[SEL] A message to the Greatest People in the world !!

[Jerry Evans]

Hi to all my Friends on these lists,

         I want to thank you all for all the "Off List" messages that you 
sent to my friend Neville Botha on the occasion of his property being 
flooded. You have only served to reinforce the opinion that I have so often 
expressed and that is "Enginemen (and women) are the greatest people".

         Thank you, my friends, (and it is an honour to be able to call you 
"friends"). Allow me to explain!

         Neville is an "older gent" , he does not understand computers and 
the Internet - he only remembers the times that, if you wanted info on an 
engine it would take months (or even years) to get all that info via "snail 
mail".

         He cannot believe that so many people have written messages to him 
within so short a time of his misfortune. (That's all you guys).

         Neville has been collecting engines (and any other "vintage 
stuff") since his "teens" - long before many of us  (or the Internet) were 
born. It's a passion with him as I've mentioned previously. (O.K. Maybe he 
is not as old as Dave :-))

         Guys, I'd really like to describe to you all the look of surprise 
and joy on Neville's face when I presented him with a printout of all your 
messages but it was beyond description. I swear that it made him feel 10 
years younger! His face beamed - he could not believe that so many 
"strangers" (although I've mentioned most of you over the years) could have 
written to him.

         So, once again, I say "Thank you very much" to my friends. You 
made an "older gent" very happy in this time of distress.

         I spent the whole day (today) at Neville's place - just trying to 
help out - I drained the oil (water included) from most of his 
"smaller/less illustrious engines and generally "did what I could". I will 
be back there tomorrow and with a bit of luck his showroom should be clean 
by tomorrow night.

         On Thursday I've scheduled to collect Reg and take him to meet 
Neville - Neville has already guaranteed that his big Ruston will run !

         Guys (and your Gals) thank you once again for being the "Greatest 
People In The World" - You have made an Old Mans setbacks that much easier 
for him to bear.


Keep the revs up (or down)
Jerry Evans
Near Johannesburg in Sunny South Africa.
Etched Brass Engine Plates made to order:
<www.oldengine.org/members/evans/plates/index.htm>