This matchbox car is, in fact the replica of his own vintage Morris and so it was a lovely and symbolic gift. There was no great ceremony, he simply pressed it into my palm and whispered that he knew I would love it, he is right, of course I do.
That was just over 2 years ago, this week we took possession of Horace.Yep! Horace The Morris...
He has been settling into life here Down the Lane, slotting in alongside the Nissen Hut...
At night Horace and Fergie share the bays in the barn, Horace is not overly keen on the rain!
Horace smells, in a really good way! Horace smells of my childhood, bouncing around the North Yorkshire and County Durham border with Magpie in her grey Morris Minor 1000. To sit inside and be overwhelmed by the smell of the leather lined doors and seats, the air scented by a whiff of eau de petrol seeping in from the engine...aaahhh, a little moment of happiness and pure regression, unlocked memories long since lost in the vault.
We are learning each other at the moment, Horace and I. Every morning I look out of the window and there he is looking directly back at me...I feel a swell of affection and gratitude coming in like a high tide...mostly I feel honoured to be entrusted with his future. Mr Lane says I make the gears sing, apparently that's not necessarily a good thing!
I am drawn to the ambiguous nature of the word Uncle, In different cultures Uncle simply means male relative. "Little Grandfather" Kin, Father. In my case this "Uncle" is simply mine through the serendipity of marriage. It is immaterial to me that we do not share blood...the tie is strong, the love and affection I feel is entirely due to the wonderful man he is. When he looks across at me with those kind and slightly laughing eyes it is implicit, less is more...
On the other side of the world the littlest Faraways are developing a fascination for classic cars thanks to Gently, Endeavour and Sylvanian Families. I long for the day when they catch their first lungful of Horace...all jumbled in together on the back seat...one day my loves...
~x~
Fabulous post. Hurrah for Horace, I hope you have many adventures.
ReplyDeleteYes! Hip Hip for Horace! x
DeleteHow wonderful. What a generous uncle, you have. Is he interested in adopting me? Ha! Happy travels with Horace!
ReplyDeleteI think he probably will, I'll ask him...x
DeleteYou are a lovely writer, and that is a lovely car. A woman can never have too many good men in her life.
ReplyDeleteWell said...I couldn't agree with you more...about the good men I mean! Te he x
DeleteSuch a delightful post, and a beautiful car. If it was a new Toyota you wouldn't feel he was looking back at you - it's the older ones that seem to have a soul.
ReplyDeleteI've become looser in my use of words like nephew and niece for relatives who are definitely part of the family - they include my niece's husband, and my sister's stepson and his partner. It's easiest to just say nephew and niece!
Yes Val, My neices and Nephews call me "Uncle" which stems from a babyish slip and then stuck! x
DeleteHorace is wonderful. I look forward to reading more about his adventures.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Janet, need to fix the indicators urgently! x
DeleteWishing you and Horace many happy journeys together.
ReplyDeleteWhat an honour.
Lisa x
Hello Hello! He is a lovely chap Lisa, just makes me smile...love to you x x x
DeleteI am só jalous of you! A Morris Minor or Traveler is my dreamcar for years already. My heart actually starts beating faster when I see one and that is almost never here in Holland. I always see a couple when we are in the U.K. and of course they are all being photographed. My ultimate dream is that one birthday I open the curtains and there is a white Traveler with a big bow on it, like in the movies. But I guess I have to keep on dreaming.......oh well, I can enjoy yours now through here! Have fun with Horace!
ReplyDelete