The First Signs of Spring

As the first signs of spring appear a young man’s thoughts turn to romance and love. Unfortunately I’m not one of those young men anymore??and my thoughts turn to removing snow tires and clearing away the winter debris from the lawn. Alas, I was young once and marvelled at the signs of spring just as young men do today. One of the most desirable items of spring was a car. A car in which to take ones sweetheart out in. Yet most young men were like me and could not afford a car, certainly not a racy little convertible. Nevertheless, I have some wonderful memories of the vehicles I managed to borrow for my romantic flights of fantasy. My first romantic motoring adventure was in a Bond Three Wheeler (see first top photo). This was not an ideal car for romantic pursuits, two small front seats with a large gear box tunnel in between. The back seat was suitable only for midgets. My next adventure on wheels took place in a 1948 Bedford van, again only two uncomfortable front seats. The van belonged to my brother-in-law and he had bought it from an undertaker where it had been used gently moving and delivering coffins. By the spring of 1960 things were looking up, my brother-in-law had a 1958 Ford Zephyr. I borrowed it whilst home on leave from the navy. This was the answer to romance on wheels. I drove my girl out to the airport to watch planes landing and taking off. Of course I was more interested in getting her clothes off!!wasn’t going to happen though. But I did make a huge breakthrough by craftily slipping my hand under her arm and onto a breast. It remained there for all of two seconds before she brushed it away. I had little further automobile success and tried my luck first with a motorcycle and side car. That was a complete failure! a Lambretta Scooter did not improve things!. Finally I bought a 1936 Hillman Minx. It too had small uncomfortable front seats, but a large comfortable back seat. I loved my Hillman Minx and thats all I will tell you on this fine spring morning. Ah! the memories of our youth, wonderful times of love, broken hearts and pain and then new adventures in love. Oops!!! time to change those tires.