TTFAN SAYS:

..............................Yes Nicki, I have spent a lot of nostalgic time up in my loft recently, researching an article or two, going through my "Vast TT Collection" and lots of wonderful memories came flooding back...........

(Couple of memories....)

You see, everything is bagged for easy reference, by the year.......

I hope to get to TT 2007 but am already wondering if I should try something new after then, since the TT of this new era does not have the thrill of days gone by (and I am also retired and now look even more for value for money)

I have been extremely loyal to the Isle of Man TT through all the good and bad days, making the annual pilgrimage, sometimes doing two and three trips over to fit in with school, then college then jobs. However, with the political correctness, HASWA, and tails shaking dogs, we are all seeing less for more financial outlay.

When I think of the hard earned cash I have spent on the Island over these last 60 years, I could have had a very expensive stamp collection, see even more of the world or had a bigger house.

I'm not really complaining, because since 1947 I have had something which has been a major part of my life and therefore, I do not regret being a TT Fan.

I have written websites about my TT annual visits (http://www.bbhmg.com), but this years (2006) was less TT and more incidental information such as the ferry, nostalgia etc.

Reading recent articles about what is formally planned for TT 2007, hearing the impromtu responses ( Nah, we go to the BSB now) of many of my friends who actually gave up immediately after Joey Dunlop died (not at the TT), and or the Foot and Mouth scare, and realising how much these visits are costing the spectator, I wonder if we will all return in 2008 !!

It is nice and cosy in my loft, rather like going back to the womb, and I sit up there with bags of TT relics, books, badges and paperwork and it only costs me a half-bottle of wine and the electricity to light up the loft (and a sore bum of course!)...............

I still take a lot of time out to promote the Isle of Man and its famous TT races, but I feel I am becoming very less convincing when I try to whip up interest, when all I have to use in my talks are the stories of the "olden days"..........................................

Thank you, Ian.......

(From an interview with BBHMG READING)