He Skids ... but Misses

Alpine first thing - well almost first as it was raining and not really encouraging me out to the garage. However we detailed the car which was surprisingly clean after Wobaston.

I then tried to stick the door rubber back yet again.

Next was the Van swap. However on the way I almost had a head on with another car which was racing through the lanes. Quite a long skid actually but we whispered past each other.

So I brought the wet Mk2 back home - but as I'd parked the Imp badly it will have to stick out slightly for a while.

PM after more admin I pottered about and put the Talbot back battery on charge - I also noticed I'd still got the tumble dryer in the SAAB boot.

Why not start the Aston I thought as I passed. So I did.

It started first time too - and a second time - so I thought I'd be safe to fill it up with petrol so went inside for my money. That was lucky as it then failed to start several times on the trot and whimpered into life at last. I just put it away and tried again. No way it was going to start. 

To add insult to injury I then got a txt from Vodaphone saying the fob battery was dying again.

Back on went the trickle charge and of course it was reading almost empty. I assume the battery was fucked by the dying charger so I will ask for it to be swapped out on the service - if I get it there.

Back to Work 2

So ... SAAB in play first thing. Off locally to pick up a secondhand tumble dryer.

Then install at Harkstead, taking the old one home again.

I then got the Alpine out to see what was needed before Sunday and to move it to the garage. It was a bit reluctant to start - but then its been a couple of weeks again., but here we are.

I moved the Imp too - which started far more easily - out of the way.

I went to put the Alpine away and thought why not - so we went around the block. It seemed to be going well to start with but a bit judery towards the end - but it was 25 degrees again.

PM I thought I'd see if a visit to Glevering was on the cards to look at the Tiger. No but lots of IT problems were the issue, so back to work I went. In the SAAB still with the old dryer in the boot.

That was a lesson in IT/email and Windows 11 - but 4 hours later we were heading south again.

Car stuff will have to be squeezed in.

Back to Work

Admin AM - then PM the obligatory Harkstead run.

I took my chances and found it just open.
Back home in the dark I was thinking that the 

So MK2 up and the Van to Shotley and back.

Then just when I was getting ready to leave for the RGEA meeting I had a call. So back up and get the van for tomorrow - only the road is still closed. Or is it ...

Then SAAB to the meeting (via the petrol station) to find several Tigers were already there as was this Hillman Avenger Tiger.

On the way back I was thinking the check engine light had not put in an appearance for a while when ... FLASH. There is was.

Ah that will be the M42 then

After a very restless night listening to the busy and loud traffic, the day dawned bright but chilly, so we commenced packing the poor long suffering SAAB again.

That done we set off for lunch, then left for a fine run and back in under three hours - so I did it in one hit.

Back home I was looking through the STN bulletin and found this: 

I'm sure that's my photo !

Of course it bloody is.

ION: The Met office has declared 2026 the warmest Summer on record ever. No Shit !

Under, On and Over

Foot traffic first thing. Walking around the lakes but under the M42.

Then drive in it - busy and then the Coventry ring road to ... another National Trust House of course.

We went for a short walk first to explore the industrial heritage - well a stream with this ...

... and a Borris bike (or whatever they are called in Coventry) dumped in the weeds a few yards further before we found the viaduct so over grown it was impossible to see really.

Back again and walking around the house there was a Coventry motor club visit picture.

Now that looks fun - well for the driver it did. The Tri-Cars are from Coventry as they are Coventry County Borough registrations DUT 8 etc. so perhaps a Riley.

A45/M42 back and then home to the camp site on the small roads. Final SAAB run for take away that evening and that's the month done. 160187 on the milometer.

Just pottering again

Wet over night but the SAAB is holding up and still looking quite clean.

Anyway another day - another NT house and another garden. Thank god I'm a pensioner.

The only 'car' fun being the little Grey Fergie in the coffee shop.

I had to chase the kids off that to get the shot - although Sue was keen to have a go too.

So we went to go home, but as Antony (16 stone) got in the back there was a very loud bang. Nothing seemed to be wrong but I'd swear the car is sitting lower at the back - but on both sides.

It hammered down with rain in the evening with violent storms. Lucky we're not in a tent. 

Oh yes you are ...

Dull - turning wet wet wet

SAAB showing off the polish I put on the bonnet first thing.

We parked up at the Hall to be met by this acid yellow midget from the Netherlands - I think by the registration.

The run back was even wetter with the roads starting to flood. So that was that.

Packing on the Miles

The SAAB, us and all the gear (which seemed easier to pack) were off the the midlands almost exactly at 2:00.

The run was busy but fine but as we went West the skies darkened considerable although it was still very hot in the car. A quick change over at Kettering and off we went into the looming black clouds.

I noticed the car had just ticked over to 160,000 miles as I set off too.

