So the rattles get worse

Alpine out early and stupidly forgot the unplug the battery charger.

Hopefully not much damage done. Then to the allotment with tools, went well when accelerating. Noticed 25 is about 30.

Then worked on the E-type stopping things rattle. Like this hose connector on the frame, so I taped and clipped it. Also the bonnet catch was a bit loose.

Then SAAB out with more tools.

And finally a test run in the E-type - if anything there are more rattles and clunks. Hopefully something will fall off soon.

Passed but Alarmed

I was about to take the E-Type out when the garage phoned to say the Caterham had passed the MOT so I collected it. Passed this very yellow Lotus on the way back in a garage in Mistly.

The weather could not decide what to do but picked up in the evening so I did get the Jaguar out. It's very dusty and the patch I had to clean to get the muck off was the only clean bit. I think I need to get the sewing machine out and sculpture the covers. Rattled too.

Then decided the Ferrari needed a run too. Again the alarm seemed to be stopping the car starting. Power cones through but it took several attempts to get it to turn over. No sequence seemed to be the one. I guess it will have to go back to the garage for it.

Wheely Nice

Started the Caterham and it felt a bit lump so I cleaned off the plugs.

Plugs1 and 2 were quite oily and they were all sooty.

The drove to a packed Abbotts in the drizzle - so I parked it up the top near the 900's that have been sitting tree for quite a while.

Picked up the SAAB and drive home with its spanking new wheels - and it looked good. Next I need to sort the bodywork.

Wheel Less

SAAB still in the garage so had to use the Mk7 for two trips - especially as the rain seems to have followed us back from Scotland.

Inverness to Fort William – Day 8 - c500 miles

Another day - and another mammoth journey by train. So up before 6:00 for breakfast at the station and the 7:40 out of Fort William to Glasgow – just four hours across the highlands past Loch Lomond, which to be honest was a scenic as the run to Mallaig and was not raining all the way either.

Then a short run from Glasgow to Edinburgh across the lowland belt to arrive well in time for the next train and the leg to Peterborough. Again we board a very packed train and cram in our lunch on the go. A long four hours pass and we’re back in Peterborough and have an hour to kill.

The final train takes us to Bury again for the 'bus replacement service'. Ipswich is looking dark and murky by the time we arrive but there are plenty of taxis so we hop in one and finally, 12 hours later we’re home.

In all almost 1200 miles - mostly by train.

Inverness to Fort William – Day 7 - c170 miles

Having said our goodbyes we leave the boat mid-morning and go to the hotel in Fort William by taxi. Looking for something to do we wander to the train station and see there is a train to Mallaig 84 miles away.

So on a whim we catch the train and when we see ourselves going over the Glenfinnan viaduct I realise we are on the Harry Potter line - considered ‘the greatest railway journey in the world’ (according to the tourist board).

Arriving in Mallaig it is very cold, raining hard and blowing a gale – we notice we’re the only ones not in full wet weather walking or cycling gear.

We ‘potter’ around the town and out to the port when the weather eases but rain comes back quickly. We look for a coffee to get out of the rain, killing time before the return journey. The train is packed again but we have seats and are dry and warm at least. We can’t see much of the scenery on the way back due to the foul weather, but it has stopped before we get into the station. We wander back to the hotel for a rest, then out for a meal and an early bed.

Inverness to Fort William – Day 6 - 0.4 nm

After another 6:00 am dash to the limited showers it’s time to go.

We spend about three hours moving the boat through the eight locks slowly walking them through as before.

We moor up on the waiting pontoon for the night and eat in the pub.

Now there is an even longer walk back to the showers.

Inverness to Fort William – Day 5 - 17.9 nm

The morning is clear and calm - well at 6:30 it was..

The passage through the two locks at Lagan is easier than before as we are now falling and don’t have to throw the ropes up. We also have some decent wind now and it’s in a good direction so we get a proper sail on loch Lochy tacking backwards and forwards.

The wind is gusting to 20 knots but the boat is big enough to cope so we don’t need to reef and we scoot along. We arrive at Banavie and moor up on the pontoon at the top of Neptune’s Staircase and in sight of Ben Nevis.

We eat on board.

Inverness to Fort William – Day 4 - 6.8 nm

It’s a slow start so we have time for breakfast. We have a short motor along the route we walked through the Cullochy lock, the swing bridge and into Loch Oich.

The day finishes early and we stop at Lagan the highest point of the canal (c20m above sea level) before the two locks.

We go for a walk in the woods on the hill and in the evening eat on the barge. There are showers but they are pretty old.

Inverness to Fort William – Day 3 - 2.2 nm

After an early start (and a long walk to the showers) we get ready to enter the first lock. There is a slight rush of craft at 8:30 when we are called - as everyone wants to get going. We pass though the swing bridge and transverse the five locks - rising each time.

We have to ‘walk’ the boats through each lock which takes time and so when we are though we moor up at the other side for lunch and to top up the water.

In the afternoon we have a short motor and just past Kytra lock we stop on a Pontoon again. We have more time to kill so walk down the tow path to the lock at Cullochy that afternoon. There are no showers and have to use the lock keepers loo.

We eat on board and turn in early again.

Inverness to Fort William – Day 2 - 23 nm

During the morning we manage a bit of sailing on Loch Ness before anchoring at Drumnadrochit near the ruins of Urquhart castle.

The intermittent drizzle keep going all day and the only excitement in the afternoon was when the depth gauge went to zero. We thought it might be the Loch Ness monster shadowing us, but it was more likely to have been the very deep waters (over 200 meters) confusing the gauge.

After more views of the hills and a bit of motor sailing we pass by the small pepper-pot light house (the smallest in the country) at the end of the loch and moor up on the pontoon for the night ahead of the locks at Fort Augustus.

