Bob & I
Most of my travel (boasting here) as I've wandered my way around the planet, has been in 1st class. Yes, I know. Company expense account. My company. I flew so often with Qantas that I knew crew on the routes. Nearly always in the cockpit for take off and landing.
I was in 1st once, the steward walked in and said "hallo Andy", followed by the flight crew who said Hi too as they marched past to the cockpit.
Captain stops and says "Andy, jump seat for Take Off?". The only other customer in 1st flips out. "Do you own the fucking airline or what?".
"Nope, just fly a lot".
I have been sued by the BBC.
For using my own name!
For registering the ambridge.com domain name!
Not at some little local court. No. Straight to the High Court in The Strand. Intimidate. They lost. Paid all costs. Your licence fee at work. Wankers.
Oh. Fun fact for you all. I don't have normal skin. Neither did Bob. Most people have 7 layers. Not us. He was born with 8 layers and suffered dry skin and I was born with 6. I DO feel the cold. Perverse that I live in a cold country eh?
Another fun fact. I'm named after a Danish King. Their first.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorm_the_Old
https://www.heritage-history.com/index.php?c=read&author=morris&book=scandinavian&story=gorm
https://thevikingherald.com/article/who-was-gorm-the-old-viking-king-of-denmark/416
Bluetooth? Yeah right. LMFAO
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harald_Bluetooth
My heart
Heart
I do actually have a heart no matter what some of you may percieve or believe.
Look. PICTURES!!
And it's had work.
As you can see this was keyhole surgery. No major scar and no broken ribs.
A massive THANK YOU to the surgical team.
Getting ready for a boys night out. It's not just girls that share the bathroom!
People
Had a fight or two with Harold Wilson over his dog Paddy. A beer or three with Prince (now King) Charles more than a few times. Scilly. Agnes. Gugh. Turks Head. Cheers Charlie.
Should I name drop here? Knew Sir Jackie Stewart and we once spent a week shooting at Gleneagles. Worked with James Cann.
I like to think I'm a people person - even if they can be real idiots (as can I). They seem to like me. I've had an ability in my life to lead people to places new, places they might have a fear of, places with memories. Physically and mentally. People open up to me. Bare their souls.
For that, your absolute trust, I thank you greatly.
Secrets will always be secrets.
(I know. I've signed the OSA)
Rhea & Woofy
Kids
Never had my own kids. Leider. Shade. Never found the right partner.
Have tried to be the good/fun uncle to Bob's girls as they grew up.
Friends kids seem to like me - even teenagers - and trust me possibly 'cos I don't go blabbing everything to their parents. Or I've never grown up.
Who knows? Me? Not.
I just enjoy it.
Getting old. Rhea (left) is now in her 20s. As are Bob's girls.
Tempus fugit.
Dogs
Dogs have been a core part of my life as long as I can remember.
Take a look at the pets tab in the menu
Promo work @ 7UP
My local roads.
You like it slippery with a woman? Why should a car be any different. ;-
Vikki.
Cars
I've owned some of the very best. Multiple Lancia Delta Integrales (yummy), even Ferraris.
I am, sorry was at a certain time, an Audi guy, so I've owned probably every version of any RS they ever built.
Have both a FIA Formula 3 and a FIA Group A Rally Licence. Many years. Never got F1 leider. Close but no cigar.
The latest fun car? GR Yaris. Now that is a rally car for the road. Read the test reports. Stunning.
How much fun can you have with your clothes ON? THE best set of wheels I've ever owned. By far.
Shame
Money talks, money walks. Car went back to the leasing company. Cheap 2nd hand old diesel Skoda it is. Oh well.
Would be rude not to...
Boats
On or under the water. I don't care.
This was my Windy 35 HT. Used her a lot. She was known all over the lake.
Father, Bob & I, plus the house where I grew up.
The race boat. When you pull a boat, brakes. Look at that soot!
On the water
F3 Champion Water Ski Racing
England to France and back in 1 hour 9
foto needs work
Canoe
Thanks Father.
He bought Bob & I dilapidated wooden canoes. Which we then rebuilt. I've canoed all over the place. Rivers, Sea, Abroad.
Canoed to France and back once. It took longer than an hour 9. ;-)
Working
Gig Racing
Out with the RNLI in Scilly @ the weekly Gig races. Never knew when I might need a favour back.
I have raced in Shah - St. Agnes' boat.
Easier life on the lifeboat!
Flying and a Whale Shark.
Under the water
Ask any woman. Being wet is where it's at.
Can't hear people's senseless yacking for a start.
Been very lucky. Most of my diving has either been Middle or Far East, or Maldives. I've done lots of it. Night, Deep, V Deep, Other. Fully qualified Rescue Diver.
Different gases (Air, Nitrox, Trimix, Heliox), different depths (<120m), different reasons.
Love it
I have to say a massive Thank You to the people who infected me with the diving bug.
Daniel Willberg
Thorsten Thorandt
https://www.xing.com/profile/Thorsten_Thorandt
Dominik Ruhl
In the air
I am a fully qualified free fall parachutist.
I love freefall. Adore it. What a buzz.
From the man who was always scared of heights. Still is!!
Done a lot all over. Where, when and why, I cannot say. OSA
It is one of the best things you can do with your clothes on.
Raise some money, have some fun. Take spare underwear in case.
Choppers
Spent a lot of time doing this. Hanging from a chopper. Not just police ones. Installing Base Stations amongst other things.
Concorde
Once flew New York and back just to have breakfast. Concorde. Both ways.
SUPERSONIC
Not many people have ever done that.
Free! Gratis! Nix!
Cashed in some Air Miles.
Switzerland
Home. How lucky?
I always had a thing for Switzerland. Went there with the school on a skiing holiday as a teenager and then in my early twenties used to go to Grindelwald regularly to ski with Bob. (Short drive from Frankfurt where I was living at the time.) Well, to ski like an Englishman with zero talent. Zero skill. Zero knowledge.
I still get the "Andy, you ski like a tourist" comments from time to time even though I've been here 20+ years.
To be fair to me, nearly everyone I meet wants to practice their English. Or show me how well they speak it. I do actually speak German and the local Swiss German. French has almost gone out of the window as has my Italian and Sicilian.
I came across an article that lists "42 Fun Facts About Switzerland". Have to be honest that 1. it is fun and 2. contains some unusual oddball facts! Have a read and a giggle.
Spoilers......
Switzerland Has 7'000 Lakes
The Most Innovative Country in the World
The Least Obese European Country
link - 42 fun facts about Switzerland
Good job I've had work done