A long time ago when I was a kid, I was 'barking' mad about cars. We had apprentices from The Rootes Group as lodgers, I pestered the local bookshop for 'The Observers Book of Cars' each year when it came out, and I used to visit and write to manufacturers and showrooms for all the leaflets and literature I could collect. In those days, marques like Mercedes-Benz and Alfa-Romeo were rare exotics, a glimpse of which would thrill me for the rest of the day!

I think if was my 10th or 11th birthday, my Mother asked what i would like as a treat. We couldn't afford much, but fortunately in certain ways I was Easily pleased! "I want a ride in a Mercedes-Benz!" I exclaimed gleefully. There was a showroom in Coventry City Centre which sold rare imports, Greyfriars Motors, a regular haunt of mine. Unknown to me, just before my birthday my Mother, full of trepidation, went into the showroom. A good natured young man approached her asking if he could help, and my Mother explained the situation. He gave it some thought and revealed that in a few days time, he would have to deliver a Mercedes-Benz to Leamington Spa, and pick up another car to bring back to Coventry - we could accompany him if we liked! My birthday dream fulfilled!

I remember little about the trip now, but I'm sure I hardly stopped talking, asking questions about the car, discussing various models and their mechanicals, God knows what else!

Flash Forward (admit it, you watch it too!) to last Tuesday. Late afternoon, I had brought my music and P.A. gear onto the drive at the front of the house I live in, awaiting a lift. It was our regular 'Gathering of Eagles Fellowship International' meeting, I still have no car, so Samson will pick me up. It was a beautiful evening, and while I was waiting I had a little wander. A few houses away a man - I guess retired - was trimming some hedge in the front of his well manicured garden. I commented on how lovely his garden looked, and we started chatting. I eventually told him a bit about my activities, including leading music ministry at GEFI. It turns out he (John) is a singer - tenor - in a couple of local choirs! While we were talking about various concerts we'd been involved in, my mobile went off, I answered in my usual fashion - "Hello, Tim Constable!" - it was Sam, telling me he would be there soon. When I disconnected, John said "So now I know your name, Tim Constable. ABOUT FORTY YEARS AGO YOU HAD A RIDE IN A MERCEDES-BENZ!!!" I was stunned, and asked how he knew. "I KNOW BECAUSE IT WAS ME WHO ARRANGED THE TRIP AND DROVE YOU AND YOUR MOTHER TO LEAMINGTON!!!" Talk about knock-me-down-with-a-feather. Not only him recalling the incident from hearing my name, but happening to live four doors away from my current lodgings!

While we were both stunned, Samson arrived. We got loaded up, he asked me if I was O.K. and I said I could be knocked down with a feather. He said he didn't know that expression "Is is a good thing, this KnockMeDownWithAFeather?", so I explained what it meant and why I was in that particular condition just then. He responded "So this guy, that took you in a Mercedes-Benz all those years ago, when he heard your name, turns out to be him? And he remembers you?? And your mum??? And he's living just a few doors away???? Well, that's amazing - you could knock ME down with a feather!"