Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

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Originally Posted by jackiewilson

Mark and Me collecting the new Molinari—— very first Molinari to come into the UK.
We dined at the Molinari table for lunch that day—— Renato made the pasta from scratch—— he’ s the one in the middle!
Never realised at that time the impact the Molinari would have on the boat racing world!

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What year did you buy the new Molinari? Why were you so inclined to purchase a new Molinari, had Renato and others already demonstrated its speed & handling on the race course? It must have had an impact on the race circuit for you to go all the way to Como. Your money (maybe a large down payment) had Renato hugging & smiling.

In the photo (I say it with polite humor) Jackie you look like the guy who just built the boat, and Renato's dressed like he is coming to pickup his new boat. Okay maybe Renato's dressed as the salesman.

Pasta from scratch, now I have a better insight into why Renato was so choosy, about which restaurant he preferred to dine out at. I remember one time asking Giorgio (Renato's younger brother) after he returned from the states, did he like eating Italian food in the USA. Both Renato & Giorgio embrace halfheartedly Americanized Italian food. I personally like pizza from both continents, and all the other Italian dishes too.

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Originally Posted by Lake X Kid

What year did you buy the new Molinari? Why were you so inclined to purchase a new Molinari, had Renato and others already demonstrated its speed & handling on the race course? It must have had an impact on the race circuit for you to go all the way to Como. Your money (maybe a large down payment) had Renato hugging & smiling.

In the photo (I say it with polite humor) Jackie you look like the guy who just built the boat, and Renato's dressed like he is coming to pickup his new boat. Okay maybe Renato's dressed as the salesman.

Pasta from scratch, now I have a better insight into why Renato was so choosy, about which restaurant he preferred to dine out at. I remember one time asking Giorgio (Renato's younger brother) after he returned from the states, did he like eating Italian food in the USA. Both Renato & Giorgio embrace halfheartedly Americanized Italian food. I personally like pizza from both continents, and all the other Italian dishes too.

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Now that’s a lot of questions, and a lot of statements ROY.
I’ll take em one by one and see if I can come up with the answers.
Price of the new Molinari was exactly £1,000 ! Don Ross and I paid £500 apiece!
The year was 1978.
Inclination to buy a Molinari???
I had already brought the first tunnel boat into England with the Jeremiah Cetti built Torriggia from what was to become later the Molinari Factory in Torriggia.
Then I brought in the fist Schultze from Saltsburg in Austria . 1967
Yes , I had raced against The Rasini’s and Dieter Schultze at the Idroscala in Milan and Paris —— think it was 1978 before Renato was old enough to race!
At this moment in time Renato was a lovely kid working in Angelo’s shop in Como—- along side brother Giorgio. They all lived above the shop in a beautiful huge apartment.
His mother would do all the cooking——- but Renato made the pasta which he did in a huge saucepan—— beating the crap out of it with a wooden ladle—— no machinery at all !
It was a great typical Italian Family with Angelo and his wife as Matriarch and patriarch at the head .
Pellolio’s wife was a great cook and ran a restaurant further up the lake, but on the other side—- she was also one hell of a looker. Rolla and the Rasinis would often have dinner there —- I was invited a few times.
Renato was very picky about where he ate and who he ate with—— liked his wine, became quite a wine buff too. No idea what he thought of American food!
Me myself still think there’s nowhere in the world do they make a Pizza like they do in Italy.

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OK— So you’ve seen it before—- well look at it again—— that’s my first Molinari.

Yes, I do know that this sitting in the boat would not be allowed today—— but in those far off days, it’s what we did !!! Chances of getting dropped from a dizzy height were zilch !
We went from wearing a flat cap and Spitfire Goggles to Safety Capsules— Space helmets with oxygen—state of the art life vests——Fireproof race overalls with matching boots and gloves and the competence to exit underwater vessels —- with a certificate to prove it —- but only if you didn’t suffer from wearing a hearing aid or specks—— flatulance or walk with a limp !!
There are times when I think maybe the rules and regs have gotten a little out of hand——
Safety cell and oxygen in a 10’ boat with a ten horsepower motor—- next generation of racers could turn out to be a bunch of “Nancies” ?
I went boat racing for a touch of excitement and adventure—- today’s kids could get more of that walking the dog in an environmentally policed park than racing a boat!

