Ticking me off

End of the months so time to note the miles on the cars and found the Ferrari battery was flat - and that something was 'ticking' rapidly. Sounded like it was from the alarm but not sure. 

I've not used it for a month and not had it on the trickle charge. So I may have drained the battery. We'll charge it up for a but and see what happens.

I went outside a coupe of hours later and could hear an even louder 'beeping' from somewhere - ah that's coming from my garage !

So I used the booster to start the car  - I'd forgotten how heavy the tyre is to lift out to get to the battery.

It was not happy at all - lights flashing and the alarm setting itself on and off. It kept trying to start even when I turned the key off. However it started quickly and run a bit roughly for a few seconds and then cleared. I ran it for 15 mins and then turned it off - the alarm worked so I decided to leave it on the trickle charge for the night and see what happens.

So back to the scores and the E-type won followed by the Alpine and Carterham - although the Imp even did a reasonable distance. The 308 and Aston did almost none.

ION: Putin has formally annexed the South East territories of Ukraine it holds and made them part of Russia - coincidentally these are rich in rare earth minerals and gives him a 'victory'. Welcome to 1938.

Ducking under the Storm

Trusty SAAB out three time today. First Harkstead to deliver the book case - then wiz to the Chelmo post office. Next was Ipswich for a dental appointment. Finally taxi to optician with the extra 4 wheels aboard.

Then I decided to have a look at the Imp and see if it was OK after the rain. It started well and warmed quickly and look ...

No smoke - so I think it was just the cold wet weather making it look like it was smoking. I thought I'd just do half the run but it was so nice I kept going. That was until I spotted the large black clouds and even spotted a car with it's wipes on.

However the Riley Gods were smiling and I got home without getting wet.

Another SAAB day

AM - and MK2 off to to Parkers Garage to check the binding brake - turns out it needs new disk and pads all round - ouch - but that will keep it going a few more years.

PM - SAAB up to Harkstead for a visit then off to collect a book case in the evening - it even went in sideways - so enormous is the load area.

What will we do without it when it eventually dies ?

ION: IMF think the new budget is shit too - and the Bank of England step in the rescue the pound - we've been here before though.

I wanted an adventure

MK2 got it's clean ahead of the visit to the garage tomorrow. Brake still binding as I moved it. It was not that dirty but covered in fronds from the yew tree. They were all over so it took a while to clean out.

Then SAAB moved to get the Aston out for shopping/bottle-bank/Halfords visit.

Noticed lots of learners in the Waitrose car park.

Then pm decided that I really needed to get the Imp out. I waited until the weather cleared with bright skies and no rain forecast ...

It started to rain a little as I walked back from the boat. I thought I'd get away with it but no. I got caught in a huge downfall. The car went well but I did slow down as I could not see so we were crawling along by the end. Arriving in the drive I was very very wet.

So was the car. It seemed to stall and then when I put it away stalled again. I dried it off in side and out and restarted the car. I started it again and it was smoking a bit more than I was used to.

Hopefully just sooty plugs from the slow drive.

ION: $500bn has been wiped off the UK economy since the new PM came in - way to go Liz

SAAB Cubed

SAAB into town - twice as it happens.

Then finished the pics from yesterday - happy with a few - like this.

Then unplanned Harkstead run in the rain.

ION: The Pound has crashed as the markets don't like the new budget tax cuts.

Mr. E Distinguishes himself

E-Type out first thing as part of what was called The Distinguished Gentleman's Drive - a worldwide charity event for prostrate cancer. So basically an excuse to dress up and drive a pre-1980's classic car. Also an excuse to take pictures.

So I started with a cheeky pic outside of the Angle Inn in Bury to kick off the run - almost blocking the road - no one minded.

Then outside Clare Village we passed an old petrol pump so stopped there for the next guerrilla shot - this time one of the chaps that worked there stopped and helped clear the tyres out of the way for us.

Then parked next to the 'No Parking' sign outside Lavenham Guild hall for the next photo opp.

A chap even took me upstairs to take shots out of the window.

Then ended up at Revenwood Hall for a late lunch and I got in the picture.

Finally home. The overall the run was about 75 miles plus the run to the start so about 115 for us.

Turning Swedish

SAAB off to Stutton to fill with the old sofa body.

First though a quick trip in the Passat to drum 1/3rd of it that would not fit without more work.

Then filled with more wood etc. and off we went.

Then pm touched up the paint chips on the E-type and started the Imp to warm it up for a run.

Then SAAB to collect the scarifier - used a pallet as a ramp. Then took another pallet and matting to the allotment. Then the weather turned bad and it started to rain - stopping me taking the Imp out.

Instead I went to the boat to collect my old white roll-neck for tomorrow and the 1960's look.

More 1970's though I think - as I posed as a Swedish Architect - complete with 'man-boobs'.

More SAAB time

AM off to the dump with a car load.

Then pm Harkstead for a flue and C-19 jab. Finally back down the road again for Taxi duty. It needs a clean again now though.

ION: Tory mini-emergency-budget slashes taxes for the very well off planning to abolish the 45% rate - interesting re-boot of trickle down monetary policy. I give it three months.

Triple Wash - Double Bag

So the E-type gets its turn. Gosh how clean it come up with just some water, and then a dry, oh and the windows done.

Let's hope the weather holds.

Then I double bagged the Seven to try to keep it clean.

I was framed

Started with taking the E-type to the shops - just because it went so well yesterday - oh and to fill it with petrol for Sunday.

Hard to tell how dusty it is. Got three reactions - all nice of course.

Then after lunch a quick SAAB for loads to the allotment.

