4 February Thoroughly enjoying reading Bunty (see 29 January) which is as entertaining as expected. The book is easy to read for short periods as it has a collection of individual stories, all linked by time and the subject.
5 February I contact Veloce, regarding ideas for book promotion this year.
6 February A response arrives from an associate of Michael Humphries who has a Lotus Elite and wrote a robust letter to Club Lotus. He is 80 years young and hopes to join the Elite 45th anniversary celebrations (when they are finally organised).
7 February Response from Veloce regarding marketing: It sounds like you have a busy schedule of events coming up, so best of luck with them all, and if you have the opportunity please do share any news or photos from them with us, we’ll happily share these with our followers on social media and in our newsletters, with a mention of the book, to encourage sales. I have nothing to do with Social Media – but many do.
Amazon UK now has 7 books in stock (more on the way) it was 8 since the 14 January.
I receive details of the BRM Association Test Day in April and mail my invitation by return. I sold a book there last year!
8 February Half past two o’clock and I finish reading Bunty, the biography (through many stories) of David Scott-Moncrief, dealer in fine second-hand classic cars. This Veloce book portrays a real English eccentric gentleman of the type probably long gone. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
9 February Agree to move the date of my talk to the Bourne Motor Racing Club to October 10th to avoid it being immediately after my return from the Dijon historic races in June.
Chance meeting with Colin Farrow in the Barnham Broom Bell after 38 years! I wonder if I looked the same back then, as he recognised me! Attempted to 'sell' him a book through the advert on the pub wall - not sure if I succeeded!
Richard Woollaston posts information on LotusExcel.net that I am giving Club Lotus Avon a talk on March 5th. Thanks Richard, the more the merrier!
11 February I receive a cheerful message from Emily at Veloce explaining that Paul Shipley from PJS Sports Cars is interested in my giving a talk and book signing for their customers. I would be delighted and contacted Paul to say so. I had a positive response that evening, so now things are in the planning stage. Interestingly, they are located near my Prep school (that I first went to 67 years ago).
12 February Very efficient response from Paul Shipley that sets the date for a talk and book signing as 1 May. The event will pass any profits to the Air Ambulance. Paul will organise the books for signature so all I have to do is sign them and deliver a scintillating talk. I supplied him with two promotional displays.
13 February Visit my local Citroën dealer in preparation for the arrival of my new Citroën Cactus next week. Yes, its not sporting, perhaps, but comfortable. I take a copy of my book to attempt to entice the staff to buy some. (Failed!).
14 February Start preparing my slides and talk for the PJS Sports Cars talk on 1 May.
17 February Much discussion with Mike Kimberley (ex-Jaguar, ex-Lotus CEO) on whether Colin Chapman said “Simplicate to add lightness.” I am sure I heard him say it and did not know of the word simplicate. A web search reveals it was first said by William Stout, an American who had a motor company in the 1930s. All part of my research for the talk to Club Lotus Avon.
The club LotusExcel.net advertise my talk to Club Lotus Avon on 5 March. That should hopefully help fill the pub up!
19 February Message from Kevin Atkins at Veloce with a proposed book marker featuring my book. It looks superb so I hope it will ‘go into production.’ It would act as a long term reminder of the great work!
20 February Take delivery of my new Citroën Cactus, whoopee! The experts at the pub all agree, it looks superb.
24 February It’s my birthday, as anyone who has read the first pages of my book will immediately know!
Nia, my Granddaughter is working two evenings per week at the Shapla restaurant in Wymondham as a rest from her Pure Mathematics. She tells me a group of Lotus engineers visited the local Indian on Saturday evening. She asked if they knew her Grandad and a couple did while the others had heard of me. Oh goodness, I am famous!
26 February Today the window cleaner praised the Citroën Cactus. That makes 100% approval of it so far. “At least it's not a grey VW” has been commented.
27 February I am delighted to find a notice in LotusExcel.net website advising of my evening with PJS Sports Cars on 1 May.
28 February Delighted that my book flyer is still on display in the gents' toilet of the Hethersett Queens Head, thank you Richard and Phillipa. Richard also asked to be brought up to date on this bulletin. I explained that Veloce published it but have sent him a copy anyway.
I print out the notes for my talk 'Lotus DNA', which I will deliver 5 March.
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