Running on Empty

It was a zero miles report today. 

I did swap the Talbot batteries over again - but it went green immediately.

But as it rained on and off - that was that. I did go though the Sunbeam Deutschland Club magazine though which had pics of us working on the Alpine in it.

Which was a nice reminder.

That's not level

We had our own roadworks first thing - right outside our drive.

However the plan was a bit of DIY - well putting up the shelves for the books - but I had to pop to B&Q for more shelf brackets so what did I take ?

A very blue sky but a bit cold really - not that the E-type minded.

So here they are - all 49 of them.

I must be mad. Annoyingly the top shelf seems to bow but not the lower ones ?

Anyway - PM it was the SAAB for a Harkstead jaunt.

As the rain clouds came back.

Just a few Books

An earlier than planned start - off to collect a set of bound Mortosport Magazines. Not too sure how many though. However the traffic had other ideas. I'd spotted the Orwell Bridge was closed but as we were not heading that was I was not worried, but I missed this.

Everywhere was grid locked - in fact when we got there the ski slope was also closed too so we turned around and as the RHS was also still closed, we headed through the lanes (with everyone else). Not too bad but some drivers do not want to get their wheels dirty on the verge.

We popped out of the madness eventually and arrived about the same time as planned. Poor old SAAB full of books 10 mins later.

That's a few more than I expected. I'll think I'll need a few more shelves now. Ho Hum.

On the way through Long Melford I spotted this:

A huge wing on an Audi TT. Not sure that's needed. So when were we last at Melford Hall ?

It turns out it was June 2009 on an Alpine run.

After walking aroud we wandered back home - again via the lanes but that was that.

Medium Start

I spent the morning getting the new garage ready with shelves for the books I'm adopting, so wandered past the Alpine innumerable times. Still looking good but it reminded me I must patch the fuel tank again - so I can fill it up and use it.

The only car adventure was a rush to pick up more pills ... and 

... the Harkstead visit that followed it that afternoon.

Early Start - Analogue Rescue

A 7:30 call to arms and we were back in Harkstead again.

Chilly start too - mind you it is October.

What happened next ? Well just more running around and frustration, but nothing too bad.

Returned as passenger in MK7 later though. I swapped the Talbot battery around and thought what next ?

A final escape and the serenity of driving an analogue car on backroads in the dying sun.

Here we are home again - the car does fit honestly !

Again ?

At last I'm back to cars, starting with popping out early to put the Alpine on charge before the rain came. 

The a quick SAAB run - Harkstead again - and yes we had a CEL flash.

PM it was Van time - dropping it back to Stutton - then ride home (via the allotment - in the MK7 after it passed its MOT with no advisories ...

... but lots of Butternuts !

Home again the Alpine started - a but reluctantly but it's been almost two weeks. It likes the garage treatment though.

However it was a late run in the SAAB (Harkstead via a closed Dr.) that finished the day off.

It almost finished me off too.

So good I went there Thrice

My reverie was shattered by a 8:15 call from Harkstead.

So SAAB back in play - annoying why they always park in the bay.

Anyway - I noticed last night that I actually had the van on the drive as it wasn't used last week - so that's one question answered, but another job on the list - getting it back to Stutton for Tuesday night.

Not much car action planned although I put the Talbot rear battery on charge and called in on the Imp and E-Type. I also opened the envelope with the Alpine Magazine in it. Oh dear.

I hope no one thinks I took the picture !

Anyway, checking on the Aston [to tick off another outstanding job] they said they 'still haven't got a headlight' and 'no, they don't know when it might be in'. Oh and 'no idea where they can get one from' if you read between the lines. That could be a problem.

I also seem to have decided to adopt 27 volumes of motorsport, but that little adventure will come later.

PM was a van run as the SAAB was earning its keep doing a shopping run.

The evening run to Harkstead was back in the SAAB. 

Ho Hum - glad I got a few days rest in France.

That was Quick

Armed with our 'Get out of Jail Free' sticker we were quickly off the boat and though customs.

Although it was a quiet boat I think it was well worth it.

In fact even stopping for petrol we only took about two and a half hours to get back - at an average of 60 mph. So that was good.

Unpack and rest - another trip over and batteries re-charged. I'm sure the madness will start again tomorrow though.

Really Nowhere to Park !

Off to St Malo late morning - the plan being an early lunch and then to catch the low tide for a walk across to the Fort. 

I spotted a small grey TR in the distance - the pic does not help identify it but I think it is a TR2.

It was so small compared to the 4x4 passing it. As was this electric Fiat we spotted later and we were standing next to that.

So small but still not parked in the bay ?

However what we did not know was the town was rammed for two events - the Quai des Bulles comic festival which was in in it's last day and the Route du Rhum yacht race they were preparing for - so the car parks were closed or full so we ended up walking 20 mins to and from where we eventually parked the car.

On the way we did spot this huge Catamaran - covered with solar panels for electric power and sporting two Blade 'sails'. It was the first' hydrogen-powered, zero-emission experimental vessel and floating laboratory' said Google. 30 meters long. 

Average speed - 4.5 knots. We do more than that with a decent wind. Odd.

Then home again and packing stage 1.

Then the final run into town for supper.

Green this Time

We were up early for the final packing, cleaning and working out why we always have lots of miscellaneous item left at the end.

Odd packing in the dark again - but no rain and not that cold.

WE had an easy run to the port - the only delay was at passport control when we were asked when and where we last entered the Schengen Area - er ... in July ? Er ... ah Holland. That's when the Biometric system was used. Not sure it tied up with the old style stanp and go system.