After walking around the town and exploring we eating in the pub and turn in early.

Inverness to Fort William – Day 2 - 5.6 nm

We leave the marina and head out into the still morning waters of Beauly Firth.

With the Kessock Bridge in the distance we turn back on ourselves and into the sea lock at Clachnaharry.

It’s the first time in a lock and we see how high the rope has to be thrown to the lock keepers.

We only miss him once and are soon ready for the gates to close and the water level rise for the first time. Once inside the skippers have to fill in forms and complete some admin and it is about an hour before we are let through.

Our target is to moor further down the canal that afternoon, but immediately we come to the Clachnaharry swing-bridge and lock, then motor to the swing bridge at Muirtown before we have to pass through the four Muirtown locks. Later we arrive at Tomnahurich swing-bridge and we motor on. After passing though the lock at Dochgarroch we moor up for the evening near the head of Loch Ness now 16m above sea level. We eat on board and turn in.

Inverness to Fort William - Day 1 - c560 miles

Oh the glamour of travel. 

Leave the house at 8:30 (Oliver gives us a lift) to Ipswich Train Station to catch the inevitable ‘bus replacement service’ to Bury St Edmonds. 

From there it was a run through the fens looking at the barren backyards and rubbish of the small settlements along the way to Peterborough. Then we drag the bags over the bridge and into the cold waiting room for our lunch before we get onto a very crowded train for the four hour leg up to Edinburgh Waverly.

Half an hour wait in the station and then we’re leaving the city and off to Inverness arriving after another four hours. So at 20:16 we’re heading into Inverness for supper in a bar and after a short taxi to the marina we arrive at the boat about 21:30. Clearlake II is a Dufour 445 – well-appointed and sturdy 45 foot boat. We chat to Barrie and Linda our fellow crew members and meet up with the Skipper (Ian) and his partner (Fiona).

So after only 12 hours of traveling we’re magically there. Interestingly it was hard to get Ipswich and Inverness on the same map even if their area codes are only a 10 digits apart – 01473 vs 01463.

Little trips

Mk7 to WWW and not a single interesting car in the car park - of about 1000 as far as  could see.

Then Alpine out in the dying sun for jobs - sounds good when you rev it too.

Show but not shine

Day started with the SAAB to Abbotts for its new wheels.

Then Caterham out for lunch - in the intermittent rain.

At least the cover works well - and the big BMW in the background is its previous owner.

Then decided to take the dirty Alpine to the Shotley meet and not the sparklingly clean Golf. Almost the oldest car there too.

Lots of clean runs

Washed the Mk2 first thing - as I might take it to the ECR meeting Friday night.Again a bit hesitant to start, but I think it needed a run.

So ran it round the block to dry off with lots of revs - goes well.

Then SAAB to town for jobs - and decided that needed a good wash as well.

I actually gave it three washes in the end I think - and cut back the bonnet (peppered with chips) and roof to get rid of the black spots. Came up quite well as the picture shows. Next will be a replacement ariel fin and refurbished wheels. Then I need to clean the inside and sort out the paintwork and rust.

Then Aston out for a run in the sun. Passed an early Marcos and a Rover SD1 in the traffic.

Then unexpectedly out again - this time to pick up some cargo from town. It's quite dirty so I cleaned the windows but it did not seem to buff out so they were terrible.

Anyway chap in the shop appreciated it - and was even surprised at the size of the boot.

End of day clue perhaps ?

Not a cryptic clue but ...

SAAB first thing to work on the allotment.

Then after lunch Caterham into town for jobs and buy a spray gun. Not sure it likes hot days driven slowly in town - an odd backfire and running on when stopped.

But I got an appreciative chat from a bus driver who was towering above us.

Then the 308 again for a run. I thought I'd cracked the alarm yesterday but it took another 'blip' to start.

Finished off with the E-type down to the marina which seems to be rattling more, although the chaps admiring it did not mind. Oh and I must remember it is January 1964 - but a Dec 1963 build.

Finally, the clue. I seem to be able to make the rattle appear by pressing the brakes. So that will be my line of investigation for a while.

Undercover - my foot

Started the day with SAAB back to the dump to get rid of the mattress. Spotted the ariel cover coming off as we drove there -

- but spotted it on the way back - so we picked it up.

Then Ferrari out in the evening to Felixstowe. Nice drive back in the dark.

Street parking seemed a bit of a worry but someone liked it - well 56 people liked it to be honest.

And his picture is better than mine.

Sleeping on the job

SAAB now used to transport new/old mattress to/from Silk Street.

At least it's soft. Oh and the ariel needs sorting out - I knocked it off.

Off to the dump tomorrow.

Sea-bound camping

SAAB loaded with stuff for the boat this time around.

Behind the wire

Alpine out after another day of showers.

Going well - if a bit tatty and dirty.

Oh and the 308 was built in April 1979 - so a few more years before it is road tax exempt.

Ferrari admin

Lots of rain and hail so a day of admin.

Got into documenting the Ferrari owners. Seems that I am the 9th owner and the second did over 16k miles in about five years.

I have done over 11k in 10 years.

Happy Ending

Pottered through a very wet and rainy day with no classic car action planned and more news of Petrol and Diesel cars being phased out early.

Then SAAB in the drizzle to the Rootes meeting and a delightful surprise. I followed the Comer Paralanian we had looked at on Facebook while camping, into the car park.

Chap had driven it home from Yorkshire and felt sick with the fumes. On inspection I spotted the rocker cover was not actually bolted down at all and there was no oil breather attached - so no wonder ! Looked good though in the flesh.

Looking later it's a Comer FC Series IIa 1963 with Paralanian coachwork.