Having a Moan with the Lads.

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On Saturday I 'crossed the water' into Berkshire.

To Cookham to be precise, to meet up with a couple of

Vintage car owning mates.

There was a local get-together at the local cricket field.

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This red one is a Sunbeam, belonging to Howard,

and the one to the right is

Chris's Wolseley 18.

As we stood reminiscing and generally moaning

about the eu and all the regulations that make life hard,

look what glided passed and parked up in that space.

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An Armstrong Siddeley.

Absolutely immaculate.

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Memories flooded back.

Dad's first car was an Armstrong, and

on returning home I dug out a few of the old photos I had.

I was hoping to find the one of Dad and I at Welshpool.

We (the Armstrong actually) were towing the caravan

to Towyn in Merionethshire, mid-Wales.

I couldn't find a print, so I guess it's

still in the box of negatives.

So here is a couple of prints of our old motor.

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We used to get the back seat out and put it on the ground

to sit on.

L to R. - Pop, me, Colin, Mom, Adrian & Nan.

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This must have been one of my very first

attempts at photography.

I was only seven then, and somehow managed to

not cut anyones 'head orf'.

What a lovely shiny car. Dad loved tinkering with it.

and polishing the sphinx!

All Armstrongs had a sphinx mascot out on the front.

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This is the one on the car at Cookham.

"Armstrong Siddeley’s famous Sphinx mascot: John Davenport Siddeley first used the upright Sphinx mascot in advertisements for the Siddeley Deasy car made before the First World War. Armstrong Siddeley adopted the Sphinx when they started production in 1919 and continued until they made their last car in 1960. The Sphinx changed over the years – lay down in the 1930s and was streamlined in the 1950s."

Now when our faithful Armstrong was exchanged for a Daimler,

we kept the mascot.

I had it on the front of my Tandem for many years.

Where it is now, I know not.

It is one of many things I failed to keep when I left home.

Ian may know?

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A wee picture. It is on a bracket on the front forks.

Not only Dad had a liking for Armstrong's,

but also dear Aunty Gladys (dad's sister).

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This looks like a 1947 Armstrong 'Hurricane',

but I'm not sure.

So, on Saturday, I had a good day out with the lads.

As I said earlier, lots of moans about all this 'Elf 'n Safety rubbish

and Public Liability Insurance.

It does you good to get it 'off your chest'.

I see David the Cameroon has finally noticed how

people are getting pissed off with all these restrictions

on proposed Street Parties.

"David Cameron will today criticise councils for using red tape to prevent residents from holding street parties to celebrate the royal wedding.

Some local authorities have demanded that events have insurance cover and have charged for road closures, or demanded hosts adhere to strict health and safety rules. Mr Cameron is expected to “debunk” the myths surrounding street party rules.

A party in Rochester was cancelled after organisers were told they would have to take out £5million worth of public liability"

What is all the fuss about?

I have had to insure my "extremely dangerous" organ

before I can play at public events.

I mean - the bellows may explode and kill dozens of bystanders.

(it works on "high pressure air" at 4" water gauge)

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My £5,000,000 cover certificate for this year.

And the annual premium?

Wait for it!

£1.50

Because there is absolutely no risk,

the insurance company simply charge for admin & postage.

I had to write a cheque for £1.50.

Regulations (eu) make you want to weep.

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