Get Them Out

Well after working all day in the heat, I took the SAAB 1/4miles and no - the Dr. was closed. Well it was 17:25 - who works that late now anyway ?

After that it was time to take the E-Type out at last. Only 24 degrees though at 6:30 pm. Memories of France and getting lost on the Cherbourg Peninsula in the late afternoon heat came back. Happy Days ?

Obviously I feel guilty about not doing a bottle bank run before - now I have, the planet will start cooling again - I'm sure ...

ION: UK's hottest May day record broken for second day in a row - now we're up to 35.1C.

Car Season is Hotting Up

Early start - well early dither about which car to take to Saxstead today, which is a small new informal Pub meet. I thought E-type, as it was going to be very hot so opened the garage up to see how clean it was - then I swapped to the Talbot. Was that wise with temperatures nearing 30 degrees inland today ?

Well nearly 30 miles there was fine [including the obligatory getting lost bit] and we parked up in the sun. I still think the car is making more noise than last year but who knows.

Lots of old faces and new cars - so a good little meet up. I also spoke to the chap with the Model T. He explained that the lights really were acetylene gas held in crystals in this canister on the running board. 

The control on the top was supposed to let the driver restrict the flow of gas and 'dip' the lights. Apparently they were so bight and the cars had to have 'running lights' [oil lamps] fitted in London so they did not spook the horses.

The run back was fine too - nice empty small roads once I missed a turning - but we were both getting very hot. I stopped for break and then went off again about 20 mins later - the fuel was obviously getting hot too so we missed a couple of times, but one on the A14 we were fine. Home again and I popped it away in the garage felling like a day well spent and that was that.

But not - then a MK7 ride to Harkstead for jobs was next. Followed by ...

A run out in the Ferrari. Did it smell - hard do tell. Did it go well - easy to tell. Yes.

ION: The other thing hotting up is the planet - well the UK today - as it hit 34.8C. This beat the previous hottest May by a full 2 degrees.

Ferry Bound

I completed the final packing just as the Sun rose.

It looked like an empty boat and we were near the front too - so early off we hoped.

A slightly beaten up early series Land Rover pulled up behind us - with the driver looking a bit full of himself.

Well, I would be if it was me driving that around. When he got back as we were waiting to disembark he checked under the car for leaks and checked his lights were still working too. Nice touch.

We were very quickly off but somehow the Land Rover man beats through customs and when I caught him up I followed him down the main road. In fact I was focusing so hard on following him I turned off when he did - at the junction before ours. He pulled up to check the car again and I went back onto the right road.

The run back was uneventful and the M25 crossing clear - even though it said one tunnel was closed (it was not). Home again just as it got dark - so another trip completed and all on less than one tank.

Now its Hot

Surprise builder visit was booked in for Saturday so just a short jaunt AM back to recycling and the dump.

PM into Dinan. I spotted a MGB roadster, a Spitfire and a Golf convertible - all enjoying the warm evening sunshine.

Going Electric

Back into Dinan (well Leon) for a walk AM before the heat came. I spotted this very small electric car almost parked in the cloisters.

Trying to look like a Fiat 500 I suspect.

Then back home  (via shopping of course) and parking under this new roof - all solar tiles - needed to charge the little car above I suspect.

Builder #

We met the second builder very early which meant we had all do ahead of us. It was hotting up though as we parked in in Dinan for the market.

This time a bit further down the usual street.

Out and About

AM meeting the first builder then the traditional Dump run - then shopping.

PM dodging showers and looking for patio tiles. First Le Roy, then here there and ...

... everywhere.

Simca Spotting

Awoke to rain - but DIY was planned anyway - so that was the morning covered.

Lunch out in Dinan and I spotted this Simca 1100 Special parked up.

But not a lot else as we drove the MK7 up to the posh resort of Saint Luniare just west of Dinard.

Parking was fine - as it usually is in France - and we'll come back.

Jag Fest Afloat

As we went down to the car on arrival I spotted that the car deck was full of Jags on a tour to the Dordogne, mostly moderns with a smattering of others. I spotted an XJS and a large slightly scruffy old Jaguar - possibly a MKVII.

Having been one of the first on we were one of the last off and we queued a long time though security. To make us feel welcome there were also roadworks on the main road out of the port.

Home (via the boulangerie) for a quick breakfast and off shopping - of course.

After lunch (and out of the blue) I got a call from Peter Pescud. Don't forget to put oil - EP95/120 - in the box he said. Now I never got that instruction last time ...

Another quick shopping trip to end the day and that was that.

Packing before the Rain

I started packing the Golf early as wet weather was predicted. We seemed to have a lot already. I guess the cot does not help.

I also swapped the battery charger around on the Talbot but that went green immediately.

After an emergency SAAB run to help in Stutton it was time to finish the packing. We were quite full when I'd finished but still no rain.

The run to Portsmouth as normal - traffic light - and uninteresting. Sitting in the queue for the security I spotted this though.

A 1933 Rolls Royce Phantom 2. So probably quite expensive. 7.6 L six cylinder engine so effortless torque. It's also on the front cover of a book and even a stamp from Tanzania.

