Er ...

Two MK7 passenger trips in the gloom and nothing else ... although I did create a picture book for Raph.

Well a boy needs a car book.

Bubble Boy

Well all I did was wander past the cars and correct the lip of the outdoor bubble.

Glad I did as the rain came back in the afternoon.

It's Thursday, its 8:00 and it's "Double Fan Time"

I was out early (ish) in the clear, bright but damp morning and popped both fan heaters on the Talbot. Did the Ferrari/garage still smell of petrol or just hot old car engine ? Hard to tell.

Pottered for a bit - then decided to prime the Talbot which took 10 pumps and leave it, but I ended up starting it anyway. It started after a bit of a faff but fine. It sounded like the plugs were sparking but had nothing to ignite. I also started the E-type and moved out to clear first bubble away.

Then that done I took it for a cheeky run around the block - 60-70-80 no problem. It did stutter though when I put my foot down quickly at low speed - but that was all.

Alpine next - fan for an hour or so - but that would not start, like last time. I also noticed a bit of brake fluid by the rear offside tyre. So that better get on the list.

After lunch I tried starting it again but again no joy. I ended up squirting carb cleaner in the intakes and she fired up almost immediately. Looking more red than orange too today.

Then a run to Harkstread (where else) showed up a sticking brake but nothing else too bad.

Finally I re-stared the Talbot and took it for a run out and around the block. 

Looking stately I'd have to say.

Finally I packed the Talbot bubble away (that's 2) and put the Alpine back in the exterior bubble. Phew.

Forgetful: Me (and Them)

It was a misty and cold start to the day and to be honest I did not have much umph to get going.

I checked on the Ferrari first - of course it still smelt - a bit - so let's crawl over it again. The forlorn hope was the carpet - which was wrong - so I put that back first.

However the smell seemed it dissipate quickly with the garage door open.

I spent 30 mins checking under the car and following the fuel lines but nothing seemed to be weeping.  I kept cleaning bits but I was none the wiser. Then I thought I'd turn the fuel pump on to put pressure in the system. It seemed to stay on and not pump up to pressure - but as normal I don't know what it should sound like. No drips though - nor did the smell return.

I did spot a missing clip on the air intake though - so that's on order.

Looking back at a few pics it's not been on there for many years.

Next I went to fill the SAAB up with petrol and fill the 3 cans for the E-type. Checking the Ferrari when I got back and there was almost no smell - odd.

E-type alarm turned off second try and I put the 3 gallons in it and re- checked the gauge.

That registered fine. So I cleaned the plugs again, although they were ok really - if a little brown and old looking.

Then I stared the E-type up - gosh it was very rough - that will happen if the plugs leads are not fitted back correctly. Dho. A little 2 mile run to turn round and everything seemed fine. Then as I walked back to the garage and spotted this...

Some fool had forgotten to put the petrol cap back on. At least it was still there after driving back 4 miles.

Mid afternoon I took the Ferrari around the block after first using a cable tie on the intake.

No smell at all - very odd. Great drive too when it had warmed up a bit.

RGEA in the evening in trusty SAAB in the fog to collect the radiator. Looks like a later Talbot one.

Bloody heavy though.

Only two classics tonight, Jason - who had brought the radiator in his Humber Super Snipe (I think) - and John who had brought his Tiger.

The fog had got worse on the run back but it was fine.

Metal Micky

I popped into the garage to check on the Ferrari first thing and it still smells of petrol - that's really what I expected if I'm honest.

Deflated I pondered what to do next ? A simple task always kick starts the work again - so we packed the SAAB and headed for the dump.

Mainly metal this time - including the beer barrel that's been littering the place that I cut in two. When I got back I started the Imp - with a bit of a backfire as I suspect I over fueled it - and fixed the SAAB rear wash wipe and pumped up the tyres.

Getting the Imp out PM it was a good if bumpy run. 

It needs a clean now too as it's got a bit scruffy over the Winter.

Later I checked the Ferrari again and opened the bonnet to look for leaks - nothing obvious though. So I took the carpet out and went for a very short run. It still smell of petrol - more inside than out in fact.

Then MK2 to Harkstead.

That needs a clean even more.

A final check on the Ferrari later in the evening and the garage was smelling too. Ho Hum - more investigations needed.

ION: Day three of the 'war' sees Oil and Gas priced rise rapidly and the Markets Crash - we've been here before.

Sniffing Petrol ?

A full morning of Sun and Admin, while deciding what to take out in the afternoon.

The Imp was the favorite, but it was quite cold and blustery when I got out so I felt the Ferrari would be better.

So it got warmed and started after lunch. Sounded fine and went really well too no problems until ... I filled it up with petrol and then drove off - smelling the fuel I thought. Odd - I did wonder if I had got some splashed on me ?

