Cameras, I'm discovering, are a bit like dogs. They're great for starting conversations. I saw this beautiful
old Austin parked in Carlingford today and asked the driver if I could take a photograph. Tom was delighted
to let me do so and even took a photograph of me sitting in the driver's seat of his pride and joy.
Tom's is a 1928 model which he imported from Scotland about two years ago. It's in perfect condition, right down
to the shining brass fire extinguisher which was carried in case of fire - the petrol tank was under the
driver's seat. A spare tank of petrol was also carried outside on the running board as there were few
petrol stations back then. Petrol, he told me, was sold in chemists.
This detail is the temperature gauge, which when turned round towards the windscreen, let the driver
know how the engine was getting on.
And as well as getting my photo for today, I've also got Tom lined up to be interviewed for a feature I
do in The Argus about people's hobbies and passions in life.