McJim

As opposed to Boris "I will not resign after misleading Parliament" Johnson. He's more than annoyed those who could not be with their loved ones at the time of their death. We have a word for folk like him up here - a chancer. A charlatan, who's more interested in himself and being Prime Minister than those who can't pay the rapidly rising bills they face. At least wee Nicky does her best to mitigate the blows dealt by Boris and his multi millionaire Chancellor, both of whom are so out of touch, they could teach Putin a lesson or two in how not to deal with the truth. First, deny everything. Second obfuscate. Third, blame the Ukranians/Labour Party/I was misled* (Delete as appropriate). Rant over. Jim.

Bugger to source tartan paint let me tell you. Jim.

Just remember, that like the poor Ukranians your xenophobic government are trying to deter by making the visa obligations so difficult, I've had a word with wee Nicky and you'll either have to have a Scottish relation or be sponsored by someone in Scotland over the internet to get in. Photographs on the internet of those trying for visas will be required and the ugly ones amongst you will certainly be refused. So, no Jason Chinn, for example. No "dick pics" either. This is a respectable country - it is God's own after all. I would sponsor you Tim, but I can't understand a word you say. Love to you all poor Southerners. Jim.

Katy's and mine arrived this morning too. Thanks Tim. Katy coming round to the idea of having another go at the RBRR. The Scotch Pie Hunters are coming back! Jim.

Bruce, No attachment, just look below this message. Jim.

Good man, Bruce. I've updated the logo as shown below. BTW it's Ramsay Blue Modern Tartan as it matches the colour of the Spitfire. I'll try and get some new stickers for August. Let me know if you want one on a magnetic backsheet like the ones from the RBRR. Jim.

For those you who were unable to attend Paul's funeral yesterday, I have attached the Order of Service. It was an incredibly moving and poignant service and it showed how much Paul was loved and will be missed not only by members of Club Triumph but by his close friends, the community of Drighlington, that he was such a huge part of and by his friends and regulars at The Railway in Drighlington. He was a big man in many ways, in his laughter, his generosity, his sense of fun, his fashion sense in waistcoats and the warmth he generated when he met you. When he talked to you, it was as if you were the centre of attention and he made you feel part of his world. A lovely guy and a loss to us all. Jim.

Thanks Andy. Katy and I will be attending. Jim.

I just found out this very, very sad news and I'm pretty devastated. We didn't meet up that often but there was always a close bond between the both of us when we did. I'd call him a big Yorkshire Pud and he'd call me a Hairy, Haggis-Botherer. We first came into contact on the Club Forum from about 2005 and would spend many a happy moment winding each other up and also those that we both knew - Martin Randle was often the unsuspecting victim. It wasn't until Tim Bancroft invited me to share driving duties on the 2007 10 Countries Run that I finally met Paul in person. It's often said that those you have a high opinion of on the internet turn out to be less than you expected when you met them in real life. Paul didn't fall into that category - quite the opposite, in fact. He was larger than life, full of fun, with a great generosity, a razor-sharp wit and sense of humour and not a bad bone in his body. I'd look forward to meeting up with him at Club Triumph events and would spend a few marvellous moments laughing and joking with him. I remember driving in a convoy of about five or six cars through France in the middle of the night on the 2007 10CR when we all stopped in a lay-by for a break. I was totally knackered but then, from nowhere, Paul stuck his head in the GT6 and said, "C'mon McJim. Have a look at this. We stopped here before and this is incredible." And he was right. Above us were more stars than I'd ever seen. The first time that I ever saw the Milky Way. It was magical. We enjoyed a fair few beers at the finish at Rolduc together and I realised that Paul was a special human being. And then there was the 2012 Round Britain Reliability Run, Lambrini incident. For years, on the Forum, I had wound up all the little Englanders for being soft and drinking Lambrini. Well, that came back to haunt me when marshalling with my mate, David Huddy, at the Carter Bar control on the Scotland/England border. About the third car into the control gave me a present of a bottle of Lambrini. Very funny, I thought. Then the next and the next car did the same. I ended up with 32 bottles of Lambrini that night. I later found out that my good "friend" Mr Darbyshire has cleared the shelves of Lidl of Lambrini and being such an ebullient character was able to persuade all those crews to take part in the wind-up. The worst part of it for me, was driving home at 3:30 in the morning and worrying that if we were to be stopped by the police how two men of a certain age, in a girly Alfa Romeo could explain all this Lambrini in the boot. When I saw him at the Wetherby control on the 2021 RBRR, I was shocked by how much weight he had lost. I asked what diet he was on and had he given up the beer? He said he was eating and carrying on as usual and I think he was trying to tell me, subtly, that all was not well. After we got our road book signed, I went to look for him for a longer chat but he had disappeared and I never saw my friend, Paul, again. About two weeks ago, he contacted me privately to let me know about his health problems and I said I would keep in touch but he was gone so quickly. It's not often, in life, that you come across someone like Paul, but when you do, savour the experience, the friendship and the positivity it brings with it. Knowing Paul and calling him a friend made my life so much richer for just knowing him. In Club Triumph, there were three people who inspired me. Now, two of them are gone. There are fewer laughs now and my world is that more sad. Rest in peace Big Man. You great Yorkshire Pud. I'll miss you. Jim. Your Haggis-Bothering friend.

The Gallery is in the Forum section. Jim

Found a few old pen drives while clearing out some drawers. One of the pen drives was of particular interest and I thought I'd share the photos on it with all of you. I've stuck them in the Gallery Section with Round Britains from 2010 with myself and David Huddy in the ex-Graham Reeks GT6, 2006 mainly at Conan Bridge and 2004 at Morrisons Garage in Stirling. There's a few faces we perhaps haven't seen for a while and, sadly, one or two we'll never see again. Great memories. Jim.