I was on the cross-channel ferry from Skatesmuff en route to the 2010 Le Mans Classic and got chatting to Derek Bell, (5 times winner of the 24 hour race) again…he’s an old friend. He wasn’t driving that year…just taking part in a documentry about the 1970 film “Le Mans” as it was the 40th anniversary of the event.
Derek tutored Steve McQueen for the movie who stayed with him at his home in West Sussex…had a long chat reminiscing about those time and the fun we had trying to get Steve up to the required standard to make him somewhat competitive. Great times. Here’s a picture of the three of us: Derek, left…me in the centre and Steve right.
OK the secret’s out…I was sworn to secrecy whilst Steve was alive…he always insisted standing on an orange box in stills and movie shots. Sad but true.
A few years ago, a mutual friend -knowing that I had a great interest in steam-power, introduced me to my hero Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Long story short, which involved some dodgy suspension bridges and vacuum-pumped railways, I met up with him at the launch of the SS Great Britain.
Issie (I can call him Issie because we went on to become besties) is 2nd right - I’m in the centre of the photo with a slightly camp stance, wearing a flowery shirt (sadly not visible) and holding a rather large autograph book.
In this picture, you can see me at the court of Henry VIII. Henry was Welsh, and liked to keep a few fellow Celts around his court, so that he could talk freely of his deep-felt love of all things ovine - all of it, naturally, delivered in beautiful close harmony.
As you can see, Henry and I are both holding a book. This is the Great Book of Llareggub, a mighty Welsh work of prophecy in which it is foretold that one day a great hero will emerge to lead his people to glory. This hero is described as having magnificent ears and a terrifying hairstyle, and takes the name Gyrudd Byull.
Many think that Henry was a bit of a bastard, what with having two of his wives beheaded and all. But I have to say, if you’d ever met Anne Boleyn…