Jackie: check your dates. I don't really think you paid that much for that boat in 1978

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Originally Posted by Rotary John

Jackie: check your dates. I don't really think you paid that much for that boat in 1978

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April 1968 ——( did I really say 1978) I hid the £1,000, in with the pull cord inside the plastic pocket in front of the Mercury 1100 ——- took over a yellow plastic Levi I had paid £300 for brand fire new! Took it on a carnet—— customs men didn’t know any different——- it was a yellow race boat!
Left it with Renato to sell, told him I’d split whatever he got for it 50/50, never did get a red cent out of the deal?.? Must be an Italian thing!!!

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Originally Posted by jackiewilson

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Mark and Me collecting the new Molinari—— very first Molinari to come into the UK.
We dined at the Molinari table for lunch that day—— Renato made the pasta from scratch—— he’ s the one in the middle!
Never realised at that time the impact the Molinari would have on the boat racing world!

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What engine went on the back, thats a hood way to work out when it was?

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Originally Posted by powerabout

What year was that?

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That was 1968 Pilgrim!

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Originally Posted by jackiewilson

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OK— So you’ve seen it before—- well look at it again—— that’s my first Molinari.

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Yup —- motors definately a 1967— red band 1100 Mercury!!!

Jackie can you remember what the big logo was on the front?? It may have been on there when Don bought the rig back to Bristol but I don’t recall.

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Originally Posted by jackiewilson

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OK— So you’ve seen it before—- well look at it again—— that’s my first Molinari.

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The first time I saw it race was in the 1969 Chasewater 500 mile race it ran a Mercury 1250sbp engine the same as in the picture

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Originally Posted by jackiewilson

That was 1968 Pilgrim!

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Crikey pre power trim as in towing boats with Vauxhaul 30/90's and blower Bentleys...

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Originally Posted by powerabout

Crikey pre power trim as in towing boats with Vauxhaul 30/90's and blower Bentleys...

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When I bought the Southwater Garage—- the owner was a man called Bill Short—- he was Bentley Race Team manager in 1938/9 . The original BERKINS BENYLEY” was under a tarpaulin—— could have bought it for a thousand pounds !!!!!!
Engine was in bits——- it had a cracked head—— Blakey’s welders at Dial Post told me they could fix it, but it would be expensive!
I took over the Jaguar franchise , but there was no way I could afford that. I wanted the space to sell boats and engines!

Today I lost another best friend—-Reed Eller, met him in 2001 a year after we moved to Avignon !
He was an accomplished fixed wing pilot He had a Cessna in Atlanta and another quite rapid plane in France.
Worked as European representative for Motorola until he retired .
I had more pure fun with him during my time in Bouzigues than any person I ever met before or since!
He was on his way to Bouzigues but felt Poorlie in Brussels—— Went to Hospital and caught the bloody Coronavirus bug——- .
He lived in San Francisco and Bouzigues France, one of the best men I ever knew. R.I.P. Reed my friend .I will sorely miss you!

Attachment 463787Roy Ridgell stopped in my shop on one of his rare visits to S Florida--left me his card--1973/74?

Taped on my toolbox for about 40 years---------------

I got to know ROY when he was touring Europe with Joe Swift?
Don had built the “ Rossanari” and I was building a tunnel at the shop I rented in horsham which they wanted to investigate. ROY became a person of importance in Europe —— Bill Steele was his boss BG
( BG and AG—- Before Garbrecht and after Garbrecht) being the link between anyone who ran a Merc and factory product.
Roy was then sent to Torriggia to live in the beautiful villa next door to the factory ( so he could keep an eye on the happenings at Molinari’s.).
He later brought his whole family over to live there—— then his brother BOBBY, — and I remember Biff one of his sons, the one that got into a bundle with one of my daughters ( Boo) the way kids do sometimes.
Seemed like I was always at the factory once I made the Mercury team—— most of the HI- PERF
GUYS FROM OSHKOSH visited Torriggia at one time or another.
Thats where I met Pruett—- another of my friends who passed long ago.
Guess when you get to our age Gene, we should expect to lose the odd friend or two. Just seems like all my friends are jumping off the roller coaster one after the other.
Neither am I as strong and resolute as I once was—- afraid am brought to tears when each of them pass on.
Its with a heavy heart I walk into the shop today—- I will open my IPhone— switch on SPOTIFY —- Plug in my ear buds and listen to all the 60/70’s music I love to listen to.
Reed Eller taught me more about I.T. and Apple Macs than even my grandkids did.
Even though my friends out there never knew Reed— one thing I do know—- they all understand what the hell im talking about—- because they’ve all been here! Thank you all.

