On the fourth day they rested

No car activity other than waving good by to the GT6 and Mondeo.

Convoy of delights

GT6 and E-Type (plus van and Ford Mondeo) to Felixstowe. 

The red cars made quite a site parked up in the town.

Evening jaunt to the big Swede threw up a nice dark red Maclaren to look at too.

Van life for 2

The next strange on the drive was the Camper Van - with electric hook up with must have surprised the post-lady.

It looks bigger close up.

I spy Strangers

Cars shuffled around and SAAB hidden in the trees awaiting the camp opening of the camp site.

And look what we have here - a Triumph GT6.

In the drizzle - unfortunately. 

Imp' Rovments

Played with the Imp SU carburetors (I hesitate to say tuned) and upped the tick over and made sure they were balanced.

Then the first of two utility SAAB trips, before re-starting the Imp to check it was fine (it seemed to be) and then back out and about in the Swede.

Oh and so far the Ferrari mirror has stayed put - again.

'Small Dick'

That's what the chap said to his wife when he walked past me taking pictures of the Ferrari in the evening at the marina. Oh well - the two chaps taking picture of it and the passers by who stopped to take a second look made up for him - and he admitted he was only jealous (and I suspected a little pissed).

They were good pictures though. I'd also re-attached the mirror - let's see how long it lasts.

The other highlight was moving the 'moderns' back are forward across the drive to weed it.

Oh Salty

Storm Francis battered us for most of the day and then we went to look at it in the Mk7 - no longer clean as it sustained a lot of salty spray. 

It's raining now though so that will have to do.

Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning

Decided to clean a few cars using my soap and water spray method as they were only really dusty.

First the E-type which came up nicely, then the Ferrari again sparkling and finally the Mk7 - now that was very dirty so I had to resort to the old bucket of water technique.

While I was working on the Ferrari I noticed the mirror was in the process of falling off again.

So I've cleaned all the old glue off the mirror and the screen and I'll start again.

After all that we took the SAAB into town for the evening.

A tale of Two Swedes and a little green and yellow car

SAAB to the boat early on to go for a day sail in 20+ mile an hour winds. It was fine.

Then there was time left to take the Caterham out late afternoon - still very hot though.

Passed 46,000 miles on the journey too.

A little less worried ?

So SAAB out and about to transport us to a morning walk - al la France.

Then after lunch it was Imp time. No way I could put it off again. Just as I blocked the pavement the neighbors arrived en mass with friends - but they liked it - and I could not count the points and smiles we got on the run down to the marina to check on the other Swede. That went well although it got a little hesitant and bumpy over the vicious new speed humps they have put on the approach road - but we coped.

So here we are. 

Then the run back was fine too - although it seemed to be a little less lively (hot) and the tick-over went down again at the end. Oil pressure a bit low I suspect but not much oil leaked out and after a rest it started first time so I'll keep playing.

Decided to round the day off with another run in the Italian - possibly prompted by the history of Italy I am now reading - and starting to understand some of the comments in the Enzo Ferrari biography.

Slight difference in styles. But the mirror seems to have stuck back on fine.

"Is it a Ferrari ?" she asked

No, it's an Aston martin - looking as grey and mean as the clouds and rocks - in Diss to look at granite.

But at least she thought it was a nice car.

Then I stuck the mirror back on the Ferrari. After taking it apart and cleaning both the mirror and glass.

Then SAAB out for utility run and Alpine for fun run afterwards - to the same spot though.

Then as the sun was setting I took the Ferrari around the block via a drop off.

Perhaps we'll take it to Diss next time.

Time for Mr E

Dusty E-type out and around the block - going well - charging cutting in/out acceptably. Here's the obligatory picture.

Then I also tried an arty picture - with the red flowers...

Two wheels instead

Cycled around the reservoir for the first time in a long time. Hot and sweaty in the morning sun. 

Not sure those CCC's (Covid-Cycling-Converts) will make it through a winter though - but I'm happy if they build more cycle lanes.

Three different drives

 Got up courage and took the Imp around the block. It is not as small as it looks.

Anyway, it went well if a bit noisy. The bonnet catch came loose and the petrol seemed to be going down quickly. Also the tick over seemed to be a bit low on the return. On checking the petrol seemed to have gone back up ... The speedo was accurate though (vs the road side sign) and so we did the 13 miles in trepidation but ok. Temperature fine. It did drip a bit of oil into the plugs but I don't think I'd done the caps up properly.

Then SAAB to Mannintree - to find a huge building site where I'd expected fields. Oh and only 2 dragonflies - my reason for the journey.

I'd been reading a biography of Enzo so it felt appropriate to take out the Ferrari for a dash in the sunset. It started fine, but the mirror had fallen off in the hot sun.

So I put a sheet down when I got back. It did it two years ago too if I remember  - so I should park it in the wooden garage in the summer to prevent it.

Shielding and the £120k shelf

Decided to brave taking the Alpine carbs off and fit the heat shield.

Getting them off was ok - and fitting the shields easy.

Then fitting them back seemed ok too. Although at first it was hitting the throttle linkage so I thought I'd have to start again take them off and cut a slot out of the plate. 

But I just took that bit off instead.

The test drive seemed smoother too - although it was a cooler day generally. But at least it 'seemed' better.

Then Aston out in the muggy evening to the shops (with face mask of course) watching for the next thunderstorm which never came.

Oh and the expensive shelf ?

The Imp - which stored the car covers on it's bonnet. Anyway - I need to use it now I have it.

