The venerable Morrie Thou

By Bernard Egan November 16 2011

It may sound funny to star a motoring story by saying walking is good.

It's probably also stating the obvious!
I'm mentioning this because last weekend I was reminded there is something good about going for a nice walk.
Actually there were several good things about the walk I took.
First off the exercise, make that the much needed exercise was beneficial, it was great to meet some folk along the way and I saw some nice sights.
One of the people I met asked me about upcoming stories, and if I had been any interesting destinations coming up.
To answer the first question I mentioned a fabulous chat I had to a lady last week, and she has kindly agreed to let me share the story of a special car.
The young lady concerned and her husband have modern vehicles and a rather special older car.
Morris_1000

Their children often prefer to travel in the older vehicle, and it even has a name.
It's a car which has been cherished by its owners and when the time is right always seems to find its new home.
Going places?
Well the answer at the time was I'm looking forward to a trip tomorrow.
Tomorrow is now today and I can say my eagerly await trip with the local branch of the Farm Forestry Association to the Staveley and foothills area was great.
I don't know very much about trees, but the people I was with do.
But even for someone with my limited knowledge it was obvious that we saw some fine trees which are providing very valuable shelter.
On one of the properties we saw the use of unusual species for shelter, and on the other one of the few remaining examples of beech trees growing down country on flat land.
These beech trees which are protected by a Queen Elizabeth 2 covenant are being nurtured by the owners of the property where they grow.
Often travelogues proclaim "it's not the journey but the destination" or vice versa.
Going on the Farm Forestry Fieldday was both.
Heading inland towards the foothills, the drive to the each of the properties we visited was a reminder of the beautiful country which surrounds us here in Mid Canterbury.
Likewise the trip home.
This was definitely all about the journey and the destination.
A pleasant drive, nice scenery, great company and an interesting day out, what more could one ask for?
Just like my walk really.
It was much the same.
Anyway getting back to the rather special little car which will feature in a later story, its green, has four doors is now around 50 years old and has a 1000cc engine.
By now you have probably guessed it's a Morris 1000.
And if you did you are correct.
Who are the proud owners?
Ah well, that's for me to know and you to read about in another column.
In preparation for that story I thought I better do a bit of research about these iconic cars.
But just about everyone has either owned or owns, or know some who has, or has been in one or has a tale to tell about a Morris 1000 so I suspect there are a lot of readers (well I hope there are a lot of readers) who know a whole more about the Morris 1000 than I do.
A bit like me and trees.
Suffice to say the Morris 1000 is a wonderful car which is still bringing pleasure to those fortunate enough to own one.
One thing I do know is that 43 years ago almost to the day I became the proud owner of a Morris 1000.
I'd like to say I got it before I was old enough to get a drivers licence, yeah right!
Sadly that was not the case!
Like the car I'm looking forward to telling you about my Morris 1000 was green, although a different shade.
And mine also had a name.
Mine must have been a boy because it was affectionately known as "Mervie".
The one you'll be hearing about has a girl's name.
After four and half years Mervie went to live with a young lady and then it passed to her sister.
Just recently I was speaking to one of them.
Like me, she and her sister have fond memories of that car, but sadly its fate is now unknown.
But as is often the case with a Morris 1000, it is not forgotten.
Actually one of the people I met while on my walk owns a quite unique Morris 1000 van.
But that's another story for another time.
There are probably as many Morris 1000 stories as there have been owners.
One that I've heard was credited to a local lady who owned a blue Morris 1000 for many years.
It was lovely car.
According to the story which may or may not be true one evening the owner and five of her friends hopped, well probably leveraged themselves into, the Morrie to go to a party in Methven.
Six in a Morris 1000 I hear you ask, but these people were very practical and to make room took the back off the rear seat so some of the passengers could sit facing backwards with their feet in the boot.
All went well until they got to Methven, when they suddenly realised that the only person who knew the address was one of the rear facing passengers.
But again they came up with a very practical solution.
The driver put the car into reverse and drove backwards following the directions of the navigator who was looking out the back window!
True or false, maybe we'll never know, although knowing the delightful people allegedly involved its most likely true.
The other thing we don't know is how they found their way home!

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