I’ve been in total isolation for six weeks—— two of my best friends have died in that time—— I’ve been following all the rules laid out by the government.
Today my daughter SAm — who has been in isolation for four weeks, came round to see me—— walked up the drive and hugged me hard !!!!
Its against the rules—— shouldn’t have done it—- fact is, I needed a hug—— I’ve had —— and given, hugs all my life !!!
When they laid down the Coronavirus rules—— did they stop for a single moment and study what the mental state people might get themselves into????
Fact is—— ENGLAND has a higher fatality rate than other European countries in spite of all the precautions!!!
With no sign of Parliament ever going back to work—— Boris has not been seen for a month— three”. “ “Faces” come onto the TV screens and tell us another ( on average) 800 people died of Coronavirus again today——- but—— they have it all under control ?????
Florence Nightingale Emergency Hospital with 4,000 beds has been up and running for two weeks—— but it’s got less than twenty occupants ?...????
Its not going to be long, before Joe Public starts asking questions .
I really am a law abiding peaceful UK citizen——- along with a few hundred million more who are going to want to know when things are going to return to normal.
Those that used to get paid for working have been promised “FURLOUGH” —— up to now, nobody’s received a brass farthing—— all the computers that give out the cash have gone into lockdown!
Maybe its the fact that the scheme was never sustainable in the first place ????
Surely I can’t be the only one who’s wondering just what’s going on!!!
This maybe borderline reading to put into the Tricks site—— so I’ll apologise now —- if the powers want me not to mention it again, then I’ll comply!
Today I broke the rules—— I have been severely chastised and criticised by friends and family—— but I did it!

Hey out there—- it’s a brand new day, suns shining and I woke up again this morning. What more can you ask for?
See that most of the boat racing events in the USA have been suspended, or put on hold!
F1 car racing has lost the first eight races of the 2020 season.
Im still on the roller coaster of life —- Jim Hunt And Ted Boyd just had birthdays and TOM STICKLE has his 80tg tomorrow. So all you old farts out there should wish him a happy birthday—— Won’t make him any prettier—- but it will make him feel good!
Rollers are getting there slowly—- hope to have the next two completed by the end of the month!
These are numbers eleven and twelve. Yes I do know where each and every one is—- and who owns them !

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One of my granddaughters Carly—- Steve took her round the bay at around 150— just to give her a taste of what goes on in the family these days !

Hey Jackie
where does Chris Hodges live now?

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Originally Posted by powerabout

Hey Jackie
where does Chris Hodges live now?

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Last I heard he was in Australia—- think he got divorced ( again) , but according to Brownies writings, he’s calling in to see him anytime soon!
Maybe you should ask Brownie Pilgrim!

How’s Mathew Caldwell doing these days after his terrible accident?
Is he still developing that beautiful piece of kit—- or has it been shelved for a while?Attachment 463874

Guess he is still healing but they have the 3.5L running.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=887198231740195

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Another good reason to visit Key West!!!

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Only place I’ve ever seen naked ladies painted—- so there’s another good reason for visiting Key West!

sure beats look'n at more old, out of business OMC V-8 raceboat pic's...https://www.screamandfly.com/attachm...0&d=1587677420

...Thanks Jackie!:thumbsup:https://www.screamandfly.com/attachm...0&d=1587676998

Just a reminder of Greg's request .....

I just wanted to underscore the importance of being careful with photos that might be seen as more adult-oriented in content. Women in bikinis is fine, but naked women with just paint on them is not so good. ;)

I'm sorry for the long post here, but it's an issue that could potentially affect the site in a very negative way.

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Originally Posted by jackiewilson

Hey out there—- it’s a brand new day, suns shining and I woke up again this morning. What more can you ask for?
See that most of the boat racing events in the USA have been suspended, or put on hold!
F1 car racing has lost the first eight races of the 2020 season.
Im still on the roller coaster of life —- Jim Hunt And Ted Boyd just had birthdays and TOM STICKLE has his 80tg tomorrow. So all you old farts out there should wish him a happy birthday—— Won’t make him any prettier—- but it will make him feel good!
Rollers are getting there slowly—- hope to have the next two completed by the end of the month!
These are numbers eleven and twelve. Yes I do know where each and every one is—- and who owns them !

