The Riley Run

So it was Drive it Day (again) today and this time we chose the CVMC run and the Riley. I'd put on the luggage rack and our food squeezed into the basket on the back - so we were set by 9:30.

It was colder than I thought too but we did not have far to go. We were even first to arrive at the start - only to quickly realise that I'd got the location wrong. DHO !

So after a 10 miles detour we arrived at the correct point, chatted to a few people we knew and looked at a few cars. I was advised that the squeaking brakes are probable here to stay and that the whine is almost certainly the dynamo. So back to the cars, this big old Humber looked the part. A 1931 Humber Snipe.

We followed it on the run through some tiny lanes with grass and piles of stones in the middle - just wide enough for the tiny Imp too squeeze through, so I was happy to follow a bigger car.

Of course we hit a few huge 4x4's who just wanted us to move over for them too. After a lot more leafy lanes we were at the Mill and could have a rest. There were only about 50 cars there but we still were squeezed in next to someone so we could stay with the vintage ones.

Mind you we were probably the smallest car there.

Home again and we stuck to the A14 all the way - doing 50 mph most the way - with odd rattles and noises all around. It was hard going but then that's almost the point. We did almost 50 miles there and only 30 back - but the ones back seemed the hardest. 

We seemed to be smoking a bit when we arrived too but after cooling down and sorting things out I re-started the car and no smoke really showed. Overall we used about 3/4 of a pint of oil, but when I checked I noticed two of the cam box covers were loose again - which might have explained some of the loss as well as the odd noises.

During the day we'd been offered some wood from Oil - the only problem was we had to collect it. So we got back into the trust SAAB and off we went.

So that (plus some other wood and boxes) came home and into the shed where possible.

No rest for the wicked.

T O L B O T !

Early off in the Trusty SAAB to the Talbot meeting. A12 M25 with all that entails. I left early and stopped at South Mime for a quick break only to find Elephants had been sleeping there overnight.

Lots of big cars with black covers were in the car park. Odd.

On the road again slow speeds limits and a blocked lane but the car also gave me a few nudges - turbo needle wavering, a miss fire (?) plus a 'CEL' flash several times. I booted it in second/third and it seemed to go back to normal though.

Anyway I did not get lost and in fact was early - I spotted a lovely blue Talbot (David R's) in the village so I knew I was in the right place. Meeting over I headed home. SAAB running well in 22 degrees and hot sun. It is only April ...

Once home I checked the Imp over for tomorrow - Oil fine but I thought it needed water so I put too much in and it just overflowed - after a few spits that surprised/worried me - so I left it on the grass to drip as I fitted the boot rack. 

On the run to get fuel it was all good though.

Back home I also topped up the Talbot water and made sure to put the radiator cap back firmly.

Then I could not resist starting her up. Prime, choke and a bit of throttle pumping and on the second or third go I caught it on the pedal for a few seconds and we were all good.

We had a nice run around the route (including seeing a Austin 7 in the pub who waved) but interestingly the car felt slower than the Imp - it was around the tight beds - but not on the straits as we romped up to 60 fine.

Oh and TOLBOT ? - I had misspelt Talbot on my folder - shame on me.

Steamy Time (again)

MK7 off to Anglesey Abbey to meet up with M&K for a walk and lunch - oh and then pick up the Talbot on the way back of course. So here we are in the bright sunshine picking it up.

I also got a lesson on starting the car. NO HAND THROTTLE, just prime the carb, one or two pumps of the accelerator pedal and then start - catching on the accelerator as it starts. Ah so very different. 

I also spotted the new wipers were sitting incorrectly, but after a fiddle we sorted that out.

So off I went - only stopping three times. 1. to clean the windscreen, 2. to find my foot rest, 3. when bloody the water and steam started !

I suspected it was the cap. Luckily it was - someone had failed to put the cap back on fully - like I have.

After that we had a good run back - 55 to 65 miles an hour most of the way - keeping steady with the lorries. I stopped to fill up with petrol and then we headed home - a bit knackered but home fine.

Here we are in the strong sunlight, the car laughing at me for my worries I suspect.

Only one of the fleet missing now.

Cheat Code ?

AM more shed time. This time the second coat of paint. 

Then PM sorting things out - a SAAB run to Harkstead for a few jobs and then what ? The SAAB got washed for the run on Saturday - well someone washed it. OK I cheated and it really does need the rust looking at.

After that it was Ferrari time. That was still looking great.

We also flew around the block (again just before the road was close) but the E-type felt more powerful yesterday. Odd.

However the Talbot is ready - so we'll be picking it up tomorrow.

Faster When Clean ?

AM we finished unloading the trailer - getting the lathe out was harder than expected - the beam above only just supported it. Even when I took off the legs.

I made a small cart to move it but in the end it just broke under the weight.

PM was cleaning cars - as long as they were Red. First the Imp in preparation for Sunday. Then the E-type as it deserved it. Finally the MK2 Golf which seems to get dirty just sitting in the car port. They made a nice set on the drive.

As I packed them away I went for a mini drive and I saw the E-type in front of the house when I drove back in - that did look fantastic just on its own.

As a reward it go the bottle bank run.

It literally flew along the back road - not sure what was going on but it was stunningly fast. I guess it goes better when it's clean.

Stormin' Along - and Good News

G2R first thing for a shakedown sail. In fact it was us being shaken down - with quite strong winds at although bright and sunny. Mainsail out first.

Looking splendid against the blue sky. We were racing up the Stour with both wind and tide in our favour. Stopping for lunch it was still blowing well over 20 knots (a fresh breeze). 

The new Jib next to test it on on the way back - the wind was so strong we had to reduce it. By the time we got back we were on almost 30 knots - that's officially a Near Gale.

