the squiggle Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 2010, what a bit of a strange year. Started off well with a glorious shindig round the north of Scotland enjoying motoring the way it was always intended Enjoyed a jaunt down to Prodrive for a rather noisy P1 Gahthering Came in my pants at the offer of a pax run in the McRae R4 Prototype with 5 times British Champion James McRae Esq Enjoyed a run across Europe at 50 mph with my trusty co-pilot to the Czech Republic for the McRae Vision Charity, seen some weird driving sights i will never forget Then it went a bit downhill, the dicky shoulder i had turned out to be a form of Musculer Dystrophy and while looking for that they found half of my left lung missing and something wrong with my heart that they want a closer look at. Stopped working 6 months ago, not through choice but the ****er at work became a bit too much of a ****er to handle so i walked. Due to this, some may say foolish but some may say brave manouvere i have had to make a few sensible decisions, i know the word sensible and me dont really go together but in this case it really was a no brainer. The hardest was having to sell the Banana, good chance the DVLA might want my licence back so having a silly hp car aint the best idea at the moment, luckily thier is another bonkers man out there that has agreed to purchase said lunatic mobile, that helps a lot as it takes a fair weight off my already aching shoulders. Feck all they can do except try (and fail miserably) control the pain, monitor its progress and possibly an operation to fix my heart, rejig my lung, i suggested an AndyF remap they looked at me strangley. Wish they just said that i had a fecked shoulder and get on with it but no they think some electrocution and MRI, ECG CT Bollocks will do it Taking my mind off the shat news i carried on with the Vision stuff Doddled down to Goodwood, Chatsworth and Rallyday at Castle Coombe to see some of the finest automotive macjines made by the human hand, also took the Vision unit to Eire which was nice as especially Colin was along for the ride Castle Coombe produced a very special present indeed Since the last of the shows in Eire finished i have been bored rigid going from one specialist to the other, hammering the ass out of GT5 but even that hurts bad after a while. Done a bit of travelling in Europe, why not feck all else to do Imy has been my rock and thier for me when things are shit and gets me going when frankly i cant be arsed, she has shown me the true definition of love Been about here in some form or another for abour 9 years, through the Dougster, seen more Glasgow RO's than unmodified Subarus kicking about, organised a small event a couple of years back that went not to bad, met some right arseholes but also some people i would regard as lifelong friends, also a special mention to the one they call the Owner or Bute, Sir Wilky of Wilkinson, sir i salute you and your bretheren and his his handsome sidekick the one they call Mark Webber, goes by the pseudonym of Andyjdmsti I have no idea what the future holds, i try and not worry about it but its fecking hard when everything you thought was safe as houses changes in the blink of an eye As another good friend once said Thanks for the fish Not looking for any sunshine blown up my ass so feel free to lock it when you see fit Mr Moderator Link to comment
scooby222 Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 that was one hell of a year and nicely summed up sir - brings a tear to my glass eye that youve parted with the banana but i suspect the new owner is someone who'l give it the abuse its used to and let you stroke it now and again. its always a pleasure to have your company at events/meets and the rewards of being an RO is being able to meet and call friend people like you and Imy. hopefully they manage to sort you out, perhaps simtek rather than ecutek? and your able to purchase a new chariot of your own but in the meantime take care of yourself, have your carer bring you along to meets when you can and make sure she sticks you on the RA insurance see you soon Gorgeous - we have a donkey to visit you know! Link to comment
arch Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 Nice write up Grant and some amazing efforts have been put in by you and Imy for the Vision charity. Not good ref your health hopefully your positive attitude will see you through the other side sharpish. Will send you a PM tomorrow with some info that may help ref your work. Wish you had PM'd me before ref this as I did mention to you before about certain things you could do but these may stil be an option for you. Talk soon Link to comment
Midnight21 Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 Don't know what to say ........except I hope you get well soon Its always a pleasure to meet you and Imy out and about Hope the New Year brings you all your wishes..... Cathy x Link to comment
mystery machine Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 Really sorry to hear about your health problems, Grant - I sincerely hope that things turn around for you some time soon. I never met you in person, but you will certainly be missed around the forum - you've shown true commitment to the Subaru/Rally/McRae legacy (unlike a fraud such as myself, who is only here because he can't afford a Lotus or a Ferrari!). Hope to see you back some day in the not too distant future Link to comment
scouk Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 Wow! Not been posting on here recently but Grant you've brought me out of lurker mode. First off, great summary of the year! Grat photos and memories there whcih only you can truely appreciate A for the down moments.. Keep you head up min! Just be greatful they have found something! I've been in and out of doctors surgeries and hospitals all year mysel and not gettign very far.. WHich is the main reason I gave up R/o-ing earlier in the year and took a step back from all things SIDC a few months ago. The recent chapter for me started just a few hours after the last SIDC meet I was at. I was rushed to A&E the morning after with unusual chest pains.. That cleared up after a few hours but they discovered something odd in their x-rays which they weren't looking for.. WEnt for a CT Scan few weeks later and discovered I have a tumour right next to my spine which has attached itself to two of my ribs where they connect to my spinal cord! Got an appointment next week with a surgeon in Aberdeen (yee-phookin-haa) Not convinced its the source of all the problems I've been whinging about, but I guess it's a step in the right direction.. *sigh* You've definately summed up the year well there.. ... Surely there's been a donkey meet! That poor aniumal will be feelign so neglected ) Link to comment
scooby222 Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 bloody hell Al, knew you were having some problems but didnt realise things were that bad! all the best and hope they can offer you some help next week Link to comment
