a restorers' co-operative

Had a phonecall at lunchtime today from Brian to say that he has access to a truck today and could he go to the Goat Lady's farm to collect the roof-rack. Gave him the details, then rang Ted, the landowner, and confirmed it all with him. He made a pretense of being cross because it is a useful thing to tie his donkeys to.

The roof-rack is the most save-able bit of the van and it is good to know that it is going to a good home. I had blogged that I was going to visit Brian, but that was cancelled when I injured my back, so we haven't actually met yet, but he is a good chap, a friend of Truman's. The reason I wanted to write today was that his call got me thinking that what we have as a small group of like-minded people is far more valuable than any owner's club. Brian was asking if he should join and that was what got me thinking.

Like I told Ted, his generosity in giving me free access to the old lady's van had started a pattern. I was able to give Truman some bits he needed and he has given me a lot in return. Brian has been very helpful to Truman and in turn Truman had asked if Brian, who very kindly brought some springs up from Truman, could have the roof-rack that he and I had rescued. Money does not change hands. I have lost count of the many transactions which, if they had involved money, could easily have been very expensive. Truman is very generous - glad to have the opportunity to say a big thank-you to him here.

What we have is, in fact, a co-operative. It has come about rather naturally and it is one of the splendid things about the whole project (yes, I know splendid sounds old-fashioned, but sometimes the old things are the best.....not least of all for restorers of old things).