Grabbing the Chance (s)

I started the Aston fine and backed it out to dry off after yesterday's soaking. The battery charger was already 'full' which was encouraging.

I also wared and started the imp - it started ok - but then there was the smoke from the catch tin almost immediately.

... and a bit of 'clattering' too - but that might be because it was very cold.

Then after a few domestic DIY jobs it was Aston to the supermarket.

And then topped up with £115 of petrol. Home it looked very dirty so I gave it a quick wash. I spotted a scratch on the near side sill and a slight 'nick' in the rim of the front wheel. It's not bad for a 13 year old car but a bit niggling nevertheless less.

It was nice to be driving it again though - the power and noise and the sheer presence it exudes. I must get it out more now.

Also I started it five times with no issues.

PM it was Mr E in the limelight. Off to check on another Swede before the first storm arrives.

Home and the sun was still out so I took the Alpine for petrol too.

It was getting colder by then and we had no issues with rough running - even after filling up.

So later afternoon and one more to go. Yep The Talbot around the block. 

It started fine after 20 days and now colder weather although on the run it sounded like something 'wooden' was knocking. I'll investigate the boot and the tool trays under the bonnet.

Autumnal Aston

Slow and wet run to Brentwood in the morning to pick up the Aston - at last. Like old times - just one small blockage and the A12 grinds to a halt, as I know well.

However the car still looked good even through the rain splattered window of the Golf when we arrived after an hour and a half..

The bill did not want to be paid and failed three times - someone had cancelled the card ! Eventually it went through and after starting the car twice I set off.

It was a slow, wet and windy run back - we were already late so we stopped at RHS for lunch as per norm. The rain eased off a bit on the way back then came back again. Looking at the front of the car you can tell it is autumn.

Oh well we're safely back home and time will tell on the fix. A final couple of local MK7 passenger rides and that was that.

ION: Oh UK approves drilling on a Gas field - that’s the first return to drilling. 

Alpine Energy

Well, I got the courage (and the energy) to do the Alpine tank first thing. I stripped back the old filler on the tank refilled it with a lot of gunk as per the picture and waited for an hour for it to cure.

About an hours work - but then I'd brought all the tools out last night. While waiting for it to dry I looked at the handbrake mechanism 'rattle'. I put in one rubber washer but I'm not sure what to do about the rest.

An hour later I slapped underseal on the tank and called it a day. Finally I moved the Alpine back to the car port - the garage stay over for now.

Next the PM job - so 'Van Time' again.

Holbrook/Harkstead/Ipswich/Harkstead and MK7 lift home.

Pushing Forward - Just

It was a slow Van Day again. With a morning run - but I had phoned Blue Diamond to book the Riley in.

The quick run to the Dr. seemed to take a long time, but it is only just a prelude for tomorrow.

There was then a slack afternoon wondering what to do - then an idea later on - as it got dark. Get the Garage ready for the Alpine tomorrow morning.

So I did - I got all the tools I need for an early start ready. Well it got me up and at it again.

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.