Saturday, October 28, 2023

heavy metal fuel

now then

in a peculiar turn of events it's been more or less (give or take, look you see) quite close to nearly a year since i visited the hallowed turf (or grounds) of Donington Service Station. being, but of course, the closest service station one can visit before reaching the promised land of Castle Donington. well, yes, once promised land, i suppose. Monsters of Rock has gone. no doubt this "Download" replacement is quite good or at least serviceable, but not as cool sounding. besides, that's quite outdated, for as far as i know the kids these days "stream" rather than "download". unless it means something else. 

my travels, predominantly for verk purposes, remain extensive. it's just that oddly, and sadly, i have either not passed the way of Donington, or have had no need to stop. well, of course to see the place in all splendor is reason enough, but generally i would have stopped to "spend a penny" or similar just before it, and i need to get where i am going. not so, earlier this month. 


a quite (or rather) important part of doing travels is ensuring one has fuel in their vehicle. by chance i was running reasonably low somewhat close to Donington, and so i thought yeah, why not, let me have some heavy metal, full tilt leaded fuel in the tank for a change. not actually leaded, of course, for such has been made illegal in our brave new world. still, by virtue of me filling up (so to speak) in the great shadow of Castle Donington means that, by default, it's metal fuel in. from what i recall i had a tape of The Cult playing too, for added effect. or affect. 

chances are that this particular petrol station has been revamped and reconstructed since the 80s. yet still i like to fantasise that i used the very same fuel pump what a roadie for the likes of Maiden, Ozzy, Motorhead, Bad News (they would have done it themselves but still) or even Metallica may have used, either on the way to or from Monsters of Rock. probably when leaving, mind, but still. a simple thought to hold as an abstract daydream, but a harmless one which helps me make it through life. 


yes, we do indeed have a video, above. kind of actual video too, i suppose, since i have once again used that reasonably smart VHS camcorder "app" what i bought. obviously one cannot use a phone with a camera welded on it at the petrol station directly, as apparently doing so would make the whole thing instantly blow up. so, this was filmed on the border of a car park quite near it. my word this is boring. 

putting fuel in my vehicle has become an unexpected area of contention for William, the youngest of my (known) offspring. he believes me to be a "coward" if i fill up "just" because it is low. in his view, and i hasten to add he does not drive, that "fuel range" thing i have is meaningless, and if it's saying i only have 200 or so miles of fuel left it's probably the case it really means 500. frequently i find myself saying sorry to him for putting fuel in. such is how my life is now. 


not sure if this is the first instance of such, but yes, as above (kind of) shows, i have worked out how to take basic, rudimentary pictures with the previously mentioned VHS camcorder app. again is an image from some distance from the petrol station, as they get all funny if you smoke whilst filling up. no idea what damage they think it might do, but anything for a quiet life. oh, yes, i am "rocking" my clean shaved look. i got bored and shaved the beard (and moustache) off a little while ago. well, no, i paid a professional to do such. my intention was to let the beard grow back, but Mum says i have to leave it off. in fairness a lot of people suggest i look better sans it, but i am not sure. 

with the remnants of this year (2023) ebbing away there is every chance that this episode shall come to represent my one and only (that i can recall) visit to Donington for the year. a bit of a shame if so, but then at least i made it there the once. 




be excellent to each other!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





No comments: