Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello everyone my name is Rose and I am 58 years old. My hobbies are Twitter, gardening, classic cars, art, photography and spending time with my dog.
Recently I became very stressed when my beloved 12 year old dog was dying of heart disease and things were incredibly hard for me at work. Things have always been very challenging at work, I always end up in conflict with colleagues or managers, but as I get older it is more difficult to keep finding new jobs. This has finally led to me seeking an autism diagnosis after years of wondering if I am autistic.
I had my first meeting with a psychologist for my autism assessment last week. I was amazed at how much we talked about in that hour and a half. So many things from my childhood and adult life are starting to make sense. Lots of 'what ifs' and 'if onlys' started going through my mind but I am trying not to feel regret. I phoned my younger sister afterwards and she said she has thought for years that I am autistic (she thinks my Dad is autisitc too).
After my Norfolk Terrier died I realised that I could not cope without a dog as a best friend. A week later my husband and I adopted a Border Terrier who had been used for breeding and was not wanted now she cannot have any more puppies. She was very nervous when she first arrived but she is beginning to trust us (see photo below). I badly injured my ankle going on too many dog walks, so I am off work at present. In a way this is a good thing as it has removed me from a very stressful work situation. It has also given me time to think about the autism assessment process.
Finding this online community and reading some of the discussion threads has been incredibly helpful. It's wonderful to be among people who have had similar experiences.
The length of time that the Beetle was in production and ease of keeping them on the road are probably big factors in this. The Beetle, like the 2CV, was deliberately designed to be as cheap and simple as possible, with its torsion bar suspension and air-cooled engine. The Beetle was still in production in South America into the 2000's, and the engine even later, so spare parts are relatively easy to come by, and quite a few professional garages specialising in Beetles and Combis have been available to help owners who don't have the necessary mechanical skills to maintain or renovate their own.
Maybe it's because there were just so many Morris Minors in the U.K. There are still quite a few on the road being used as 'daily drivers'. I like the fact that Morris Minors are used all over the world. But they never really took off in the USA like the VW Beetle - perhaps,that made them less 'cool' and less popular as a classic car.
Our family had a Morris minor. I notice they did not become popular as a vintage the way the Volkswagen beetle did
Must watch Big Bang Theory - have never done so. Will look out for Sheldon. My husband is a lovely man who needs his own space too which is a blessing for me. We both enjoy the car stuff as a common interest. As a child my dad taught me lots of useful skills - mixing cement, mending cars, building Lego and Meccano. Used to love going with him to the hardware shop & garage. He would also take me to visit Mr Lucas who had a workshop where he did welding and other amazing things.I love the smell of dirty grease and Swarfega even now!! What fun you and your dad must have had together... lovely to have learnt so much from him. In those days I insisted on being called Jack because back in the 1960s girls were quite constrained by gender based expectations. I rebelled!
I watch them all, including Chasing Classic Cars with Wayne Corrine but i am also an avid fan of the Big Bank Theory - Sheldon is me! me! me! in so many ways. Your hubby seems to be the best. i got all i know from my dad, we had loads of stuff in the 40's right up till they died.
Thank you for this it's very interesting indeed. Do you ever watch the TV programme Wheeler Dealers where they do up and sell old classic cars? Some of them were recorded a few years ago and when we check online we find the cars they restored have been allowed to rot and are off the road again. It's a tragedy - an important part of motoring heritage is being lost because people won't spend money on 'boring' things like rustproofing and maintenance. My husband is joining in with this conversation now - he says Prescott is where MGs made their name in the 1920s. I am proud to be an anorak and to be married to one too!
On one sunny Sunday at Prescott this year, there were over 1000 vintage cars on display, there is a huge field and its was packed, that was along side many other stalls, stands etc and then the Hill Climb, The hill climb is all accessible and some of the oldest cars have set the fastest times and these cars are worth millions, yet they race to win - so brave. An old Bentley crashed into a tree and damaged the left front axle - no bother, that can mend. Its worth £££££££'s
The Bugatti Trust is full of amazing stuff and some of the people one meets, are amazing many have been hill climbing all their lives going right back and if you look at https://www.prescott-hillclimb.com/bugatti-owners-club/the-bugatti-trust and browse through its amazing. but then i am an anorak, so love anything mechanical.
