catgate Posted February 22, 2018 Report Share Posted February 22, 2018 http://www.culturevannin.im/video_story_297420.html One day, about '71 or '72 , on what was probably our first holiday in the Isle of Man, we were walking down a lane towards the sea and came across a cottage at the side of the lane. The cottage was situated "end on" to the road, and there was a garage built on at the back, with its entry/exit door facing the road. There was also a fairly large garden divided into sections by paths. It was June and every thing seemed to be growing to perfection. As we looked and wondered, out came the owner, Mr. Keith Kennaugh. This was the start of a friendship with him and his family which is still ongoing. Keith was, like a lot of Manx men, fairly interested in motor cycles, and he had gradually built up a small collection. The best of the collection was a 500cc Vincent, the worst was a BSA 250cc. There were a dozen or so more bikes mostly in bits and needing love and care. In the period covered above I had built for myself a two seater "sports car". It was a "Mini Gem". I bought a Mini Gem fibreglass body and put into it Mini Cooper running gear and fittings. The first summer after completion we went to IoM in it, and as usual we made Keith's our first call. He looked at the Mini Gem with glee. There was a Garden Show on down in Port St Mary and he had entered a cauliflower. Now his gardening was really serious and so was the cauliflower. It would not go through any door in his car (a Morris 1100) but it looked as though the Mini Gem rear window/hatch would just accept the cauliflower. It did and so off we went. To get into the hall where the show was being staged we had to open both swinging doors to carry it through. Yes of course he took first prize. It might have been the following year that Keith wanted to buy the Mini Gem, so we did a deal. We swapped several old motor cycles (and bits) for a Mini Jem. There could be a book written about Keith and his gardening but sadly he died about three years ago whilst still a fairly active chap. Both his children are now married but his wife still keeps the garden at the front of the house like a picture. The garden at the back of the house, and at the side of the road, ceased being "a garden" before his demise but it still has his touch firmly worked in to it. RIP Keith https://www.culturevannin.im/video_story_297420.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanHo Posted February 22, 2018 Report Share Posted February 22, 2018 A splendid story, and so well told. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catgate Posted February 22, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2018 I am at a loss to understand how the above text can have been changed between leaving my screen and its arrival on this screen!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted February 23, 2018 Report Share Posted February 23, 2018 What has changed in your text, catgate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catgate Posted February 23, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2018 Q What has changed in your text, catgate? It does not appear to have been tampered with, but Alan's "A splendid story, and so well told." made me think someone had got in and smartened it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanHo Posted February 23, 2018 Report Share Posted February 23, 2018 Ah - one of your subtle cryptic comments - even I, who is well accustomed to them - failed to read between the lines........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catgate Posted February 23, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2018 I sometimes wonder myself if I understand what I have written. I put it down to senility and lack of intelligence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanHo Posted February 23, 2018 Report Share Posted February 23, 2018 Fred : You are not alone in the mild senility club - I got a free entry. Just about the only thing I can rely on my memory for is peoples names Harry. Each day is a lottery - what have I come upstairs for - where did I leave my keys - what is my mobile phone number - what is this debit on my bank statement - are but a few regulars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catgate Posted February 23, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2018 Re. Keith Kennaugh and family. His mother was another delightful bundle of fun. One day we were walking up the road, towards the path that leads out, through a little wooded area, to the farthest edge of the island. We had not gone far when we came up behind Keith's mother. She said she too was going to the wooded area, on her daily walk. So we walked along together and chatted about this, that and the other. As we were started to enter the wooded area she said that she came every day (weather permitting) to feed her pets. She would not tell us what they were and we would find out in due course. After walking another 30 yards, or so, we came upon a "park bench" (the sort with arms at each end) and there we sat down. She opened the bag she was carrying and pulled out some bread and started calling "ROBBY PUFF-PUFF", "ROBBY PUFF-PUFF" , "ROBBY PUFF-PUFF". After another few "ROBBY PUFF-PUFFs" a lovely friendly Robin came and sat on the arm of the seat where she sat, and pecked bread or something similar from her hand. The robin ate its fill and then flew off. "Ratty", "Ratty","Ratty", a few times, brought a very friendly rat out of the long grass. It sat on the floor looking up at her and it received in return the same as what Robby Puff-Puff had gobbled. Just as quickly as they appeared they disappeared, and management and I just sat in wonderment wishing we could have a replay! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belatucadrus Posted February 23, 2018 Report Share Posted February 23, 2018 2 hours ago, AlanHo said: what is my mobile phone number I have no idea what mine is, I've got it written down somewhere but as I don't call it and generally don't give it out have never seen the point of memorising it. The one that bugs me is my old watch, it sat in a drawer for ages with a broken watch strap and flat battery. I buy a new battery and replace the damaged bit on the strap, wear it twice then put it down somewhere. Can I remember where ? Can I hell, I've checked all the obvious places and as many of the less obvious ones, not a trace. Now to be honest it's not an expensive watch and no great loss, but boy is it irritating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanHo Posted February 23, 2018 Report Share Posted February 23, 2018 Keep a watch out for it. Unless of course it would wind you up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belatucadrus Posted February 23, 2018 Report Share Posted February 23, 2018 4 minutes ago, AlanHo said: Keep a watch out for it. Unless of course it would wind you up. I will It does. I'm not short of watches but to lose it within weeks of fixing the damned thing . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted February 24, 2018 Report Share Posted February 24, 2018 You lot make my brain hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belatucadrus Posted February 24, 2018 Report Share Posted February 24, 2018 58 minutes ago, andsome said: You lot make my brain hurt. Oh joy, finally success, I can retire to the country and enjoy life knowing my lifes aim is achieved and I feel fulfilled. On second thoughts I already live in the country and in general enjoy life, so I need to rethink that one. I'll get back to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catgate Posted February 25, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2018 I am pleased we have at last managed to bring three cornered circuit boards into the daylight after all these weeks since it was first mentioned. Neva Bend, the brand that Robert was pushing, seem to be loosing favour due to the angularity of their bends. Even though we do not use them, they really should be made neatly. On the other hand, if just going across the road, to clip in the dredge valve every three hundred yards, is a chore, then Stanley should be moved to another tower. The new one in Clitheroe, next to the back door of the barbers in Chapel Street, is a prime example on how not to dispose of unwanted dredgings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandalph Posted February 28, 2018 Report Share Posted February 28, 2018 That one is a cracker catgate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted February 28, 2018 Report Share Posted February 28, 2018 My brain hurts even more now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanHo Posted February 28, 2018 Report Share Posted February 28, 2018 56 minutes ago, andsome said: My brain hurts even more now. It must be at times like this that you wish you didn't have such a massive brain full of enviable wisdom and knowledge. Oh - I'll do it for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted February 28, 2018 Report Share Posted February 28, 2018 Why groan? It’s true I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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