Here are some photos from my recent visit to the Isle Of Wight (click on any one to enlarge):

(click on photo to enlarge)

Several people have asked to see a picture of my new car, so here it is.

It is a Rover 45 and, as you probably know, they are at present being sold with BIG discounts, while stocks last.

It came with a 2-year dealer's gurantee and there is a promise of spares for years to come.

I believe that the Chinese company that has taken over the MG/Rover factory at Longbridge has said that they will resume production of all the models that were discontinued earlier this year.

Mine only has a 1.4 engine and it is a little sluggish in performance compared with my previous car - a Peugeot 206. But it is larger and heavier.

It is a real "old man's car".

But so what?

That's me!

I recently decided to go back to my roots and visit Hadleigh in Essex, where I lived in 1938/9.

I tried to find the actual house, but the whole side of the street had been pulled down and rebuilt in 1956,

Although I spoke to several residents, none of them remembered it as it was.

However, I also visited Hadleigh Castle, which had not changed at all.

Here are some photos (click on any to enlarge):

Later I went into Southend-On-Sea (or 'Southend-On-The Mud', as some people call it).

Thank goodness, when I was there it was high tide.

The tide goes out a very long way, leaving acres of ooze.

That is why Southend has the longest pleasure pier in the world - 1.34 miles. There is a diesel/electric railway along it and the concession fare for me, an OAP, was only £1.50 return.

A bargain - and it saved me walking nearly 3 miles.

Here are some more photos (click on any to enlarge):