How fantastic! It's wonderful that you have managed to accommodate so much in your own home, as well as putting some in museums for other people to enjoy. I saw a miniature diorama at the last car show I went to, and there are some life-size ones at the Micro Car Museum in Lincolnshire. The guitars sound incredible I would imagine they are quite challenging to make.
thanks
Wow!
just ,,,wow!
Awesome collection.
Hi There
I have over 1000 models of cars, trucks, buses, trains etc in my very small oap sheltered accommodation, but my brother has over 50 vintage bikes, i have had many and put some in museums along with several musical instruments as i now no longer have space or the time to play with them all. i have about 12 dioramas of boats, planes, canal locks and boats and a train layout. i have just made 10 guitars, about 10 inches long on my wall, i also have a bedroom full of guitars on the wall. speak soon thanks for your reply.
Lovely to meet you. The car is a 1962 Morris Minor. It's the third one I have owned! Getting to be a bit of a habit buying Moggy Minors... In my limited experience of friendship people with dogs make the best friends as we always have something in common. Good to know you have such a friend. All sorts dogs are wonderfully individual and often much healthier than pedigree breeds.
Sorry to hear you are struggling after retirement - I had to stop working for a time when my husband was ill and I know there are all sorts of challenges not being at work. I also have a bit of insight into struggles associated with OCD through one of my former partners.
What sort of classic cars and motorcycles do you like? As a baby I travelled in a homemade sidecar attached to my dad's Norton motorcycle. Can't remember much about that but I have very fond memories of our first family car (a wonderful Morris Traveller!).
Thank you so much for your lovely message.
God Bless you too.
Hi Rose Is that picture of a Morris traveler? I too am into classic cars and motorcycles
I also love dogs i do not have one but am friends with a lady who has and black (like Labrador) but 'all sorts'.
I like your comments at the bottom of your intro I have Asperger's and OCD struggle all the time now i am retired
God Bless
Kay jay (male Retired)
Insecurity. You Don't have an assured income. Many students don't want to verify invoiced, but I need these to show I have a good business. Working through a language school can be miserable, if the students complain to the school instead of addressing their concerns to me.
I nearly applied for a field work vacancy recently nexus9there seem to be definite advantages like a bit more autonomy and flexibility - no more team meetings or having to pretend to be sociable. Sounds too good to be true - what do you find are the bad things about doing field work?
This all sounds wonderful! How fantastic to have an uncle with such an amazing collection! I enjoyed visiting Crich Tramway village and museum a few years ago. Have you ever been? Fascinating to see the evolution from horse power to steam and then electric trams.
Been into steam for years - my uncle has his own traction engine, Sentinal steam lorry and a Stanley Steamer (amongst a whole load of other toys).
The two Kempton engines are huge - you can do a tour of the non-operational one (if you're fit) and climb right to the top.
I did Brooklands last week - excellent museum - it's been recently expanded/upgraded so it's a whole day experience. I'm off to The Shuttleworth Collection on Wednesday - a nice gentle day out.
Wow, Kempton - can't believe how good this sounds - next weekend there will be MGs Meccano and steam pumping engines the size of a block of flats! http://www.kemptonsteam.org
I'll check out Kew Bridge steam museum too - thank you so much for these recommendations. It's lovely to meet a fellow steam enthusiast.
It will be worth the wait to go on The Waverley. Third time lucky as they say! We got picked up from Clacton Pier then steamed round the coast and up The Thames disembarking in London at twilight. Totally awesome! If you like roast dinners they do a fantastic one on The Waverley but you have to book it in advance. How exciting that the Maid of the Loch is being restored - something else to add to my list! Were the puffins there when you last visited Lundy? I've never been to Lundy but I love the name because it features in the shipping forecast. Lovely to meet you by the way.
If you're into big steam, I can recommend the Kempton Steam Museum - that have 2 enormous (1000 ton) steam pumping engines - of similar size to the Titanic's engines (it was used in the film for the engine room). They get one going every now & then.
Kew Bridge steam museum is good too - 90" & 110" (piston diameter) beam engines.