I have had too much of those coffee beans.

 

I have no recollection of this polaroid being taken.

I remember the car though. It was the second Mini of three I have owned. My first was also red and I don't remember much about it as I bought it off a guy up the pub before I owned a full driving licence. I sold it after a few weeks and only a few miles.

My last Mini was a very plush Cooper 35 with the green leather seats (or frog skin as i used to tell my passengers) and it went like stink.

This mini was was my favourite though. A simple 850 it was born the same month, the same year, in the same town as me. Coventry. It was a Morris Mini so I unimaginatively called him Morris.

He did many a mile up and down the UK. Braved high winds and deep snow, incoming tides and angry farmers.

He was broken and fixed many times, often on the side of the road with whatever was at hand. This car taught me the little I know about car maintenance.

My favourite fix got me out of trouble when travelling back from Wales to Rugby. A spring had broken and the car was revving uncontrollably. The only way to get home was to tie my bootlaces together, pass them through both windows, under the bonnet and tie them off on the carburettor. Letting go meant the car would accelerate and pulling back shouting Whoa! (*optional) meant the car would slow down.

I got some funny looks that day. Especially when I went to pick up my girlfriend. At least I could never be accused of being a 'Boy Racer'.

Actually looking at my hair, I could only just be accused of being a boy.

He has been selling his wool Duvet's all day in Leamington. His website is http://Baavet.co.uk and his blog is http://baavet.posterous.com