

I’ve got a croquet set BK. Another of the things that seemed a good idea at the time but never went any further. I must hire a skip, there’s so much junk to get rid of!

My trout fishing career has been a total failure. I had a casting lesson on Rutland Water and my hook impaled on the back of my hand. I bought a Greys rod and the tip section snapped off on my first cast on Ladybower. I fished Lock Awe from a boat around ten times and I’ve never had a single bite. The last time the line got caught around the propellor of the outboard and had to be cut off. Not giving up I’ve just bought a new line and I’m going to have a final go. The closest waters are Notts Fly Fishers at Gibsmere or Trinity Lakes at Thurgarton but I think it’s ‘dead man’s shoes’ to get into

His father, Chick, used to live nearby in Ravenshead. Frank Sytner used to live at the top of Richmond Drive before he moved to Woodborough where he had an enormous garage containing his Aston Martin collection. I don't know if he disposed of them before moving to Monaco, garaging would be expensive there!

Frank Sytner was an accomplished racing driver, earning the nickname ‘Fearless’. I’ve been in a car with him on a few occasions and it was quite an experience - even in town. He once had a customer day at the Water Sports Centre and we could hurtle along the road next to the rowing course. That was pre ‘health and safety’! I believe he lives in Monte Carlo now.

I bought my first BMW, a 320, from Frank Sytner at that showroom when he was just starting out in Nottingham. He came from Liverpool where his elder brother Alan used to own the Cavern Club. I think that was before the club’s glory days.

His son Nick carried on as a car dealer and worked from home at Oxton. He specialised in Merc. G wagons. I can’t find any trace of him now though.

The Firs maternity was on Mansfield Rd in Sherwood, just up from Woodthorpe Park. The Childrens’ Hospital was also on Mansfield Rd but set back and was opposite the Forest and cemetery. I had my tonsils removed there many years ago. Like so many similar places I think it’s now a Muslim girl’s boarding school.

Yes, definitely a Miura but if still living it must be on a private plate by now. I did once spot Chick doing a deal on a piece of exotica at Trowel Services. A bit strange I thought - but what do I know about second hand car dealers?

It's when you come to take the plug out that the problems start!

I had an eczema rash on my right ankle for about 4 weeks and it was driving me mad especially at night. I tried E45 cream to no avail. I was recommended Eumovate cream which I got from the pharmacist at Boots. It appeared to work right from the first application on Tuesday; the rash is disappearing and there's no itchiness. It is available on prescription but you can buy it over the counter if you can prove you're of sound mind!

It’s a feast every December to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Originally a pagan festival but stolen by the Christians. (Thou shalt not steal, so they say)

Depends where you live BK!

Christmas dinner! I didn’t know there was such a thing as Christmas until I was sixteen!

‘Patatine fritte’ BK.

My mum used to send me to the grocer’s for a loaf of bread which he called ‘a policeman’s foot’.

I remember Mr. Grain’s Jag back in the ‘80’s. I parked my own identical model (without a private plate!) behind it when I went to discuss buying shrink wrapping machinery which he made in his factory on High Cross St. at the side of the model shop.

It were'nt proppa bread. It were made outa shredded cardboard and water from t'sweat of us brows.