Making the most of the Sun

Jobs first - SAAB to Harkstead and run to Ipswich and back.

Checked the water later and it was down a lot - plus water was splashed about the front of the engine bay.

Then Aston shopping - again bright sunshine following me - picked up lunch and supper.

Decided to brave the Imp - out for lunch near the river - so we loaded it up and off we went. It ran very well in fact.

Then filled it up with petrol on the way back and got a cheery comment from a gent. A nice 20 miles.

Mind you some prat forgot to put the fuel cap back on.

One wheel, 4 wheels and no wheels

Wheel barrow in action first thing with its trusty single wheel. Then I fitted the rear light to the Alpine, but did not wire it in - not sure where the switch can go ?

Then Alpine down to the marina in the cold afternoon sun. Parked amongst the big boats it looked good.

And the boat was in the water - with no wheels - it has a tiller instead !

Back via Harkstead the long way but missed the 500 target by a little - which I'll make up easily.

ION: Vladimir Putin says he is moving Russia's nuclear deterrent to "special alert". If that's not upping the tension then what next.

The Imp Springs

Fan heater for a couple of hours on the Imp, while I packed away the E-type bubble and I even mopped the base to clean it a bit.

Then starting process for the Imp. 4 Squirts of oil in each of the rocker box covers on the valve rocker arms. Top up the oil (1/2 pint). Cleaned off the fur from the water pipe and topped up the radiator to the max.

Then stared it up almost first try. After warming it up I tried to let it idle but it would not play ball - so I adjusted the two screws on the carbs (1/2 a turn each) to up the tick-over slightly. Then it was fine.

I let it warm move and was about to move it out of the garage only to find water pouring onto the floor.

Umm - looks like I put too much water in the radiator as the water was coming from the expansion pipe. A short run cleared out the excess (nice wave from a chap in a van) and it had stopped dripping so I finished packing everything away.

Then E-Type for a full run around the block with only one small roadworks to contend with. Seemed to be going better than yesterday too. So packed that away as well.

Then evening utility run in the Mk7 for an Escape Room and Curry.

It felt like Spring - so we Sprung a few

Heated up the E-Type for three hours in the morning to really warm it though. Then ended up taking the Alpine out first to put a few more miles on it. Through road works on all roads too.

So off to Pond Cottages to move bins and check we've not left any lights on. I keep saying it but it must be getting close to the last time I have to reverse up that drive.

Then I started the E-type - I say 'Start' - 'Start you Bastard' more like it - it took several mins churning over to catch but fired eventually - sounded like lack of fuel. I did look to put some easy start in the air intakes but they are closed off ...

Anyway I let it warm while I did other jobs and then off we went.

First call was #9 to drop stuff off - much to the delight of two of the builders who came for a look and a long chat. Then off for petrol - it did miss a couple of times driving round but went well when I could give it some road to stretch its legs. Hopefully just stale fuel. It had dropped a bit of oil over Winter but the level was fine when I check it.

So as the sun was still out I thought the 308 deserved a run out after missing it earlier on in the week. Fired up with no dramas from cold although it was hesitant to idle until it had warmed through. Good run though and picture opp.

Then Alpine out again for more fuel and more miles - so we're up to 484 - time to book it in.

Finally checked the SAAB which has lost a bit of water on the 36 mile run to the dump and back - but we'll get it to the garage ok.

More SAAB Shipments

PM run to the dump with our stuff this time clearing out the cellar.

Then a swift delivery of the lawn mower and EB walk in the cold and hail.

ION: Russia has invaded Ukraine - it's going to change the way we live again. Cutting gas supplies, oil, and wheat, plus banking sanctions. We'll see what happens next.

Modern Temptation

Cleaned the Alpine first thing in the cold sunshine. Looked good with a spot of polish on the bonnet too.

Then off to the E-Type lunch and put 60 more miles on the car. 

Mix of marques there today - including this very special, very purposeful looking Porsche. 

I have to admit that sitting in it was a bit special too - electronic dashboard, 205 top speed and all the gizmos. I think it was a 911 Turbo S Cabriolet. Umm ... yours for about 10 really good Alpines.

Anyway we're up to 461 miles now so near the target.

Alfresco car washing

Mk2 as support vehicle to Pond Cottages to babysit the cleaners and do jobs.

But nature had other ideas as there was no power - therefore no lights nor hot water. So MK7 rushed back with the camping stove and I got my lights. A real pain as the road is blocked for water works.

I did clean the car though with cold water - but it did the trick.

It won't be the last visit - but we're getting there.

Springing the Fleet #1 - but we're trapped in on all sides

The weather was good, sun even out if still very windy so I decided to warm the Ferrari up and get it started.

Usual fan heater for an hour and then I thought I'd just turn it over a few times to circulate the oil. The starter motor had other ideas though and span for quite a while - even with the ignition off ...

Anyway it stared fine so I left it warming up spitting water for a bit before turning it off.

Then the planned Alpine run to Felixstow was scuppered because the tide had flooded the Strand. That together with the Stutton road being closed and the tree down near us with the road blocked (open/closed/open depending on the locals moving the barriers) meant the village was being cut off. So we just went to Woolverstone and found somewhere to park avoiding possible falling branches.

