RIP Sasha - the most faithful of friends

Five weeks ago today, we said a sorrowful goodbye to Sasha, the most patient, loving Collie-cross a family could ever wish to share almost a decade and a half with.
She came into our house nervous and afraid courtesy of who knows what experiences she'd suffered before turning up at the RSPCA centre. Scarlet, our feisty tortoiseshell cat quickly showed her who was boss, and taught her to scratch at the patio doors to demand entry to the lounge. After many months of giving each other a wide berth, they eventually managed to muddle along.

Having been brought up with cats, no part of me was a dog person, and after many years of being shoved aside by an extremely alpha-male Labrador, I wasn't expecting to be tentatively courted by such a sweet, intelligent creature. Although everyone in the house was smitten on sight, she very quickly learnt that I was one of the few humans who didn't melt at the sight of her, showering hugs, kisses and generally as much fuss as one animal could demand.
If she could have spoken the dialogue on approaching me would have gone something like this:
"Excuse me, Jacky, but if you're not too terribly busy, I'd quite like the tiniest bit of affection. You're not in the mood? Never mind, maybe next time." And she'd dutifully back off and seek a more receptive victim.

Not being made of actual stone, I eventually succumbed to her timid, but oh-so-effective seduction techniques, but like the lady she was, she never overstepped her welcome, sensing the exact point when enough was enough. It didn't take long, however before she got me totally on side and I, too, would be treated to her paw hugging my leg to wring out the last few minutes of attention. Such an expert, she really knew how to work the room. We even managed not to encourage her to beg for scraps at the dinner table for the first few years. And not once did she ever attempt to bound on the furniture after learning this was forbidden. A real lady.

In the the past two weeks, we've visited many spots on our favourite walks, scattering some of her ashes in each place. So every time we visit, she will be with us.

Tan-Y-Coed

Castel-Y-Bere

Darowen

Celebrating Keith A Pearson

I’ve been a fan of this British author ever since I heard him on Ken Bruce’s Popmaster back in January 2021. But his latest novel is so blinking brilliant, I thought it was about time I swung the spotlight on some of his masterpieces.

The Last Stop Video Shop
A poignant, darkly humorous novel about faltering relationships, abandoned dreams, and a man quietly running out of road.
I just finished this phenomenal book and, even though the tears are still running down my cheeks (and few stories have ever done that), I wanted to capture the essence of why this one touched me so deeply.

This is a story every man should read, especially every father, because the ones to whom Keith A Pearson’s incredible message doesn't apply are few and far between.
By the same token, it's a story every son and daughter should read, because it may just go some way toward helping them understand why their father was so derelict in his paternal duties. Whether they can forgive him or not is down to their own capacity for forgiveness, and the severity of his transgressions, which for some males of that generation went far deeper than fear-induced indifference. 'Nuff said.
The timing could not be more salutary for me and may well result in me digging deep to tap into that well of forgiveness which I've been convinced is completely desiccated after many decades of enduring more than a grown woman should at the hands of someone who in theory is supposed to care. Hence my eternal gratitude.
A truly life-changing story.

This wonderful, salutary story is the 20th by this prolific author and I’ve yet to read one I didn’t thoroughly enjoy. Here are a few highlights:

The Strange Appeal of Dougie Neil
Dougie Neil isn’t exactly a catch. Middle-aged, soft around the edges, and spectacularly average, he’s no one’s idea of a romantic lead — including his own. Then something strange happens.
One thing you can be sure of when you pick up a book by Keith A Pearson – you will still be thinking about his characters days (weeks?) later, and some of them become like those friends you only see a few times a year, but can’t wait to meet again. Dougie is one of these, and his story is a total page turner, with a couple of didn’t-see-it-coming twists and a truly satisfying ending.

Terms May Apply
What would you give for a wish to come true? Your left arm? Your most cherished possession? Your last crumb of integrity?
The biggest thing for me when reading is feeling an emotional connection to the main characters, and I certainly had that in spades. I also love a good plot twist or six, and I got plenty of them. I really couldn’t see any way out of poor Kyle’s predicament (integrity intact), and the denouement was nothing short of genius. A cracking good read, full of unique situations, imaginative twists, and oodles of fun.

