h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi Grumps Can I ask what yrs you were a steward at the park cause I have raced there in 68 -69 season as a monkey .See Az photo album page 16 I think but not on that outfit

You just missed me - moved south by then. I guess I was there regularly for the 64-66 seasons and occasionally afterwards if I could get there.

In 68-69 season I almost all the nationals and internationals all over the country ,race every weekend somewhere good fun

I raced in almost , should read

Did you have the full frontal lobbotomy - compulsory for all 'monkeys' - assuming that I am right - monkey = sidecar rider?

In /on a sidecar is the best way to get round a track in my opinion

I didn't find it scary at all

I think I only went to one meet for those with less than four wheels - Morgans not withstanding - though they were often powered by JAP vee twins for racing. Favourite meets were club and historic. Rarely missed the TT. Saw Moss in the Ferguson 4wd, Sir Gwain Baille in Ford Galaxie, Jim Clarke in Lotus Cortina, Salvadori in Jag and much more.

I often went to the TT too but only as a spectater, in the beginning I used to camp at Union Mills, then in 68 I camped in the pitts ,I was supposed to do the race but was on crutches with a dislocated left hip from a crash at the king of Brands easter races, later stayed in hotels 89 and 91 went to it all the way from here <>.

I also see that you play ? with clay , want to embelish cause I did it pro for the first 15yrs here in Japan , now I play with a forge and anvil in fact this morning I was working on a door handle for a new house my friend designed and is building .

I am semi retired really but will take orders during the cool season ,it pays for my smoke .

I saw myself as a spectater on the 89TT dukes video

That was a bit of a leap. Were you clay workin g in the UK first and what tradition did you follow in Japan.

When I moved away from Cheshire, born in south, I eventually became a teacher, and ran the school sailing club. Stopped that some while back as I had too many other thing on my plate. Retired, but very busy -including some p/t work.

Putting it simply I started into clay at nightschool in Malmesbury in 74 and fell in love with it , moved to Santa Cruz california in 76 and carried on at night classes, the first class their I was better than the teacher so she sent me to a more advanced class he the new teacher liked my work too so he taught me glaze making and firing tech then I built my own kiln .Around 80 I decided I didn't like living in the usa so came back home and tried to start up in england but thatcher didn't encourage /help at all so with a Japanese wife in tow came to Japan and in about 9 mths had built a kiln and workshop . J people liked my work and bought it so now I have 3 houses and 3 workshops here Im not rich but Iv'e never had a mortgage .

I have lived by my art ever since coming here and that was what I always wanted to do since my school days

I have always been a biker haven'tridden in a while but I do have a blue Triumph Sprint parked outside in my carport with all the camping gear to go anywhere. I like 10 day touring in Hokkaido best.

Wow! full of admiration.

Drivebelts......