Birds Love a Ferrari

So started with the SAAB to the boat for the shakedown sail to check and then correcting a few ropes.

Then home pm for a pause and unpack from yesterday.

Then started the Golf for a run out. Seemed fine - good in fact - so we'll leave it off the charger for a day or two and see how it gets on.

Then looked at the Imp hood - not an easy fit in the space - so not sure I'm doing it right though.

Then decided to get the Ferrari out. Nice 'it's only a toy' shot.

On the way I had to break hard to avoid a daft bird (pheasant) who just wanted to get run over. It disappeared under the car but no feathers in the grill when I got home so I think I avoided her.

Finally I took the miles. The classics all did either a nice 50+ or 60+ miles - even the Imp. Spring must have arrived.

Mind you the SAAB did almost 800 and we did not really go anywhere. Ah - except Bedford and Cambridge I guess.

Not Camping - Too Cold

SAAB to Cambridge to meet up for a day/night of non camping.

Park and Ride into Cambridge where the Scott museum highlight was this car. I'm sure they would think we were soft for not camping the night at 5 degrees.

Anyway it was a 15 hp Arrol-Johnston from 1908. An early off-roader designed and used by Shackleton - good on the ice but it could not cope with the deep snow. 

Dull, dark run back but at least the roadworks on the A14 were easy that time of night.

More SAAB Runs

Harkstead first thing.

Then PM back via Ipswich shopping for plastic.

We're getting there though - soon time to clear out the garage.

Hauling my Ass to Harkstead Again

SAAB out first thing for more project Kitchen - although I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Then after lunchtime I broke a tool so B&Q beckoned. 

SAAB looking good - not quite 'Aston Good' though.

Then back again to finish off for the day and home in the rain.

Speedy Soft Top

Well it took 2 hours to get the Imp soft top on - to be honest a lot of that time was freeing up the side fittings that were seized. I also found a broken peg in one of the clips.

Seems to be big enough, although I'm not sure what real protection it will give me. I also will need 20 mins to put it up and down - which will get me quite wet.

Them PM Golf to Rassy to put the sail on. We had to re-learn how to do it - but it looked good when we'd finished three hours later.

So late PM B&Q run in the Aston. How daft I thought.

And rather lucky too.

A bit of Rinse and Repeat

Just SAAB pottering backwards and forwards to Harkstead twice again for the work.

However I did check the MK2 and it started first time. So it was just a flat battery.

SAAB back again

Morning start picking up a new tool from town. Then off to work in Harkstead.

Seems a bit empty - but that's the old white paint for the walls - I'll see if it is still usable.

Dull runs there and back twice.

Finally filled up with petrol again - lets see if it triggers the 'Check Engine' light this time.

Hoping for Rain

Usually on Drive it Day it's the opposite - I'm hoping it won't rain. But having locked the cars in the garage I was hoping to be proved right.

Most of the morning was dry ... ish but by lunchtime it was tipping it down. Shame but Good !

SAAB to Harkstead late pm in the drizzle - which was not the run I had hoped for.

Tomorrow Man

Started with a MK2 run to Harkstead - but it would not start. The ignition did not work - lots of power but no way to get it started. So MK7 run instead as Jana had the SAAB. A few hours moving the Kitchen project forward then home for lunch.

Then we decided on a walk - it seemed only right to use the last of the good weather and MK7 out again. However Oli phoned to say the bridge was closed (why ?) so we diverted and everyone went to the boat. EB seemed to get better on it - although not sure.

So back home late afternoon. Well tomorrow is Drive It Day I thought and it's raining so what to do ?

1. Caterham out and about via the bottle bank and around the block. Spotted a nice sun-lit wood pile but did not stop.

2. Then next was the Imp. I did see the wood again so decided that I would take a de-tour and have a go.

iPhone pic does not do it justice as the sun was getting better as it set.

3. So next was the E-type and the real camera (although this is another iPhone pic). Did get a 'that's gorgeous' from a chap passing on a bike - and to be honest it was looking good in the dying sunset.

So run back home and packed everything away. I can't believe with the sunset it's going to rain all tomorrow bit that's what the 'apps' say - and you can't disagree with the apps.

Tiger suggests Cat

Watched the rain clouds clear in the morning. So I took the Caterham out to meet up with the Tiger Tour at lunchtime.

When I got out I noticed the car had paw prints on and in it - again. I thought squirrels but someone suggested a cat - and the size of the paw prints were more like it. Odd.

Then ran to Harkstead to pick something up.

Then SAAB into town looking for wood - which I found ok and it just fitted on the bend.

So back to Harkstead for more work with it. 

Finally as there was still sun left in the sky I took the Ferrari around the block.

Finally an evening run to Stutton in the SAAB. Noticed the 'Check Engine' light was off - odd.

Hoping for the better weather

Sunshine first thing so I got the Riley out for a clean in the hope that the weather is good on Sunday - rain all day is the forecast though.

All it really needed was a dust and detailing. Looked good when I had finishing though, so I took it down to get a full tank of petrol. Still hoping.

Then SAAB to take the wings into Lee Scott's. The worst part of the Alpine renovation is nearing the end they tell me. New inner wheel arches in place and majority of the rusty bodywork had been removed and re-made. 

The front wings will make a big difference too progress - well what it looks like anyway.

Then finally SAAB to Harkstead for more kitchen work. 'Check Engine' light still on. By the time I had finished the rain had started again so no more classic action.

Wing Man ?

So run to Bedford in the trusty SAAB to have lunch with friends and the real reason for the trip - to pick up the Alpine wings. 'Check Engine' light on as we left - ho hum.

Traffic on the A14 very bad there and two sets of roadworks plus an unexplained 20 min stop dead.

If you squint you can just see the police bikers dismounted at the front.

