Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

[jackiewilson]

Picked all the eating apples on Sunday, the "Gardening Guru" pulled out the sweet peas, oh yes, it rained a lot! A sure sign summer is coming to an end.
I managed a couple of hours in the shop working on the Dragon concept------- the Cowes/Torquay winner,(James Shepard) who I have known since he was a nipper. There's no way in hell it'll be finished afore we leave for France on Wednesday. Got most of the day at Worthing hospital, getting pipes sorted, which leaves me very little Shop time.
Still, knickers up, box on, lets see what the weather has in store for us today --------at least I woke up again this morning, so it can't be all bad.

[jackiewilson]

Been one of those "comic cuts" sort of days--------SUssed out how I wanted to do the dragon screen, nailed it third time----used the gas flame. Bubbled it to buggery the first time-------had it all stitched together, just tightened the last screw, ------cracked the screen from arse holes to breakfast time.
OK no problem, six bolts tying the plexiglass to the frame--------all I had to do was grind the bolt flush with the frame. Forgot the first principle of grinding, --------you know, the bit about friction creating heat, --------melted the screen and the bolt heads popped right out !
Bear was eating me today-------was a tad pissed with the whole damned thing, so I walked out, switched the light off, closed the doors. Left .
Never did understand why the colonials got a day off on LABOUR DAY !
This side of the pond we're fresh out of holidays until Christmas-------- understand you still have a bunch of timeouts left to come!
Might just sneak back into the shop and see if I can fernagle that damn screen------may just have to resort to something simple and forget the ambition.

[jackiewilson]

Screwed up the finish on this and and had to tear it apart and strip it--------me and finishing do not get along-------the mounts good though, Rolls Royce Silver Ghost wheel I had left over from Rich's concept!
Why can't I get a concept right the first time------it's always the third or fourth attempt before a plan comes together.

[RogerH]

I stayed in Canada a few weeks ago between races at Rideau Ferry Ontario and Springfield Ohio. Went downtown in Bobcaygeon and fortunately bought a puzzle from a local cottage owner. He looked to be in his late 20's. Glad I did that as the rains from hurricane Irma have finally reached TN, so I dug it out in anticipation of putting it together. Unfortunately it didn't come with a picture of the finished puzzle and it appears to have extra parts!?!?!!! This ought to keep me busy for a day or two.
What do you think it will look like finished.

[powerabout]

nice

[olboatman]

I stayed in Canada a few weeks ago between races at Rideau Ferry Ontario and Springfield Ohio. Went downtown in Bobcaygeon and fortunately bought a puzzle from a local cottage owner. He looked to be in his late 20's. Glad I did that as the rains from hurricane Irma have finally reached TN, so I dug it out in anticipation of putting it together. Unfortunately it didn't come with a picture of the finished puzzle and it appears to have extra parts!?!?!!! This ought to keep me busy for a day or two.
What do you think it will look like finished.

SWEET!!! Keep us posted during assembly as that is a jewel!
Gary

[jackiewilson]

Looks like you got shortchanged on a couple rods Gaty.

[jackiewilson]

Sorry Roger, on closer inspection, it appears I've put my foot in it again.
you'll have to forgive me, all my marbles aren't in the right place at the moment-----had a couple of those blasted TIA thingies last week and got hoiked off to see the head pokers.
Her indoors ( my very own matron) decided to take me back down memory lane to see all the friends we left in France.
Was very pleasant to see them all again------Americans, Swedes, Dutch, English and Canadian with quite a few French thrown in for good measure.
Ipad was left at home on pain of death , would have been extremely painful------if you know who had admininistered said treatment--------decided, discretion was better part of valour !
We left the journey home until the last flight out of Montpellier -----22:00 hours--------French air traffic control decided they had been good enough for long enough and decided to go on strike at midnight !
No worries, we will be long gone by midnight--------Wrong-----incoming was in one hour late--------OK, still no worries-------if Easy Jet get a wiggle on we can still be out of there with ten minutes to spare--------Wrong --------nobody's wiggling--------work to rule starts at 23:00 hrs--------bastards !!!
everyones seated and belted by this time so hopes are high--------forget it -----this is France with French folk wielding the baton, Hey guys-------we got us a plane bound for England------let's just bring the strike forward an hour ??? Me myself would have sacked every single one of the bone idle gits, BUT------having said that, the gits would probably be able to claim full pay under the EU benefit scheme. Yes, I am all bitter and twisted by the actions of these thoughtless and selfish "****ehawks". ( as my sainted mother would have called them) .
Me and the fairy godmother finally rolled into bed at 4:30 am . And you wonder WHY I'm like a bruin with a sore arse. But at least I'm home and about to open the shop !

[olboatman]

The US air traffic control tried the same in the early 80s. Reagan fired their ass and hired new. So much for their money suckin union!!!!! (Can ya tell I'm self employed) My dad had a great sayin "If the helps gonna run the shop....let'm pay the bills"!
Gary

[powerabout]

you ant sack anyone in France so protests work

[jackiewilson]

True Pilgrim----very true, but if they ever were to get the bullet then they could become"AUTOROUTE"
administrators!
France spends more EU money on roadworks than all the rest of the member countries put together!

[jackiewilson]

This thread is supposed to be about racing in any form--------you know, what old farts like me get up to in the autumn years-------bit of old, bit of new, just has to have a bit of boat racing somewhere in the vicinity!!! Feel I've been a tad lax lately------will try and get back to the nitty gritty.
Well, here's something you might not know--------Gieco's new throttle jockey is Stevie Curtis------- and the new wheel man is James Shepard, Winner of the Cowes/Torquay last month. he won a couple of world titles with my grandson Craig a few years back. My grandson in law Gary runs the whole operation--------should soon be seeing the fruits of their labours.
Poorly Paw is eighty per cent, so I had some quality time in the shop today. First thing I did was strip the last concept back to bare bones. Let's see what tomorrow chucks at us.!

[jackiewilson]

Weather has deteriorated badly the last couple of weeks. We have hurricane "Annette" (one high sided lorry blown over and two trees down). Life can get pretty tough this side of the pond !
Slept the sleep of the damned last night, was plumb wore out. Woke early, bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready for the fray.
Seems a long time since I looked forward to a full day in the workshop, "Mitigating circumstances" was what I put it down to, but it really was Accident and Illness------the two things insurance companies never pay out on. So if anybody out there ever gets sick or breaks a leg, don't waste your time trying to make a claim------ it ain't never going to happen!
Right-----that's it then---another day, --another dollar, lets get this show on the road !

[powerabout]

if you get sick, just go to the UK where its free for the whole world especially if you were part of the empire.....

[powerabout]

if you get sick, just go to the UK where its free for the whole world especially if you were part of the empire or dont speak English.....