Espresso or Nescafe?

On Tuesday I mentioned the 70th Anniversary of the Vespa, it having being patented at 12:00 o'clock on 23rd April 1946. Researching, have now found out that the UK is the second biggest market after Italy.

The lovely, white-wall tired, Bliped version is a 1974 small frame Vespa 50 Special which possibly was not imported to the UK. Well at least I can't think any self respecting 1974 Mod would have been seen on Brighton's seafront posing with his rival Rocker's BSA, Triumph or Norton.  The original 1946 Vespa was a 98ccm motor and then came bigger engines, the biggest a 278ccm, max 116 km/h version. I guess a modern day Mod can also claim to be a Euro "Ton-Up Boy" given he can do over 100.

These smaller 48ccm motorised versions were made to take full advantage of some continental European driving license and road tax laws.  I had just popped in to the supermarket after the dog walk in Erkheim when the Vespa drew up. Quickly deposited my shopping bag in the car and collected the camera. The rider was still seated and after he removed his helmet I approached and cautiously asked if I could take a photo. Always that moment of "I hope they aren't too suspicious" but luckily Daniel was very friendly and said straight away "Of course". Luckily my mobile was working well and I was able to show him the entry from Tuesday mentioning the Vespa anniversary. I think that probably convinced him as he even agreed to moving it from it's rather poor, photo shoot, position and stay sitting for the shot. He bought it two years ago. I didn't ask how much he paid but I understand that just like old tractors, one has to pay more for them nowadays than they originally cost.

Thank you Daniel for a timely and such well kept Blip model, much appreciated. The Elton John song of the same name was played on Bavarian Radio this week, released the year before his Vespa was built, 1973. I have always wondered what the song was about. Only today did I bother to find out - a US Vietnam war hero returning to his Texas country home and trying to avoid the acclaim and simply wanting to lead a normal life. Seems Elton cut out the last verse of Taupin's text which explained this.

As can perhaps be seen, the weather was really great day. At last no coats or jackets needed for the dog walk. Flash went well despite the heat and even managed to crawl down and amazingly also back up the bank of a stream to cool down and take the waters. Right at the end of the walk got in to a very interesting talk with a man of exactly my age, out for a walk without dog but turned out to have been a semi professional shepherd dog breeder, his last dog died recently. Always nice to meet people out on walks who aren't afraid of dogs. I can understand many have a problem with them but wish they would simply totally ignore the dogs, no eye contact and keep moving. Easier said than done.

Bees very very busy and the dandelions have now fully recovered and few farmers have mowed at least on a large silage scale. I wonder what they will now do as we don't have a public holiday on Monday (here a holiday falling on a weekend is "lost" for the average Mon-Fri employee) but Thursday is Fathers Day and a public holiday - officially Ascension Day. Traditionally men are on travels around the countryside with crates of beer on various vehicles, whether horse or tractor pulled, they have to keep one person sober. So if the weather is right, will they break with tradition and do silage or do it earlier in the week, or wait a bit longer?

PS The "Coffee" title - Back in the 60's the Rockers were also known as the Coffee Bar Cowboys or Cafe Racers. In Germany there is a distinction between the hard "Screwdriver", espresso drinking, greaser type Vespa followers more interested in the technical side and the more stylish fashion conscious "Prodomo" types. Prodomo is a brand of coffee made by Munich's very traditional, noble Dallmayer concern with it's Delicatessen "palace" in the heart of the city centre.

PPS Not sure why the dates vary. Patent was on 23rd April and one can then read " a few days later presented to the press at Rome Golf Club and shortly afterwards at the Milan Show". I guess then the anniversary talked about on the news for the 26th is the Golf Club bash.