Then in the afternoon I looked at mounting a camera on the Seven. Umm. Not that easy. 

However it was time to go so off we went to get ready for the filming. Here we are in the frame.

Getting Katie ready for action

Time to give the Caterham a bit of love. Including blowing out the dust from the wings.

... and taking out the seats.

In fact a lot of love. Three plus hours I think and it's only a little car. Looked good though.

Another night in the car port for the E-type - but I did take it for a 'very spirited' run which it seemed to like.

Four Solemn Wheels

Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II today - here is the empty gun carriage before she was taken to Westminster Abbey.

Then afternoon SAAB run to Harkstead - renewing the routine.

It does feel like we've passed into the 21st Century now.

Not So Lucky

Early run off to the port and into more queues again.

This time we were almost last on and parked on the ramp - so due to be last off this time.

Queues through Boarder Control long again but eventually we were on our way home.

Reasonable run on quiet roads as the sun set behind us - although we did pop in for some provisions as the shops will be closed Monday.

Second Time Lucky ?

SAAB pointed back towards St Malo in the hope the vintage fair will be on this time. Cold but sunny start. Found easy and cheap parking on the road into the second swing bridge.

The vintage faire was actually on this time - and outside were a few odd classics, one vintage 1922 Citroen B2 Torpedo, pre-war rather than the 'war era that the faire was based around though.

On balance the event was not worth the €10 entry each but interesting never the less. 

Then long walk back and a visit to Corsair Frigate Etoile du Roya on the quay. 

Then one last supermarket visit just to round off the day - including a tank of 95 unleaded for 1.50 a litre - feels a lot cheaper than at home. 

Finally some packing the car (mainly booze) and into Dinan for an evening meal. 

Dinard Dining

Off to the coast again this time the other side of the bay at Dinard where we discovered a very similar TR2 in its garage with a Citroen Mihari (?). 

Then a long walk back across the town and coast - punctuated by lunch. Route took us all the way around the bay to somewhere we’d not found before but close to where we usually park the car. 

Then a stop at the diy shop for old times sake.

Joining the Chain Gang

It must be Dump Day so SAAB pressed into service as truck again off with the gardening waste. 

Then into St Malo looking for the vintage fair which we found starts tomorrow. Parked very close to the chain so had to be careful on the exit. 

However we did see a nice red TR2/3 on our way out although he was spluttering to get going. 

Then back via supermarket and now know not to bother with this one. 

So then Dinan and another supermarket and finally home again.

Don't believe all you read

I started the morning by by checking the internet for the SAAB fault and it told me that the engine light could mean “just get it checked” to “total destruction imminent”. Things to look at included check the fuel filler cap was on. Oh well. 

So we took the SAB into Dinan for a walk along the canal to Lehon. Seemed to go ok. I also checked the fuel filler cap before we left the car - seemed on ok too. 

Spotted a nice white Alfa at the port - looked familiar too. I'll have to look for it.

On our return to the car the check engine light was off. 

So SAAB home and we’ll see what tomorrow brings. 

That’s not good - x3

SAAB to the shops and then to the right bank of the Rance for a walk - both in 25+ degree heat and it’s already almost mid September. All over it was a nice area of small well looked after villages. 

Then a few short runs on steep village roads to see a couple of tide mills.

In the evening I took the SAAB out for sunflower photos and the check engine light was on. Umph. Not sure why of course - but no other symptom are obvious so we’ll monitor it. 

And the other two ? Dull stuff: a rumbling tooth and an investment call.

That’s not junk

We’ll it was true - we we’re off second and through passport control third just beaten by an RV and a chap on a bike.

First stop to buy breakfast after 1 mile - only to find because we were so early the supermarket was not yet open. 

So several SAAB trips during the day starting with a picnic at Saint-Briac-sur-Mer where we found a table near the car park - very civilised and very French especially as several of them had brought table cloths.

On the way back we visited a ratty junk shop with nothing worth even looking at in it. Highlight though was the nice classic Purgeut 204 that turned in before us and parked outside. 

I hope he had more luck finding something. 

Then another supermarket run for bit more shopping.

Autumnal Morning at Last

Cleaned the heavy dew from the SAAB in preparation for packing. Make it come up clean again though. 

Then usual packing for France - although we seem to take less each time we go out these last few years. 

The rundown was fine with light traffic all the way until we got to RHS Wisley - chaos there as every man and his dog had come that day. We found out after we’d been directed to the 'overflow of the overflow of the overflow' car park that they had a flower show on - well I'd not spotted that when I looked.

We got out eventually having queued for the exit too and the run down from then on was fine. Loading was slow-slow-slow and we we virtually the last car on. Eventually left about10 minutes late but no need to worry because... 

We were parked at the very front of the boat - so we thought …

... here is our chance to be off first !

SAAB shuffle

SAAB out and about early afternoon to Harkstead and then early evening to drop off the saw at Stutton and stuff the car with loads of old boxes... Why again ?

Well some of them have been with me man and boy !

Why 50 ?

Went to fix the doggy SAAB indicator first thing. Only to find I'd still got the boot full. Dho !

Then had to put everything back on to take the car to buy a new bulb as it was a special orange on with different fittings. So it got done in the Halfords car park. Seems to work.

I also topped up the petrol and decided to get it washed for it's work - even though it was due to rain - especially the wheels. Having done that it looked quite smart again.

I then checked the water (fine) Oil (fine) and tyres - WTF the fronts were 50psi ? How did I manage that ? I suspect the last time I pumped them up was in France at Leclerc's - so I'll have to watch that gauge.

Then of course it rained. Ho Hum.