English Colin Mondays

My Mondays are a treasure these days thanks to two gentlemen I have met. Both are named Colin and both are from England. While technically neither one lives in La Conner, they meet Monday afternoons from 3-5 p.m. for a “pint or two” at their “local boozer” (The Brewing Company in this case). I don’t remember how I fell in with them but it has become a delight I look forward to. They are teaching me English as well.

You might hear an Oi Mush! (sort of like hello!) upon joining the table. Colin #1, as we have designated him, grew up in a village at the north end of the White Cliffs of Dover during World War II. He regales us with stories of watching German bombers and V1 buzz bombs flying overhead and the British fighters pursuing them. I asked if he were worried and he said no, they were headed for London. He talks of Americans driving through town in Jeeps and throwing Hershey bars to the kids as they chased them down the lane. He also recalls the older folks saying of the Americans, “overpaid, over-sexed and over here”.

He grew up to be an aircraft engineer and he and I talk of that often, since I did, too. He also owns a 1930 Ford Model A which he often drives to La Conner from Shelter Bay.

Colin #2, is a bit younger but equally interesting. He is from London and has worked as a French chef, samurai sword expert (still works at this), sculptor, as well as an authority on older cars. He owns four Cadillac La Salles ranging in years from 1938 to 1942.

Both Colins immigrated to the U. S. in the mid-1960s but still retain their beautiful accents. We talk of cars, airplanes, world events, samurai swords and almost anything else. There are typically five of us sitting in the group. Me, Wayne, Randy and of course the Colins. All of us own cars or trucks ranging from 1928 to 1946 with The Ghost of Tom Joad (mine) being the oldest.

So, if you should stop into our Local Boozer between three and five Monday afternoons, pop over and have a pint, sadly, a 16 ounce American pint, not a proper 20 ounce English pint.

When we depart, there are a lot of “Pip Pip Cheerios thrown about.

Until next time Pip Pip, Cheerio!

Rick Dole

La Conner