A Page in your Diary
Ten insane days. One miraculous opportunity to re-write the past.
My oh My - what a beaut. Just so-oo impressed with the characters, plot and the awesomely clever twists and turns our poor hero has to orchestrate to get him out of the latest pickle. Pure Genius. A must for all popmaster fans.

Clement Series
What’s not to like about this larger-than-life throwback of absolute and utter political incorrectness?
Certainly not his soft centre hidden beneath a rock-hard exterior. Magnificent!
Who Sent Clement?: A miraculous tale of debts, threats, and a dead man in double denim.
Wrong’un: Overcoming the worst kind of evil requires the strangest kind of Angel.
Clawthorn: When the truth is locked in the past, best you pray for the right locksmith.
Headcase: Delusion is the ideal place to rest on a painful journey to the truth.

Angel of Camden Series:
Eminence: Compelling, credible storytelling filled with charismatic characters, page-turning action and truly original plot twists. Clem's first American adventure has him giving Jack Reacher a run for his money, with the added bonus of a healthy dose of the author's dry, intelligent humour.
Terrier: Clement never disappoints - another rollicking good story with relatable characters in credible situations and enough cleverly disguised clues along the way to make it a fun cozy mystery. More of his softer side showing makes it possibly my favourite Clement yet.

Echo Lane Series: No Easy Deeds & The Fourth Clause
Cleverly blending elements of time travel and rom-com, these a hugely engaging stories feature a character struggling with the realities of adulthood, and the complexity of dealing with the grown-up world of mortgages, employers and relationships. With spot-on memories of the 80s and 90s, the supernatural/time-travel elements are, as ever, seamlessly woven and totally believable. Can’t wait for the next one.

Mungo Thunk Series: Meeting Mungo Thunk & The Way we Thunk
This isn’t just a page turner, it’s the mother and father of all page turners, gripping you in its spell until the empty stars come up at the end, wanting to be filled. Well, it would be rude not to after being so thoroughly entertained. Sure, Adam wasn’t exactly the most likable of characters, but he wouldn’t have had such a huge character arc if he was.
The fact I devoured both Mungo Thunk stories over the weekend instead of doing all the other stuff I should have been doing is testament to Mr Pearson’s absolute skill in weaving stories which engage, captivate and don’t let you go till they’re done. Every bit as satisfying as the first, I was pleased to see quite how many characters got exactly what they deserved.


And the rest:

1970s Sports Cars

I remember the first time I really started noticing cars - I would have been around 15 or 16 and the guy living in the first house on our road built himself a red kit-car. It was the coolest thing ever.
Any fan of James Bond movies will appreciate the emphasis on what he drove, but the very first just happens to be the same as my trend-setting hubby's first car - a Sunbeam Alpine.
Several websites suggest the quintessential James Bond car was the Aston Martin DB5, known for its gadgets and iconic status. It has been featured in numerous films, including Goldfinger, Thunderball, and Casino Royale.

Here are some of the sporty ones which caught my eye.

Triumph Herald (1959-71)

The Herald - alongside the Mini and the Ford Anglia - was a British car sensation of 1959. With Michelotti styling, and a slightly elevated price tag, the Herald soon picked up an enthusiastic following - and all that really held it back was the lack of power. In 1960, the convertible was launched, and that received a twin-carb version of the engine. This was retrospectively fitted to the saloon to perk it up a little.

Jaguar E-type (1961 – 1975)

Although automotive styling is subjective, the one vehicle that seems to top more opinion polls naming the most beautiful car in the world, the Jaguar E-type. Styled mainly by aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer, with significant input by Sir William Lyons, the coupe and roadsters caused a sensation when unveiled in 1961. The E-type redefined the way we viewed sports cars, and how little it could cost to buy a 150mph car (it cost £2098, when an Aston Martin DB4 was over £5000). In 1971, the E-type received an upgrade as Walter Hassan, mastermind behind the Coventry Climax Formula 1 engines, worked with Jaguar technical boss Harry Mundy to produce an all-new V12. It was Jaguar’s first production V12-powered car, designed for maximum smoothness. Maximum speed was shy of 150mph, and fuel consumption was atrocious going into the 1973 energy crisis.