Next though was a planet saving run - so the Aston came out too.

That also went well - and sounded great. I think I over-cooked it a bit coming back as we had a 'twitch'.

Checking on the Ferrari in the evening it did not seem to smell of petrol - just hot oil and car. We'll monitor.

And then it was Sunday

The run back from the boat in the rain - stopping at Wisley for breakfast and to look at the museum. I did spot a nice LWB Land Rover from 1963 in a pic.

I'd guess a S2 - but that was the only highlight of the run back really. Although we called in for fuel at the very busy Esso garage on the A12 near home which was my first time and it was jam packed as usual.

Then home and unpacking - again - but the rain had eased off.

Better reversing than mine

A slow start, tidying up and finishing off packing. Where is the rain ?

However as we had time to kill we thought we'd go to Dinard for lunch so we did some unpacking first. We got to a busy Dinard in the sunshine but found a parking spot quickly just by the steps to the beach.

I spotted a picture of the port (Porte Emeraude) with very old cars in it - I'd guess 1910 ?

Then we set off for home and re-packed before heading out finally for an even busier St Malo for a late walk. We parked at the terminal (where we normally queue) and walked into St Malo which was easy. On the way back we were treated to the site of a very large ship reversing into the lock gate - and then the bridge opening for it.

He had a couple of feet each side but not much to spare but I'd not have been confident doing it. 

Given that he then turned around in the basin I'm not sure why he did ? 

Anyway boarding was fine and so that was that. So the over arching theme of France was water. Not rain [until the end of the week] but the leak through the ceiling and then the bathroom plumbing.

ION: Israel and the USA attack Iran multiple times as 'The Donald' calls for the people to rise up. Iran fire rockets back - so February ends with a new war - or an old war hotting back up ?

Rain at last

The rain was heavy for most of the morning but as far as we could tell the roof leak did not re-occur - time will tell. We tested the down pipes too and they seemed ok - no leaks after several flushes etc.

Not much travel though but I did take the Mk7 to the recycling late afternoon - a highlight.

Then I started packing ...

...  before and popping into Dinan for an evening meal.

Shopping and Popping to the Coast

It was Thursday so we went off to the Dinan Market as usual - still the sun shone. We parked in a normal side road with the nice houses - some with garages too. Although I'm not sure of the slope on a wet or frosty morning.

We passed a Peugeot 309 in the town that must have been 30 years old, but not much else of interest.

PM off to Saint-Cast-le-Guildo for another walk in the sun along the windy shore.

" Ah Heath, meet Robinson "

Perhaps a little harsh but it did feel like it by the time I had concocted my down pipes.

We did do two trips for plumbing parts but no time for car pics !

Shopping Shopping Shopping

AM was a morning walk along the coast (Plage des 4 Vaux) a route that we've done before.

Past the car park of boats too. Then it was home for lunch to find a second car parked outside the house.

PM was a tour of the shops and trading estates for items we'd missed first time round. 

There seems to be a lot of solar panels going up and covering most of the car parking as a result. 

ION: Peter (The Dark Lord) Mandelson was arrested yesterday - and is now released on bail - on suspicion of misconduct in public office. That's #2.

The Wait, the Crawl and the Wait again

Off the boat ok and into the queue for the 'Duane'.  That process is still slow and that is without any sign of biometrics at the boarder. Then we hit new roadworks at the road to Aucaleuc with a nice countdown.

Shows 7 seconds to go with the time counting down around the number. It looked like they are putting in huge electric cables into the old Army base so may by there are starting a development at last.

The house was looking tidy outside but inside smelt a little damp.

That will be the water dripping though the ceiling then. So PM was shopping for food and then DIY of course. We also went out shopping for wooden boards so I could crawl in the kitchen loft and see what the problem was - again. So backwards and forwards past the roadworks we went - waiting patiently each time.

When we got back Madam had a visitor parked outside our house as last year.

Oh well, it makes the place look lived in.

A Little Detour

Packing again - although it was a light load this time.

Down to Portsmouth via Wimbledon back up the A3 (to see Adam and Liz) so it felt just like the 1970's when the Kingston bypass was 70mpg and no seatbelts were needed. Now it's 50 and we're all cocooned in monster trucks.

Tea over it was back onto the A3 - memories of doing that trip from Holloway for the last time came back too - was it 30 years ago - well probably June 1996. In the queue by 19:00 ...

as normal really.

Unhappy Mr. E

Having gone out to take the team miles I found the weather OK - so decided to warm the E-type and get it started at least. It's such a beguiling shape I thought as I took the cover off after heating it up for an hour.

I found the immobiliser fob worked first time - placing it central slightly left of the steering column. The car started quite easily too - a good sign. I let it warm up and watched the skies.

