Ice and Snow - SAAB weather

 HEAM - well 6:30 in zero degrees and frosty windows.

A bit of a shock I would admit.

Then it snowed when I got back and the lunchtime run needed to sweep it off.

After lunch we went out again in the sleet and finally at 6:00 another Harkstead trip.

So all in all March saw quite a few miles with the MK2 Golf the classic winner by a long shot although they all had respectable use until the weather turned against us.

ION: The Ferrari light are still working.

Tricolour Parking

SAAB twice to Harkstead AM for jobs.

Then MK2 to see the new arrival at home. Builders approved of it - the car not Monty.

Then took it out into the rainy afternoon and parked between these two. Red, White and Blue I thought.

French, German and Czech perhaps. 

Well the Citroen was probably built in Slovakia or even Iran and the Skoda could have be built in India or the Ukraine. So only the old Golf is actually a car of the country you think - Wolfsberg Germany.

Final run in the trusty SAAB to Harkstead again in the rain.

Sticking to the Swede and an Arrival

Early SAAB run to Harkstead and then into town and back for jobs in the light rain and cold.

Then back again late morning to tidy up etc.

Did play with this picture of the keys though.

Then MK7 as taxi to pick up patient from the Heath and take her home - she's much better.

ION: A new Brazill arrived - Monty - sounds like a car man to me !

Cooling off

SAAB out early to the dentist in town parked amongst the cold mist and moderns.

Then the Mk2 back to the Heath and another free 30 mins parking.

Followed by the sun back out after lunchtime so we ran about in the Alpine.

Lastly MK7 for a visit to the Stutton Brazill's and a disrupted birthday tea.

Harder Hood

Finished off the bits on the Alpine for the hood late morning - although it seemed to be harder than usual with the screws not fitting easily and the hood getting tangled in the frame when I tried to pack it away.

I also noticed the bonnet edges seemed to have a few more knocks -  Ho Hum.

Then PM short Caterham dash to get petrol for the boat outboard. Cold but at least it is still sunny. 

Finally SAAB to the boat with said outboard and petrol. We might even use it this year if things calm down.

Glass and Glasses

So spent a busy day playing with the cars.

First setting up the Aero screens on the Imp. I knew one had a crack in it but they still look fine.

Not sure if I prefer this look or the one with the windscreen though ?

Then off to get the Alpine from Coltec. I checked on the Humber there and it is a 1921, 11 HP model.

The Alpine was all done and running well - except the window jammed half way down when I tried to open it. So the first job after lunch was fixing that. It seems to have jumped out of the channel I made some years ago - but only took 30 mins to correct.

Not sure I like the look of that screw though now I look more carefully at the picture I took of the inside.

Next it was Biggles time - I even got out the red sweater to match the car. This is me when I got back - three observations. 1. it hurt like hell as it forced my glasses onto my nose, 2. my hair was pushed up and stuck there and 3. it's FUN.

So I can probably make the goggles sit a bit further away from the bridge of my nose - we'll work on that - but I tested it putting shock cord on there and it seemed to help a lot.

I then decided to get the hard top off the Alpine - that took about an hour to organise but I had to wait for help getting it in the garage loft.

So while I was waiting I took the Ferrari around the block again - and the lights are still working.

I did not finish the Alpine completely as I ran out of time but I did take it Al Fresco for a run - and it goes very well if I may say so. A few more revs to keep it on song and it roars off. Sounds a bit like the Caterham machine gun noise but I think that is the Webers.

I need to finish and re-fit the soft top catches etc. but that's a job for tomorrow.

ION: There seems to be an European wave of the Omicron sub-variant BA.2 taking hold - spreading quickly bit not killing.

Living on Borrowed Time

Today's clean and polish was the Alpine first thing - ready for it to go for the engine check over.

Then Mk2 Golf out again to pick up things to take to the Hospital, followed by the run there and a photo opportunity.

Well the new parking system did one for me.

Then we dropped the Alpine off at Coltec - the windows stuck a bit though which was odd. It did look small parked there - inside was a TR2 a Mini Cooper and 1920's Humber.

So last run was in the E-type in the final rays of sunshine. It was whistling a bit from the fan belt so it really must be one the way out - but it had settled down by the time we got back.

It's very dusty - so I suspect it's next on the cleaning rota.

ION: The war in Ukraine is stalling. In reaction the Russians say they have finished the initial assault and now they will concentrate on the south of the country. 

More foam and a metal mistake

Time to clean the Mk2 first thing this morning - so out with the foam again.

Worked well - and I even put some polish on the bonnet again and blacked the bumpers are most of the trim. Looked good when I had finished but then I did spend almost two hours on it.

Then I took it into town followed by a visit with EB - where it got filthy again, well dusty really on the building site. Ho Hum.

Then in the evening I warmed up the Alpine [taking it in tomorrow] and decided to see if I could get the Ferrari relay out with two old PC fitting. I discovered that the relay terminals are live and don't like being connected with metal prongs !

Luckily no damage done - so I took the car around the block for a test and the lights stayed on. I'll test again tomorrow. The car seemed to go even better - I suspect it likes being used more.

The Snow Queen, the Italian and the Imp

G2R first thing to finish fitting the cover.

Looking splendid in the warm Spring sunshine.

Then washed the modern Golf and the SAAB with my new toy - the foam maker.

It worked well - although you still need to use a sponge etc. to clean the car.

Then I took the Ferrari into town to the opticians - with a thumbs up and 'OK' sign from a biker that spotted me on the way. It's odd how small it looks next to a modern car like this Porsche Boxter.

However the lights were not working again.

