Of course it is easy and natural to pick out those very special expriences in your life. The ‘big bang’ ones that stay fixed in your memory. Easy to report on and probably easy to understand. But there are those other days that somehow go missing in your memory that when reminded inform the owner of why they are the way they are. Thing is I like every one else have had hundreds if not thousands of these days and for most of the time they are missing. So it is I decided to record, in short form, some of them. For myself really but who knows if ever anyone else reads this it just might encourage them to recall a few special days of their own.
Meeting Liz for lunch one day. We were still new to each other and I recall in great detail what she was wearing how lovley her hair was cut and just how happy I felt.
Getting my first ever ‘proper’ haircut at Vidal Sasoon by a man called John. It was just amzing I looked good honest.
The day I bought my Rolex watch,because I could, and because a dear colleagues Mum had passed away and somehow money did not seem to matter quite so much.
The day at A club Med where the Chef du Village took a liking to me and every night I had to performa song nd dance on the stage in front of other holiday makers. Wince making but oh so funny.
The day I nearly drowned learnig how not to windsurf on a beach in The SOuth of France and being the ‘star show’ for hundreds of laughing French men and women.
The day I was in vited to take part in a panel on international investing and found myself sitting ona stage in front of around a thousand people in New York and somehow bluffing some good answers to good questions.
Sevral times when as senior ranking UBS executive flying around the USA when the hotel I had chosen made a play for future business. UBS was the worlds most powerful bank at the time that was expanding rapidly in the US. I got upgraded to ‘The Presidential Suite’ on at least 4 occasions. One in chicago comes to mind, a duplex with a grand piano.
The time a French Mountain guide took me so far out of my comfort zone I literally froze on an exposed peak. He literally had to step me down an icy precipice ofr over an hour-quite horrendous.
Driving a Lotus Elan S3 convertable, mine, in 1973 up the M1 at 125 miles an hour.
I am the grandson of a coal miner remember so occasionally in life I have spent money on things that embarras me now. Drving my Porche Cayemnne with DGE1 through London and being stopped by the Police because they loved the look of the car and wanted to see more!
The day Jo passed out of Police collge with an award-oh my days!
Liz and I getting the keys to our first Flat. The keys were it we literally had nothing else.
At the other end of the scale driving my Massy tractor down the lanes of Devon from the magnificent Old Rectory we owned.
Picking up my first ever made to measure suit. It looked awesome and made me feel fantastic.
The day I left UBS returning froma lunch with my new employers. Receiving a pubic bollocking from the Odius Rudi Muller for my tardy return and then as if by some heavanly magic securing one of the biggest deals ever seen in the history of the firm to that date. Watching Muller trying to recover lost ground was just priceless. Two hours later I walked out for the last time what a way to go.
Watching Jo finish her first event on Max. Galloping down the finishing shute tears streaming from her eyes.
The day I got contact lenses and scored 93 with my new vision. I chased a bewildered opticin from the cricket ground as he was passing on his way homw and kissed him. He was a bit shocked.
Watching Liz take part in her first World Championships in London and seeing her godson Dan Stewart turn up to support her-have not seen him since.
The picture of a brother and sister taking part in The Milan SAn Remo bike ride. Liz and Pete were just awesome.
Being rung up in a hotel in A magnificent hotel in Hong Kong overlooking the harbour to be told my Mum had died.
Riding my Fat bike in The BAttle on The Beach.
Rding white horses in Andalucia in the mountains in Analucia. Galloping on the beach.
Buyng my Spanish farm and all that followed.
Selling the thing.
Skiing and winnning the sliver medal in a race in Obergurgl witha broken arm.
An evening at George and Angelas where we all dressed up with masks and danced the night away.
A party at the Old Rec when friends of G and A decided to Feng Suei our house in the middle of the night.
The day Murphy was sick on a white rug.
The day I stopped working formally
The day Dudley came to stay.
Falling in love with Jacko.
Realising that I had the best luck of all in meeting Liz.
The day my father was buried and I watched the coffin being carried form the crematorium to the tune ‘my way’!!
Seeing Tom read a lesson in the carol service at Oundle.
Buying my first oild painting.
Opening Art Connections.
Riding a mountain stage of the Tour De France.
Paying a cheque into the bank for 1.4 million pounds.
Liz’s Dad Brian ‘helping me’ install a flag pole.
Abseilling down a cliff-durr!
Watching The Red Arrows from my home in Sidmouth
Being made a member of The London STock Exchange
The day some share optons I owned appreciated £360,000 and I could not tell anyone. I did smile though.
Flying under the 59th street bridge in New York in a sea plane
Walking past a woman inNew York who lookled beyond fabulous and realising she was my wife.
Listening to the Welsh National anthem at the start of IM Wales
Crossing the finish line and hearing the words Dennis Elliott you are an Ironman-4 times!
Standing to attention in BInny PArk Old Greenwich on Independance day and hearing the locals sing the star spangled banner.
Visiting the Houses of Parliament with DAvid Evans MP after hours and seeing inside the chamber.
Playing Rugby for Manhattan on Reikers Island with the sky scrapers of the city as a backdrop
Tales of a Life Well Lived 