Oh those tools !

I stepped out into the cold gloom to sort the tools out I'd left yesterday.

It never fails to surprise me how many I need. It took me about 90 minutes so I'm glad I left it.

Then PM it was a MK2 Golf to Harkstead in the rain - just jobs.

I noticed the mat was wet when I got back in after it had sat in the rain for two hours and it seemed lumpy at first. I'll have to look at that.

The Open and Shut Case of the Working Man

So after all the 'relaxing' it was time for some more garage work - but first ...

I spotted this - I'd left the MK7 boot open all night. A dry night thankfully though.

Next Aston out into the gloom - and then the rain. So it got quite wet sitting there all day.

However the main event was doing more on the garage. So I started that and as expected I ran out of wood by lunchtime so B&Q beckoned.

Yep - SAAB back in play with a bit of wood - in fact not enough bits as it turned out I'd not bought enough - so I had to scrimp and save bits to finish off. But there we are - the Aston back in after driving it 2 miles to try and shake off some of the water.

So that was taken at 19:19 pm - yes I'd been working all day (and some of the evening too) but it's finished bar correcting the cut out for the door and adding a cover for the light switch wire. Oh and lagging the roof. But they can all wait for another day.

So now it's February

.... So just a MK7 ride for jobs and Lunch at Harkstead.

That needs a clean too though.

An Off Day - and the Scores

It was supposed to be an off day for me but I managed two runs anyway.

AM SAAB of course for walking around the floods at Flatford.

Meanwhile these look like MK2 tracks.

Late PM I was being left off as we were going to Stutton Village Hall for an event - we even got a lift in the said MK2 but then had to go back home - so I picked up the driving job in the end anyway.

Four up the rear suspension really sags - I'll get it done this year. Honest.

So believe it or not 'That's All Folks' - well for January. The results ?

As expected the Aston leapt into first place with the run to the Talbot meeting - a cool 240 for the month. The E-type, Imp and Talbot managed just over 70 between them which was fine given the weather, salt and the fact that I only fixed the Talbot mid month.

SAAB Uber Alles

Rain so no garage work - but then I needed a rest.

I did a bit more on the Talbot archive though - only to find it is all scanned in already - just upside down. I'll need to rethink my approach - but lessons are there for learning.

Then evening SAAB run to pick up J&M from the station in the gloom.

Flooded roads and rain - just when it is built for. I did notice the 'CEL' flashing a bit more - and is it staying on longer ?

Nowhere Man

A full day working on the garage - so Aston out first thing again.

Looking like it needs a clean and a run.

Anyway I made most of the full day and now about two thirds are done.

The odd black square is for the Aston door. I'd measured it but not taken into account the curve of the door - so it only half works. I should extend the cut out down another foot - which means taking the panel off !

I was too knackered after all that to take the Aston out in the dark - so it just got put back into the garage until next week.

Half Job Day

Aston out into the sunshine - not for a run though just starting the garage work.

It took me several hours just to get one section done before lunch time arrived. However I was learning as I went.

Next was a post lunch walk at Felixstow - the shingle looked as if it has shifted a lot around the entrance to the Deben this year after the storms.

Mind you the SAAB needs a wash again as well after all the weather it has absorbed too.

I'll Archive That

Early AM run to the shops for milk in the SAAB as the rain hammered down.

Then about four hours on the TOC Archive. Scanning and making notes.

Pretending to be an Aston

A morning waiting for more building materials to arrive for the garage and looking at the skies darken and the cold wind to come back.

Then PM SAAB run to the Heath with shoes to be altered.

It was chaotic [as usual] but luckily I spotted a space appear in front of me so I squeezed in.

Then pretending to be the Aston we saved the planet.

ION: A third senior Tory defects to Reform and is welcomed by Uncle Nigel.

Fast Exit - then a Rest Day

More rain again today and it's getting colder - so just a walk and then hide from the weather. 

Spotted our guests 'exit' sped the next day though.

As for me I did ask for help identifying this - an odd photo from the Talbot meeting.

With the consensus being a re-bodied French Talbot c1929 but rebodies in the 1930's.

OK It's an Aston Day

After faffing around between the SAAB and Aston I chose. I had no excuse really as it was a nice and sunny start to the day. I was setting off early for the TOC committee meeting as it was 80 miles away - just outside Chalfont St Giles in fact. I'd set up the Sat Nav, printed out the map and the address and even had a picture of his drive in the car. What could do wrong.