Finally a bit of an excuse to take the Imp out as the sun was still warm in the sky. Back to the boat with the flag to repair which I did sitting on the deck.

Ran well, although one of the rocker box caps came off again.

Reflections on the day

Dusty E-Type to the boat to help putting the sails on. The boat was so filthy from the dirty sandy rain so we had to clean it first.

Spotted this shot on the way off the pontoon though in the warm lunchtime sunshine.

We've been told they are going to build there now - so it might not look like this in a few years time.

Anyway the E-type was a bit misty when I got back to it - lots of condensation inside.

Then PM Golf to the Heath for a visit.

Finally early evening run to check Harkstead and collect a book. Here's to Spring.

ION: Calls to ban Sunday driving to save fuel as the war rages and C-19 is really rising again - so much so they are locking down the Hospital so I'm not allowed back to visit.

Jiggle 2 and Vintage Start

So started trying to get the #5 relay out of the Ferrari fuse panel to clean the contacts.

Nope - I could not get it out, even with tools - so jiggle jiggle was the best I could do - but that did it. However ... I did wonder if I turned the lights on correctly - e.g. turn to bring the up and down to turn them on ? I'm sure I did.

Anyway - later on after warming it I started the Imp. It fired up second go and ran well although it was a bit cold for a run - TBH I wimped out.

Then PM - just a lift in the MK7 back to the Heath.

Blue Light and Aston Pratt

HEAM by bike - three days on the trot - and I noticed as I left home the road was being closed.

So back a while later in a still but cold morning by Seven - after they let me out of the blockage - so an excuse to go the long way around.

Returning home to find we were still 'trapped' so I moved the cones myself.

Then MK2 up for lunch time jobs - only to find myself calling 999.

So Mum back to the Heath and me to Stutton for a meeting of the VW Audi club.

Home again and I filled in time taking the Aston off saving the world - not sure why I bother though nowadays. Filled up with petrol on the way back - I chap was looking at me with glee as he saw me filling the Aston. 'I bet that cost him' he seemed to be thinking. Worse though I heard the fuel cap fall off as I drove away. I'd better not spill any at that price I thought so I stopped and put it back on.

I had to take the long way home as the A12 slip road was blocked - not really a chore. 

Then run back to Harkstead in the MK7 to check an appointment time and park it back in its slot.

Finally ...

More mucking around and a Fail

HEAM by two wheels again. Cold morning but very bright. Then cleaned the garage windows - strangely satisfyingly - I can see through to the cars now.

First was the Alpine to meet the BT engineer who was fixing the home line - she liked the car - here it is peaking out.

Then MK7 again Taxi to the hospital - quick run thankfully.

So then I had time to get the Caterham out and run around the block great run too.

Oh hang on was that a new noise - time will tell. Anyway while I did that the Ferrari was on the heater so it got a run out. Going well too.

Finally the SAAB back again for the early evening jobs.

And the fail ? Well the Ferrari lights did not work again when I got home. Time to check that relay.

Less mucking around - but a PASS

Back in the MK2 Golf HEAM - giving the trusty SAAB a few hours off - at a civilised 8:00 am, if you ignore that the engine was still warm.

Then dropped it off the the MOT and home. Then picked it up with a quick PASS and back again for the lunch time.

A middle portion in the MK7 to the Heath as taxi and back.

Then a late run home with the moon out again but thankfully in the opposite direction so reasonable early, if a bit cold and dark. Can you spot it - the Golf that is ?

Final jaunt back to the SAAB. Must try some other toys tomorrow.

So when does 'Today' Start and End ?

Those of us that follow the moon will spot it I think.

HEAM with the SAAB - yes that says 6:26

Then a two wheeled visit by bike for another breakfast call.

That was followed by the Alpine for a lunch stop.

Which got swapped for the MK2 for the last afternoon run. However that ended up with a run to Shotley in the setting sun as well. Looking clean although the red dust is all over it.

The day ended (started ?) with a moonlit flit at 4:30 am in the Golf to end/start the day.

Sandstorm

HEAM.

SAAB this time again - still looking quite clean despite the runs and the rain by Lunchtime.

Then by the afternoon return the red desert sand on the wind had made it filthy. I'll blast it off tomorrow.

Then evening run in the rain again.

Long Day

Early AM off to Harkstead again - this will be a sentence I'll probably write a lot now - so I'll shorten it to HEAM (Harkstead Early AM).

Took the MK2 though in a sunshine.

Looked small in the lay by as old cars do. Then I came back again in the Golf at lunchtime and filled it up with petrol afterwards - just for a laugh: £1.77 a litre for 97 Octane (Super). 

Finally an early afternoon run in the SAAB before heading to London on the train. Which is why we were wandering around a cold car park in Manningtree at midnight with the trusty SAAB waiting for us.

Working full time again - Eh ?

SAAB to the station first thing in the cold mist.

Oh hang on, No - just a very early visit to Harkstead - but it brought back memories.

Then SAAB to the Heath but to be honest it was no better than the Mk7.

Then a few more SAAB trips - including collecting the lawn mower and filling the petrol cans for it - that's getting to be an expensive hobby too at an average of £163 a litre - and going up quickly.

SAAB and MK7 shuffle

Breakfast visit first thing to Harkstead. SAAB still looking clean.

Then MK7 run there and back again.

Then SAAB back x3. Ho Hum.

Not the fleet we wanted to see

Here we are in Harkstead as the van left for the Heath.

I did get a quick Caterham run in while I was waiting for news though - much to the delight of some boys on bikes in the street - but was careful with the high curb.

Then a MK7 family trip to collect and finally SAAB back to check on progress in the cold but very dry night.