We made it back into the marina and onto the berth - with some excitement - but we made it.

Then drive back in the MK7 - with its new tyres - and that was that ... until.

I checked my e-mails and I have a steering box !

Is that Canvas ?

As planned the first task was to attack the MK7 Golf wheel. It had sunk over night so I was happy that I'd put blocks under it. As expected the nuts were jammed on. So out with the club hammer and freed them off by hitting the wheel brace.

Also true to form the wheel itself was jammed on - 10 mins of hitting with a block of wood did nothing. So I sprayed a lot of WD40 and started hitting it from behind - that did the trick. Looking at the tyre there was no obvious nails etc. but it was in a poor state. The inside seemed to have spits and the canvas look like it was showing through ?

A bit odd as it went through the MOT fine only a few months ago. I guess there was enough tread. I loaded it into the SAAB - which sounded quite 'fruity' from the outside as it started up and drove off.

I warmed the Imp up as the skies darkened and went back to my jobs. I thought I'd better take the boots back to Stutton ... but which car to take ? OK the clouds looked threatening and it was bloody cold but ...

Why not. I should have gone out yesterday before but a short drive was a chance worth taking. Bumpy and very cold in the end but I chanced the whole block after the drop off. 

Did I mention it was bumpy and very cold ?

Back to MK7 news and it needed two tyres as suspected. So that's what it got.

Oh nice lines.

The Secret life of Cars

MK7 pottering in Aldebough AM and then back home after lunch. Followed by the MK2 a few hours later.

When we got back we discovered the SAAB had been running around on its own. Well Oli had used it to pull the trailer to bring even more stuff over.

My end of day tasks were to tidy the cars up and check the MK7 tyre. That was very flat.

I could actually hear the air coming out as I tried to pump it up. So there is a hole somewhere. Oh well - at least we know what tomorrow's priority will be.

Rush Rush Rush

Unpacked the car into the shed first thing.

Once I'd done that I decided to re-arrange them one last time. Finally I packed everything away with lots of space ready to be filled up.

Then it was time for a quick MK7 jaunt to Stutton and back, pack up and off to Aldebourgh for the wedding.

For one night we did seem full. The highlight was this tiny Austin Seven in the high street.

Shedloads

Another 'filling the shed' morning.

Made up another set of shelves and then moved them all around - again. Much more to come so we'll see if I can get any of our own stuff in.

PM I got the Ferrari out - it did 'pop' while warming up but was going well still. I went down to the marina to drop off things we forgot from yesterday. It looked oddly small parked up near the moderns.

I guess it is. Then a SAAB run to Harkstead.

Watched the MK2 head off to Aldebough with James in command and finally a SAAB run back to Stutton for another load - ready for more 'shed time' tomorrow morning.

Boatloads

So ... today it was Fidra time. Down to the boat in the MK7 first thing to put on the sails etc.

A quick before and after montage - well 8 hours later that was. We even want for a sail - across the marina to move to a position facing the wind.

That done a quick Stutton trip to pick up more shelves for tomorrow.

OK - not the most practical car but it swallowed all the bits fine. A litter stutter on the run around the block - but then I was only doing 20 in fourth - other than that going great.

Finally a SAAB Uber run for the London ones.

Meanwhile ... the hunt for the steering box continues.

Bootloads

Time to fill the shed - so a quick dash to Stutton to collect the shelves in the morning.

Then PM it was boat jobs - so SAAB boot filled with the rest of the soft furnishings first.

Next we collected the sails and put those onboard too. I then set off for Stutton again and another load for the new shed.

It's already looking full in there and there are several loads to come.

Off My Trolly

Early run for more supplies in the trusty SAAB - it does flash the 'CEL'  every now and again but I'm used to it now. The stuttering seems to have stopped though. Famous last words I suspect. 

Anyway forget cars, it looks like I can't even drive a trolley properly - I hit the bollard and it all cascaded out.

Recovering from that I pack the SAAB up and home we came.

Another full day on the shed, but bar a second coat of paint it is useable now. So I packed up and got ready for a rest. But no.

The Aston needed a run so around the block we went. It surprised me with the raw power and it's only been a few days.

More Shed Time

The only non-shed activity was a quick Harkstead run in the MK2 late afternoon.

We're getting there though.

Back to Normal

So after all the Talbot excitement of yesterday we jumped back into the MK7 and this time I drove us home.

So the sun was still out (just) and as the fleet had been sacrificed for the shed all week it was only natural to get some out. The only problem was a cold bighting wind. So FHCs were the choice. First the slightly dusty E-Type.

Not that you would know from this shot. Wizz we went around the block. Then ... the Ferrari was next. So moved the SAAB a few meters. We went down to the marina to check if the boat was in the water - tick - it was.

So home again after a few pics.

Well home via Stutton for a pick-up. Once home why have a rest ? Out came the Aston as well - so I could clear out the materials for more 'shed time' tomorrow.

I thought they deserved a pic too.

ION: Peace talks have inevitably broken down - so Trump has decided he'll blockade the Straits of Hormuz himself. Just Stop Oil indeed.

London: The home of the Talbot

MK7 Golf off first thing to London for the Talbot event. High light of the rather dull drive was spotting this Merc.

A 1973 Mercedes Benz 350 - dodging the ULEZ nicely. Then after parking up, an Audi lift and two tubes before a walk. Once there we were met by Lavinia - a 1925 Talbot 14/45 and its driver. Oh and the official photographer from the Automobile Magazine - so I might even buy a copy for once.

Inside we looked at the other cars in the old showroom and had the lunch with all the Talbot'iers.

After all that excitement (and a little food) we waved them off on their run around the UK.

Then we retraced our steps to MPV.

ION: The Artemis II mission around the Moon splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean.