Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

[STEVERINO]

Merry Xmas to all my friends on this site. Rich, Roger, Willabee, Jackie, Steve Pinson & Steve Sirois, Mark & all the others whose handles I don't recognize. And most of all, hopefully everyone will have a most prosperous New Year.

Hi John we missed you at the OFF event this time round but we all had a terrific time there meeting new and old friends hope to catch up with you next year.Its a very merry Xmas from me to all on this site could do with more piccis from old races posting.

[John Schubert]

Hi John we missed you at the OFF event this time round but we all had a terrific time there meeting new and old friends hope to catch up with you next year.Its a very merry Xmas from me to all on this site could do with more piccis from old races posting.

Steve,

I was all set to be there even had hotel reservations, but my wife & I are guardians for our 7 year old grandson. His jerk of a father was causing visitation issues which required me to return to Illinois for a lawyer visit. Yes, I'm planning on next year for sure, but who knows what life will have for me by then.

[jackiewilson]

Your right John, life's full of shouldaves and couldaves---------its what separates us from other animals. Some call it the "righteous" path, you go with what you FEEL is right. It will shape who or what you finally turn out like.
I now feel I did the right thing not making the trip to Tavares , I'm here at Ivans house spending Christmas with his family-------but bet your sweet bippy I'll be there next November !!
If you feel the same way about your trip then we both have something to look forward to next year.

Remember John, friends are like stars, you don't always see them but you know there always there.

Went to the Fox and Hounds in Hunsden for our Christmas Eve dinner-------I shared a chateaubriand with Kate----- hellish expensive but damn it all, it was Christmas Eve ----have to shed this "Scrooge" attitude every time I dine out.
Ben Ainsley (he of Americas Cup fame) was dining at the next table------no I did not interrupt his evening-----power always has to give way to sailing. (Unless it's in a race)

Managed just three hours in the shop this morning-----looked at the stuff I had to do and decided I was tired of rushing round like a blue arsed fly and not seeming to get very far, so I decided not to touch ET79. Instead I revamped the big gear case------put a nice crescent snout on it----took all the lumps and bumps out and made it beautiful -------some will say there is no such thing as a "beautiful" gear case-------I disagree, 'cos I now have one.
Turned up the Rams for the power trim, fitted em to the Alpha 4:2 drive!!
Fabricated a pair of exhaust manifolds for the big V12. That was as far as I got before it was time to start Christmas .

Bloody near midnight on Christmas Eve and here I am pounding the IPad and waffling away again, so to all my "STARS" out there -------have a wonderful Christmas and God bless you one and all,
(damned if I can remember but I'm pretty sure I heard that somewhere before! Night all MYGGWY.J.

[jackiewilson]

Now it really is Christmas--------I saw it it quite clearly on a five year olds face as his face lit up when he saw the stockings all hanging from the fireplace -------the one with his name on it LUCAS was the one he was looking for. Yes, Christmas is finally here.
His fathers stocking will be the last one to be opened, IVAN, ------merry Christmas daddy is the inscription! Lucas is opening parcels and laughing and squealing with joy, the house has a glow about it, the family is gathered here to celebrate Christmas ------alls well with the world------well nearly!

[jackiewilson]

Family are all round the big table playing PICTIONARY, I declined politely and withdrew gracefully, this is where arguments start-------had far too much to eat and drink, ready to take on anyone so best I send a little note to my friends on S&F.
Watched the very last episode of Downton Abbey---------everyone wound up happy-------all the bits came together like a well constructed jig saw, happy endings all round, just like a Christmas tale should have!
Sold the Lembke concept AND the V12 Jaguar, even before either of the pieces

were finished. Will post you the piccies of them before I send them off to Florida-------just pleased someone liked them enough to actually buy them----------bloody good price too, more than I asked for them!
Thats Christmas Day over-----came out the other side, but not unscathed. Just have to see the girls tomorrow morning, have lunch, then hit the road home?

Thats it for today folks enjoy Boxing Day------it's well past midnight and I'm well bushed, MYGGWY.j.

[jackiewilson]

Boxing Day and we survived--------another four hours-------then , HIT THE ROAD JACK!
Kept it together for most of the day--------Kate and I had quiet time for a while, sharing a long hard hug with a few tears and some very precious reflections on Ivan !

Was surprised the Lembke "Concept" went so quickly--------never left the shop, let alone got relegated to the summer house!
Should be out there beavering away, getting stuff finished. Now there's a bit of urgency, kinda puts a spring in your step!
Will get back to you all come bedtime, meanwhile, why don't you tell me the tricks some of you, my friends got up to over the Christmas period ?

[jackiewilson]

The protagonists.

Back in our own home-----in our own bed and the trusty iPad fully charged.
I need the T-Shirt-------"I survived Christmas"

All was running fairly smooth until the girls came, youngest one (Scarlet, ten years old going on twenty two)had a new mini iPad and a real life working mini drone, complete with remote control--------She was an accomplished drone controller in about four and a half minutes-------after which time she could hover, climb and descend as well as tight left and rights------- Unfortunately, Lucas aged five had Father Christmas bring him a Full Galaxy Warriors outfit complete with rapid fire canon machine gun with laser guided missiles 10 stingers and five SAMs --Straight out of STAR WARS, -----it was no contest !! After downing the drone for the tenth time, ----------that's when the trouble started-------five year old boys do not ever win against a ten year girl---------only in the movies------NEVER, EVER , in real life-------that's when we bade the family a fond farewell and headed home?

could not believe the toys kids have today------I could have bought a brand fire new Lexus Hybrid with the money spent on three kids. Maybe I'm getting a touch old and sceptical .

[jackiewilson]

It's Sunday-------back to normal-----shop doors open at 8:30am------will probably get the odd visitor or two as we were away for Christmas , don't mind that at all!
As my sainted mother used to say -----"It's as far off as it will ever be" -----she meant Christmas on the 27th December.

Have a ton of cleaning up to do before I get to work------I just turned off the lights and locked the doors on Christmas Eve.
No point in rushing things-------as Satchmo used to sing "WE GOT ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD".

The request for ET 79 complete, and the Mounted V12 Jaguar motor came clean out of the blue whilst I was having a Christmas Day conversation with a very good friend of mine-----was flattered he even wanted it as he is one of the leading lights in the power boat world. I do have some great friends when I sit back and take stock, I am indeed blessed!
My faith got well and truly dented for a while and tested to the limit-----but it's slowly coming back again-----the anger subsides but the questions remain unanswered-----it's a funny old life!

[jackiewilson]

MONDAY MONDAY,------just love that day---------any other day of the week is fine--I---ine!
God but was I ever young when Mamma Cass used to chant that along with "California Dreaming"

Murphy leapt on me from a dizzy height demanding exit at some unearthly hour, bladder was bursting anyway ------so I had my first "Tinkle" of the day, then came back to bed.

Yesterday started well------got straight into the Jaguar-----as you do just after Christmas when someone has the hots for a concept and is chucking a big bag of gold at you! Didn't last long though, visitors in the guise of Jills daughter,---- "Betty" -----and husband Keith arrived with a bottle of bubbly and healthy appetites.

Never made it back into the shop-----left over turkey bird, sage and onion stuffing, roast spuds wth plum duff and rum sauce to follow-----an ample cheese board and a glass of port are not conducive to machining "Concepts" on a Sunday afternoon !!!

Thats why I was never heard of again yesterday. ,! No doubt there are some of you out there who wish I would do it more often. Keep on wishing, 'tain't going to happen!

[jackiewilson]

Nice and steady sort of day------just kept plodding away-----no rush-------the Jag is just about ready for shipment-------another day will do it.
Finished the mount------velcroed the motor to it-------bit of green on the base and we got a half tidy almost finished article.
With a bit of luck I should get cracking on the ET 79 after lunch tomorrow--------I think it's been hanging about long enough---------I feel I've aged a lot since I started that particular "concept"
Three more days and it's next year------new start------new projects-----new concepts--------who knows, somebody might even ask me to make something different for 'em. .?
No visitors at all today-------great to have a day to myself, amazing just how far I can go in a day when I get into deep thinking mode----------never enough hours in the day once I get a wriggle on.

Three weeks and I'm in shorts and T shirts, basking in Carribean Sunshine supping mojitas and piña colladas with the odd dry martini chucked in for good measure !

Not much happening on S&F this time of year, wonder if the staff have time out-----have asked them to put all my threads together---------all the times I posted from France and the ones from England -------might just as well talk to a brick wall ! They all left and switched the lights out long ago, probably disconnected the Internet too.

Looked into the appointment book--------not a damn thing in there for the rest of the year------not even a sailboat on the horizon,-------never mind, will make up for it in spades next year.
Nearly 23:00 hrs and the peepers are more shut than open, time for big ZZZZZZ/S, MYGGWY .J.

[jackiewilson]

Woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed -------all ready to fizz------was told we're going visiting, all the people we never got to see over Christmas ---------don't look like the Jag will get finished today after all. Ah well, the Best laid plans of mice and men. May get into some fun later on in the day, apparently we're back home for lunch.

If you want a trip down "Memory Lane" take a peek at Fujimo's Mercury thread-----there's a ton of really interesting stuff on there!

Be glad to see the Arse end of January next year-------detest dark mornings, wind and rain, in fact I don't like winter much at all------I'm a a sunshiny person deep down no matter what Willabee tells you?

[jackiewilson]

There 'Tis-------that's what all the fuss was-about, one concept V12.
Where the hell are you when I need you the most "Stavros ?

[lilabner]

Looks great Jackie. Very nicely done.

[jackiewilson]

Looks great Jackie. Very nicely done.

Thanks a million lilabner--------it's usually Stavros who is always the first to comment!
Had to make a special effort to get that finished, it's going to someone who is mighty bloody finicky when it comes to boats---------his first Job was pulling a V12 jaguar out of an offshore cat for Robert Cook?

[GENE LANHAM]

Looks great Jackie. Very nicely done.

Beautiful---