Buzz Off 2021

AM saw a run out in M&F's A3 with buzzing oil warning and 'Check Engine' light going off in tandem. It's on the way out - although some oil helped quieten the buzzer.

As we did James took the Mk2 back to London for a week.

That was a different experience for the car and him I suspect - with the M25 and ULEZ.

MK7 now past 51k miles too.

So 2021 ended with a slight whimper - but passed louder than 2020 did. Not sure what it will be remembered for most, Covid-19, sleaze or raging fires, floods of water of floods of refugees moving across the world. Here's to using the toys before it is too late.

Going West again

Early start in the MK7 as we set off for Gloucestershire and the 1st world problem of a relative and their country cottage.

Not a bad run in fact with quiet roads - Xmas and C-19 playing their part.

Not a lot until I spotted this

SAAB out and about in the rain again. Waiting at the Felixstowe crossing showed the great weather we're having.

You'd be mad to bring out anything good I thought until ...

I spotted this. A FERRARI F8 TRIBUTO S-A according to DVLA.

Quarter Turn

Went into he garage to get the crook lock for James - that was hidden in the Riley - with no key - so a bit useless if I'd tried to use it.

Decided to move the car a little so pushed it a foot so it' sitting on another path of tyre.

Planet Saving Swede

Time to get the SAAB back out into a rainy and dreary day.

Not really shopping - just well getting things sorted out - but in a very busy shop anyway.

Evening run in the rain to Stutton too. It continues to earn it's keep.

More SAAB Shuffles

 Just the same as yesterday really - short hop to Harkstead.

Short run and back

SAAB to Harkstead for Taxi duty - and then back in the gloom.

'Tis the Season to be SAAB'ing

SAAB for trips - as is typical these days.

ION: C-19 another record at just over 122k new infections. However, it's confirmed that Omicron is not as deadly as Delta - so the main issue now is the numbers of infections/isolation/off work rather than the ones heading for intensive care beds.

Dropping off the Tech

Short SAAB run to install a TV - and bring the old one back of course.

ION: C-19 cases on another record - just shy of 120k today - but it is being confirmed the Omicron variant is less severe. The main impact now is lack of staff in certain services.

Oh no we havn't !

SAAB out to town for a haircut - in case we're locked down again. First I had to pump up a slightly flat tyre.

MK2 getting some use too now James is back for a few days.

Then ride in MK7 and modern Honda (Accord ?) to Bury panto with everyone. Oh and in panto style G tells us by WhatsApp she'd got C19 as we leave the building. 

We all test when we get home and no - we're probably not got it as the tests are clear.

ION: C-19 Omicron pushes new infections past the 106k mark and are still accelerating - but in good news hospitalisations and deaths are not rising in proportion.

Centerfold 2

Alpine Mag arrived with my pic in the center fold - that's two I've had over the years.

Also the 'how I did that' bit.

Then SAAB to Harkstead for tea.

Not a wheel turned 'again'

Nothing but playing with the PC and not even on car pics.

Must try harder.

The only Germans we'll be seeing

On the drive we had four VW's (3 Golfs) and one Audi today. Where were the British cars ?

Here are two of them.

Me - I'm in the SAAB running around.

ION: C-19 The Germans have close their boarders to us now - so that's the family Xmas buggered again.

Testing Times

Reports from the family ahead of the T&O meal - as it's know.

Then SAAB to the meal.

ION: C-19 Omicron running rife through the UK and Europeans are closing their boarders to us.

All inside again

Nothing but pottering today - dreary day anyway. 

Although I did put the Caterham on SORN and book it into the garage for a service and water pump fix if that's what is needed.

And I noticed we're in the E-type mag - but only as an extra next to Edna - from the 60th celebration.

Aston out and about for runs in the cold afternoon sunshine. 

I'd better enjoy the toys while I can as there is talk of the personal ownership of cars to be banned.

