It’s almost a year now, since I first got the symptoms of MYASTHENIA GRAVIS . At first I had no idea what was wrong with me, but as the weeks progressed , I had my suspicions.
My father also suffered from MYASTHENIA GRAVIS in his later life, and some of the things he had to deal with, were very similar.
When he was suffering from it, the doctors told our family it wasn’t hereditary , so at first I dismissed the idea that I had developed it too.
In my previous reports, I’ve detailed the facts about my long wait to see a specialist doctor, and how I returned to England for a short time to seek a quicker consultation.
It was a hectic time for my family, with me being uncertain of my future, at the same time as my Sister and Mother were about to move house. Since her married life, my sister Anne and husband Pete Shirley had ran a farm in Hockcliffe, Bedfordshire, close to the Young family base around the Dunstable area.
On retirement, they decided to give up the farm and relocate to Milton Under Wychwood in the Cotswolds , of Oxfordshire.
At the same time, my mother sold her house in Toddington (Beds) to buy a brand new sheltered apartment in the same village as Anne.
When I returned to Canada in September, with my health prospects in doubt, there was a distinct possibility, that I would soon be making plans for a permanent ‘repatriation’ to the UK. A large suit case of my belongings were left with my family , with this in mind.
Since returning to Canada, and being treated for my MYASTHENIA GRAVIS there has been an improvement in my health, and my outlook on life has changed. Although I’m still suffering from the disorder and unable to return to work, for the immediate future , I’ve decided to stay here in Canada.
So , with no doctors appointments , coming up, I decided to take advantage of some cheap Air Canada flights, and make a quick return trip to the UK, to visit the family , tie up loose ends, and of course to retrieve my suitcase of belongings.
So , on Monday 2 May, my HHR was once again left in Russell , and my buddy Don Simpson drove me to Ottawa Airport for my favorite overnight flight to Heathrow, London.
Tuesday 3 May
After my mid morning arrival, I got my shuttle bus to the Budget Car Rental where I picked up my ‘wheels’ for the next few days, a little Hyundai.
From the Budget depot I drove to nearby Egham, where I met up with my old friend Ian Hall and his wife Barbara for lunch.
Following this I dove a few more miles to Englefield Green to visit another old friend, Ian’s brother Bob. He’s currently in poor health after suffering from a stroke, over a year ago.
After visiting Bob, it was time to head for my sisters new place in Milton Under Wychwood. Instead of my regular route to Bedfordshire from London, I was heading in the unfamiliar route to rural Oxfordshire.
I arrived at Anne and Pete’s at about 6-30, where mum was there waiting too. Pete was busy attending to his garden.
Wednesday 4 May
I joined mum , and Anne , in her Toyota SUV for a visit to the nearby Cottswold tourist village of Bourton on the Water.
I’ve been there many times over the years but had never visited the Motor Museum before. I found it well worth the 5 quid entrance fee.
There was plenty to see, but as a stock car fan, the Fiat Topolino exhibit was my favorite. The famous little Fiat was the donor body to many stock cars over the years, including my BriSCA F2
After visiting the Museum, we had a nice cup of tea at one of the cafe’s with an outside patio before heading out of town.
Before returning to ‘Whychwood’ we took off for lunch at a garden center in Moreton on the Marsh. I had a lovely meal of ‘Faggots , Peas and Mash’ . Yes, my North American friends , you read that correctly. Faggots are a spicy meatball , onion and herb dish, I used to enjoy many years ago, while I was truck driving in Wales.
Thursday 5 May
Milton Under Wychwood, is a small village close to Chipping Norton, and during my early days of racing , one of the most well known families from the area were the Aldridge’s.
Back in the 1970’s, they were the back bone of the sport, and I had great times racing against Johnny # 211 and his sister Ann # 406.
I’m still in contact with Ann ( now Skinner, as she married Fred Skinner # 228)
and she suggested I look up Johnny who still lived near by.
I googled it up, where Johnny’s yard was located , (on the Chippy to Stow Rd) and dropped in for a chat and a cup of tea.
From here I drove up to Gaydon, on the old Roman Fosse Way to visit the British Car Museum.
It cost a bit more to get in than the Bourton on the Water Museum, but it was well worth it. There were quite a few cars on show, that I remember my father owning.