Obviously I had to fake the pic but it was OK I thought as I was driving.

We hit bad traffic and the rain from the M6 onwards - but then it is a Bank Holiday Friday - oh and there is a Golf tournament on at The Belfry (or whatever) but we arrived in the dry.

Quickly unpacking and erecting the tent we were inside before the first showers hit. Finally complete by about 18:30

A quick late run for fish and chips and that was that.

Prepare for the Deluge

I looked at the weather for the weekend ...

It is not looking that good, so I started packing early to dodge the showers here. Mind you they don't appear to be arriving on schedule.

Lots more to go though. Eventually we had a few slight showers but not enough to wet the car really.

PM it was a MK7 ride to Harkstead and then and collect the lead from the boat.

Back home and it was still warm and sunny - so the E-type got a run out.

Other than the rattles and squeaks it is running very well. A pleasure to go round the block in it.

Finally I took the miles, but as I went around the cars I started the Aston. That started fine - twice. I'm going to leave it off the trickle charge for the weekend and see if it starts easily next week.

Miles wise - wow the Talbot was streets ahead - with it's Gloucester jaunt - at 425. Mind you the Alpine did over 200 again and the others were not too far behind. Alas the smoky Imp and the Troubled Aston were low scores.

Pick-up and Spruce-Up

MK7 to pick up the SAAB first thing - then once home I set about cleaning it.

First tyres - all needed air, then under the bonnet checking water (none) oil (a little) etc. What struck me though was the leaf litter under there.

By the time I'd cleaned both sides I had enough to fill the bucked to 1 inch. 

That done I gave the car a clean in the gutters before running it though the car wash and filling it up with petrol. I did spot another MGB (honest) but no way to take a pic.

Back home, I did the windows, door shuts etc. and then I cut and polished the bonnet. It was looking quite smart after that - if you ignore the multiple stone chips and rust on the wheel arches.

Then off to collect the top box.

Here we are - in Stutton again - so that was that.

But wait it is still sunny and there is time to take something for a run ... what needs it ?

Well, the Talbot had only been out once since the return from Gloucester more than three weeks ago - so it got released. The rattle from the dash had gone - although the door seems to be joining in again - but I'll count that as a success. The car went well and kept cool - I'd forgotten how heavy it is though and had to correct the path around a bend a couple of times.

Home again and packed away that was really that.

3 out of 3

I checked on Talbot battery 2 first thing and it was green to go as expected. Then Mk7 ride to Melton for walk and brunch. A bit cleaner than usual today.

Although in the shadow it is hard to tell. We then wandered into and around Woodbridge only to spot this in a garage.

Another tidy MGB - looking good - are they following me ?

Back to the Golf again and home. Then very dirty SAAB to our evening meal via the dried out road. The old Ipswich Road that went through Tattingstone and was covered by Alton Water is now above the water lever due to the extended dry spell.

After that excitement we set off, parked up at the restaurant, had our meal and took a taxi home.

2 in 2 and Smoky Imp

AM pottering - including trying to flatten the driveway a bit more in the grass verge.

PM though Ferrari out and about. I spotted this nice MGB GT V8 parked near me.

That's two MGs in two days. The Ferrari still trumped it in the V8 stakes.

Mind you I was watching the learner drive in the background as much as the car.

Next I took the dusty Imp out in the wind.

It feels slower or less responsive or something and is definitely smoking a little. Perhaps it's time for some professional care ?

Or at least a clean.

A Bus by George

We awoke after a sleepless hot and noisy night in Brixton to another warm and sunny day. We had a few hours to kill so we JUMPED ON A BUS and went to a market. 

So I used my free bus pass for the first time. When we got back we shot off to lunch in the MK7 - parking on the street.

Then we walked to the venue - which was fleet appropriate as before.

After Lunch another walk to the park and I spotted this tidy looking MGB on the road.

Good I thought, but that was the motoring highlight. The run back home was ok but punctuated by the usual 20 mins slow traffic at the Dartford crossing.

A tale of two chargers ?

The Talbot battery was still charging - after two days ? The Aston one was on full. But we were London bound so I left it there and just finished packing the MK7.

We had a fine run down - even over a bright and sunny Dartford bridge.

However we arrived in Brixton later than expected as even the South Circular was now limited to 20mph. After getting our parking pass and looking at the Porsche now parked outside the flat - with a subtle cover on - we set off into central London.

A quick hop on the tube to the Escher exhibition which was good - bigger than expected - with some nice interactive sections, but no cars ...

Then a later we went for a wander around a packed and warm central London with me spotting various cars - and registrations - like this Tesla.

Almost Tesla - then a BMW with this:

Almost Berlin ? Then a white Ferrari Roma which looked much better than the red one I drive a while ago.

I gave him a thumbs up which he appreciated. Then back to Brixton on a hot and very noisy tube and called it a day.