ION: C-19 more records - 88k infections and c0.75m booster vaccines. Also inflation just hit 5.1% and the first interest rate rise 'all be it' only to 0.25%.

It's going to get worse before it gate better - again

So before then MK2 out and about first thing to the church to see EB in the Nativity.

Looking good in this light. 

James wanted to take it back to London for a couple of weeks but ... it's too old/young to be there without paying the emission charge at £12.50 a day, plus his resident parking at £1.50. Two weeks would have been almost £200. Madness.

Anyway - in the country we used the SAAB pm for a ticket free jaunt to the shops etc.

ION: C-19 - a new daily record of infections was reached 78,610 - the previous record was 68,053 on 8 January 2021. That's only going to go up from here due to the "absolutely phenomenal pace" of the replication of the new variant.

A bit of the Golf

Two runs in the MK2 which leapt into life like a friendly dog when uncovered.

Daytime run to Harkstead for jobs, followed by ...

... a nighttime run to Pin Mill and the pub. Warm for mid December too.

How to Add Horsepower ?

SAAB to boat to collect the outboard.

Not really much HP added though.

ION: C-19 First Omicron variant death reported

More utility

SAAB run again to dump rubbish and shop.

But at least the Lotus and Caterham Calendar looked good.

Wrong marque is the star of the show

E-Type Xmas lunch and as predicted no one brought their car. We took the SAAB of course.

Although we were treated to this lovely old thing  "1931 ROLLS-ROYCE 20/25HP SHOOTING BRAKE - Coachwork by Barker & Co/James Young - Registration no. UR 8991 Chassis no. GNS45".

Sold at auction a couple of years ago for only £34k apparently.

ION: C-19 Omicron on the rise so expecting more restrictions soon. What chance Christmas 2021 ?

More SAAB'ing

Short local trip to put up the Harkstead Christmas tree.

About it really.

This old Punch cartoon from 1930 amused me though.

Sail Away

SAAB to boat to take the sales off in perfect weather.

Then short run to drop them off at the store. All of 500 yards probably.

Here we go again

 Aston out to the bottle bank.

ION: C-19 Plan B introduced to combat the large rise in Omicron infections. We're told to work from home, all indoor spaces will require a mask and large venues will need a Covid Pass.

ISO ? I SO can

SAAB out to drop off stuff at the charity depot first thing.

Then using the ISO fittings in the MK7 so that was the car of choice for fetching the two female Stutton Brazill's.

Dreary wet day too - especially if you are cutting down a big tree and close the road.

ION: C-19 news and it seems that Omicron variant is taking over from Delta as the leading virus and more travel and other restrictions are being enforced - but no one can tell us if it is more deadly yet but it seems to spread more easily.

Looking back at this time last year - I typed almost the same sentence on December 14th 2020 - and then what happened ?

Into the bubble

Got down to pumping the Ferrari tyres up for Winter storage.

Not really going to use it now for a few weeks. Very red in there.

More Mud

Off to get the Xmas trees - x3 from the muddy farm

Both moderns in use but the SAAB was loaded.

Of course I could see out.

Let's Off Road !

MK7 Golf ride to Kentwell and a very slippery muddy field to park in.

I guess I'll be washing that again.

It's here somewhere ?

SAAB again.

This time we stated with a run in the morning to collect a haul of old camera equipment from Colchester Auctions.

Followed by a PM jaunt to see the state of the Alpine engine.

The block was in 'OK' condition - when we eventually found it on a shelf - a bit of lipping on the bores and a lot of silt blocking the water ways. The gasket was also showing signs of leaking. The head was better but then it had been cleaned up for inspection.

So we'll get it re-built and see how it goes - when they can get all the parts.

Another Day in the Tank

 SAAB to town for dentist (again) so Estate in the Estate mk2.

As the sun set.

Mainly Swedish Running

SAAB backwards and forwards first thing for jobs.

Then rides in the Mk7 past the rainbows.

