Nov 18.

Walked by this Mannequin outside Jack and Jones on Bedford Row in Limerick… and started singing a Jamiroquai song straight away.

Half the Man was sung by both Nirvana and Stone Temple Pilots… but it was Jamiroquai that popped into my head first! So there ya go!

Nov 17.

Another awful title! This little lad had only just started walking… very goofy.

Oct 19.

The M3 had a “light” season this year. This season we took in one hillclimb on the ledgendary “Ballyalban”, Co. Clare, the Phoenix Park Motor Races and an end of season race in Mondello. Quiet by our standards, but the races in the Phoenix Park and Mondello were tougher on the car than your average hillclimb. A short season, but an enjoyable one.

Time to get the M3 indoors for the winter for a bit of well deserved R&R.

While the car gets a rest, we have to start thinking of next season. Sponsors, Tyres, Weight Reduction and a little more power if we can find it. It never stops.

Roll on 2010.

Nov 16.

The fourth in a series of shots on what makes a BMW a BMW. A few design characteristics that are on every BMW you’ll see on the roads today.

Fourth: Hofmeister Kink

The curve of the C-Pillar first introduced in the thirties by Wilhelm Hofmeister – the then design chief for BMW.

Nov 15.

The third in a series of shots on what makes a BMW a BMW. A few design characteristics that are on every BMW you’ll see on the roads today.

Third: The Hip Line

Possibly a feature of the newer cars (from the eighties), but it is visible on some of the older cars. The Hip line is a line that runs from just behind the indicator on the front wing – pierces the front wheel arch then emerges again just behind the wheel arch and runs to the back of the car above the rear wheel arch. This helps give the appearance that the car runs Nose down, which isn’t always the case.

I was happy enough with this shot – considering it was done with nothing but an led torch!

Nov 14.

The second in a series of shots on what makes a BMW a BMW. A few design characteristics that are on every BMW you’ll see on the roads today.

Second: Kidney Grill – Nose

The traditional “kidney” grill was first introduced in the twenties or thirties. A design that stemmed from an effort to improve aerodynamic performance, cooling and breathing for the engine. Originally they were very tall and thin, but over the years, they have evolved into the short, wide grill that you see on the road these days.

Nov 13.

The first in a series of shots on what makes a BMW a BMW. A few design characteristics that are on every BMW you’ll see on the roads today.

First: Four Round lights – Eyes. Back in the day, there were single round lights. But the quad round lights were introduced on the premium models to distinguish them from lower spec’d models. Since the mid eighties, the quad round lights have been the norm.

This shot was a little disappointing as the car is clean, but it got fairly dirty on the way to the location and the driving lights are full of condensation. The shot was lit with an led torch which was a little too harsh for this particular job.

Nov 12.

Couldn’t believe this when I saw it… in fact, I nearly choked. Have a good look at this picture. See anything unusual?

There are a pair of feet below the tractor! When I eventually over took, it turns out the feet belong to a young fella sitting on the front of the tractor. He didn’t look warm, comfortable or happy, but at least he didn’t have to walk. The expression on his father’s face (I assume it was his fathers) and his own face were priceless. Safety first – they both had Hi-Vis jackets on. Off to work for the day – hoping the sun would burn through the fog!

Nov 11.

Nov 10.

A foggy morning on the high road from Newport to Thurles.

Nov 9.

Nov 8.

We didn’t have a frost last night – it was more like everything just Froze after a shower of rain. Unusual.