John S Alty

There’ll be kites [497 words]

It isn’t often that seeing an envelope on one’s doormat transports one back some forty years through time.
Took me long enough – the wrestling of the key in the lock ever more painful thanks to the curse of arthritis; the nudging open of the door with my shoulder just enough to know I’d be able to push it wide en…[Read more]

UNTITLED  (321 words)

On Thursday, I wrote a letter. Not to send, you understand, since it wasn’t really to someone, and not to keep either, because once I had written it, and re-read it in that way that people do when they are shocked by their candour, I felt embarrassed by it.  Embarrassed by the uncontrolled rage and disappointment that I had…[Read more]

Any takers for the monthly competition? A week to go.

Fantastic blog Richard, as ever. A difficult one for me to read, as I’ve always found reading about this incident, its sheer violence and the scale of the death toll, deeply troubling. That the sport I love, and a race I love, and a driver I have always been a fan of (Hawthorn) could have been (in whatever way) responsible for such slaughter is d…[Read more]

Thanks for that interesting link, Libby. One thing it doesn’t mention about Hawthorn is how fond he was of his beer – yes, despite the kidney problems – and of horseplay under its influence. I suspect the fate of the autograph hunter was his idea of a joke rather than any act of aggression. Hawthorn’s sense of humour was not subtle. Once Sti…[Read more]

Richard, did you hear the recent item on Radio 4 on the anniversary of the loss of the Penlee lifeboat? Unexpectedly they played the last call between the lifeboat captain and Falmouth coastguard. The shock of hearing it made me weep.

Thank you, Richard. As I read your account I wondered about Hawthorn’s personality and possible similarities to some of the heroes of the two world wars – talented and determined men whose skills and outlook were sometimes too abrasive for civilian life. This piece seems to confirm that On This Day: Mike Hawthorn, Just what DID happen on 22nd…[Read more]

Quite awful accident, Richard. I sought out some of the video and still-images after reading your blog, and I have to say that Hawthorn does look, physically, like the villain of the piece. Whether he was the actual villain or not, his face relaxes into a rather smug expression that does him no favours. I was reminded of the comedian Rob Beckett,…[Read more]

Thanks, Alex. It was fun to give Pixie and Gabe an outing! I’ll have a think about a theme for the coming month.

Congratulations Daedalus!

Congratulations @Kate

Another lovely Pix and Gabe story!

Congratulations on Action this Day, @Daedalus

I look forward to reading the paperback when it comes out.

Well deserved win Kate, not only for the entrancing fairy story but for the impetus reading it gave me. And thank you Alex for the competition theme – the sort of challenge which stretches and inspires.

@ Athelstone – would it be possible to put that red reminder banner up more regularly? I confess I’d forgotten about the monthly comp and was…[Read more]

Thanks Richard

Ah, I see Edmund Clydesdale’s at it again. I’ll have to catch up with him. And there’s plenty of scope for drama in those Arctic convoys. One sale made.

Kindle out now, paperback in a couple of weeks