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Air travel collapsed, airlines followed, then Boeing & Airbus coughed, Alcoa Aluminum shuttered its plant in Ferndale WA / USA after seeing 25% decline in aluminum demand. APBA (USA) will wake itself up from a self-induced coma at mid summer and decide what its supposed to be at that time. Boeing dug into its cash reserves at $50B. GE Capital cancelled 737 Max orders for 69 planes. Meat packers in the USA are sputtering. Car dealerships haven't sobered up to the reality that they will probably have to start selling their products (if at all?) for a loss. Grocery market shopping has calmed down a bit with the stampedes for TP ending. Beef and pork markets are getting a little tight. Now they are starting to ration cases of tuna. Everybody here is digging in for the long haul with masks and gloves. Las Vegas casinos are ready to reopen but their workers are not. Phase 2 of vaccine testing has begun in Seattle WA. California, Oregon and Washington State will probably re-open together but not until the end of May. 1st declared COVID 19 death in USA has been revised from Kirkland WA to Santa Clara California by almost a full month. We saw the first theoretical negative futures value on the NYSE for oil with a barrel of oil just under $20. The Midwest oil shale fracking companies are dying just about as fast as COVID19 victims.

...chin up grasshopper...

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Originally Posted by WaterZebra

Air travel collapsed, airlines followed, then Boeing & Airbus coughed, Alcoa Aluminum shuttered its plant in Ferndale WA / USA after seeing 25% decline in aluminum demand. APBA (USA) will wake itself up from a self-induced coma at mid summer and decide what its supposed to be at that time. Boeing dug into its cash reserves at $50B. GE Capital cancelled 737 Max orders for 69 planes. Meat packers in the USA are sputtering. Car dealerships haven't sobered up to the reality that they will probably have to start selling their products (if at all?) for a loss. Grocery market shopping has calmed down a bit with the stampedes for TP ending. Beef and pork markets are getting a little tight. Now they are starting to ration cases of tuna. Everybody here is digging in for the long haul with masks and gloves. Las Vegas casinos are ready to reopen but their workers are not. Phase 2 of vaccine testing has begun in Seattle WA. California, Oregon and Washington State will probably re-open together but not until the end of May. 1st declared COVID 19 death in USA has been revised from Kirkland WA to Santa Clara California by almost a full month. We saw the first theoretical negative futures value on the NYSE for oil with a barrel of oil just under $20. The Midwest oil shale fracking companies are dying just about as fast as COVID19 victims.

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I always thought the USA was invincible, just like the UK. Together , nothing could equal the knowledge and power we have.
But — the government who has such a huge majority it can’t even be questioned let alone defeated , has dithered about like a bunch of old washer women .
I know it’s easy to criticise after the event, but allowing for everything they’ve put into place—- where is the money coming from ????
No taxes coming into the coffers as nobody’s working—— everyone on “the social” - milking the treasury dry!
Fear of God has been put into the nation, with everyone’ afraid of their own shadow!
We have enough unused hospital beds to keep the rest of the world ! Just not enough doctors or nurses?
I despair that with the fine weather—- lots of sun and a nation in lockdown, it won’t be long before there’s a revolt—- you cannot lock up a free nation, without dire consequences!
What happens when police clash with normally very peaceable folk—- flight of fancy??? I think not—— it’s not far away, believe me!!!

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Originally Posted by willabee

Just a reminder of Greg's request .....

I just wanted to underscore the importance of being careful with photos that might be seen as more adult-oriented in content. Women in bikinis is fine, but naked women with just paint on them is not so good. ;)

I'm sorry for the long post here, but it's an issue that could potentially affect the site in a very negative way.

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Bill, if the pictures offended anyone —- then I unreservedly apologise.
It was simply a picture of what’s happening at one of powerboating’s best known resorts!
Fact is— no way on gods earth could you tell the ladies we’re naked.
Work was done by extremely talented airbrush artists—- they were admired as much for the artists talent as the ladies beauty!
i challenge anyone to tell me they can see a naked lady in any of the Piccies I posted !
You have to admit—- they got your attention Willa—— that in itself is no mean feat.

