Today

We went to Silverstone today in the Bentley to mark the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Bentley S series. Our beautiful 1958 (OK, not quite a demi-centagenerian) silver S1 Bentley handled the dual carriageways to the manor born. We gathered alongside other Bentleys, from the "WOs" (meaning, Paul told me, those manufactured under the great man's direction) to a new Phantom. We chatted to other Bentley owners and enjoyed the sunshine.

Gracious beasts, the S class Bentleys, with their lovely voluptuous lines and imposing size. The Rubens of the car world. We all set off sedately around the race track while a scattering of spectators filmed and waved.

After a nice sushi picnic we drove home, this time via A & B roads through delightful Berkshire and Wiltshire towns and villages. We saw 3 white horses - Pewsey, Devizes and Westbury. "Just like motoring was in the '50s" sighed Paul joyfully.

In My Day

I'm not a regular visitor to racetracks and take no interest in the sport on TV. And it's only with the acquisition of the Bentley that I've even become interested in cars as any kind of hobby.

Back in the '60s my boyfriend Bob used to take me to the banger and stock car racing. That used to be some fun. Racing cars, after all, all look much alike. But these cars were as varied as the owners cared to make them and nobody much minded how bashed-up they got as they were all pretty well bashed up before they got there.

So the event was more for the entertainment value than anything else. I remember that the noise and smell were appalling but that I used to feel very jolly after seeing all these otherwise no-hope wrecks deliver their swan-songs on the dirt track.

I really hope that the Bentley doesn't come to such a sticky end.