It is great seeing them do what they were intended to do; that is, thrashing up and down the Trunk roads of the UK at top speed (although I think 70mph is pushing it for extended periods). I saw, at Blenheim, a guy who's spotless example arrived on a low loader, only to suffer the indignity of having mirrors angled beneath it so that passers-by could admire its trunnion hygeine and its lovingly - buffed nipples. It should have been a bit patched, full of gear, covered in dead flies and hurtling at ramming speed up the AI, with a couple of people grinning inside it. As mine often is. If you do the maths, there is no road tax, and you should be able to get fully comp insurance for £70 on a limited mileage. There are also bits under the bonnet that can actually be fixed cheaply should they go wrong - which they don't.

My beloved vehicle will be off to Roscommon in the summer to transport 2/3rds of Cara and its chattels and Mrs. Oakley for a holiday and to record Cara's next CD.

I can't wait.