We have just been back for a day from Vintage by the sea which took place at the weekend and was fairly amusing little jaunt, barring a water hose on my car blowing when we were on the motorway.
Luckily, we were in traffic when it blew and we made our way to the hard shoulder where I noticed the T piece on the hose had failed and had popped out of the hose completely, however bravery or stupidity made me grab hold and force it back in where the belching hot water stopped.
Thank God there was a hard shoulder for us to gingerly drive until we reached the next junction off and my wife had in the meantime found the nearest Bentley garage which was open who said they could get us a new hose for the next day.
We were staying at Stockport where we had hoped to meet friends for a cream tea in the rather splendid Art Deco Plaza cinema but this was not to be by the time we arrived it being too late and after the quick overnight stop we headed to the garage in the morning, hoping once again that the faulty hose would remain in place until we arrived.
Sometime later we were relieved of £500 and left with a brand new hose and anti freeze and headed to the Midland Hotel in Morecambe for the Vintage by the sea event which was considerably less stressful than our journey up and involved vintage shopping and plenty of dancing.
It’s always great to return to the magnificent Art Deco Midland hotel and to see friends, however we now have a very quick turnaround as tomorrow we are heading off to the Goodwood Revival where there will be more friends, more vintage shopping, more dancing and perhaps we might squeeze in a little spectating of the motor racing.
Can you have too much of a good thing………………….No, roll on Sheringham, Bletchley Park and Wallingford!
I am a retired actor, although to be honest I only retired because I wasn't getting any work due to losing my agent when I became a full time carer to my mother who had dementia. and the option of becoming an unemployed actor/waiter at my age was ludicrous, especially as my waiting skills are non-existent.
Having said I’m retired, I don’t think there really is such a thing as a retired actor for I am still available for work, I just don’t have an agent or any connections with regards to obtaining any worthwhile work.
I have over the years done student films when there is nothing else available, always low paid (if at all) the only incentive was always the promised copy of the finished film for your show reel which nine times out of ten always failed to materialise.
I spent many years looking after my aged mother and shortly after her death I was lucky enough to run into an ex-girlfriend of many years ago and our romance blossomed once again, resulting in us getting married in 2013.
My move to the countryside inspired me to write The Diary of a Country Bumpkin which tells of my continuing dilemmas in dealing with the rigors of the countryside from the unexpectedly large number of pollens, fungal moulds and hay products waiting to attack the unsuspecting townie.
I enjoy writing, see my play Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori on The Wireless Theatre Company, The Plays Wot I Wrote and The Battle of Barking Creek both available on Amazon.co.uk and am very fond of classic cars so my ideal occupation would be acting in a film I had written set in the 1930s/40s, we live in hopes.
I am delighted to say that since venturing to the countryside where space is not quite the premium it is in town, I have due to the availability of two double garages acquired more classic cars to form a small collection the pride of which are a 1947 Bentley Mk VI and a 2000 Bentley Arnage.
My various blogs and websites are continually evolving and I’m sure that by following the appropriate links you will find something which will edify or amuse.
I have written a number of different books all available on Amazon, so don't be shy should you feel the urge to purchase. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mr-Joe-Wells/e/B06XKWFQHT/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
It’s handy knowing a little about cars and how to save the situation if possible, however if there had been no hard shoulder it would have been far to dangerous to be standing in front of the car trying to fix it especially had something ran into the back of it. I must say I’m not a big fan of motorways with no hard shoulder under any circumstances, they are too dangerous when you break down.
Ah for the good old days of using a stocking as a fan belt or a girdle to wrap around a leaking hose. Love the photo Joe. You could teach the youngsters a thing or two about sartorial elegance!
Thank you, we’ve just got back from the Goodwood Revival where we have more photos to upload. My God 32degrees in a three piece wool suit is very hot work!
The Diary of a Country Bumpkin 
I am so sorry to hear about the breakdown, but I’m pleased you managed to get it fixed so quickly.
It’s handy knowing a little about cars and how to save the situation if possible, however if there had been no hard shoulder it would have been far to dangerous to be standing in front of the car trying to fix it especially had something ran into the back of it. I must say I’m not a big fan of motorways with no hard shoulder under any circumstances, they are too dangerous when you break down.
Looking very suave there.
Ah for the good old days of using a stocking as a fan belt or a girdle to wrap around a leaking hose. Love the photo Joe. You could teach the youngsters a thing or two about sartorial elegance!
Thank you, we’ve just got back from the Goodwood Revival where we have more photos to upload. My God 32degrees in a three piece wool suit is very hot work!
That’s where the stiff upper lip comes in!
Yes indeed.