First I filled up with petrol and then set off down the A12. 

It was a decent run down too with few cars - my only issue was that the windows were dirty as I'd not finished the car off when I washed it. Lazy git.

As I had time in hand [and needed a wee] I stopped at South Mimms - the worst services to get in/out of. However it was fine.

I did the windows and the car looked better for it. Then off we went and even turned off at the right junction [17] as planned. Then the fin started.

First I missed the junction on the roundabout - then the sat nave set me up a road saying 'Not Suitable for HGV's' which always worries me. Indeed to was narrow and muddy. Eventually it petered out to a even smaller road and eventually I hit the "Road Closed" signs. After that it just got worse as the roads were clogged with traffic and roadworks.

Eventually I compounded the problem by getting back on the right road and taking the wrong junction again - only to hit a flood !

Back I went and after a bit checked where I was and kept plodding on - arriving only 10 mins late after all that.

Coming home I ignored the Sat Nan and just followed the route I should have taken before. Ho Hum.

... and yes the car was appreciated so I'm glad I took it in the end.

More Rain

Dreary day again - with drizzle and rain on and off. So SAAB out and about of course.

Into town and then 50 l of the good stuff for tomorrow.

66 and Not Out

Well I did go out - first thing to check that I'd get out of the latest roadworks for jobs PM. Then I applied for my OAP Bus Pass. Will I ever use it ?

Then PM when I did leave for Harkstead in the trusty SAAB I faced this.

 

But that was a tease as it was actually open. What was not open was the road actually going to Harkstead.

The back road was in bad condition -  muddy, flooded and rutted. Ho Hum. Anyway into the van we got the passenger - but at least the weather had cheered up a bit and he rain had stopped.

Then Ipswich and back and finally tea and cake - oh and a little admin.

So another day in Paradise.

Under and Over

I got under the E-type to clean it at last. Starting at the back I found it filthy both sides. It was also stained somehow which was impossible to remove. I gave it a clean, a T-Cut, a spray and eventually a polish.

It came up well, although I noticed a bit of a rusty bit on the left that I need to patch in the warm. I also cleared out gutters under the back wheels again. This was just from one side - again.

That explains the noise as I drove it away - the stones being thrown up. I then went along both sides and got most of the muck off.

Finally I did the top bodywork and put the bubble back on top. It's going to be cold again next week so we'll leave it covered over.

Wheels Within Wheels

We started with a quick run in the dirty SAAB to the allotment to pump up the barrow tyre.

Then it got a bit of a clean - inside but not out. Then the tyes, water, oil and wash got a check and correction - esp the slightly flat front tyre. The cordless pump is slow but very handy.

Next I moved the Aston wheels and put then in the new garage - they fit fine.

I also tried to get rid of the scrap wheels I've accumulated through the ECR - but although some people said they wanted them nothing firm as of yet. Then PM off to Harkstead for jobs. The 'water' light was flashing on the Golf dash so I topped that up too.

Then the run there and back in the fading sunshine.

ION: One year today of Mr T. - that means three more to go.

Mr. E plays up

Today's first job was to unload the trailer and then clean it. We moved it and bent the trailer tailgate. Bloody hell.

Anyway before cleaning it I packed the SAAB with items for the dump run in the afternoon.

By the time I'd done that there was not that much so I thought I'd go strait away. I added 5 car batteries of the seven I have and re-booked for later the morning - but setting off I thought I was cutting it a bit fine. Of course when I got there they were compacting so I ended up in the queue.

When I got back I jet washed the trailer and got rid of most of the crap - but the cardboard was stuck hard. 

After lunch the sun came out and so did the E-type. 

Where to go - well B&Q.

On leaving we had an issue. The fob would not turn the immobiliser off. I tried several times - and even tried the manual method. Eventually it went out and we got home. Odd.

I got all the fobs out and tried them in the garage - none worked but I found that if I turn the ignition on and the light stayed on but then put the fob under the dash it went out. We'll have to monitor.

Shit Out - Shit In

But before that ...

I uncovered the E-type to work on it and found that the bubble was in the way still. So I hung it from the middle which seemed to work - although compromised the doors a bit.

