Just one out

Swede in the cold.

One in - One out

Put the 308 into the bubble after pumping the tyres up to 45psi.

Then Alpine run to take photos of wildlife at Manningtree.

I looked for birds while people admired the car sitting there next to the frosty riverbank.

Another dump run

Aero out again to the dump.

But then treated myself with the Aston too. Reset the Bluetooth and removed several links and the alarm stayed off. Hope that fixes it.

Then late night shooting cars on the A12. Much better than last time I tried.

 

Passed the first real gritting lorry as well on the way back - and it was gritting.

Packed Up

Aero in short but packed trips - tools then dump run.

Got to sort this out.

Fill me Up !

Ran the AERO down to about 16 miles - flashed this up again.

Clipped the front wheel at the shops and damaged the alloys - again. They are really poor now.

And you can't get a 8' sheet in the back without it scraping the roof lining.

However the Mk7 took a hit. On a wall. Opps.

Finally noticed the mileage on the 308 this year - lowest ever at just shy of 600 miles. Why am I using the cars so little - is it spreading out the miles - or missing long trips ?

Indulgance

Early run to the boat to take off bedding etc,

You can't go wrong with a big Swede. Chap in Volvo did not see the funny side of it though.

Then took the Aston out for a run - it had been ignored for a while. Shopping trip but enough to lighten the mood.

However, the Bloody alarm went off again - their suggestion is that the iPhone has problems attaching to both the car and the alarm as the car gets in first.

Will try again next week.

Filled up with petrol - poor filler again. Another niggle, but nice comments from chap in station.

Then took the Ferrari out in the sunshine and to show off - filled it up at the same station too.

Bright Spark(s)

Collected the 308 after the service.

Saw a striking blue DeThomaso in Grimaldi's with the 308 behind it.

It was dark by the time I got back - so indulged in nighttime shot.

However, there had been a problem with the lighter falling apart and shorting. Looked like it cooked the orange band that went around it to a crisp - although checking photos it was always damaged.

I though about how I could fix is all the way home. Then decided to cut it off and dye the leather. It came off easily and using a marker pen I disguised the missing ring. Not sure I'll ever know.

Alpine runs

Two Alpine runs out - shops and Mum's. Tools in the boot and a bit of rain.

But the car(s) looking good in the garage.

Bridge closed

So took 1 hour to do the usual round the block - cars and lories parked on the road waiting for the bridge to open. It was closed for 12 hours in the rain.

I suspect it's a push for a northern Ipswich bypass.

More SAAB pottering

Just a quick run for jobs.

No Alpines at all

Met up with fellow Alpine owners - took SAAB - they took their moderns too. Storms forecast - sensible option.

Marking Time

Run out in Mk7.

Thought about exercising the Aston but cold grey skies made me think otherwise.

Two by Two

Cleaned the E-Type and put it away in the bubble. No more evidence of a water leak ?

Then swapped the cars around. 2 by 2. Caterham out first - then went for a great drive in the cold.

 

Golf just got  move around the drive.

 

Then Alpine off to do jobs.



Dodging Showers

Alpine out for a dash round the block as the rain started - so came back in and cleaned it off using the water.

Mayo

Yes some mayonnaise on the Golf Mk2 oil filler cap.

Topped it up with oil and did the tyres. Not much needed really but it shows the water loss is probably through the head gasket.

Then turned my attention to the Jag.

E-type light went out on choke as it was warm. Might be the solution after all.

No water dripped out either after 20 mins on the road but I did notice the wire frame protecting the radiator was loose. Probably that pidgin four years ago.

Forgot to say the car goes really very verr verrry well at the moment too.

Did not set foot in a car

Not even a visit to the garage.

Checked though and the Dynamator needs a higher revs to start charging - one it is running it's fine though. Like the Ferrari.

Dreary Drives

Aero for load lugging - rain and wet weather stopped any other fun.

Red light on and then off again

Spent time fitting a new connection to the dynamator. New wire spliced in, new terminal and shrink wrapped ends.

Light still on for a few seconds and then with a rev it goes out.

Oh and she's definitely leaking water from somewhere.

Nice 'toy car' pic on the drive - again.

Just like the Ferrari I thought ?

Must ask why - take it out tomorrow if dry - needs a clean and then put away for the winter.

Afternoon Golf Mk7 run and then finished off with Aero and Trailer to deliver more to Oli's new house.

Load after Load

Aero and Golf Mk7 as work horses and transport.

Also glad to hear Mk2 start at 6:30 this morning.

More loads and lugging and Brakedown Service

Three boot loads - plus trailer loads as well.

Mix of stuff too - from wood to sinks.

The late evening jaunt to start the Mk2 - lights left on in station car park.

 

Highlight is the 3 page spread in Low Flying though.

Slogging through drizel

Aero out again - wanted the warmth and comfort to an Alpine meeting.

No one else brought their cars and there was nothing worth a pic in the car park either.

Red light back on

Started the E-type to see ... and yes it's back on. Cleaned the wire and after a few revs it went out again. Perhaps it need a longer run to bed the bushed in ?

Two Golf Mk7 trips late pm. Nice to drive a new car. Still feels like a treat.

A 4 Jobs - C 4 News

Aero again - wimped out on the classics due to the cold.

But got the latest Low flying with my three page spread !

It's Golf Time

Needed to get insurance pictures of the Golf Mk2 - so had it washed and then did the usual shots.

Followed up by some more atmospheric ones on the drive.

Aero to dump and then jaunt just carrying boxes.

Red Light Back

Started the E-Type hoping for the result I wanted, but expecting the result I got. The red ignition warning light was back on.

Looked at the warning light connection on the control box and no fiddling changed anything. However taking the wire off the dynamo and reconnecting it had the desired effect. The light went out.

Ran for a few miles with headlights and wipers on - charged well about 1500 rpm (35 mph) - not sure it's better than the old dynamo to be honest.

I'll measure the output and clean up the connections when I can.

Car into bubble for now - a bit dirty though.

Aero and Mk7 had utility runs too in the afternoon.

Sort of ... fixed itself

Fitted the Dynator to the E-type.

Harder than I thought as the new belt seemed fat too short to get the unit in place. The old split belt was fine (stretched ?) and luckily so was the back-up one I had in the boot. The packet said 1010 mm so I'll look for another one as well as a proper spare.

New one (right) is definitely lighter, but did not work when I first started it up. Red charging light went out after a bit of revving. Like the new electrons needed to flush out the old ones...

The pulley is also now in no danger of hitting the frame.

Rain stopped me doing a test drive so that will have to wait - time will tell if it's a permanent fix.

Earlier Aero utility run - an no sign of 'clonking'.

SAAB back

Collected Aero and it's big bill - should keep us going for a few years. Looked good on the drive. 

Dynamo arrived after dark so will for tomorrow.

Alpine Nights

Ran the Alpine full of tools for jobs as AERO is still in the garage.

Returned in the dark - at 5:30 - I guess it's Winter.

Back to Black

Well a dark metallic grey anyway.

Speedo still seems to be acting oddly. Also the alarm needed resetting again.