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Hello Pete, I must say I feel for your colleague and his, and his son's problems. Generally we are not privy to the day to day burdens that friends and colleagues have to endure, and the tendency is to be a little critical of behavioural problems, when we are not walking in their shoes as the saying goes. The 'cannot get on with him' opinion is probably understandable, but perhaps this is an engineered attitude on his part to avoid anyone getting too close to him. I have found that being nice to people who are not nice to you, can sometimes break down barriers and very often the story behind the behaviour comes to light. Support, without intrusion can mean a lot to such people who are in difficulties - if only a tap on the shoulder and some words along the line of ' I don't suppose I can help, and it's difficult for me to understand your problems, but I would like you to know I'm here for you if you think I can help'. More often you can't, but it's the reassurance that you care is the all important bit. I recall reading Bob Monkhouse's autobiography where he relates that he blamed himself for not trying to sort out Dennis Goidwin ( I think it was) problems that led to his suicide - to a point where the shrink put him right and said ' don't think you are that good to have prevented that' . Good point I guess but... To end on a more upbeat note, Monkhouse also relates the night he spent at Dianna Dor's house tied to the bed. Nothing happened except he was left tied to the bed all night. In the morning he was told not to be so presumptuous! Kind regards, Gareth.

I'm back! What a whirlwind couple of days! Got to go down in history of trade shows as one to remember, the weather, the intrigue within the industry, sackings and appointments caught up with, trade gossip, unexpected sales done, internal 'doings', stress and much laughter! Got home late last and was in bed fairly quickly after a chip supper. I've done this job for a tad over 20 years and worked with some fairly memorable people who we reminisce about, remembered their miss-givings and triumphs, met ex-industry people who always bob by and have a lid of tea too, and people I sold machines to 15 years ago who still come to chat....The office and other staff always say that I'm always talking to people on the stand and around the field but put very little new business to follow up in the show enquiry book. Having said that, they will have a surprise when they do read the book on Monday to see that I sold the first of a new model (without any demo etc) at £30k and three other orders for the flagship model @ £40k without any histrionics! (okay, one is subject to the lad getting finance which is a tad doubtful and another subject to a ropey trade in!). The one big bombshell that did occur, which is mind bogglingly awful is that the other sales guy on the UK team (and I cannot get on with him) admitted that he is seeking help for mental health issues and his (mid -20's) son is in a secure spot in rehab and mental health assessment after he has twice tried to kill himself with a knife. He is a drug addict and alcohol dependant again and his father (my colleague, also suffered similarly as a youth/20's/30's but got over the addiction but appears to be bi-polar). Truly awful place to be in your life and I did shake his hand and offer best wishes but I do not have the skills to help in anyway apart from support at work and may end up doing his area for a while while things are ongoing.... Weather was awful at times which meant numbers were down on the first and last day but sky high on the middle day this lead to much angst in trying to get on the field with a four hour queue at times and rebellion trying to get off at night too! The exhibitors fled across a field, Stewardship Scheme belt and out to dodge the security people as we/they were fed up! I walked two miles to get a lift away! An Audi RS6 going across a field that has been turned over was a memorable sight! Them big phat tyres and wet ground made the diffs and electronics do their bit!! Today is a day for chores etc and watching the rugby. My son is 22 today and I got him a set of Wolf air tools and have ordered him a spanner bracelet but that hasn't come yet! Enjoy your own sundays folks!

Woke up bright and early on my day off, made me & the mrs a good old fry up before she went to work then had a nice relaxing morning. Later on I hit the gym after which I went on some epic drives around my local country roads, and got back just in time to pick the nephew up from a uni visit he was doing with college. Fair to say his mates were impressed with the R8... can't blame them really 🤣 Oh, and the day's not even over! Even better. How was everyone else's day?

If they will they will send you a form to confirm who was the driver etc to send back . After the ticket comes... 🙂