First Time Starter

Ride in Mk7 on a delivery errand to Framlingham. It's quite a way up there.

Holbrook road closed by the police when we came back - another crash and a single car again.

PM prepared to start the Carerham so warmed it up for two hours on the fan heater.

It sprang into life on the first turn of the key - it was trying its best to be liked. It was very dusty and the water pump sounds bad but generally it was a loud and lively as ever. 

I should really keep it and just add to the fleet ...

Grabbing a little sun

Aston off to the bottle bank - in sunshine - on very dirty salty roads.

It looks good but it needs a clean too - it will have to wait it's turn.

I did think of getting something else out but there is just so much salt around - we need it to rain.

Little Things

Family trip to Flatford Mill in the SAAB first thing. Then in the afternoon sunshine I sorted out the rear screen washers on the (very shitty) SAAB.

The problem was just the tiny spray nozzles were turned downwards.

The evening ride to pick up documents from Great Bentley for Oli and Lucy. Odd to be out in the dark and no street lights out there either.

Lugger and Bugger

Well SAAB off to collect a boot load of boxes in the morning.

Then Aston to the shops - it was a bit slippery I'd testify as the skid light flashed a couple of time.

We went past a loan battered BWM Mini on the way out of the village that seemed to have destroyed the village sign and crashed into the hedge. Bugger. Police in attendance on the way back though.

Don't forget it's 62 years old now

Decided the MK2 needed a clean first thing. It was very dirty but I guess I used it yesterday and James took it to London.

It came up well as usual but the paint lets it down.

Then I took it to see the Alpine - slightly nervous but it was fine - if looking a bit dirty in the showroom.

Although it was a bit hesitant when cold it seemed to go better when it warmed up. I'll collect it next week, but it needs about 500 miles to run in ... which is usually the whole year. I'd better plan a few long drives.

A German amongst the Brits and visa versa

E-Type lunch and three cars turned up - a bit salty for me though so I brought the Mk2 and one chap a Raptor wagon.

The Golf even looked big against the V12's.

Then evening run in the SAAB to pick up the 'Brit that was amongst the Germans' from the train station.

Moving more crap

SAAB to Stutton for packing and then to the dump.

OK until I hit the roadworks closing the Manningtree rail tunnel.

Only 10 to 15 mins delay.

The afternoon run to Harkstead and finally into town to get supper in the dark and cold.

Filling the car park cavity

A catchy title for a dull drive - quiet run into Ipswich on deserted roads to take Nana to the dentist.

Squeezed into their carpark though.

Still looking at another vintage car - but realistically, given what is coming - I should just use the ones I have. Perhaps a pick-up with a 50 cal mounted in the boot would be better ?

ION: C-19 recedes with 'only' 86k new infection but encouragingly only just over 50 new deaths - meanwhile we're nearer war with Russia over Ukraine. 

Fate gives with one hand and take it away with the other.

SAAB replacement Service

Actually it was the train that was replaced - but then it's a phrase that has always seemed the wrong war around.

So SAAB to drop the 2 J's off at Colchester Station (one of my favorite journeys) as there were no trains and roadworks closing Manningtree.

Did see a couple of classics on the wet salty roads and thought well done !

More grey adventures

SAAB out and about twice - shopping (and planet saving) plus Harkstead trip as prep for a Winter walk.

Can you dig it ?

Frosty start in the SAAB - lowest this year - for me anyway.

Working at Stutton to help pack - only to find the drive blocked with roadworks.

Nice mini-digger though.

Then late SAAB run to pick up James from the train station.

More One Wheel Action

A bit more garden work and one wheel with the barrow.

One wheel

Just used the wheel barrow today to move stuff around. 

At least it's got a wheel.

ION: UK inflation jumped to 5.4% in December, its highest level since March 1992 - but if it was calculated in the old RPI it would actually be 7.5%.

Frosty Fun

Early run to B&Q for wood. Frosty car needed attention first though.

