20th June 2024

Whilst in Ecuador, I was contacted by my Welsh cousin David, who informed me of the sad news that his sister, Pauline, had sadly passed away. As soon as we returned home, I spoke to my Aunt Josie, found out details of the funeral, and made arrangements to attend.

As the UK has been suffering from a very wet and cold summer, forcing the family to put the heating on during the evenings, they requested that we bring the sun back from our travels, so we duly obliged. On inspection of the garden, greenhouse and allotments, it was plain to see that the plants had seen little sunshine while we were away and were behind in growth where they should be at this time of year. The two rows of carrots and beetroot I had planted earlier had been eaten by snails and slugs, who had taken full advantage of the damp conditions and my absence. With drier and warmer conditions, within a couple of days, I had replanted the rows and dared the little slimy gastropods to do their worst!

On the 20th of June, Sue had her pre-op consultation and tests in readiness for her operation on the 3rd of July.  I had watched the first of England’s group matches in the European Finals in a bar at Miami Airport. Later that afternoon, I watched the second game against Denmark in the garden room with six chums. After a disappointing 1:1 draw, I provided a BBQ for us, and afterwards, we played pool until around 11 p.m.

On the 24th, Sue and I drove to Caergwrle Castle. Pauline’s funeral was being held that afternoon, and we chose to have our traditional picnic at the castle beforehand. Normally, we visit around the 16th, on my mother’s birthday, but this year Lee and his father had kindly done the honours, placing a bunch of flowers on the commemorative bench at the foot of the castle where we scattered her ashes. We were pleased to find the flowers still in place, untouched and undisturbed.

The morning journey to North Wales had been blessed with lovely sunshine, and the afternoon remained equally fine. We were the first to arrive at the crematorium and sat quietly in the shade outside, waiting for the other mourners to join us.

Pauline was one of nine children born to Aunty Josie. Sadly, two of her siblings had already passed away before their time. Pauline had worked as a seamstress for Laura Ashley before becoming the landlady of a local pub. She is survived by her husband, John, and their children, John, Elaine, and Kieran. The youngest, Kieran, gave an excellent and at times amusing eulogy, a fitting tribute to her character.

The wake was held at Brymbo Cricket Ground, giving us a welcome opportunity to chat with relatives and catch up on family news. Regrettably, another of Josie’s children was too unwell to attend the service, and it is sadly possible that another premature ‘family get-together’ may soon be required. Coincidentally, the catering for the wake was provided by the Lemon Tree Hotel, which was also our accommodation for the night in Wrexham.

We left the cricket club around 7 p.m., pleasantly full from the excellent buffet, and made our way to the hotel via a typically convoluted one-way system. On arrival, we were informed that the hotel restaurant was closed due to electrical issues in the kitchen. Fortunately, we were already too full to consider eating, so we simply smiled and reassured them we had already dined.

Our room was on the corner of the building, right next to a busy junction that serves the local hospital. We feared a disturbed night, but in the end, it was surprisingly peaceful; perhaps the sick of Wrexham had the night off.

The kitchen issue had fortunately been resolved in time for an excellent breakfast the following morning. Before setting off for home, we took a walk into the town centre so Sue could browse around Primark. We further delayed our return to Willow Bank with a detour to the British Ironwork Centre and Sculpture Park, a fascinating place and well worth a visit to see the vast metal exhibits. The sculptures are spread across over 70 acres of parkland with walking trails, shops, and a café.

That evening, joined by several chums in the garden room, I watched a dismal and dreary draw against Slovenia, though it did secure England’s place at the top of their group for the European Championship knock-out stages. Earlier that day, Sarah, Alice, and Archie had visited with Mia, who was staying with us for the week, while they enjoyed a break at Butlins in Skegness with Lee and his parents. Founded in 1936 by Billy Butlin, it was the UK’s first-ever holiday camp and remains a popular resort for families. After lunch and a play in Welland Park, they set off to visit Charlotte and the family before heading home.