Starting with the plugs - #1 and #2 were a bit dirty but fine - not sure what miles we've done since I cleaned them last ? #3 was sootier though as was 6. This is 3.

It was early October I cleaned them off last. Less than 150 miles ago - so running a bit rich but it's all been short runs this year.

The water was fine - although there was a small pool under the car. Oil full - if a little black. No change in the clutch or brake fluid levels either. Finally tyres and three out of four needed a bit of air.

So about an hour later I'd done the checks, but as the fan had only been going an hour I pottered for a bit longer.

Before driving out I put a second knot in the string holding the bubble up and hey-presto it does not sit on the car any more !

Then I thought I'd just get it out ...

... and go around the block as it was a bit sunny. So I did. A couple of small stutters but it was still cold. Ran well overall and needs more. Oh and it needs a clean. I also noticed the fuel gauge seems to be showing less fuel that I though we had. Ummm.

Then PM - Shit out.

We managed to get the trailer onto the car and off to the allotment. The read lights need attention but were 'ok' for the run. Then once we'd got it cleared out I went off to Stutton to collect a BBQ and ended up trying to fit a headlight bulb in the A3. What a bugger of a job - eventually Oli managed to get it in.

Then we loaded the trailer and I came back with even more crap. 

Well a secondhand BBQ at least.

ION: Trump is determined to take control of Greenland whatever Europe want and go to war with Europe economically if not militarily (at the moment).

Card (board) carrying Member

As planned I checked the Talbot water first thing and yes it's low - although hard to actually see in there squeezed in the bubble.

It needed just shy of two pints - but the red markers were still aligned so probably just natural depletion over the months. In fact not sure when I checked it last ?

Then I set the fan heater on the sump of the smaller 1930's member of the collection for a couple of hours - as I watched for the roads to dry and got on with more Garage DIY. That done the car started quite easily so I left it to warm up as I tidied the tools away.

PM we set off around the block - but first we called in to Nigel's to drop off the auction catalogues John gave me. Luckily I could get off the road.

It went well around the block - so I kept it about 50 for most of the way - sounding quite rorty too. Home and it was a quick SAAB run to the allotment.

Back home I put the Imp away properly. I did notice the zip on the bubble was hard to do up though - so I'll have to watch that.

So what next ?

Clean Youngster and Dirty Elder

First task of the day was to clean the youngster on the team - The Aston.

Nappy in play and the car made the bucket of water very very black but came up well. I still need to do the windows but that was that for today as ...

I wanted to re-hang the garage door. I managed that [although it did fall on me once] and it's better - how much better we'll see later when it dries out - but they both close properly now. I need to line it next.

Then what ? The sun was out ... ish ...

About 90 mins on two fan heaters and then we were ready to try. Prime the carb until I could smell the petrol, then one short burst to get some pressure up and full hand throttle (no pumping of the pedal) and she fired second time. Ran well too.

Around the block we went making the car a bit dirty but not that much as the roads had dried and yesterday all the salt was washed away (again). I did notice the temperature was a little high so I should check the water tomorrow. I also noticed it's only done 32 miles since October.

IO [Talbot] N: I seem to have made contact with a (relatively) local chap who has/had both a GO and BGH car !

Er .. Nil Again ?

Rain Rain Rain - so nothing outside - other than helping the animals in 2 by 2.

So a bit of a walk only to find this pot hole and get rained on the way back.

Of course the council will fill it in 30 days ...

Then a bit of research. Here is a photo I though was my father in 'Uncle' Bob's car during the war.

Yes the VSCC thought it is a Blériot-Whippet - but a historian says that it is more like the 1920's ...

Filthy Roads - and that's my Excuse

Actually the day was bright but still cold and wet and yes, the roads were shitty still. They never really dried out.

After lunch I got the Aston out for planet saving and noticed it was damp and how dirty it was. I did notice the garage door was slightly open at the top too as it had expanded in the cold and wet. I'll have to shave that too.

Mind you when I got back and put the car away it was worse.

Caked in salt - so I'll have to get that cleaned asap, but tomorrow it is just raining all day again.

Then we went to get the van again and tuck it up in the garage at Harkstead again for a while.

So sort of glad I did not get any classic or vintage car out today - but hopefully the rain will wash the salt away again tomorrow.