M is for Mini

I can't do this challenge with out giving the Mini a mention probably the greatest British Car which became an Icon of the Motoring industry.

 This was the first Mini I owned I was 19 in the photo, the car taught me a lot about mechanics on one and a few years later I spent two years as a racing mechanic on

this car which was quite successful but things changed and I  went on to different things.

Helping out with this one while I built my own car.

Which was a very modified 1275GT But I got married and the car went though I my wife had a standard mini that she drove about and our kids grew up with them. Eventually she bought a new car and I had the old mini saying I was going to restore it.

I started in 1997 and what stared out as a small project ended up a marathon as it took four years. The car I ended up with was a far cry from the standard  one it began as with highly modified engine suspension and brakes. I owned the car for just over 20 years but sold it as I felt I would either get banned or kill myself in it. But Mini's still hold a special place for me.

The video below is my old mini being road tested on a rolling road, beware it is noisy but if you don't mind it the turn up the sound.

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K is for Kennet

The River Kennet as it flows through Newbury. This part is also a canal and used to be very busy with narrowboats moving goods to various towns along it. Many of the old building beside the canal still survive today. The canal became rundown but was restored and now is used for leisure boating

Taking part in Blogging from A to Z

L is for Lock

The lock is to the right in the distance and is on the Kennet in Newbury. To the left is the river which over flows from the canal via a weir further up from the lock.

Taking Part in Blogging from A to Z

Daffodils on the Forty

Spring announces itself on the Forty in Cholsey with a display of daffodils. These were planted when my son went to school there in the mid 1990's.  I took the photo a year ago and this year looks like another good display is due in a few days which I will post on here.

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Commemorative Rock

In my last photo of Garlieston Harbor I mentioned it played it's part in WW2 well this commemoration explains why.

 The rock is near the village hall and behind you can see a notice board that has a display of photo's taken of the building and trials in the war.

 This display of photo's are form the second world war. Believe or not some part of it still remain round the bay. 

Garlieston War Memorial

The war memorial is on the sea front on South Cresent. In the background is the bowling green. One of the houses along here has the date of 1764 on the door lintel.

I'll post more photos from the village in due course.

Closed at last

Didcot Power Station which opened in 1970 finally closed, the switch was thrown and the place shut down at 14:00 hours on Friday the 22nd February after 43 years.

The place will be demolished over the next few years and a skyline will change.

Pink Vdub

I spotted this pink VW when I went shopping at Halfords one day so I just had to get a photo. I only had my Nokia phone with me at the time.

The yellow car beside it is my old Mini.

The Rose Revived

Thought I'd post a summery photo today being as it is so cold, time we had a happy warm photo. This is looking towards the bridge by the Rose Revived public house at Newbridge (I'll post a photo of the bridge another time).  The river is the Thames and just beyond the bridge the River Windrush joins.

Taking Part in Our World Tuesday.

The Sulham Valley

The Sulham Valley looking towards Sulham. During the second world war this was one of the strategic areas which was criss crossed with anti tank ditches and pillboxes which if you know where to look you can find. You can read more here.

Taking Part in Wordless Wednesday