See Shell

          I say!  What a bang-on treat this was.

 Mistress decided we should take full advantage of a non-rainy day and do a bit of motoring.  She promised to show me something I'd never see back in Oxford, UK or anywhere else in the USA.  Cracking good time for a little car like myself. 

 Most petrol pumps are simply like going to the local for a pint.  But this.  Well, this is the belts and braces, isn't it?  

This clamshell shaped  petrol station is the last to remain standing of the 8 Shell stations built, I believe, in the 1930's.   Most thankful for Historic Preservation, as Mistress says that there was a time when this station was to be torn down as it was fallen into disrepair.  Public outcry saved it, and I say hip-hip-hoo-rah for that  

It is located on Sprague Street in our neighboring city of Winston-Salem.  I fear it no longer operates as a service station, so I couldn't actually have a drink here, but it was a treat to pull in to the pumps.  

I expect to see a great many wonderful sites on our travels, but I can't imagine that this won't remain one of my favorites.  It's aces!

KORNER'S FOLLY

Here we are at the side of Körner's Folly.
The Mistress has been telling me about this most unusual home.

This house was built by Jules Körner in the late 1800's. Jules was an interior designer and decided that the house would be both his home and his studio where he could bring clients to show his work. He designed the entire house, and did a great deal of the building himself. Even the bricks were made on the property. North Carolina has never had a shortage of mud, and therefore bricks are a popular local building material.

The original design of the house had a carriageway through the center of the house with the living quarters on the side where I am parked, and the stables on the other side. Jules was very fond of his horses. However, when he married, his wife was not enamored of living with equines and insisted that the horses be housed elsewhere.

The horses got a new stable, and the the house was closed in and the former stables turned into rooms. This modification created an unusual house to say the least.

Perhaps we'll come back another day and see some more of this fascinating property.

In the meantime, you can visit the Körner's Folly website: www.kornersfolly.org

First stop: The Town Hall

Here we are, parked in front of the Town Hall of Kernersville.

In back and down stairs is the police station, which I hope never to visit. Being a very speedy little car, I do have to mind my manners as I cruise around the village. Don't wish to collect any of those nasty old tickets, do we?

This is also where the town council meets, and where the offices for city planing and the like are. Off camera, but to my left is the town library, and to my right is the Chamber of Commerce building.

Mistress bemoans this construction as it took down some lovely old houses which she wishes could have stood. Sadly, progress is often not pretty.

Let's move on, shall we?

Taking the Grand Tour

A Visit to the Pub

Yes, here I am finally having a drink. 

 Don't think that I'm a teetotaler or that I have anything against the evening cocktail ... it is simply my nature.  I drink lightly and in moderation. 

 So, after being with the Mistress for right at a month, I had my first good drink.  Quite refreshing, I must say.

Must dash.  Ta for now.

The "Cute" Compromise

I find myself pondering the essence of perception.

This has come about due to the Mistress having lunch with a friend who had not met me before today.  This perfectly nice woman seemed to lose all sense of decorum when she saw me. 

 "Oh, its so cute!" she exclaimed.  

"Cute"?  Was she referring to me?  I am a fine machine.  A pedigree of racing in my breeding.  A movie star known for doing all my own stunts no matter how risky.  I assume everyone has seen "The Italian Job"?  Well, there you have it.

"Cute"?  I was simply stunned... Then the Mistress invited this woman to sit in the driver's seat.  Ah, ha, I thought.  Now we'll hear what a fine machine I am. An impressive engine under the bonnet which offers pick up that flattens one against the seat with something approaching G-force.  Power to cut corners at high speeds and never lose the slightest road traction.  

But what happens when she sits in the seat?

"Oh!  This is just so CUTE!"

I maintained my dignity.  I neither wailed nor gnashed my grill.  But the soul was wounded.  Am I forever destined to be simply "Cute"?  

Well, 'stiff upper lip' and all that.  I shall rise above the shallowness of cuteness and prove my metal in the long run.

Perhaps Mistress will allow me to go to the mountains one day.  Then I shall show the world what a Clubman can do.

Cute.

harrumph.

The Passenger

Introducing Steed.

He is usually found in the passenger seat.

I don't know that he is really a "car dog", I feel that it is more thrust upon him than a choice made by free will.  Nonetheless, he rides well, and fulfills his job of watchdog when the Mistress goes in places leaving us to fend for ourselves.

I shall comment out of the Mistresses' hearing that he positively hates those sun glasses.

A Snow Day!

Here I am heading out into my first snow!

What a treat. The  Mistress tells me that our little town has not had this nice a snow in five years.  I like to think that it was my luck to bring it!

It was a grand day.  I, of course, had no trouble navigating the fluffy white stuff, but the Mistress was a bit concerned about the other travelers on the road.  I do confess that she made one or two most unladylike comments regarding the other drivers.   The comments were accurate though, so I think the gaff is easily forgiven.

She is most kind to consider my well-being and to take such pains to be sure that I am well looked after.  I confess to being quite flattered by this concern.  Therefore, our trip was short, but most pleasant.

What a thrilling way to kick off our motoring escapades.  Ta for now, friends.

Good Morning and Good Motoring.

Good Morning.

Please allow me to introduce myself, if I do not presume too much.

My name is Jeeves. 

I am British, of course, from the family of Mini-Cooper. A well respected family, we have added some German blood to the stock in the form of BMW, and now feel that we have the best of both worlds.

I am a Clubman. That is both my breed and my bent. A very social Mini-Cooper Clubman. Chili red with racing stripes -- just in case you want to be able to recognize me in a crowd.

My birthdate is the day I began service with the Mistress.  February 24, 2009.  This is when the adventures I shall relate began.  My actual creation in Oxford, England began earlier.  While Oxford will always hold a special place in my heart, it wasn't until the Mistress collected me from Flow Mini that our history began.

I hope you'll join us as we motor.  Your company will be so pleasant as good things are even better when shared.

For now, I shall say "adieu" ... it is, after all, time to motor!