Saturday the 29th proved to be an eventful day. Having sold his Aston Martin Vantage V8 some years ago, Jamie had now decided to purchase a Vantage V12. He asked if I’d like to join him in collecting it from the Aston Martin factory in Newport Pagnell and to take a tour of the facility. Some years back, Sue and I had enjoyed a short break in a hotel next to the factory, and I had long wished for a chance to look around the world’s only independent luxury car manufacturer. Founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford, Aston Martin became indelibly linked with the fictional character James Bond following the appearance of the DB5 in the 1964 film Goldfinger. Their sports cars are now widely regarded as a British cultural icon, so, of course, I said yes.

I was surprised when Jamie arrived at Willow Bank in his Lamborghini, accompanied by his friend Tommy, with Ruth following in her Audi. I travelled with Ruth for the 50-minute journey to the showroom, while Jamie and Tommy went ahead in the Lamborghini.

Arriving for our eleven o’clock appointment, we were surprised to find the showroom bustling. Several cars stood beneath covers, ready for collection, while a number of prospective buyers milled around, inspecting the gleaming vehicles on display.

Our tour began in a large, immaculate preparation room where we were free to admire the models being readied for sale. The cost of these vehicles was eye-watering, but then, each one was handmade and exquisitely crafted. From there, we moved into another spacious room filled with renovated and vintage cars, the highlight being James Bond’s iconic DB5. It was in near-working condition, though the ejector seat and wheel spikes had, understandably, been disabled.

One sad-looking car caught my eye, covered in dust, rusting, and clearly neglected. Curious, I enquired about its story. It had recently been acquired by Aston Martin from the son of a lady who had owned it from new. She drove it for twenty years, and after her death, the son stored it in a barn, where it sat untouched for another decade. Aston Martin eventually discovered it and paid £220,000 for the vehicle. They estimated that, for another £50,000, it could be fully refurbished to showroom condition. Yet, ironically, they believed a buyer would most likely choose to preserve it exactly as it was. Twice they had scheduled its collection, only to cancel due to rain, unwilling to risk the dust being washed away during transport. What a strange world we live in, where someone might pay a small fortune not to drive a car, but to own its story.

We concluded the tour in the fabrication and assembly room, where rows of wooden templates stood ready for the panel beaters to shape the bodywork, an art form in itself.

It is tradition at the Aston Martin factory that when a car is sold, a short ceremony is held in which the purchaser pulls off the black cover concealing the vehicle. We took plenty of photos and videos as Jamie unveiled his sleek new Vantage V12, an impressive moment for him, and quite something to witness.

I rode back with Jamie in the Aston Martin, while Tommy took the wheel of the Lamborghini and Ruth followed in her Audi. The V12 was frighteningly quick. At times, I’d have felt more at ease if my foot had been on the accelerator, particularly when Jamie found a straight stretch of road and decided to test the car’s performance!

Our brief guests stayed only long enough for Sue to have a look around the new car before heading off for lunch and then continuing home to Waltham on the Wolds.

Though the stifling heat we’d brought back from Ecuador had since mellowed, Sarah and her family had a brilliant time in Skegness. The entertainment, laid on by the Butlins Redcoat team, was top-notch, plenty to keep both children and adults amused throughout their stay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the last day of June, England played their ‘get out of jail’ card and somehow managed to scrape past lowly Slovakia to reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. After leaving it until the very last minute of injury time to equalise 1–1, they scored again early in extra time to snatch a totally undeserved win. I watched the match with Sean in the garden room, where thankfully the BBQ we shared was far more palatable than the game itself.

RANT: Like many around the world, I tuned in to watch the debate between Trump and Biden, as they jostled for the presidency of the United States. What a fiasco. Two individuals who so clearly demonstrated that they are unfit for such a high office. Sadly, Biden’s cognitive decline was painfully evident; it is simply not acceptable to struggle so badly with articulating thoughts when you aspire to lead the free world. He should step aside and make way for someone more capable.
That person, however, is certainly not Donald Trump, a man whose vile character and complete lack of morality were on full display as lie after lie spilled from his mouth. His disdain for truth and accountability would spell disaster not just for America, but for the world.
Supporters, sponsors, and those in positions of influence must demand better. Both men should be replaced with candidates who are astute, principled, and trustworthy, individuals with a proven record of doing the right thing.
Mr. and Mrs. Average American deserve better. And those who have the power to make a change must now summon the courage to act.