On quickly and next to the green stairs this time.

We were the 3rd car on - very close to the front with our 'Impatient Bugger' sticker - only beaten by two cars with really posh people in them who had dressed up for the journey -  although the elderly chap just spent his time in the lift with us bickering with the Ladies !

No shame these old people.

Nowhere to Park

A longer run today - up to a coastal resort to the West - Saint Quay-Portrieux. As usual parking was a nightmare.

Back again as the rain threatened to follow us home but then it is October.

Driving - Shopping - Walking

Dark clouds were threatening rain first thing - lurking behind the sunlight.

By the time we got to Dinan for the market though it was bright and sunny again.

After that it was a trip to the coast (via the recycling again) for a longish walk and obviously a bit of shopping on the way back.

Why get Out ?

Drizzle on and off so visiting DIY shops - again.

Sometimes we did not even leave the car in the rain.

At least it cleaned the car a bit.

Try this at Home - I mean Don't !

A visit to the DIY store ...  then a walk along the beach and a picnic.

There is always free parking everywhere you want by the coast. Why don't we do the same ?

PM home and a bit of Dangerous DIY.

A case of 'don't try this at home'.

Blue is the Colour

A cold bright start as we docked and two warnings of a slow departure to come - the new biometric customs system and building work in the port. Down the colour coded stairs we went.

To find the two identical blue Alpines near us, both looked good but smaller than you expect.

So how long did departure take ? Not long actually. we were off the boat just after 8:30 and through customs etc. about 15 mins later. Apart from the chap being a bit grumpy and asking us why we were in France, it was quicker than normal - again no sign of biometrics but they were building something in the port area.

We arrived at the house to find lots of the driveway had been dug up - new water pipes have been installed. Checking the stop cock it was on and there was a new tap. Breakfast and unpacking then shopping as usual. But first a run to the recycling.

Then shopping.

In fact most of that is not for us at all.

South Again Too

Well we were supposed to be going to France but there was a Mk7 run to Stutton first thing - the long way round obviously but it's the end of the first week of 5 weeks, of the road closure.

On the way Jana tried to wash the windscreen and there's no fluid - how can a £25,000 car not even have a washer fluid low warning light.

On the walk I spotted these beauties at the farm as we passed though.

A Panhard flanked by two Rolls Royce's - part of Joe's 'in progress' stock I guess.

Back home before packing first task was to fill up the washer fluid. Of course we didn't have any because I've forgotten we'd run out - so a mixture of water and car shampoo would have to do. Then packing - always packing - well it has felt like that over the last few months.

Fine run to the port though with our usual stop at the RHS.

Little of interest in the queue (obviously the ubiquitous Morgan) but there was this Opel GT looking beefed up a bit further on.

But I did spot a good looking dark blue Alpine - a new 110 anyway. Well 2 identical ones actually in the queue. Then this Alvis 12/50 turned up too.

It's a 1931 12/60 TJ apparently. Interestingly it had a tall bonnet line like the Talbot.

West Again

Early start for the TOC committee meeting in Chalfont St Giles.

Well early for me - I was up at 6:45 and the car was all wet. Not sure why the lights look yellow though ?

Anyway - just over 100 miles there and an easy run in light traffic - although the car had other ideas and was a bit rough - flashing 'CEL' and 'hunting' so it got ragged a few times to steady it. I stopped at South Mimms [the hardest Motorway Services to access in the country] for a quick break as I was so early.

Then as I was still sooo early I filled up with fuel and realised it was Amersham. I'm almost a local I thought - the times we've been around here this year er once.

Forgetting you drive an Icon

E-type off to Glevering first thing - to help with IT issues and have lunch. A great run in the cool morning air.

A great run back too. I put a bit of fuel in and walking back to the car though how good it looks. So did the chap taking a photo as he drove by a bit later.

Then Harkstead for more jobs and collect the Van.

ION: Diesel prices rise to above £2 a litre due to the continuing Iran conflict - oh and closing all the refineries down did not help either.

Sneaking Out

AM I put the Talbot back battery on charge and tightened the screws up for the boot lock.

Then started the Alpine - which kicked into life immediately.

It obviously enjoys the warm garage.

The weather was quite warm for October so I thought what needs a run ? Well with the Aston away, the Imp and Ferrari knackered it better be the ... Talbot again. So we went all the way around the block to the Allotment.

It did not really need a run though. Anyway it's almost the end of the first week of the road being closed to Stutton - four more to go.

More Swedish Running Around

Admin AM.

I did check the Talbot oil in the afternoon and I don't think it used much at all on the London trip although I should add 1/4 pint perhaps.

Then it was a SAAB run PM - well several.

Harkstead/Ipswich/Harkstead - as today's role is wheelchair maintenance man.

And PC trouble shooting as it turned out.

I checked on the Aston while waiting and  ... it is someone else's fault. They still have not got a correct light but they think it might be in this afternoon ... it did not sound like it would be though.

Miles wise ? The unsurprising champion of the month is the Talbot clocking in 500+ miles, with runs to Kop Hill and London under it's belt - it even beat the SAAB. None of the others made much at all. Except the MK7 Golf which seems to have done 1258 !

Oh there goes Gravity

A full day of basic admin. Finishing off the Talbot archive work and then the photos from the weekend.

This is the best one of TAS.

There was a SAAB trip another 500 yards for more supplies but that was it.