Anyway we got the wings after lunch (from a chap I  had met at the Sorrell Horse some time ago) and they fitted in the boot fine.

Worse run back but we're here now.

Imp Time - Cut and Run

So I decided to start the job of fitting the windscreen wiper motor. Not finish it perhaps, but get going.

First job was to test the new one using the existing wiring - yes that worked fine. Then I removed the old one to measure the length I needed to cut off. It seemed a lot.

In the end both shafts needed 22mm leaving on them - which a hacksaw cut ok. The old fittings 'fitted' too so no need to reduce the shaft diameter. Interestingly the new one had metric fittings - as did the old one. I guess they are both Bosche units.

I also found a small brass fitting in the old one (and new one) that stops the inner shaft wobbling around. 

Getting that back down the cut shaft was the hardest bit. Anyway it all fitted fine and I was quite happy until I switched it on. Then I found that the unit was sweeping the blades down instead of up. I re-positioned the motor and all was fine. Spring went back on too after a bit of a struggle.

Finally I spotted the lable was still on the back of the new unit - so I removed that. The philip's screws will have to wait. I have little faith it will wipe water off the screen but there we have it.

Next after lunch was a Harkstead Kitchen project visit - MK2 this time - in a cold blustery wind.

Three hours later I was back home and there was some cold sunshine let in the sky. OK it's time to brave it I thought. Imp out and down to the Marina for boat work. 

It ran well and looked great in the dying sun. Two people thought so as they came and took pictures of it while I worked on the boat. Nice run back (except for being forced to pull over by a Tesco truck) and then time to put her away. I suspect this might be this month's long run as rain is forecast for 'Drive it Day'. 

Ho Hum.

Popping out and Back

SAAB to Harkstead for Kitchen project first thing in the cold sunshine.

Then spotted the chap was using my picture of his car which is always nice.

After lunch I put the fan heater on the Imp. It started first go and let it warm up for a planned run in the afternoon.

Needs a clean and polish before Sunday.

Then MK2 into town for dentist. That's looking very mucky again as well I thought.

Finally across town to Halfords for my discounted window cleaner. By the time I got back the sun had gone and it looked like rain. So sadly no Imp action.

A Show and a Blast

First ECR meeting of the year and it was packed. The field was filled. I took the E-type which was a bit retro for the crown I'd admit.

Met up with the usual 'chaps in a muddy field' with various cars. Not in the mood for pictures though so did not come home with many to play with. This was an exception.

Then E-type to the marina for work. Spotted this photo opportunity.

Jaguar - get it !

Then after work went home via Oli - to find him actually washing his car.

Finally a choice of toys to end the day. Chose the Aston.

So all in all a full day in the sunshine.

Getting more Sunshine

Early SAAB run ... can't think where to.

Then delivery of the Throne ahead of schedule.

Seemed to go down OK. PM we joined it in the MK7. Then home after the party. The sun as still out early evening and it was time to play - so 308 out for a run.

Given I'd seen an advert for a plastic one at £150k in the morning I was treating it gently - except for the overtaking on the hill to stretch its legs.

More dashing about

MK2 to Harkstead for a bit more painting first thing in a repeat of yesterday.

Equally cold but less windy. I'll have to do something else next week.

Then SAAB backward and forward to Stutton twice. Dropping off the gazebo second time around.

Mixed Running

MK2 out AM to do a bit more painting at Harkstead. Sun out too even though it was cold and windy.

Then PM a return trip by SAAB for a little more as it was too cold for the Caterham.

Finally an E-type jaunt to Stutton to look at a garage door off the rails.

No joy fixing that and it rained on me as I drove home too. Ho hum. The car needed a clean so the water got leathered off when I got back.

Clean Aston but Rain Stops Play

Started the morning washing the Aston - it was quite dirty after the winter runs. Nappy in place still works well.

A bit cold and very windy as we worked but I got the car back into the garage before the rain came.

Then PM SAAB to Harkstead - via Stutton. I decided just to walk to Oli's so parked just before the roadworks.

Probably a good idea as everything is using the cut now - including the bus.

Then off to do more project Kitchen and home just as the wind and rain came back with a vengeance.

Wiper motor arrived too but I was not keen to brave the garage as well today.

Busy day

Early start with an unexpected 6:01 am run to Harkstead.

Nice and sunny though. So after that rescue mission it was time to come home and start the day.

First job - putting the chairs back in the garage loft - which meant moving the Aston.

Second job - B&Q beckoned for more wood.

The problem was that it did not fit in the car - even though I thought I had measured it. The strapping on was a bit hard so we went the long/slow way back to Harkstead and stopped four times to check it.

After lunch it was another Harkstead run for a few jobs - followed by a MK7 ride to check on the boat. Back in the SAAB again and Oli turned up so I got a lift back to B&Q in the Passat. Can you spot the deliberate error.

We had forgotten to close the door. Luckily nothing was missing.

Finally John Lomas (Blue Diamond's boss) sent me a picture of the car he inherited from his father. I knew the car. Hampton Court 2017 - so I sent him the pic.

All in all a busy day.

Soaking SAAB

Heavy rain most of the day - so no AM trip as it was cancelled - and no classic car activity.

Then PM trip to Stutton for B'day cake and tantrums.

SAAB had to splish-splash its way to Manningtree Station to drop James back and then home - via the B'day and more puddles.

At least the road is open over the weekend.

Wheels, Ropes and Car Park Chaos

SAAB in the morning for a Harkstead Easter pick-up - passenger and two sets of wheels.

Returned to a full car park on the drive.

VW x 2, Audi, Ford and Toyota in the end.

Then late afternoon we did the return trip with all the wheels again.

Late evening dash to take a phone back to Stutton but I had to use the rope to drop it through the letterbox as no one was answering.

Always an interesting trick.