…friendships are a funny thing…

[cjtpb13]

…whether it is to be blamed upon age or just the opportunity for quiet reflective thought for that I do not know nor never will…which one anyone so chooses is upon themselves…
…as I find myself sitting at Heathrow looking out at the gloomy rain from the lounge reflecting upon my past several days. I reached the conclusion that friendships are funny…

…we never know truly know with whom…when…why…or how friendships truly come to fruition…

…I often wonder whether Bibs truly knew the number of lives he would intertwine in long lasting friendships even when the cars have long moved on in some cases…

…to those friends old and new I want to say thank you for all these last several days as I also reflect upon those friends that have passed…

…TLF is more than automobiles….

[Bibs]

It's been an awesome few days mate, lots of fun, laughs and great conversations. So glad you made the trip along with many other friends! 

[Sparky]

Yes, @Bibshas much to answer for!  Certainly for me, buying a Lotus and joining TLF (then LEF) affected my life in many unexpected ways, and bore so many enduring friendships and more fun than you could shake a gearstick at.

An absolute pleasure to welcome you to our home, Christopher, and we will no doubt meet again soon...

[Escape]

I couldn't agree more! Looking at my own situation, most if not all of my friendship have something to do with cars. But many have evolved way beyond the cars and will hopefully last longer than the cars.

It was a pleasure to meet you Christopher. It may be unlikely we see a lot of each other, I'd still like to consider you a new friend. 😉  There will always be a cold beer waiting for you at Exotics International. 🍻

[internets]

The TLF Crimbo party is always a highlight of the calendar and IMHO Crimbo does not start until then

Really glad you took time out @cjtpb13 to  come over and visit, it was great to catch up. Thanks again for the Fish Finger Sandwich  

It has been a blast and one of the few forums I have ever joined, and even though currently not a Lotus owner I am here for the many friends I have made through TLF. I met @Bibs like 17 years ago, I seem to remember he was being spoken too by some Stoomtroopers at the time and remember thinking I did not recall Brad Pitt having a part in Star Wars   Also  @Sparky has always had a warm welcome and a cuppa on at his place not to mention the various trips we have had over the years . And its all down to @Bibs and what was then LEF

It was great to meet you again @Escape, we really must come over and visit you! Plus I now need a supply of chocolate Lotus biscuits  

[Bibs]

I remember that weekend well, best storm troopers ever!! 

[cjtpb13]

Filip indeed you have joined that list. 
 

 I am however curious to know of other forum members that have had friendships begun because of this particular site. 
 

I have many friendships in the United States because of TLF that are in a similar way.  

[Kimbers]

I have had a lot of time recently to reflect on this.

A few years ago my best friend of 45 years (we went to school together) became a Vegan. He always swore he would never be a preachy vegan but has subsequently become one and worse than that we had a disagreement and Wendy said "He is your best friend just tell him you agree to disagree". I subsequently did that and got some pretty horrible vitreol in return about how dare I say that when it's about the the death of the planet etc etc etc". Needless to say I haven't been involved in his life since. But he does have a dig at me whenever he can online talking about how the worst people say "Agree to disagree" and all that sort of thing. When Wendy was named by the Queen in her Borthday Honours list he posted up about there being more important things than pathetic awards from Rich people, or some such. Obviously aimed not just at me but Wendy. Thats where I drew the line. Even to this day he doesn't know it was Wendy trying to keep us together that told me to say what was the actual thing he took umbrage to. 

So, in answer to your question, Apart from You mate (I didn't know you were over you git, why did you not come see me and the old man!) I too have Bibs as  a brother from a different mother. He even calls dad.....well, dad. @Kim.com I consider a dear and close friend the same with @esp88. We go back a very long time even to Esprit forum days.

I hate to say it....... urgh. No I can't. ......................... ok @Sparky isn't too bad sometimes. (But I love him dearly really). Andy and Andy from above the border (they know who they are) so many members I get invites to pop over from on a regular basis and being a terrible person don't take them up on the invites mainly cause, and you guys don't realise this, I actually get socially anxious. Yeah I know that doesn't fit but having panic attacks because I have a new situation to go to is not fun.

I can't finish this without @andydclements who I can bump into after 2 years and its just like we saw each other the day before and our friend and my namesake @Tony K and @

And there are many more. I can't list here. When I had my 40th Birthday Party I have an open invite to members to come to it and was stunned how many turned up. poor Ian May did his back in and spent the whole party laying on the floor of his hotel room and so many more.

best thing is I know if I end up in Copenhagen, New York, Iowa or Watford.........does anyone end up in Watford..... I know I have somewhere to go to be cheered up!

Best thing I ever did, joining LEF in 2005. Its been a riot!

[Bibs]

Your 40th was a hoot

[Kimbers]

Hey! Who had a naked woman sitting on him me or you?

I'm now worried cause that was my Stag party and I'm pretty sure you weren't there

[Kim.com]

15 minutes ago, Kimbers said:

Hey! Who had a naked woman sitting on him me or you?

I'm now worried cause that was my Stag party and I'm pretty sure you weren't there

Was it mayo or cum in your face? 

[Kimbers]

That would be whipped cream mate. You imagine how it got where it was!

[Bibs]

23 minutes ago, Kimbers said:

I'm pretty sure you weren't there

You don't recognise my tattoo?

[esp88]

The TLF ( LEF ) is somme thing uniq and  not easy  to describe ( the Lotus esprit is one thing but ownership over 20 years ) and I’m been her so many years, all the member are just like family  or really nice friends to me.

Each time visiting in UK and meet TLF members are always  enjoyable.

 

Yasuo

[cjtpb13]

Just another reason to love this group. It does not take too long for it to go off the rails 🤣🤣🤣

kimbers you were working on some of those days and my next trip will for sure catch up with you further up north. 

[ramjet]

I've always recalled this:

Your friends will know you better in the first minute, than your acquaintances will know you in a thousand years.

Richard Bach.

If it is the Richard Bach of Jonathon Livingston Seagull and Illusions fame, I did not know that it was a quote from him.

[Kimbers]

14 hours ago, ramjet said:

I've always recalled this:

Your friends will know you better in the first minute, than your acquaintances will know you in a thousand years.

Richard Bach.

If it is the Richard Bach of Jonathon Livingston Seagull and Illusions fame, I did not know that it was a quote from him.

And who was it when my father stopped breathing and had to be resussed while I was away on business who called me all the way from Aus. @ramjet. Sorry I missed you off

[ramjet]

You're welcome @Kimbers. I would have liked to have met you as well when I was over there.

Anyway I met @Bibs. He showed me some of the photos. 😉

[Kimbers]

Arg no! 

[Mec]

On 12/12/2023 at 14:44, cjtpb13 said:

…whether it is to be blamed upon age or just the opportunity for quiet reflective thought for that I do not know nor never will…which one anyone so chooses is upon themselves…
…as I find myself sitting at Heathrow looking out at the gloomy rain from the lounge reflecting upon my past several days. I reached the conclusion that friendships are funny…

…we never know truly know with whom…when…why…or how friendships truly come to fruition…

…I often wonder whether Bibs truly knew the number of lives he would intertwine in long lasting friendships even when the cars have long moved on in some cases…

…to those friends old and new I want to say thank you for all these last several days as I also reflect upon those friends that have passed…

…TLF is more than automobiles….

Really Great to meet you Christopher and indeed everyone ! Its amazing what car clubs can do, I know from the Delorean Club that great friendships can be made, the car community is an awesome thing 😁👍