Get them interested young

Not sure EB will ever get to drive a Caterham but she enjoyed making the Brumm noises and knew where the gear lever was too.

Then for me later on a SAAB run as the rain threatened again.

Looks do'able

Looked at the carbs and I think I can remove them without re-setting the tension on the flexible mounting.

Then I can drain the petrol and do a proper job of adding the heat shields. I might add the insulation as well while I am at it.

We'll see.

Two red lights

SAAB trip to the shops in the morning to buy a new external socket for the additional battery charger now needed.

Looked at heat shields for the Alpine Webers - I'll have to bite the bullet and fit them.

Then after the rain a quick dash in the Caterham - now I've topped the water back up. Still very hot - especially in there - but that was the weather - the car behaved fine.

Modern Motoring

 Mk7 with an extra 4 wheels to the coast. Works well when you fold the arms in too. 

Also very hot again so I decided to leave the Imp - not sure it ever got hot in the 1930's.

Oh and France was added to the 'don't visit C-19' list now.

Let's start over ?

Decided that the heat insulation for the Alpine fuel pipe must be the wrong size so I went to measure it. It was the correct size. Umm. So I found a way to feed it over the pipe and hey presto it is done.

Then the Imp arrived early afternoon. Looking good but it still 'frightens' me. A bit like the E-Type and then the Ferrari did when I first got them. Funny thing was that the Astons felt right from the first drive.

Anyway I jumped into it and did a quick test drive (in a 1930's car that I've hardly ever driven) and everything looks like it is sorted. We'll see. Seemed odd now it's back.

Then the SAAB out and about for domestic visit.

Finally the Alpine to the shops in the evening heat to test it. Seemed 'better for longer' would be my observations - so more hear shielding needed. Mind you it seemed harder to drive on the way back after the heat had soaked in. It was still bloody hot though.

SAAB late out to for the local shops again - too hot to walk. It stuck me that it's been like Washington DC 25 years ago. Hot and humid in the late evening.

Two faults for the price of one

Topped up the water in the Caterham to start with. It took quite a lot.

Always looks more drastic than it is with the bonnet and nosecone off. Also noticed no oil in the plug sockets which is good.

The first fault was the Golf - out to the shops and enjoying the runs - then on the way back the rev counter stopped again. And stayed stopped.

Then Ferrari out - started first time - and I was admiring it in B&Q.

Then it decided to misbehave - failed to start first time with what sounded more like a failing/jammed starter motor and then it's normal 'click'. Third time lucky though.

The heat seemed to effect it as well. The radio blank can't cope and the Velcro glue has become liquid and I think the mirror is going to fall off again too.

Oh and shuffled the cars around for the Imp - which may come tomorrow. 

De-badged itself

Cleaned the SAAB first thing. It was very dirty - so I gave the wheels a really good clean. As I leathered it off the '5' came away. So I took the 9 off too.

I'm sure I'll not notice.

Then Mk2 for a long run to Lackford Lakes nature reserve - not easy to get near anything though. Hot at 35 degrees on the way back too.

But the car behaved itself until we got stuck in traffic and then the temperature went up a bit - soon cooling down. Oh and the rev counter stopped for a min and then started again.

Heat wrap for the fuel pipe arrived  - but is too small to go over the pipe.

Heat Sink

 Alpine to the allotment which went well.

Then worse after it had absorbed the heat of the engine (and the day). So cooling is a must.

Spain trip is off though so I have time.

Then Aston to the bottle bank - and beyond !

Winter tyres holding up well.

Oh look there goes a red car

Enjoyed driving the Ferrari around the unfettered block in the afternoon - once some of the 30+ degree heat had dissipated - including a point by a Dad in an Eurobox - "oh look at that car/prat*".

Filled up with 97 octane too - and got another glance from the cashier who seemed to like it - even if it needs a dust.

* Choose what you want.

Two more wheels ?

 We added the sack barrow to the load on the way back in case we needed it.

Which we did - to load up more wine - as Brittany Ferries have stopped taking it to the car for passengers - C19 Mon Amis.

SAAB took more of the load well even though it was sitting a bit low in the end.

The Ferry back was very quiet on board - that morning the UK Government added three more countries to the banned list and said France was at risk. So I guess we got out in time.

Long hot run back on the A12 - still 30 degrees at 8:00 at night - still no air con.

Got back to a letter from DVLA saying the Imp was now taxed - I knew that - but also a message from Eddie saying it was finished - not quite ready but finished.

Oh and the roadworks for the water main have finished too.

More load lugging

 Another short hop in the SAAB including a gravel road which made the car even dirtier. 

Then in the evening SAAB packed with booty - it's for a 'friend' - honestly.

I count - well lots. And much more to come.

Plus ça change

Another short trip out.

I remember parking the blue SAAB here many years ago - not sure when but probably late 2000's.

The car park is at La Hisse near the swing bridge and the Marina, at Port de Plaisance de La Vicomté-sur-Rance.

Getting 'Aero' Hot'er

 SAAB out to the countryside for a walk as the temperature climbed a little more.

Parked in a dusty lay by on the road - getting a bit dirty now.

Red, White and Blue - Almost

 Another quick shopping run. Well I thought the cars looked good in a row anyway.

Spot the Brit

Seemed the best way to park to me. 

Made my way out easier - as I expected to get boxed in - and was not disappointed.

That's a load

Arrived at the house to ... a few dead flies and spiders but not a lot else - which was a relief after all that time. Garden needed a some work though to clear the weeds off the patio.

We went shopping early afternoon in France - with face masks etc. The boot seemed full of something familiar.