The Beeches Roadside Rescue

An 8:30 call to action from the Harkstead client started the day. That job done I also moved a tree off the road on the way back.

So after that ... the Alpine out into the gloom for a SAOC meal this lunchtime. I detailed it and cleaned off the dust but that was it. It started up second try and so we got ready - with warm coats, blankets, German hat etc. It did look red though in the gloom.

It was also a bit cold on the run up but basically fine - well fine ish ... for me. We arrived just as another early car was parking up - a stunning S2 all the way from the Fens.

A great turnout - 17 in all - but only 1 other car,  John's Tiger.

However the problem was that the MK2 Golf battery was dead - so the car was left in Manningtree for us to recover. Here we are at 17:50 after dropping the van back at Harkstead and collecting the keys.

The jump pack did the trick and off we went. Mind you I could not resist this.

More Van Time

So off we go again - early run for the C19 and Flue jabs.

Mostly clear blue skies - warmer than expected when working too. Ho Hum. 

At least I have booked the Imp transport and the Ferrari goes in Tuesday. So we're making some progress.

Next was SAAB to town for a job - well a haircut. It was even getting gloomy when I got back.

Taking the miles the SAAB is plodding on. Although the headlight is dying and the stutter pops up from time to time.

As for the toys - oddly even with the trip back from Grange the E-Type beat the Aston by a few miles.

Final ride to Stutton in the MK7 to round things off. Now that car has dome some miles this month - over 1250. France and pottering - although we did do a lot of miles in France last time out.

Sneaking out Another

The house was full of young(ish) people working from home ... So SAAB out in the morning sunshine - back on the usual run.

Holbrook/Harkstead/Doctors/Home. Just another job - life taking the piss (sample).

Then PM the sun was still out - if a bit cold. So E-type out and around the block.

Still looking (and going well) in the chilly air.

The 'A' Team

The sun was out and it was quite warm ... so after jobs I thought I could do an errand in the Alpine.

Obviously Harkstead - the Alpine liked the cold air too. However that was not the end of it. I had to return to Holbrook and then re-visit Harkstead with more free pills from the NHS. 

I just snuck into the small spot at the DR. Not the best of pics into the sun. After that I detoured via home to spray the mechanism for the hand brake with grease to see if I could stop it rattling so much. 

On the way back up the Harkstead it did seem quieter ... well a bit.

Finally a run in the Aston - a bit longer today down the A12 to the garden center.

The car is going well - although I'm not sure what happened to the photo !

Clean as a Whistle

After an Admin morning I braved the Ferrari. I thought I'd just get ready but the tactic worked and I got stuck in.

I checked the leads I could get to (e.g. 3 1 8 5 4 and 6) plus the main HT lead too.

They were all like this - clean and unburnt, but with the odd small wire inside. However the key was there were no burnt bits or discoloured connections.

I started the car up and it gave me one little pop but it was running rough and tick over was slipping down again - mind you it is cold and not started for xxx days.

It seemed a bit better the second time so I left it to warm up. It was still running rough though.

Roberto thinks it might be a plug that has failed as its happening more and more frequently to NGK plugs after the Champions were also at fault.

Finally a Van drop of and Harkstead run via Shotley for pills that were in Holbrook !

So it was Holbrook next - and then home as it was getting dark - even at 5:30.

Golfing Days

First was a ride in the MK7 to look at a Car home (I keep typing Car Home) north of Ipswich. What struck me was how many houses are being built up there. It was all fields in my day - I actually had that B&B for three months near there so I cycled past the fields in 1996.

So the sun was out PM so I decided the MK2 Golf needed to be readied for Lord James at the weekend. It's not been used since September 11th. Looked good though.

It was quite clean but dusty. The tyres were all down a lot though, it also needed some oil. I also hoovered it out and gave the windows a clean. I ran it for a while to warm it though and spotted the top of the radiator was wet. Ah - and there was an area of 'stain' above it.

So that's on the job list. However I went around the block and it did not seem to leak much. I'll have to start it u and look immediately to see where it might be leaking next time.

500 yards and Van Time Again

SAAB to the co-op in the rain. It turns out that in the end I have to get the V5C for the E-type corrected to get on the electronic system.

BAAZILL VS BRAZILL

Then PM it was Van time again.

In the drizzle. Holbrook/Shotley/Harkstead then after all that off to Tesco for petrol and pickup.

I did bump the van on the post - luckily it was plastic.

Then on the way back I picked up a hitch hiker - turned out that they had just bought Barn Owl. It is a big wooden yacht at Shotley - we pass it often on the way in and out of our birth.

Anyway that added an hour to the return run. Finally a SAAB Pickup and home.

Wild and Windy

The rain had passed but not the storm as we set off for Hyde Hall first thing. MK7 rather than anything more exotic for the expected roadworks. But there were none and we were greeted with this smart V8 Vantage.

He's not afraid to use his car I thought. Oh and what a timeless shape.

Anyway - home again and stop off for petrol.

Is 15 mins queuing worth the saving ?

Wet and Wild

But not in a good way, so nothing to report.

Well LDOTC 2016 v1 turned up.

Slightly bashed as usual !

Wet Wet Wet - Mostly

A 'stay home and keep safe' type of day. Wet and windy with more to come.

PM a run in the MK7 to Harkstead was the only activity.

And I was only passenger for that too.

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 !