All Accounted For

The last move into a bubble completed this morning. Starting the Alpine (hard to do) and moving it out of the garage so I could build the bubble for the Imp. It looked good in the sunshine ... 

... but I had work to do. First though to warm the Imp up.

Then I attacked the bubble - again I found the tabs to hold it up while I worked - so that was easier. However before I could finish it we had to make an emergency dash to Harkstead to free an old Lady from a book case !

That done and the bubble completed I moved the Imp around too. That was a little easier than the Alpine to start but given neither have been used for several cold weeks it's not surprising. The sun was out and they both really wanted a run ...

... but it was wet and salty - so no. What did get a run was the SAAB to the allotment for jobs.

Then PM back to the archive where I spotted a scan of the 1932 brochure with the Ulster in it !

That was a nice find.

Green is Good

I checked the Talbot and yes - green on both trickle chargers.

Lots of rain and wind so I went back to the archive - interesting. I found a first hand report from Brian Lewis who drove GO53 on the 1932 Mille Miglia. Very mater of a fact given he crashed into a ditch, retired, then the Italian crowd pulled the car out of the ditch and then after a swift drink continued to the end !

Less exciting was my run to Harkstead in the rain.

Then home again in the dark.

One interesting update was Ian Potts saying "NO" don't link the earths from the batteries.

Turning to the Troubled Talbot

Another day - another Bubble.

The Talbot was still hard to start this morning - including a a couple of those nasty sort of knocking failures but she got going in the end. I guess only heating up the very cold garage for an hour and a bit probably wasn't enough. However it looked splendid though once out in the daylight.

Starting on the bubble I spotted the same tags as the blue one had so was able to take some weight off it. The bubble went up ok (although it is filthy) but just took longer as I mixed up the curved and strait supports. Almost two hours before the car was in position.

I'd forgotten how long the car is so it needs to be almost touching the back wall to get it in. Moving it by had was not an option so I re-started it and used the engine. 

Then for a rest we went off to get the three Christmas trees. Here we are - already having dropped one off at Harkstead.

Then after lunch I finished off putting the car away and swapped the chargers around so I could put both the batteries on charge. I found I needed an extension lead for the second one though as the lead is not as long as the main ones. They are both on charge though and we'll see how we get on.

In then off to the boat (MK7 passenger time) to start clearing that out for the Winter lay up.

Even early afternoon the sun was setting but it was cold and bright. That done home again.

Finally a long SAAB run to the RGEA (via Glevering) to pick Chris up and then drop him back.

Rain forecast for the next few days so we'll probably stop there for a bit.

Bubble Blues

The sun peeped out eventually early morning so I decided I'd better get another bubble done. This time the new blue one in the new garage. First warm up the Ferrari and get the Aston out. Gosh it looked good on the drive.

Anyway I unpacked the new bubble and started work.

A couple of positive changes to the design: there were tags on the roof so I could hang it up and the zips seemed better quality. However the charger connections have changed format and the unit is much bigger. After an hour's work I realised that it would not fit. It's too tall and the shape of the box to stop the water getting in cuts into the frame. So a bit disappointing (that seems to be happening a lot recently) and I needed a change of plan.

That involved going into town in the SAAB - hair cut and re-think.

It was sunny though which helped me de-stress. After lunch we went back to plan B and put the new bubble in the brick garage. That took over an hour - especially as it can't go against the wall because of the petrol pump. It also felt bigger ? However it all fitted together well - although it helped that I knew what I was doing as many of the poles had lost their labels already.

It was too nice an afternoon not to take the Ferrari around the block - and I'm happy to report it behaved impeccably - and looked great - well a little less great by the time we'd got home on the dirty roads.

I also had to make a temporary fitting for the power but here we are - packed away. 

Three down - but I must look at the Talbot when I get chance.

Courier Time

Rain and wind greeted us first thing - but it did not matter as today I was working for the Fairies. First load of 10 picked up and delivered before 10.

Then a second run which was a bit further away - as the weather got worse.

But 10 more boxes in the post before lunchtime.

SAAB still working away - well with the odd CEL ... flashing.