Came home to a message that the Alpine engine is in bits and we need to discus options ...

Finally SAAB out at night for the RGEA meeting - dark wet and cold - and they were gritting the roads.

Not My Alpine

Running around in the SAAB again in dull dreary weather. Went to see the restoration workshop that should do the Alpine.

I found 'Mac's in progress' but they seemed to be doing a good job.

We're booked in the October 2022.

SAAB in the forrest ?

Well SAAB off to teat at Hintlesham Hall and their lights were already out.

Another lift only day

Quick dash to Ipswich for the Market in the blusteringly cold wind.

Lifts Galore

AM was Oli in the Passat to go to Flatford with EB.

PM was a lift into deepest Suffolk to listen to a man talking about voice and accent coaching for the Film about Sutton Hoo - two very historic locations covered.

The best I could do

This Aston picture is the best I can do as the weather closes in for Winter.

1 VEV is a DB4 Zagato that I shot at Hampton Court Concours in September 2019. Happy days.

ION: A new C-19 strain (named Omicron) has mutated in Southern Africa so we're banning travel - and our rates are growing again. What chance Xmas ?

Another Aston Day

Well after a night with the de-humidifier running the car was dry - not especially clean - but that's good enough. So off the the re-cycling we went.

Seemed to be going better than ever - but then it was sunny and cold.

ION: Salt on the roads tonight. 

£99 not out - or full

Aston out early for a clean in 3 degrees. So Nappy in place.

Quite dirty as it turned out - so it needed doing. Access all areas.

Also gave the Mk7 a quick going over. That was really filthy.

Then off to the E-type meeting where it created quite a stir - even amongst this company. All very dirty after the rain and roads.

And finally a 'Nice Car Mate' at the garage from a chap. I also hit the £99 max on the pump for the first time - but she was full.

ION: 27 migrants drown in the English Channel trying to come across. 

Off she goes

A nice man with a big yellow truck loaded the Alpine up and off she went - with me following in the trusty SAAB.

Seemed to be in good hands with another Alpine in there already and several classic and modern cars around a busy garage. Then called in on Glevering Chris to help him look at a car. Parked next to a nice Morris Minor.

Then PM Ferrari out for a blast around the block. Great run and felt good. As I keep saying the last before the salt. Why do I want to get rid of it again ?

Followed finally by a couple of Mk7 passenger rides.

ION: C-19 rules start to tighten again in parts of the UK - but Boris says he won't cancel Christmas - so he probably will.

Swapping around

Time to move the Alpine out for the truck tomorrow - so first job was covers off.

Then clear the Golf and tow the Alpine out.

Then Caterham into the external bubble  [must remember to put the top in place before parking the car in there]. So that's tucked away for a while. 

Last year it was February before it went off for the MOT which seems about right.

12 = 8 + rain

Alpine meeting so as we did not have a 4 cylinder I thought I'd double up.

So warmed up the Ferrari for the run - only to see the rain falling down again - so it was the Aston instead.

Bubble 3

E-Type cleaned after putting on the nappy. Mind you water still seemed to get into the engine bay.

This is before the clean - so it did not seem very dirty - but the bucket was full of black water once I had finished.

Then I did a short run, that seemed to turn into a longer run - the car going especially well - before tucking it away into the bubble with over-inflated tyres. Probably that for the Winter is on the now.

Then PM SAAB for load lugging back to Harkstead for clearing jobs.

Final SAAB run back again for BB sitting duties.

Back to 'Normal Service'

A couple of SAAB trips loaded with stuff from Stutton off shoot of the Brazills to clear their junk ahead of another house viewing.

Added some of our own junk and set off to the dump.

Looked at the sky in the afternoon and thought better of it. The cold weather is on the way too so that might be it for Classic activities.

ION: C-19 rates have skyrocketed in some parts of Europe so they are back to lockdowns. Mind you ours have never really fallen.