There were race cars too, 
as well as a few cars from the movies 
After having lunch in the Museum restaurant, I set off back to Anne’s place.
Around mid afternoon , Mum , me, Anne and Pete, took off in Anne’s Toyota to nearby Witney for a bit of shopping.
It’s a small town where I lived from the age of four until I was eight. 
Of course we had to visit some of the towns landmarks 
and my first school, St Mary’s on the Green.
Since moving to Milton under Wychwood, Anne and Pete have got to know another former stock car driver from my era.
Pete’s hobby is ploughing matches and one of his regular competitors is former BriSCA F1 driver, Graham Soule # 481
So after leaving Witney the four of us went to pay Graham a visit.
We had a long chat about racing before heading back to Wychwood.
Friday 6 May
On Friday, I made plans to meet up with more of my old friends, in the Barley Mow, pub in the village of Cosgrove ( near to Milton Keynes) where I lived in the mid 1980’s.
I arrived in the area with plenty of time, so had a coffee in the main street of Stony Stratford, another town I lived in during the 1980’s.
I had arranged to meet, Chris Pickup, my old racing partner, and long time friends Colin and Kim Herridge at the Barley Mow, beside the Grand Union Canal, at midday.
We all arrived about the same time, Colin and Kim in their Renault, and Chris on his bike. He’s very much into fitness pursuits these days and cycled quite a few miles from his home in Newton Longville.
It was a beautiful warm and sunny day , and the four of us sat outside for lunch, chatting about old times for at least a couple of hours.
Before heading back to Wychwood, I drove the short distance in to Central Milton Keynes to visit the market.
I arrived back at Anne’s in time for supper, after which, Pete and I decided to check out ‘The Hare’ , Milton under Wychwoods, local Pub.
Saturday 7 May
It wouldn’t be a trip back to the UK , without a date at the races, and like most of my visits , the mighty BriSCA F1’s were my target. The first Saturday in the month, means one thing to British oval racing fans . Coventry Stadium 
Just like the ‘Moody Mile’ at Syracuse , NY , the British equivalent is about to be lost to development.
Coventry Stadium in England has been home to stock car racing since the sport began in Europe in the mid 50’s. The ‘first’ Saturday of each month has been the place where race fans from all over the UK have met , to see the premier division of European oval racing , the BriSCA F1’s.
I have been a regular attendee since 1969 and I still make a point of getting there when ever I can. For me personally , and many of my close friends, it is very sad occasion indeed , as it’s all due to end at the completion of this racing season.
I’m still hoping there will be a reprieve and this night mare will end.
I arrived mid afternoon and already the parking lot was starting to fill up. As you would expect, the British version of ‘tail-gating’ took place , as I chatted in my lawn chair to friends old and new. These included Paul and Joan Jenkins of the VSCA and my old mate from Phil ‘Bootsie’ Chance, who I’ve known since I was a school kid. I even made a new friend , Rick Rock from Manchester.
My good friend , media/photographer Colin Casserley had once again got the ‘OK’ from the powers that be, for me to take pics in my favorite spot. He even loaned me a pair of safety glasses so I could abide by the latest rules. Thanks Colin.
I like taking pics on the exit of turn two, and as always, I was able to get some great shots.
‘Bootsie’ is now in charge of Victory Lane presentations , and he asked me, if I’d like to present the F1 heat three winner.
So before putting my camera down and heading for the bar, I joined Phil to present John Dowson Jr, with his win.
Once I’d performed my presentation duty, I joined my many old friends up in the bar to watch the rest of the nights races. It didn’t take me long to meet up with Fred and Anne Skinner (Aldridge).
Even after all these years, the bar at Coventry always feels like my ‘local’. There are always so many old friends up there.
Just to name a few, Robin Shaw, Mick Orridge, Colin Herridge, Ian Hall, Stu Ralls, Paul and Joan Jenkins, Steve Mayhew, Pete and Carol Westerman plus many more.
Once it was Final time I returned to Victory Lane , to get the shots of Matt Newson # 16 the nights big winner.
After the F1 racing was over, I took the unfamiliar drive back to ‘Wychwood’ arriving just before mid-night.
Sunday 8 May and Monday 9 May.
