Warming them up

Defrosted the SAAB and Mk7.

Then started the Mk2 (first time) and the UP! while I was at it.

Then took the SAAB to the Hospital - where there was nowhere to park - so I did what it said not to.

Tiny Dash

Some snow fell but was mostly gone by the early afternoon - dash to the co-op was the most the SAAB did though.

All others staying in the garage.

Swede before the slush

Awaiting the first snowfall of winter tomorrow. So SAAB out and about for jobs and packed with survival gear.

Oh and passed the gritter in the village.

Mk7 Utility Time

Ride to town in Mk7 - still not sure why it steams up - so have the drying bag installed and we'll see how it copes over the winter.

SAAB-ute

Well more station runs etc.

Private drawbridge

Why work the weekend ?

They seemed to have stopped so SAAB out and about over the hole.

Then PM off to the shoot over the track. Parked too far away to be hit thankfully.

Day 3 but not done

SAAB break out over the new patched roadway.

It was still steaming as I left.

Day 2 of the blockade

Spent the morning on the UP! again - touching in the paintwork. Had evicted the Aston out into the snow and warmed the garage up.

Seemed to make a difference - shame I can't do the dents.

Hard to get out anyway with the roadworks blocking us again. So I ran the SAAB down the grass verge.

Blocked again

Another day of road works - this time they decided to park across the drive.

Anyway they moved when I needed to get the SAAB out for s quick run. Dull old day though.

More VW rides

Started by being boxed in again by roadworks in the street and a huge lorry parked outside. I've lost count of the times they have dug up the road there.

Then the VW rides - Mk7 to town and in the evening Oli's new Pasat to pub - very comfortable and spacious.

Oh and we saw a boat on the Freston road that had fallen off it's trailer and smashed - quite a commotion - blue light and all but a shame.

Up and better

Tried a bit of T-Cut on the UP.

Getting better - so will do touch up when I can get the car a bit warmer. So SAAB into town to get some paint.

This time the answer would be yes

Same spot but different car. Lucy's WV UP!

Shot a few snaps for the 'for sale' advert. SAAB as tender as normal.

Is it for sale ?

Took time out to photograph the Aston - to compare 2 lenses.

Stopped at my favorite spot with the flag only to be apprehended by a chap who had stopped and wanted to know if the car was for sale. No !

A very dull day to take pictures but worked fine - especially once 'processed'.

Oh and the car needed the traction control as I hit a slippy patch and was accelerating - twitched a bit.

Showing off

Aston out to pick up two bottles of Chateau Margaux I bought almost 20 years ago. The car went well as usual and that was without the turbo nutter button. Mind you the roads were a bit salty and slippery.

But they all need washer fluid - so serviced two of the fleet when I got back.

Strike 2

Another day inside DIY work to do.

Another Nil return

Just admin and dull day.

Fill up on a utility run

SAAB to town and jobs - also topped up the tank - took over £80 to do so too. So must have been quite low.

Another Modern

Did get to the garage but only for tools.

Trip in functional Mk7 to shops.

Visited by a nice new car

Oli brought the Passat around to show it to Jana. Lots of tech.

Actually looks much better in a dark colour like this I think.

Then short SAAB jaunt.

400 odd miles

Drove the SAAB to look at a car for Oli and Lucy.

Long story, long drive but nice car.

VW Passat - the same colour as Adam's Aston too (well almost).

More Planet Saving ?

V12 to the bottle bank - well the shops anyway. I'll even hope to learn to park it better in 2019.

However ....

I tried to calculate the CO2 'saving' of the 20 bottles I recycled.

To produce a new bottle is c0.5 kg CO2 (for an average bottle).

The Aston 'cost' 4.2 kg CO2 for the 20 miles - so I saved about c5 kg CO2.

But each 'recycled' bottle saves only 0.006 kg CO2 so did I really only save 0.11 kg CO2 for all the bottles and therefore 'spend' over 4 kg CO2 doing it ?

Given I needed to go to the shops I think it's ok - but I better start walking to the bottle bank in future.

Night Run

SAAB to the Sorrel Horse for Alpine meeting. Cold and dark - as it should be in early January.

Mk7 tripping

Utility ride in Mk7 - but at least we got out.

Dragging one out

Got the Mk2 out and about - seemed to go well - better after the long run it had probably.

Tried to go round the usual block but was thwarted by the tide - the road was flooded - so parked up and went for a walk down to the river.

Saw this E-type in the distance try it and then turn round.

So I went back from whence I had come and re-traced my steps.

January's not a good month for cars

Looked back at January 2018 and some sun but mostly the fleet was left alone.

As it was today.

Head in a book

Managed to start the book about the ERA R4D as murk engulfed the garden.

Head in the garage door

Dull weather and lack of enthusiasm preventing any car action.

Although last SAAB dash to local shops for supper - that's another half mile on the clock.

Thumbed through a book

Had a look through the Aston Martin album I put together for the 100 years celebration.

Guess when ?

I did sort out some screen wash and the anti-freeze though - so the garage got a visit.

G2R for jobs

Took down the sails as prep for winter lay-up. Mk7 pressed into service.

Boat looks odd without the sails though.

Seven back

Mk7 back up the M4 M25 A12 and home again.

Retrospectively took the final mileage and found that the Mk2 was the leader of the toys at 265 (thanks to a late London run by James) and that the SAAB won overall with 596.

2019 starts off on foot

Walking in the countryside - uncovered several diggers lying around for some reason ?