So was it in East Africa ? I'll research it in my book.

Wrong Way Round

So starting with pottering and then the E-type around the block.

It went well (as usual) I don't know why I thought it would not. Nice view down the bonnet - I need to try a photoshoot of that.

Then PM off to work. So SAAB to Harkstead for jobs.

Just a few tools this time though.

Coming back with more ?

SAAB run with building materials in the morning - to finish off the slabs at Harkstead.

Looks like I came home with more - well a bag of rubble anyway.

Then PM SAAB back up for tea, and finally ...

The Ferrari got an outing.

Looked good and went even better. We flew around the block - and even overtook someone !

Showers an Hail

Before I could start on my own jobs I had to sort out the MK7 Golf. No water in the windscreen washer. 

So that got topped up. I also checked the coolant which was slightly down, and the oil - which was fine. 

Then after jobs and dodging the hail and showers it was time for a SAAB run to Stutton to deliver some work lights for the dark garage.

The final dash in the rain was a MK7 rush to the Co-op for supper.

ION: Looks like we've got another PM on the way out - or at least another leadership crisis. After a lackluster last two years of government and getting trounced at the local elections Steer Calmer is on the brink ... of something.

Not the Biggest Load

Rain on and off in the morning, but MK2 out so I could clear the wood away.

Of course there was the obligatory interruption for a Harkstead job, but the space is now clear for the Alpine to come back.

PM (after the hail) was a B&Q run for nuts and bolts to fix the old garden seat.

Possible not the largest load the SAAB has had to carry.

However I also have two slight issues. 

The first is that I don't like my design change to the car port roof supports. I think a full beam all the way across at the front would look better. 

The second is that the new battery charger has a slightly smaller connection - dho ! I can still use it but it is not interchangeable. So that's three different types I have now. Can I get/make an adapter ? Looking at my box of charging bits I found another charger and lots of bits - so I just used that. I 'll just use two chargers next time I put the Ferrari into the bubble.

I also put the Talbot back battery on charge.

When I retire - and Green at Last

Travel and Talk. That's what I did for many years at work. Glad that's behind me ...

Well today - SAAB off by 7:21 and it's only 6 degrees, but I'm off to Dorking to collect the steering box. Poor run and bad traffic - but what did I expect running down there in the rush hour.

Two and a half hours later I arrived feeling I'd been before. I was right - this is where I picked up the hard top from Peter 20 ish years ago. I could even visualise the little sink in the garage/workshop. Yep - still the same. However on the bench was the new box etc.

After a walk through of the instruction and chat I left again. Back onto the M25 but a much clearer run. I stopped just after 12:15 for an executive lunch.

Then I kept going delivering the box to Coltec early afternoon. I don't hold out hope it will be done this week though as someone had jumped in front of me. Fair enough.

So 250 miles and seven hours on the road - a half day really. Glad I'm not still working.

I checked the Ferrari on the off chance in the evening and Yes it's Green now. I wonder if the new charger was actually connecting at all ?

Battery Bollocks, Closed Roads, Aston Woes but Moving Forward Fast

I checked the Ferrari charging first thing and no, it is still not charged up - odd. Is the battery dying - it is only two years old it turns out so I can't see why ?

Next was a run in the SAAB to Harkstead for a quick job - only to find this. The road was blocked.

So I turned round and followed the diversion signs.

Only to find that road was closed too - so around the houses I went.

Job done it was back home and then PM Aston out for a 'fast' run to B&Q. No change in the engine light situation though so it will have to go to the garage. However when I was driving I got a call to say the box was 'almost out' but they needed to check if everything was needed.

It turned out it was but they did that quickly and then I dashed across to pick it up late afternoon. That was good news and the project should complete soon as they will want to get the car out of the garage. Good news.

Bad news it has leaked grease all over the boot, but that's another problem. I booked an early meeting tomorrow to swap them over so an early start.

First though a run to the petrol station this evening to top up the trusty workhorse.

Modern Maladies

SAAB Day - well 'Nutter' tools up to Harkstead to finish the first stage of the job.

Which we did - some tools I even recognised from out first epic DIY stint in Holloway c1986 which felt a bit odd.

Then PM ... well the planet still needs saving - so out with the Aston. Oh what's that though ?

'Emission System Service Required' ? Probably the Lambda Sensor - or lack of use. How many miles have we done since the service then ? c450 miles but no long runs really. Worth checking - but running it fast for a while might clear it too says the bodgers on the net.

However I came home immediately and decided to take the Ferrari instead.

Now that did smell a bit of petrol when we went out, but back in the garage it did not seem to be smelling at all. Odd. Oh and the battery charger connection had fallen off, so I put one of the old ones back on - but they did not seem to work well either and both stayed 'amber' far too long. Ho Hum, so I bought another second hand one - I need it anyway for the Talbot.

Talking of which - even the knobs to hold the instruments in are classy.

Nice big brass thump screws. 

I also changed the position of the heater valve - not sure what is open or closed but we'll experiment.

