However did it reach this number

(and without having a single visitor to the site) G’day cobbers!!!  Guess where I’m off to in a few days (don’t say how many, it’s frighteningly near.)  To quote Peter, Paul and Mary (not the biblical ppm but the sixties group/band/conglomeration – chose any one from three) you’re all wrong – they were and probably still are a folk music ensemble. Oh yeah, to quote ppm “my bags are packed and I’m ready to go”. The song/ballad/tune continues a bit further into the lyrics ‘ I’m leaving on a jet plane’, yep I’m travelling to foreign climes on the big silver bird, departing Birmingham International Airport. I’ve suddenly had a strange memory.

When I moved to the midlands to take up my new position as a ‘district engineer’, I was given a company car, which was a pukey shade of green. That was the main fault, the rest as they say is history, what I wouldn’t give to have this vehicle now (close to the AMdb5), with all it’s amazing features some of which are rare in the modern automobile. To enter the car, one had to use a key. (for those of us with criminal tendences read coat hanger). The key had no batteries, or electronic gizmos, no it was just pure metal, a bit like a front door key but not much. In the event of a key not being available one could use a coat hanger. Before I go any further I would like to point out that this method of entry was shown to me by the local AA man. Not alcoholics anonymous, the other one to do with breakdowns in cars. Firstly, obtain your coat hanger. These were specifically one type suits (nearly) all vehicles. Forget about using the ones with plastic bits or even totally plastic. The article you need used to be readily obtained from your local dry cleaners/laundromat and was made from one long piece of galvanised wire (don’t get technical and ask what gauge wire, just accept it for what it is).

With the key you simply insert the pointed end into the slot on small round shiny button thing on the drivers door, twist (stop dancing you at the back) and the lock would disengage, release the catch and the door was open.

With the wire you need two additional accessories, a screwdriver to force the window so as to create an opening wide enough to poke the wire through, and a cloth to avoid starches and wiping away finger prints. First prepare your wire. To do this you simply make one end of the wire into a hook just wide enough to slip round the internal door lock, usually a button on a stem similar in appearance to aa mushroom. Then bend the hook so that is angled 90’ from the main length of wire, which is more effective if slightly bowed to compensate for the angle of entry. Once prepared wrap the screwdriver blade with the cloth. Push the blade into the gap between the door and frame and lever the two apart. Once opened sufficiently push the hooked end of the wire through the gap and steer towards the stem of the locking knob, and loop around the stem. Once captured pull sharply in an upwards direction causing the locking button to pop up and unlock the door. Get into the car in the usual manner. 

Now this key had a dual purpose, as well as unlocking the car you had to use it to start the car. On some models there was a separate key for each function. This abundance of keys gave rise to the fad of multiple key ring ornaments (another blog – another day). To start the engine insert the key into the appropriate hole (there was only the one so no confusion) turn and the engine kicked into life – usually.  As you know todays device for the above function will also tell you the time in Hong Kong, the rate of exchange, the ex-mother in laws’ birthday, next weeks shopping list, play the top forty tunes from 1966 and give you a medical examination, pay your lottery and buy lunch at Harrods, then will start the engine.

From there it’s comes down to the interior. My last car had all round electric windows, individual leather seat adjustments, mood lighting, three position electric sun roof, sat nav complete with tv screen, games console everything ever written from Mozart to take that, aircon and much much more. My company car had winding handles to open the windows and a separately operated quarter light windows in the front, you turned a lever and pushed.  There was an added bonus – a car radio.

In my last car the steering was power assisted, automatically driven by the onboard computer, electronic gear change, propelled by a 3500 cc engine capable of 160mph (when no one was looking).

My company car had column gear change, 4 speed gear box and reverse, propelled by a Ford one point eight or maybe a 2litre V4 engine – but who would a sales rep a car with an engine that size in 1974  - capable of 70mph (when the police were looking – my first day in the midlands I got myself a speeding ticket – another day another blog. Hence I know the limits).

The ultimate of luxury was the nonadjustable, rock solid cushioning front bench seat – brilliant.

I forgot to give this classic vehicle a proper introduction.

Ladies and gentlemen, may I proudly introduce to you my first company car: The Ford Corsair V4.

Moving on, after accepting my ticket for excess speeding, I continued my journey to the midlands, passing (here’s the link) Birmingham International Airport – but in those days it was different.  It was a small edge of town airfield with a few passenger planes arriving and departing at leisurely intervals.  It was known in those far-off days as “Elmdon Airport”.   Didn’t that grow up quickly, probably competing with the NEC – look it up.

I’ve flown from BIA on a few occasions and it’s very big – not as big as some – but we don’t want to go down the ‘measuring …..’ rout do we?

Suffice it to say that when I journey through the main concourse next week, I’ll not be stopping to admire the view and the trails of long-suffering humanity being shepherded in queues hoping they don’t miss the plane, praying their luggage is going the same way, looking round for a airline rep to confirm ‘this the right queue for Virgin Atlantic?’  No sir you need our sister airport for that flight.  ‘where’s that then?’ Heathrow (LOL).  How will I be missing the queues – by being an assisted passenger (told you I wasn’t feeling well.

‘Stop all the reminiscing, you have work to do!!’  Yeah it’s right, I’ve got to check all forms, tickets, visa, insurance and the dreaded packing. Packing is a nightmare as we all know. You make piles of clothing mainly pre-sixties tee shirts, long, long shorts and the very necessary skiddies.  Then we say b….r it, get onto Amazon, take a good look at the posh new case the family bought you, Samsonite (name dropper) super- lightweight, made in Europe suitcase, did I mention the four wheels and long handle?.  I forgot to tell you, I have the ‘big blue cases’ baby brother.  Show off!!, and try to calculate just how much you can get in and still close the lid.

Now I have such a big case I need to fill it with new clothes, I’ve browsed amazon, cotton traders, weird fish and Kerchers (one must have decent footwear) and now await delivery, nearly all promised next day, which means, when it comes to packing I’ll start tomorrow.