BC, your mention of the Ace being a bit of a dump back in the day reminds me of some time I spent in that area back in 73. I was renting a closet that passed as a bedroom from an elderly woman and her son in Willisden Green. The Lady suffered from Parkinsons, my first time seeing anyone with that disease and it kind of set me back a bit. The son, who was few years older than me, took care of his Mum. In their nice back garden shed he kept his bike, a Norton Atlas I think it was, and it was his baby. On the occasional nice day we would sit in the garden exchanging stories, and he would mention the Ace and the characters that would gather. among them. When I had time one day I took off down there, and yeah, nothing like it is today, trucks and cars everywhere, no bikes. I can't remember his name, but the bike I can still see in my mind, funny how that works isn't it. Knowing I was a bike nut he suggested a trip to the Isle to see the TT, sure why not, I had just quite my job and due to start a new job in 2 weeks. A buddy and I loaded up the old VW van and headed north to Liverpool, well after a few false starts we did. After a few wrong turns and leaving London late we arrived in Liverpool just to find out the ferry left from Birkenhead on the south side of the river. By now it was dark, and we decided to stop for the night, and this looks as good a spot as any. We could tell we were near the water, but not sure exactly where, so we went to sleep in back of the van. Next thing there is a loud knocking on the side of the van and voices waking us up from a deep sleep. Slide open the door and see the cops, what the hell is going on here. We were told to get out and stand aways from the van while they had a quick peek through the back. It must have been daybreak, very dark and dreary as only England can be, and I saw where we had parked for the night. In front of the access road the rescue boats use to get out into the bay, and that was Wales across the other side of the bay. Seems the rescue boats are parked in a shed then towed out into the water, or mud as it was then, when required. We had blocked the ramp, a no no. Off to the station then, and after a few hours sitting around while they did a check on us and a fine was paid for the parking infraction we were off, or so we thought.We didn't have enough time to make the morning ferry and the cops had relieved us of a lot of money, to us, so another plan was hatched. Head north. We had done Lands end, so John O groats was the plan. Up the west coast, over to Skye, all the way up, then back down to London on the East coast. Had a great time, 2 weeks just driving. The Vw had a 8 track cassette player, but we only had a few cassettes, Led Zep, Tull, CSN&Y , Deep Purple, Stones, so we were able to pretty much sing along to every song, we new them that well. As we got back near London it was dark, got on the North Circular road, the old VW just humming along as fast as she can go, then boom, she just dies, limp of onto a side street and park. Best I can tell it has dropped a valve, and maybe hold a piston. Flagged down a taxi, take us as far as you can for all the money we had left, about a quarter mile from the flat we were renting from the Old Lady in Willisden Green , walked the rest. Next day I went to get the van, and have it towed back to the flat were I could work on it, but it was gone. Checked with the cops and no nothing, but we will let you know if it shows up. Never did, gone. Oh well, shit happens get on with it. My buddy ended up going back to NZ, his experience in Britain was not too good I would say. I stayed with the Woman and her Son for 3 more months, in the closet that I had before. I got a new job as a mechanic for a Lotus dealership in Chelsea and another interesting chapter starts. Its funny how certain people and events are easily remembered and others forgotten. I never did make it to the IOM races, but at least I tried, some what. All the best guys, Merry Christmas to all. John.