Then after a walk I decided to take the bubble down - that is always hard work but it only took 40 mins. 

Car looking good too, so I reduced the tyre pressures for a run - but with the road blocks, late afternoon traffic and darkening skies I decided against it.

ION: Russia has moved troops into disputed areas of Ukraine - so Covid is receding and a war in Europe is looming.

When one car is not enough

Golf out first thing to empty the final bits from Pond Cottages. Filled the Passat too and went to the dump in that. Then needed to move the cupboard and ended up filling both cars - hence the MK2 with a full load.

Then after dropping it off I returned for what should be the penultimate SAAB load. Noticed the 'Coolant level low' was back so there is defiantly a leak somewhere.

Then took James to the station after his flying visit. The annoying thing being that the road is closed/open/closed and finally closed where the tree came down across us.

More and More

Another SAAB load and more to come.

Then a dump run in at lunchtime - followed by a ride home in the dark.

It's all glamour.

DONT GO OUT !

We were told to stay in and not go out in the Storm - we even had a RED warning issues. 

So as Storm Eunice got going so did we - and more importantly so did the removal men.

MK7 Golf as support vehicle all day.

The main loads were in these three though. Unpacking as winds hit 70+ mph locally the power went off all day and I held things down.

Meanwhile back home the wind brought down a large tree near the Beeches blocking our road.

That forced us the long way around to get home but that was fine in the circumstances.

Almost another Aston

Aston off to the Bank first thing in the sunshine for more transactions - this time just short of another Aston leaving the account.

Then MK2 to deliver boxes.

Finally a MK7 passenger run for last minute jobs. 

ION: Move day tomorrow - and storm Eunice is sweeping through. Not seen a Red warning before.

Banking on it

SAAB out first thing for a bottle bank run and shopping - oh and to the bank to transfer lots of money.

Enough in fact to buy that nice Talbot I was looking at - and then some - and then some more ... or even an original Riley Ulster Imp plus tow car.

Then after a admin/panic heavy session SAAB and MK7 to Stutton for s short trip.

ION: Two storms are heading our way with 75 mph winds predicted on Friday - that should be fun.

Not even a visit to the garage

Rain most of the day and admin - although I did look at the huge pile of mags I've accumulated.

New day - same load

So we start the day with a SAAB boot load.

Seems we've seen this before.

Then PM pottering to allotment to work out the beds and home via the collection of more stuff.

The life of the Swede.

SAAB showing who's boss

SAAB loaded with empty boxes for Oli and Lucy today - after the small boot on the MK7 Golf it was good to get the space.

Then of course the back load was just crap.

I feel a dump run coming up soon.

Then a Harkstead jaunt with just a few small boxes and back before the bad weather.

MK7 in its element

Took the Mk7 Golf down to London to get about 200 old car magazines (don't ask why). It won for because of the satnav and its an automatic.

Did see these two other Golfs while I was wondering around too.

So I guess it was in it's element.

Work in Progress

After some admin I checked and yes - the tyre had been done. So I popped out and picked it up in the Golf. They said it was just a tiny leak in the innertube so they fixed it for free. Nice.

So I put the chrome one back on again - 5 mins with the tools and the space.

Then pm off we went to see the new house Oli and Lucy are buying.

Here we are - Alpine parked just down from the new house - still building quite a bit.

Then after the tour of the great 'larger than normal' spacious double garage I managed to get more miles on the car and just passed 400. More to do next week. 

Oh and the house is very nice too. Did I mention the garage ?

Add Seven to 6 to make 7

Well - Caterham back first thing. So not we're all back together again - until the next set of services.

While I was waiting for it to arrive I tinkered with the Alpine - tightened the speedo cable - so we'll see if that helps - and changed the air filters - not sure it makes any difference but they look better. Oh and put tape on my electrical connection for the fan.

Then MK2 to drop the Alpine wheel off to get it sorted. Well sometime this week.

Dirty SAAB and more miles

SAAB out for local jobs first thing - I noticed it needs a clean again.

Then Alpine out in the sunshine. It needed a bit more oil so I topped up again - this time with 1/2 a pint. We'll see how it goes.

Then out and another 50 miles on the clock - so we're at 358 with the rounding. 

Caterham is ready now too so will be back tomorrow. Do I tax it or leave it on SORN for the three weeks of the month that is left ...

To the Hall and back - and the to-do's pile up

Check the Alpine oil first thing. So after 250 miles there is a noticeable drop so I topped up with 1/4 pint.

Then Alpine run up to see Chris at Glevering Hall for more miles. Thought I'd take a few pics but the light was very harsh so this was the best I did.

Then after lunch I topped it up to 311 with another short run. Seemed to be a bit rough on the A12 but settled down. 

Oh and the speedo jumps a lot, the rev counter seems to be less sensitive, there is a squeak from one brake and there is a slow puncture on the front offside tyre. Ho Hum.

Half way there

Well PM Alpine run pushed the miles over 250. So far - so good indeed.

Especially given I only picked the car up 5 days ago.