Time warp ‘E’ type
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29119814
A Vauxhall E Type from 1920 has sold at auction for £242,300, breaking all estimates. The lovely picture proves that the car in question was as beautiful as the much later Jaguar that many understandably associate with the E Type moniker.
It doesn’t surprise me at all that it was rediscovered in Norfolk, the retirement/holiday home of many a Vauxhall employee and their trusty vehicles.
In Great Yarmouth one can still find the Vauxhall Holiday Park, Vauxhall Bridge, even the railway station used to be called Yarmouth Vauxhall. In the days when Vauxhall still produced cars in Luton, Norfolk was the closest seaside destination and many employees headed for the coast when the factory shut down over the summer.
I have had many holidays in, and trips to, Norfolk over the years and one of my close friends, with Vauxhall connections, still lives on the coast (hi Gary). My last classic Vauxhall, a 1973 Vauxhall Firenza SL came from Norfolk, and indeed went back there when it was time to part with it. The current Zafira has covered many miles in the county too.
Going to Norfolk is a bit like going back in time – swathes of it with no phone signal let alone 3G, 4G or wifi and precious few dual carriageways. A good place to go to unwind and leave the office to its own devices! No point in rushing because it won’t make any difference.
Fitting really, a time warp car from a time warp place!
Time for Tea
Nestle boffins have actually made a one off, functioning chocolate teapot;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-29126161
“Why” you might well ask? Read the piece for enlightenment.
Six weeks of research and development and a handful of hours in the actual construction netted Nestle with a pot capable of brewing chocolate flavoured tea (yuck) for a few minutes prior to pouring.
Has the saying “as useful as a chocolate teapot” been successfully challenged? Well Nestle has wasted a load of time/money in exchange for some light hearted media coverage – does the value of one outweigh the other? God knows but I suspect the saying has many more good years in it yet!
Michael Schumacher
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29130742
The news today that Michael Schumacher is leaving hospital for home feels like it is positive but I find myself wishing his manager Sabine Kehm would give the world a decent update. I wrote about my grief in hearing about Schumacher’s plight back in early January, ever since I have read every media update with hope and yet the world has no idea if Michael’s state is closer to vegetative than it is to normal functioning.
The shame is that without some indication, I find myself just assuming the former; the media/medical profession just has to keep speculating and the worst is assumed by all. A shared prognosis would set expectations and allow us all to adjust our sights.
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