First Turn of the Key

The next morning around 7:30 am and in the cold, the Talbot started first 'turn of the key' so to speak. Although again once the residual fuel was used up she stopped. Only to be started up easily again.

Just under 30 miles later, taking a route across country we were parked up next to Lavinia outside the hanger waiting for the others.

It was going to be a warm day too. AGM next and in the hanger was David R's nice Blue on Blue tourer.

AGM all done - and Swiss gardens visited - it was time to head home again. Just over 90 more miles [with the same noises] until we chose to stop to fill up with petrol again when almost home. That produced another noise which turned out to be the curled know holding the speedo in place coming loose - bloody bumpy roads.

So just shy of 250 miles later and we are home unpacking - TAS taking it all in its stride. Averaging 16/17 miles a gallon as normal and using almost no oil.

Midlands Bound ?

First though MK2 into town for beauty treatment.

Well a hair cut for me not the car - although the car deserves it more than I do.

The main even however was taking the Talbot to Emberton - 120 miles away - mostly on the A14 which means only 10 miles from home we hit this.

Oh how I laughed. Actually it was fine and the road was opened so we passed the four car pile up reasonable quickly. However we sped along fine at 55-60 mph, but was there a slight knocking at that speed ?

The next problem was the road into and out of the Tesco at Cambridge - that took 30 mins and the car did not like sitting in heavy traffic on a slope with hot oil - and showed me it had low pressure. The run up to Emberton was North then West - missing the chaos that is the ongoing Black Cat interchange work which although longer was fine.

Arriving at the Manor we edged our way in through the walls and parked up. More hot and more bothered than the car I suspect.

The other good news was that the one 'click' on the brakes has solved the pulling issue.

Something More Importrant

Some fool had lost the keys. To everything. The house, sheds but more importantly the Garages. So that was really something more important than anything else at that moment in time.

I spent 2 hours searching inside and out for my keys - some bloody idiot had left them on the wood pile in the car port. That panic over it was car time.

I'd been warming the Talbot (30 mins) and then used the new starting process. Prime the carb, then choke and with a few pumps of the throttle it started first go. Then it stopped (lack of fuel) but started fine again with a bit of 'gas' as the Americans might say. A bit lumpy on tick over but that settled.

Looked good too in the sun. I'd spotted a missing screw too on the door that rattles so added one. I hope that makes a difference.

I also checked with John Polson and he confirmed the big nut needs a tweak if the brakes are pulling - one click with a socket but do it when hot. Looks like a 25mm socket although a 27mm one freed it off so I slackened it off one click. We'll see how we get on.

I then took the Ferrari out - I thought the fuel pump was making a lot of noise when I started it up - but I did not smell anything.

It was only a 1/4 run though as I thought the road was still closed past Stutton - but it turned out it wasn't. Dho.

PM I thought I'd pop into town shopping so what to take ? As the black clouds seemed to be mustering as I went under the bridge I was regretting my choice a little. It was also a bit hard to drive through town as we hit almost every Red Light ! Oh and the squeaky brakes seem to be getting worse - but here we are.

Yes - the inappropriate car was the Imp. It seems more noisy to me and a bit rough - after the long run a couple of weeks ago - but seemed to settle down on the way back after we got back up to speed along the river.

Next Please. To do a few jobs I'd moved the E-type out of the garage - to get more wood in the rafters - so it seemed a shame not to give it a proper run too.

Again a great run. It seems to have settled down a bit better too with more use.

Finally chasing Coltec was unsuccessful - I guess next week at the earliest now.

Someone More Important

Dull and slightly damp day - so the morning was mainly admin - punctuated by a Van run early afternoon.

Then the old Swaperoo - Van to Holbrook, then to drop it off in Stutton, a lift to Harkstead in the MK7 and then SAAB back home again. Only to go out again as I forgot the envelope I was supposed to drop off.

Then chasing Coltec - well just say they had other things to fix and we dropped down the priorities - we'll see what tomorrow brings. A few weeks to go though before I panic.

Evening was the rain and the RGEA meeting - two brave chaps - Tom's Tiger and Martin 3's Hillman ...

... and from me the trusty SAAB - well it's almost a classic now anyway.

Little and Large, News and an Invallid Test

So - late AM it was a quick Harkstead run in the SAAB - just a few tools for a small job. I'll be back though with a bigger hammer next time to try to finish it off.

Then early PM a dump run - this time the SAAB was fuller than full.

Of course even after booking a time on line, we sat in a queue for 20 mins when we got there.

So to news. Coltec say most things are done, speedo cable, brakes and exhaust (almost) done - steering box 'should' be next - so off tomorrow ... We'll see.

I had a look at the Talbot brakes too - there was the big nut - should I tinker ?

NO - I know it will all go wrong !

Finally I took the Ferrari out again - time to top the fuel up and keep running it to the 500 mark - also to see if it smells. 

Looking better each time I see it ... perhaps I'll just buy another car and keep it !

However when filling up the petrol hose was on the wrong side - so I splashed petrol all over the car, the filler and then me as I put the cap back on. It did smell a bit inside after that - but I had petrol on my hands etc. So not really a test.