Sunday was the ‘American Mothers Day’ ( my mum gets two , UK and American Mothers Day) and we had a road trip and overnight stay planned for us.
We had booked a couple of rooms at the Travel Lodge Motel at Needham Market near Ipswich , but before going there , we took a little detour into the Norfolk country side.
One race track that missed my Track Chasing net, while living in the UK was the Swaffham Raceway, and I was about to put things right.
It was a lovely Sunny day , so Mum sat in the car doing her cross word puzzles while I went into the track to claim a few races.
Top of the bill were their version of F2/Superstox, but the program also included Ninja Karts for the kids
and various types of bangers and saloon stocks. 
I stayed inside the track watching the action, for a little over half an hour before returning to the parking lot, and continuing our drive towards Ipswich.
Swaffham Raceway became Track Number 224 on my Trackchaser totals.
We got to the Travel Lodge at around 4-00 pm , where we relaxed and rested until the next day.
On Monday morning we took a drive into Felixstowe, the nearby coastal town where I spent many childhood days.
After spending an hour or two at Felixstowe , we headed for Polstead in Suffolk, for a prearranged family lunch at the Brewers Arms. 
We met up with my cousin Jamie his wife Michelle, and my Auntie Gladys who I hadn’t seen for a number of years.
After a lovely carvery lunch, Mum and I set off, via Sudbury, in the direction of Oxfordshire. 
While passing through Sudbury, I took advantage of photographing ‘The old Friars’ Restaurant that my late uncle Jim , and Gladys used to own and a place I have many childhood memories.
Before completing our drive back to ‘Wychwood’ we dropped into see my brother Chris in Dunstable.
Tuesday 10 May
On Tuesday morning I said good bye to Mum, Anne and Pete, as I approached the final stages of my trip.
I met up with two more racing friends along the way for a chat, Rob Sellar in Witney, then Grahame Brown in Stanwell. Middx, before arriving at Ian Hall and Barbara’s house in Chertsey , Surrey.
They had kindly offered me a bed for the night at their place , which is close to Heathrow Airport.
Wednesday 11 May.
After Ian had served me a nice bacon sandwich for breakfast , I left Chertsey , to return the rental car, and head for the airport.
The flight was on time and by 5-30 pm Eastern Time, I had landed in Ottawa.
My Buddy , Don, was there to meet me, and after picking my car up from his place, I was back home in Cornwall, Ontario in time for a burger , supper at Billy K’s on Brookdale Ave.
Friday 13 May heralded the weekend opening for all three of my local tracks.
Mohawk International Raceway on Friday, the Brockville Ontario Speedway on Saturday and the Cornwall Motor Speedway on Sunday.
The weather forecast did not look good for any of them. Rain and Cold ! were predicted
My HHR needed some front end work, so I booked it in to SEAWAY GM for it to be done on Friday.
Sure enough, on Friday morning I woke to rain, but it had all cleared up by lunch time when I dropped off my car for the work at SEAWAY.
Things looked good for the evenings racing, but with my car not being ready , 
I was given the use of a ‘loaner’ , a Buick Verano .
The races at the M.I.R went OK and it was Chris Raabe who took both of the twin 20’s for the Mods.
Saturday 14 May, in Cornwall, was dull and overcast , but there was no rain as I returned the Buick to SEAWAY and picked up my HHR.
At around 3-45 pm, I read a Social Media report saying , the B.O.S was still running , so I headed down the 401 to Brockville.
On arrival it was obvious things had changed, with wet ground and heavy rain. The races were canceled , so home I went !
I was up early on Sunday 15 May to watch the live coverage on TV of the Spanish Grand Prix from Barcelona.
Well , what a race it turned out to be , with both Mercedes drivers Rosberg and Hamilton putting each other out on the first lap. This allowed for a story book ending.
Congrats to Red Bull, and Max Verstappen the 18 year old Dutchman, who made history as the youngest ever F1 Grand Prix winner in Spain that day .
Later in the day, in bitterly cold temperatures, but no rain, the Cornwall Motor Speedway , got their season opener in the books.
While snow flakes fell , Carey Terrance took the Modified checkers, and Shane Pecore the 100 lapper for Sportsman. 
In my absence , Roch Aubin won in the Pro Stocks.
So this brings the Report for the first part of May to an end, lets just hope the weather soon improves.