Triumph Spitfire (1962-1980)

The Triumph Spitfire came about as a direct response to the release of the Austin-Healey Sprite (and subsequently MG Midget). Just as with the TRs before it, Triumph found itself playing catch-up to Abingdon, and ended up producing a sports car to answer its rival, but which eventually improved on it in many significant ways. The Spitfire was underpinned by a Herald-style separate chassis, and was powered by the same family of engines. It was a lovely-looking sports car, with Michelotti-penned styling and a closely-cropped interior for two. Fun to drive, and somehow more appealing than the MG Midget.

Porsche 911 (1963 – 1993)

The Porsche 911 is an enduring success which, aside from a few wobbles in the late 1970s, sold strongly throughout its life. It turned automotive evolution on its head because the 911 remains stoutly rear-engined in a front-engined world. In 1964, when the 911 2.0 went on sale, it represented something of a gamble for its maker, by going upmarket, wearing a smart set of clothes styled by Butzi Porsche. The first car was powered by a new air-cooled flat-six 2.0-litre engine, nicely tuned to 130bhp. In August 1968, a new and lengthened B-series body was added to the range. The rear wheels moved back by 61mm to lengthen the wheelbase, add interior room and make the handling more stable. At the same time, the 911L gained fuel injection and wider wheels and became the 140bhp 911E. 1974 saw the introduction of calmer engines - that produced lower power but more torque - which were fuel injected by Bosch for smoother, cleaner and more economical running. The body - outwardly little changed - was wider, as were the wheels, and they added impact bumpers.

Triumph GT6 (1968 – 1973)

The Triumph GT6 was originally designed as a four-cylinder GT counterpart to the Spitfire. But when the first prototypes started running, and Triumph engineers realised that the coupe was somewhat slower than the roadster, they fitted the straight-six engine as used in the 2000 and Vitesse. A stylish car, with the added appeal of an E-type-style bonnet bulge, it looked worth every penny. The Mk3 GT6, launched in 1970, received the same visual changes as the Spitfire Mk4. They turned a stylish car into a desirable one - not easy when you consider it was based on an eight-year old car.

MG MGB GT V8 (1973 – 1976)

MG missed the boat with the 'B GT V8. At the time it was perfecting the MGC and trying to turn it into a successful Austin Healey 3000 replacement, Ken Costello had been making a good living converting MGBs to Rover V8 power. It was a logical car - and one that delivered all of the MGB's potential. By the time the MGB GT V8, the world had changed, and it had hit all manner of obstacles, despite having all the ingredients for success. For one, its launch coincided with the 1973 energy crisis - a time when fuel rationing was a very real threat, and the price of fuel was going through the roof. In one fell swoop, the demand for big-engined cars like the 'B GT V8 fell through the floor - a shame, because the 'B GT V8 was a great car.

Fiat X1/9 (1977-89)

The Fiat X1/9 has an awful lot going for it as an inexpensive wind-in-the-hair fun car. Although the X1/9 was launched in Europe in 1972, the UK had to wait five years before right-hand-drive examples became available. Those early cars had 1.3-litre engines and four-speed gearboxes, and were considered somewhat underpowered compared with rivals such as the Triumph TR7. But the X1/9 had balance, poise and style that British sports car buyers could only dream about, but it struggled to crack 100mph until 1978, when the X1/9 received an uprated 1.5-litre engine and five-speed gearbox.

Triumph TR7 (1975-81)

When Triumph launched the TR7 in 1975 (in the USA; the UK had to wait until 1976), it was a clear signal that the company was making a big change in terms of the direction of the long-lived TR line. And even today, some people will find the wedged-shaped sports car a disappointment after the sporty, six-cylinder TR6. The car gained a roof and lost two cylinders, 500cc and independent rear suspension. Triumph had been forced into making it a tin-top on the back of threatened US legislation banning open-topped cars. In the end, that never happened and the convertible TR7 arrived in 1979. But for all the criticism over these points and the wedge styling, it sold faster than the TR6 ever had. It’s a much easier car to live with too, driving more like a two-seater saloon than a sports car. It’s also by far the cheapest way to join the ranks of Triumph TR ownership.

You may notice a teeny-tiny bias toward the Triumph models - just a happy accident.
A huge thank you to Honest John for his spectacular car reviews giving technical detail it would take me weeks to research. https://classics.honestjohn.co.uk/reviews