GUS MARTIN - R.I.P. (Updated)

A young Gus in or around 1981

Just learned that one of my former neighbours from 1965 to 1972 died recently - Gus Martin.  Gus lived in the row of terraced houses directly behind mine, and that's now three of my peers I know of who once lived in the first two rows who've passed since 2021 - Robert Baird, Kenny Tierney, and Gus.  Another link to my childhood gone, alas.  I last remember chatting to Gus around 4 or 5 years ago in Glasgow where he'd lived for a number of years, his family having moved there in the late 1970s or early '80s, not quite sure.  (I think Gus lived in various places first before eventually settling down in Glasgow.)

Originally, I only had a small photo of Gus, copied from one of his old travel cards borrowed from a mutual pal, given to him by Gus's sister, but I've now managed to obtain a better one, above.  Hopefully, Gus, Kenny, and Robert are up there reminiscing about old times when we were all innocent kids and teens who thought we'd live forever.  Only seems like last week, not over 50 years ago.  I took a stroll along to the old neighbourhood this evening after publishing the first version of this post, looked at our old houses and remembered how things used to be, and how I often wish they could be again.  Sigh.  R.I.P. Gus.

(Photo borrowed from Ian MacNair's Facebook page and supplied by Carolyn Denham.) 

The RETURN Of The SAINT'S VOLVO - AGAIN...

The 2023 2nd edition with Simon Templar's 'stick' figure on the bonnet

Funny how some mental associations are indelible, don't you think?  For example, when I think of Corgi Toys The Saint's Volvo P1800, I associate it with the '60s and the house I lived in at the time.  In my mind's eye, I can see it on top of the dining table in our living-room, and whenever I look at my replacement car today, that's still where I associate it with.

Thing is, I've had my replacement for many more years than I ever had the original (which wasn't really mine, but my brother's, though I played with it), and the photo I took of it along with the Corgi Model Club's reissue of it a couple of years back was taken on top of the table (which replaced our original one back around 1980 or '81) in my current residence.

The 2021 reissue with 'aged' bonnet figure, and an original '60s toy with late '60s hubcaps

Thing is, looking at that close-up photo now, I'm left with a strong mental image of my old living-room 'out-of-frame', as it were - as if it was taken there rather than here.  You'd think I'd be able to envisage the cars in their current 'context', instead of one that passed more than 51 years ago.  But enough of such self-indulgent twaddle, you've probably 'rumbled' me anyway.

What I mean is that this post is merely an excuse to show you my newly-acquired latest 2nd edition release, on which the artificially-aged look of the bonnet transfer on the 2021 version has been replaced with a pristine Saint figure, more in line with how the 1965 toy would've looked when it first went on sale, lo, those many decades ago.  What's that, you haven't got one?

Never mind - you can enjoy looking at mine.  Am I good to you all, or what?   

BABE Of The DAY - GAIL McKENNA...

 

One of my fave Page 3 girls of

'yesterday', Crivs, presented here for

your awestruck appreciation today!

 The sensational Gail McKenna.