PM we ventured out. The car looking very red even in the dull grey light.

However the car was not happy - first the immobiliser was playing up. Then the starter motor refused to turn - I assume it was blocked by the alarm. We got going and had a great fast run on the main road but then a couple of stutters at slow speed going round the roundabout and then again on the Strand. Oh and the fuel gauge does not look right again far too low for what should be half a tank.

It is definitely in need of a tune up and some tinkering, but it's back in the bubble for now.

Next was a Swedish rendezvous.

A quick check on the boat revealed it's got a small leak at the rear of the cockpit again this year - but oddly not in the same place as before.

As to the SAAB it felt down on power a couple of times - bit only one quick 'CEL' flash.

I also noticed the Yew pollen has already started - is that early ? Checking the blog - it appears it is a bit late if anything

Just another SAAB run [again]

Er ... not sure where the day went - but it ended in Harkstead again.

Nasty Out - and a Nasty In

Another wet and windy day.

I know its only February - but it's getting ridiculous with the amount of water on the roads. Add the hidden potholes and it's not a car friendly county.

Anyway - Stutton first thing and then Manningtree for bits and bobs and Harkstead for a drop off.

PM just admin - but I did like this comment on the Talbot post I did.

I know - I'm a vane git.

ION: Talking of gits - Andrew Windsor has been arrested for "misconduct in public office". As 8th in line for the throne he should be OK. Mind you the last royal to be arrested was Charles 1st in 1647 ... and we know how that turned out.

Just Van'ning

AM was a walk to Harkstead in the cold blustery wind to pick up the van.

Starting easily now it's in the charger. It did need fuel though so I took a very flooded, rutted back road to the main road and thence to the petrol station. I brimmed the tank (yes it is petrol) and dropped it off. 

By the time I'd got back the village roadworks had gone. Good.

PM too cold and dreary to get anything else out so I did some more on the archive.

Trailer Un-Trashed and Two a Go-Go

It started with a shock - the Sun coming out first thing - so a good day beckoned. The plan was to get the Talbot started - so fan heaters both on by 8:15.

Then start the jobs - what first ? After a potter I thought I'd fix the trailer lights. We'd noticed them not working and the wires worn through. In fact two wires were completely broken and another worn through the cover. 

After finding some odd spare (probably inappropriate) fittings I'd got them all working again. I then re-positioned the spare wheel to be under the trailer so the rain won't collect in it and rot it out again. I hope.

Then MK7 out to save the planet.

That felt odd - but I needed to move it for the main event anyway as it was blocking the Talbot garage.

PM (and after four and a half hours on two fans) I tentatively started the car. I primed it a lot but it was still slow to start - and felt like a lack of petrol - so the auxiliary pump is probably on the cards. But start it did and out into the sunshine we came. I let it idle and went back inside - in fact when I came back to take it out it gave me quite a shock when I rounded the corner.

Out and 'half around' we went - the road is still closed. So we're back to the layby.

It had been 'spitting' a little on the windscreen and I suspected the last time I filled it up with water I put in too much - so I pushed the radiator cap down again. It did not seem to do much more on the run back either. We'll have to monitor.

That completed what next ? Well the Ferrari had been unavertable warmed up in there too so after another hour of direct heat it got it's own turn. That stared second turn of the key and sounded good - no pops at all. After letting it warm we did the same run.

And of course stopped to turn around in the same place.

That done we finished the day with a trip to Ipswich for plumbing parts in the SAAB - which flashed at me three time I think. I don't think it liked crawling along past the roadworks - this time on the Wherestead Road - again.

Jumbo Times

Admin and Archive AM.

Then PM off to the CVMC meeting. Heavy rain and shitty roads - so no pre-war cars of any sort. Not even a 60's classic. There was a 1990's SAAB though.

Did I park there last time in March 2025 ?

Not quite !

Ah and Jumbo ? Well that is the Victorian Water Tower in Colchester built in 1883 and the subject of the talk today.

Back to One

It even snowed today - watery wet blobs. So AM was working on the archive.

Then PM Harkstead run in the MK7. 

Then back through the roads awash with water again through lower Holbrook.

Golf to the Power of Two

After 40 days of rain (well almost) the sun came out so we went for a run in the MK7 to the coast for Brunch and a Walk. It felt like most of the country had the same idea - busy for February.

We walked along the beach to look at the most recent Suffolk coastal erosion at Thorpeness. Oh dear.

What is left is not going to last many more storms I'm afraid.

PM I topped up the MK2 tank with petrol from the stock and then popped out to fill it up - via Stutton.

Looked good out there. I filled it up on the way back and no problems at all - so far. We'll see if I was right. It could probably do with the plugs cleaning anyway though.