philmayfield

I've done the Great Notts Bike Ride 50 mile run many times. Not for a few years mind you. Back in those days very few people wore clown suits to ride a bike. I think there is some subversive sexual reason for cycle clothing.

That seems to be typical of cyclists. Bradley Wiggins syndrome! Why do people want to get dressed up like a trapeze artist to ride a bicycle?

Lots of cyclists around here especially at weekends. Completely arrogant. No regard for other road users at all.

I seldom use my Harrison lathe and all the other workshop kit I acquired over the years. My son was, at one time, interested in agricultural engineering and spent a lot of time in the workshop turning and welding. He ultimately became a lawyer but you should see his own home workshop now. I drool over it - always good to have other interests away from the job!

The only comment from the examiner after I passed my test was that I drove a little too slowly. Nobody can say that now!

Absolutely stuffed full of safety aids, mainly to protect the occupants, but the abs braking systems have made an enormous difference to stopping distances. I think the biggest problem is that driving standards have not kept pace with car development and drivers seem to exhibit less competence and certainly less tollerance.

I fully realise that but I always drive at The National Speed Limit whenever it's safe to do so. I don't want to be the one holding other people up and causing unnecessary dangerous overtaking manoeuvres. If anyone overtakes me when I'm doing the NSL then that's up to them.

Thanks Pianoman, that's the place. Probably not that far from P.P's. Well worth a visit. The guy was very knowledgeable. Must be over 15 years since I last visited. I did have a suitable single phase motor in stock - I can't remember why, so It only cost me a few bits from R.S. Components to do the conversion. I remember I turned off the main road where someone had a large collection of Trabant cars in a field. I don't know if they're still there. Edit: just checked. The planners made him move them. That was around 2008.

I remember going to Myfords when they were still trading and I picked up a few bits. Sad to see them go. I bought my Harrison from an engineering works in Mansfield through an advert in the Post. It was a bit scary bringing it back on a trailer as it was somewhat top heavy so I had to be careful when cornering! It had a 3 phase motor which I had to swap for a single phase and work out the appropriate wiring for reversing. I do remember going to a place in Derbyshire, close to Buxton where a schoolteacher sold used lathes as a sideline. I don’t know if he’s still there. Might be worth a troll.

Lots of people don’t even drive at the National speed limit on good clear roads. This causes frustration to to other road users who may be tempted into ill judged overtaking procedures. The standard of driving today is very poor. I suppose most people just use a car as a means of getting fro A to B and don’t treat driving as a skill which requires constant attention.

50 and 40 mph speed limits are starting to appear all over the place now on roads that are more than suitable for 60. Conversely around here in the Trent Valley you can leave a 50 limit main road and drive on a narrow side road at 60. Our own lane is narrow and twisty and yet I can legally drive at 60. It’s almost impossible to find a road in Derbyshire that’s not 50. I’m sure we’ll soon be having a man with a red flag walking in front of the car if the local authorities have their way. I drive a sports car and like to give it the beans occasionally when it’s safe to do so but I’m seriously co

Lots of reporters on the news wear clothing with makers’ labels - North Face and such so there is some inconsistency here. I avoid, wherever possible, buying clothing with a label on the outside. I think it’s pure snob value to advertise the fact that you’re wearing Barbour or similar.

It was the straight 6, 3.6 litre coupe.

My last ‘proper’ car with a clutch was a Jaguar XJS back in 1987. Funnily enough the clutch went on that, the first time it had ever happened to me. I’ve had a couple of Morgans, a Caterham 7 and a Lotus Elise, all with clutches but these were not everyday drives so don’t really count. Otherwise we have both had automatics right up present. I can’t envisage ever driving a manual and with the gradual move to electric the day of the clutch will be over. I have occasionally driven manuals when I’ve had a loan car and whilst there was no problem in readapting it did seem a bit archaic.

Well you did have to instill a cooperative ethic throughout the workforce. Some cultures like the Japanese and the Germans are fairly compliant with this. People tend to fight against it in this country and lose out because of their attitude.

Yes there a few eminent gurus, usually emanating from the States, whose ideas on production management and controls gave countries like Japan a head start in renewing and modernising their industries. For some reason, maybe because we were not offered it, did we latch on to modern ideas of manufacturing techniques until we saw how the Japs were surpassing us.

Can’t have something for nothing. Some think that we can enjoy the benefits of membership without paying for it. Having said that I think the EEC has grown out of all proportion to the original concept of a trading relationship.

Yes, a remainer. I voted against joining in the first place but I anticipated the hassle that would be caused by trying to leave. My prognostications have become a reality.

It’s achieved it’s goal through the back door. From my experience with the Germans they do seem to have a stronger work ethic and discipline than the Brits. Perhaps, as typified by the wars, they appear to respond to being told what to do.

Yes, the Japanese and the Germans did get a lot of help after the war and their economies were substantially revived.

Ever since Merkel and Macron started to put us down we have never consciously bought any German or French products in this house. I even sold my German car and bought British. Still buy Italian and Spanish stuff but not their cars obviously!

The shop’s closing for good on Feb 2. No buyer interested. Lots of bargains to be had apparently

Major Allen Rook, one of the owners of Skinner and Rook lived at Stragglethorpe Hall, just beyond Newark. In the 60’s he established a vineyard. At the time it was the most northerly vineyard in England. I remember going to see it. It occupied less than two acres. I believe it had gone by 1970. If I were much younger I would be tempted to start a vineyard on my land. Just a dream now.

That was right next to Bell’s Terminus Garage. I was at Mellish with his son Alan. He lived next door but just over the County Boundary in Hucknall. It was very convenient for him to pop home for lunch rather than having to suffer the dreadful school meals!

I appreciate that but what sort of person in a prominent public position would behave like that? Why bring such ridicule upon yourself? I bet his missis is not amused!