Did see an old 1970's Triumph 2000/2300 estate car pull up with an old gent in it as I left - nice style I thought.

Earning its keep ?

No car action today although the Imp did get a $0.10 reward.

Well a picture of it sold.

From the canyons to the coast

Quick run back out of London though the murky canyons.

Then a trip to a cold but sunny Felixstowe and the walk uncovered not one but two of these.

This one is a late 1950's MG Magnette ZB Varitone.

London bound

A full MK7 for PC installation at MPV.

Because at the weekends its free parking.

Three boots ?

Drive there - Drive back - Walk there - Drive back. I think that makes sense.

Head banging

Another day fighting with PCs instead of playing with cars.

A tale of two Golfs

Early (frosty) start cleaning the Mk7 after the muddy work in Gloucestershire. The wheel arches were caked in the stuff.

Came up well although inevitably I missed the odd bit.

Then the MK2 out to BB sit EB. Parked next to an Alfa (I think I know). They looked good together.

In the walk I chatted to the postman (the famous Sean) who has already chatted up Oliver's new 'neighbour to be' who has a Ferrari (plus other cars). Oh village life.

Another nil score

A good day of pottering

Little and Often

SAAB run to the local shops in the gloom.

Saving for the Spring

SAAB out in the morning for a walk etc.

Then Aston PM for re-cycling again.

Nice sunny day so I did wonder about the Ferrari too  - but there was still a lot of salt around.

The rain has it

Full day of drizzle so worked on the new PC. 

I did look for an old Alpine for a chap with a Tiger though.

He had a pic but it's not known to the club.

It felt like I was back at work

Full day setting up the new PC - what a faff this is.

I did get a sight of the Golf through the widows though - looking good after it's adventures.

Xmas is over

Spent most of the day taking down the Xmas decorations etc.

Then sort through five boxes of old negatives and pictures. Most will be dumped but I did find a load of car ones.

I guess I've been doing this a few years.

Late evening James decided to come back from London instead of waiting for Friday night. Good move and the MK2 came back safe and sound.

So it's paid its way a bit.

More Winter SAAB trips

Quite cold actually - frost indeed.  So SAAB down to the boat in the sunshine first thing.

Then run to Harkstead for work and job run.

Finally off to the RGEA meeting - no classics but a group of classic blokes discussing tappets.

Finding random stuff

How about a picture of me in a Formula Ford in 1988 to start with.

Then I spotted an article about Nigel and Neil - two RGEA members who have a huge 27 litre tank engine - in Classic and Sports Car.

Then finally the Alpine on the delivery truck - taken by the driver. Looks quite nice - I must find out what's going on with it...

ION: C-19 cases pass 200k today but it's main impact is on services and industry missing staff - not critical illness beds - so far.

Monster Mash

SAAB running around for early walk then lift in Oli's Passat.

I though that was a large car until we came out to find this monster next to it. A well used Land Rover Defender 110.

That's going to need a clean again

MK7 on the muddy patch that is 'parking' in Gloucestershire.

Then the run back - again on quiet roads. So just shy of 400 miles for the visit.

Looking back at 2021 usage - the E-type came out on top with a strong 1424 - more than double 2020 - which would have been more if I'd bothered to fix the fan belt in the Autumn.

Second up was the Aston at 925 which surprised me with few long runs I can remember so mostly pottering. The MK2 was well used too with over 960 miles - boosted by a London run by James in late December. The 308 managed a credible 620 after a few years of low scores. 

The surprise of the year was that the Imp with 345 miles pushing the Caterham with only 180 in to last place - by a large margin.

So there we have it.

Can you dig it ?

So here we go again.

Car shuffling with the A3 and Mk7 with a pub visit and walk. 

Spotted this this nice 1953 Morris Minor tucked away in a drive - which was a nice period touch.

Then we were introduced to the digger in the sitting room.

Strange Mechanical start to the year.

ION: C19 Omicron rages on as we pass 180k new infections each day - here we go again.