cruz104 Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 Grant it is not often i am lost for words but tonight i just dont know what to say to your health news, you have a great wee co-driver in Imy who will always be there for you and dont forget yer gravel crew at sidc they will always be there for you too pal, keep yer chin up dude and Daves right there are lots of Donkeys at St Boswells well overdue a visit. Al i hope things work out for you as well next week that news is equally shocking. Chat soon Guys Link to comment
johnnyr6 Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 Fook me Grant! Absolutely gutted to hear about your health predicament. Also WTF!! about the bannana, i thought that'd be a keeper. Glad you got Imy to keep you going, i know how hard it can be a times. Also what exactly is wrong with the ticker? They can do amazing things these days, try to kep your chin up m8. Hopefully will speak to you soon.. Johnny. Oh, nice write up. Link to comment
colin_ross Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 I've been off the SIDC scene myself due to heath problems (family, not my own). It doesn't take long to show you whats truely important in life. Don't lie down to it lads, get yourselves batter and back in the game. I hope 2011 is better than 2010 for all. Link to comment
wrx kenny Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 sorry to hear about both grant and al , hope 2011 goes along way to sorting you both out for the better . i cant really say anything else. shocked kenny Link to comment
wrxmania Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 All the best Grant - you've been about in many ways for the club... Link to comment
scoobykev Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 Hope things get sorted out for you mate. Best wishes to yourself and Imy Kev Link to comment
ally-b Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 Grant , You know the score . You know my number and where I stay ... call , email , drop round ,whatever ... You've been a good friend , and you always will be . Off to Cz on Tuesday. Hope I hear from ya soon G, Al. Link to comment
frankyboy Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 hiya mate only met you a hand full of times on the run up to the santa cruise 2009, you seemed like a sound guy. Wish you all the best mate keep the chin up Link to comment
ciaranrb5 Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 Grant sorry to hear about your bad year lets hope you can purchase yourself a new chariot, get your health sorted out and have a better year in 2011 Link to comment
burgy_51_ Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 Sorry to hear that Grant, I hope u will get better this year with ure health , u are won of the best guys I have meet on this site , threw advice and that little event u organised a couple of years back, I hope u get back to ureself soon and all the best mate. Link to comment
gus the bus Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 Grant, Very sorry to hear about your health issues but hope that you manage to get yourself sorted out and back to strength and a good level of fitness really really soon. I'm hoping that one day in the not too distant future you will be back behind the wheel of another bonkers motta Please dont become a stranger and keep us posted (either yourself or via Imy) on how you are getting on Hopefully catch up with you at some point on the motorsport calendar Link to comment
ANDYJDMSTI Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 Webber??? Leave the Tobogan JPS alone!!.......think i need to grow my hair more and get my LHFOJ back again!!! Well atleast the car has gone from one Rod to another bigger (but short) Rod Keep your chin up and your teeth in and i will see you when i get back, probably early next month. Link to comment
sti pretender Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 Must have been gut wrench to sell the banana especially after you followed it for so long before you bought it. Don't be a strange and you can always get a shot of the Type R at Knockhill if I'm up. Link to comment
phil1967 Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 sorry to hear abuot your health grant,hope you get better real quick,if your looking for a replacement for that ticker how about a flatfour mate,you were the first guy i met on here walking out of burger king at hillington and you've always made me feel welcome at any meets and events i've been to so thanks grant.good luck and take care of yourself snd hope to see you around. Link to comment
braveheart Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 Alwrighty Grant, what a year mate a massive thanks to you and I'm sure from the whole of sidc for the effort you and Imy have put in with the Vision you certainly had the best co-pilot to do it all with amazing year and some memories that will last a lifetime. I'm glad the banana has went to a good home. So chin up big chap. I hope to meet up again at some other events, with blokes jumping on your tent at 3am in the morning Shouting ya English Bas i still to this day tell that story the first time i went to TOTB... Laughing now at it.. As for the Heath mate dig deep I'm sure you will come out on top remember your co-pilot will be there all the way IMY. Thanks for all the banter over the years it's been a pleasure Grant hopefully many years more to come ya baw bag lol Chris Link to comment
micra_wrc Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 thanks to those of you that have replied. Things have been rocky in 2010, with some great highs and crappy lows. Priorities have changed and it was hard to decide to sell the Banana, but we don't really use both cars and with maintenance/fuel costs going up, it was the sensible thing to do. We're going to carry on helping with the Vision events and will be lurking about the forum and online. Interested to see if the new committee bring some life back into the club and we've still got the RA to go to some events Link to comment
bobbyc Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 Sorry to hear about the health issues guy's it certainly put's things into perspective when you get news like that, we'll be keeping everything crossed for you and hope to see you around at some of the motorsport events in 2011, chin up Grant we hope you get better news soon mate. bobby & mags Link to comment
StrikE Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 I was gutted when you told me Grant, not the best news & a sore one to take. I hope you will still be around with your fauchin' turretts pills left as usual in Glasgow & your witty charm shining through. Shame about the Banana & glad i had a wee shot before it went away, even if i did stall the bloody thing. Not much else i can say on here that hasnt been said prior to this post so...... Just make sure that Imy chic looks after you m8. Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now