Whichever way you look at it Fuji —— You have to admit—- Lasse got a hell of a lot of mileage from flogging the V8 Dead horse !!!
Still scratching my head on how he got the most watched thread, on what was basically a Mercury orientated site with his OMC Facts ?? Showing the same old pictures over and over and over and over again ! ( there goes that song again)
Whats also strange is the fact that outboard power is killing Inboard power —— mainly due to the fact the V 8 outboard looks like it could chuck out 1,000 hp anytime soon!
Then you will see some competitive offshore racing—— more reliable —— more affordable—- more watchable racing, with speeds rapidly Aproaching 200 mph !!
There is one sure FACT———— OMC will not be there !

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Originally Posted by jackiewilson

Whichever way you look at it Fuji —— You have to admit—- Lasse got a hell of a lot of mileage from flogging the V8 Dead horse !!!
Still scratching my head on how he got the most watched thread, on what was basically a Mercury orientated site with his OMC Facts ?? Showing the same old pictures over and over and over and over again ! ( there goes that song again)
Whats also strange is the fact that outboard power is killing Inboard power —— mainly due to the fact the V 8 outboard looks like it could chuck out 1,000 hp anytime soon!
Then you will see some competitive offshore racing—— more reliable —— more affordable—- more watchable racing, with speeds rapidly Aproaching 200 mph !!
There is one sure FACT———— OMC will not be there !

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Hey Jackie lets not forget Tom Stickles 80th birthday i first met Tom at the OFF events on more than occasion and i enjoyed his laid back company i never new he ran Seebolds racing team in the early 80s till he told me.But he did suprise me by saying he never liked to race in the greatest race on earth the Paris 6hr race. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOM STICKLE. Must ask what kind of transom would you fit the 1000hp outboard to.:nonod:

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Originally Posted by STEVERINO

Hey Jackie lets not forget Tom Stickles 80th birthday i first met Tom at the OFF events on more than occasion and i enjoyed his laid back company i never new he ran Seebolds racing team in the early 80s till he told me.But he did suprise me by saying he never liked to race in the greatest race on earth the Paris 6hr race. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOM STICKLE. Must ask what kind of transom would you fit the 1000hp outboard to.:nonod:

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A bloody strong one Steve—— now if Duckworth had been asked that question—— I’m quite sure he would have started at the sharp end and worked his way backwards!
He would remember power containment in the monocoque chassis of the first DFV cars !
Stress and impact of any given forces contained in any one place at any one time !!!!
Transom would have very little to do with containment of horsepower——Merely a means of hanging the outboard onto something—- transfer of energy along the length of the hull to its conclusion and demise at the sharp end ! Rememder KENETIC ENERGY—— For every action—- there is a reaction
No, I’m not taking the piss —- it’s just the way Duckworth thought—— everything can be contained!
He once told me I can give you a million horsepower for a brief moment in time——- sustaining horsepower with a modicum of economy and the least amount of problems is what I’m after!
Well —— it was something like that—- along those lines anyway !
I already wished Tommy a happy birthday—— now if somebody could sit him down for a week and get him to tell some Powerboat tales—— there would be something worth listening to!

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More of Key West—— just in case Scotty B looks in!

shame on you...showing pics like this. knowing full well we can't get this stuff right now, lol. it's like a bad movie.;)https://www.screamandfly.com/attachm...3&d=1581942812

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Now here’s an old favourite—- one of Mercury’s promo ladies.
Dont you just know one of my friends is going to blow this ( photo) to high heaven!!!!

All was going well yesterday—- just putting some gold fretwork on to the “ Finnigan” luggage for the PEARL OF THE EAST, it’s a bit tricky and involves nailing the stuff on with big headed pins.
Then it happened—- bloody had to, didnt it—— I whacked the nearly mended poorly didget with the Ball peen hammer!
Really wish I hadn’t done that !!!
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Not a pretty sight for the start of a new day! But it’s all I’ve got this morning.
With a bit of luck and a fair wind— I’ll post a couple of progress pictures —— I’m getting so slow these days— I wouldn’t even pay me !
Good news is— there’s talk of lifting the covid -19 isolation rules.
No doubt about it anyway, people are taking less notice of it than they did, flouting the regs—- rebellion coming—- so move the goal posts ???

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Suns not up yet—- view from my bedroom window.
New structure I put up last year —- Montana clematis is not bad for just its second year.
Have roses either side, but it’s still too early in the year to see those!