On Friday evening John and I went over to the LIGHTS Theatre in Andover where Kim’s choir were doing a Concert. A group of about 20 adults – The Andover Museum Loft Singers – gave us such a great evening, singing folk songs old and new.in sweet-sounding harmony. They, and their two Conductors, were so enthusiastic and so obviously enjoyed their singing, that it was impossible not to delight in it too. Added to the mix, the Conductor and another guy – forming Belshazzar's Feast – played fabulous music together on flute, electric violin, and accordian, intermingled with a seemingly off-the-cuff comedy routine which had us roaring with laughter. Such great entertainment, and as parents we loved seeing our daughter perform. No matter what their age, we parents just burst with pride watching our progeny doing their stuff!
Then next day we were all at Thruxton Circuit where Kim and her family had booked me a Supercar Heaven Experience for my 70th birthday present. I had during the previous months been rather terrified about it all, but on the warm sunny day, with lots of family around, I felt really excited. After three laps in a saloon car with an instructor and two male students like myself being shown the track, and being fitted with a crash helmet, I was given one of the 9 gleaming red Porsche Cayman’s lined up in the pit. I moved nervously out on to the track, more worried about steering between the cones than thinking of my driving – ‘ you can move into second you know’ my Instructor murmured kindly. Knowing my great age he no doubt rather expected this old lady to take it all pretty carefully! However, once out on the track I really loved the feel of the car and went for it. As I drove out of one particular long corner (Church) for the first time, my Instructor actually gasped ‘That’s the best I’ve seen that driven all day!’ – I couldn’t have been more thrilled and drove with new found confidence . The chicane was my biggest challenge – I always came into it too fast and couldn’t then drive the necessary ‘line’ , but when we got back in the pits after 3 gloriously exhilerating laps, the Instructor beamed at me and asked what speed I thought I was doing out there and coming into some of the corners. ’40 – 60mph’ I replied ….. ‘in first or second maybe’ he spluttered. ‘ I watched the clock – you were doing 100 mph – better than some of the men’
So I trotted off well pleased with myself to experience the truly beauteous Aston Martin V8 Vantage – silky-grey with a black soft top – magnificent! I will NEVER forget the buzz I got when, having turned the key, I pressed the button and the engine roared into life. Hells Bells! However, this was quite a different beast, for it had no clutch or gear stick, just little metal levers on either side of the small steering wheel to move up and down the gears. Thus, when the Instructor told me to ‘Brake. Change Down’ there was a split second when I thought - ‘which lever is that?’ – and at those speeds there isn’t really time to think, just act. Still, it being my one chance to drive an Aston, on the last lap I really just put my foot right down, passed various Porsches and others seeming to dawdle round the track, and bubbled with excitement. I even managed to master the chicane the last time round, so came back into the pits to park the magnificent creature feeling on top of the world, and ended up with a 79% pass mark on my Certidicate, which I felt was pretty damn good. ...considering.
It was great having family there – John took a video, Martin took masses of photos which he’s making into an album, and Jon bought a couple of the official photos actually taken out on the track. To my delight you can see a huge smile on my face, though I was totally unaware of cameras. Afterwards Jon cracked champagne to celebrate and Kim produced a superb baked salmon evening meal for us all. We finished the evening watching a re-run of the Grand National to see which of us had won the Sweepstake (Martin)
Thankyou Kim and Martin for making me FEEL young again!
As if all this wasn’t enough, I had one more big treat in store. Jenny had booked me an Indian Head Massage and Spa session at Monty’s at Charlton House Hotel as a Mothers Day present. The roads over the Mendips are wonderful to drive on a good day, and I was in luck – scarcely a car to be seen, so I enjoyed driving my little red Jazz as fast as is legal, being familiar with every twist and turn of the road. It was lovely – but made me realise JUST how much faster I got to drive round the Thruxton Circuit.
I utterly adored the Indian Head Massage, which was THE most gorgeously relaxing experience. Luckily the therapist was behind me all the while, for I can imagine my face in freefall was not a pretty sight. But such bliss. Afterwards I was able to pop in and out of the various spa ‘rooms’ - be pummelled and soaked in the deliciously warm pool – and flop in my cosy bathrobe on comfortable sofas to read my book. All this on a Monday morning – such decadence.
Thankyou Jenny and Alasdair for helping me LOOK, if just for a short while, a bit younger again.
For anyone who imagines that at 70 life as you know it comes to an end……. I’m here to say that I find mine gets better and better., thanks to such a kind and thoughtful family. I really do appreciate that I’m a very lucky old(ish) lady indeed!
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