Bags of Fun

SAAB to the allotment and back again mid morning.

Seemed that three vehicles with one wheel would be my fleet this morning.

Then back again with bags both ways.

Then after recovering from the work I got the Aston out under black skies. Bloody alarm triggered again.

Then coming out it was even darker. So setting off, the bloody alarm went off again. Umm - at least it started. I guess this is the problem we'll need to get over next.

Slightly Sad

Really dreary day so I did research and sorted out the paperwork for the Seven. 

Late afternoon I started it up and cleared the boot of my tools and found the covers that are going with it.

Then I popped to Oli's to tell him and collect his keys. I still slightly regret getting rid of it - but it's for the best. 

I guess if the chaps in the club had been a bit more friendly then I would not have let it go.

Talking of clubs - the organiser of the SROC meeting liked my photos a lot - "Thanks so much ... lucky you won as we struck gold with your photo skills" so that's cheered me up again.

They were good though.

I'll Start that Again

First thing I went to Lee's to start on cleaning the Alpine. Got there and started work about 9:45.

Five minutes later I was on my way back to Harkstead for jobs. About an hour after that I was back again working on the Alpine. At least I could get more equipment though.

I cleaned all the inside, boot and even made a start on the engine bay. I also now know why the passenger seat would not go all the way back.

Yep - that's a ball bearing stuck on the runner.

The car will need another good clean but at least I've started and made a list of things I need to do.

Finally treated myself to an Aston run to save the planet.

'Not another one' I thought as it failed to start  - but did so fine the next time. Odd.

What have I done ?

A dull rainy day so all I got done was fitting the new battery to the E-type.

I did change the nuts on the clamp though so you can undo them more easily.

Then I bit the bullet and sold the Caterham. I'm not using it so it's better it goes to someone who will. I guess by next week it will be gone.

Then John rang - he has bought his car too - so that's two of us. Old-car fools or old Car-fools - who knows, but as he said between us we're propping up the market !

Deal Done - and a 'Beeping'

So AM was sorting out the E-type and unpacking having just left it when I got bac last night. The 'new' battery is still not showing fully charged with was odd.

PM was the crunch time visit to the Talbot. 

Plugs were good - a nice brown colour even after the 30+ miles of slow running I did. The endoscope showed some faint lines in the bores but no damage as far as I could tell. Finally the pressure test was fine on all cylinders. As we were doing that Ian Polson cam out to see us - so that was nice - but I suspect he was probably making sure the deal was closed.

So here we are, the fully documented engineers report I took away with me...

... and off goes the money when I can sort that out.

I then made a template to help lift the seat back and took the long (too long) way home.

It still feels like a car I am visiting though. I should collect it next week and then the fun, heartache, remorse, elation - begins.

When I got home the SAAB decided to join in the fun as started 'beeping' when I opened the door. Very odd. Later when I went out I noticed the lights were on too. WHAT ?

It appears that some prat had turned to side lights in stead of off when they got out. Well I never.

Ups and Downs

So early morning 7:45 sunshine and off we go - heading East to go West again. Glevering and then cross country to the A14. Looking good and feeling confident ... Even if the immobiliser was playing up.

The fuel seemed to go down quickly - but then it went up again - odd. However the car started again when I picked up Chris - so at least we will get there I thought. We had a good run [only two stops to check and correct the route] and by 10:30 we were almost there when I noticed the numbers align. 50,000 exactly so obviously I stopped to take the pic.

We went in - ushered through the special exhibitors gate proudly showing our TALBOT sign (as the Sunbeam Rapier Owners Club was apparently called). As we parked up next to the only Rapier there a Traction Avant pulled up. Oh nice - but also not a Talbot !

Turned out he was not even in out party so was ushered away in the end - to be replaced by a Lancia. 

Anyway a few more cars turned up including a few Rapiers at last with several other non-Rootes interlopers. Then they drew the raffle and I heard my name. I had won - so I was quickly whisked off for a short flight in a Cessna 150F by one of the SROC chaps.  A but frantic to get off before the show was due to start but we made it there and back. [No flight suit this time].

Not easy to take pics out of the window but I was allowed - which was a bonus - in fact I was ordered to by the organiser.

Then the show itself began so I spent the next four hours shooting aircraft. The highlight for me being the de Havilland DH.88 Comet I had hoped would be flying.

So after a very hot and busy day we got going around 6 pm and hit the queue to get out. Great run too except the roadworks - but the car was enjoying the cool summer evening. The only worry was the fuel seemed to be going down a lot quicker than I had thought it would - I suspect the 'tweaks' I did were to blame - but we were looking fine.

As we turned off the A14 for the back roads the car gave the odd cough - which I put down to being hot and bothered. However about a mile before Glevering the temperature gauge started to go down quite quickly - odd I though - then the car coughed again. Then as we drove up the final leg of the drive was it just stopped. Dead. No power not even enough to sound the horn. Bugger - but at least it was here and not on the main road.

What to do ? I suspected a dead battery as we had had the fan on (well showing a high rate of charging) for most of the day. We went to get the Tiger battery but it was far too big. So Chris kindly drove me all the was home and back to get the one from the Golf - smaller but it should be OK for the run home - IF THE CAR STARTS.

But an hour later the battery was fitted and the dead one dumped in the foot well.

OK now for the moment of truth. The car started first turn of the key (so to speak) even if there were a few tense moments with the immobiliser not working again. Off I shot into the dark - on dipped beam and very low fuel. 

What to do ? Risk stopping to top up or just go for it. The fuel light only came on as I sowed for roundabouts then went off again as we leveled out. I guess I have 20 miles when the light is constantly lit so I kept going - and going - and going. By the time I got to Freston it was on all the time - but by then we were almost within pushing distance. So here we are - on fumes but safely back.

Almost 11 o'clock but home safe and sound.

As I say to myself - you don't have adventures or stories to tell sitting at home watching 'Cash in the Attic' - but some days ... 

Pre-flight checks

Well pre-Airshow checks.

But first early run in the MK7 to WWW - for a potter in the growing warmth. We got the early but it was already busy. Found the Bentley back - it's not quite as it looks being a 'Special' made from a 1948 Bentley Convertible. Back after being missing last year though.

Then PM checked over the E-type for the Sunday run to Shuttleworth. Petrol and cleaning.

The only issue was that the oil was down a lot - so put in three pints. Looked good after a bit of detailing though. Very good in fact in the dying sun. Packed and ready to go by late evening.

It really is a good boot - even without the back shelf down.