Not even that

So no driving today - dull weather and no motivation.

On the miles the Imp came out the winner at just under 175 miles. That's not bad at all. Seven was next at just over 100.

Mini Run

Back to cold dreary weather. 

Just the SAAB for a utility run - Harkstead to Shotley.

Much Travelled Man

So the day started fine - I went out and pumped up the SAAB tyres early - not really that low although the front one did look it.

So then I had a ride in the new German. I can't remember if it is a BMW or Audi now I think of it. Always odd getting in new cars as they are all screen and stuff.

Anyway after we dropped the guests at the station we got a call - all trains were stopped for a long time due to an 'incident' - which is code for a Jumper.

So we went off again in the SAAB to pick them up and ferry them across to Basildon - where the line was open. So 115 miles later (and a trip to Hyde Hall) we were back home. However the 'check engine' light was back on again when we came back to the car - it could have got hot in the sun ?

So late afternoon Ferrari run seemed appropriate.

Finally a small planet saving trip in the MK7 as I had to re-organise the cars on the drive.

UBER and a Treat

SAAB first thing for a Harkstead run to the Christening. Then back again, where I noticed a distinctly low tyre.

The fronts are looking a bit worn - so I better get them checked.

Then E-type to reception as a treat for me - and back as a treat to one of the guests.

Then ride in a German Tank for an evening re-visit to Harkstead.

Passenger Rides

First a morning run to Aldeburgh with half the family.

Squeezed in behind the large German - who had the rest.

Then evening runs to show off the Aston and Caterham.

The Caterham still felt a bit rougher than before so perhaps it needs a tune up.

G2R but not for a Sail

Started the day with the MK7 to the boat to show her to family.

Then PM SAAB for Harkstead taxi runs and to the Creek in between.

Finally UBER for James too in the E-type as it was sunny.

Much to the delight of a one passing nurse and the bemusement of one bloke.

Walking Time

Housework and a walk to the Co-op. Exciting times.

Also the MK2 headlining stayed up - well on one side - so I might need to try that tecnique again on the other.

Making up for yesterday

So work AM and then clean the cars PM.

E-type first. So a clean and notices scratches on the bonnet which I managed to almost get rid of and a black line on the door which I did not. I'll have to work on that more.

Then MK2 - which was very dirty/dusty and now has badly faded paintwork. I cleaned everything and then t-cut the bonnet and put polish on it which made a big difference. The rest of the car now needs the same treatment.

I also noticed the headlining was sagging a lot - not more perhaps but still getting in the way. Although on a short run for petrol I noticed the horn was working again.

So after a bit more house work I decided to try to stick the headlining back - at least out of the way. So I made a framework and pushed it up. 

I used the spray glue I had (which went all over me) and it seemed to work - although the lining did not seem to fit as well as before ...

Time will tell if it stays up.

So as to the making up for yesterday I got the Caterham out for a run to the boat - only for the phone to ring like yesterday but .... it was OK I still managed it.

How many times ?

SAAB with a load am to get more Kitchen done.

Then back again.

Spot the difference ?

Then after lunch up and back again with a different load. Then later yet another run to Harkstead in the trusty SAAB - this time for Kafkaesque admin.

Finally Aston to restore my sanity - sunshine and saving the planet of course.

Speeding Along

Rassy was doing almost 7 knots today on the way back with only the jib up - in winds over 25 knots an hour I'm not surprised. That's a force six.

Then back home in the Golf to rest.

G2R

Golf to the boat for an over night sail to the Deben in strong winds.

Spotted this tug dealing with the large container ship as we left too. We stayed away.

Another Dirty Car

Took the MK2 into town shopping - gosh that is filthy too.

Went well, although the oil buzzer went off - oh and the horn did not work. Must investigate.

Then late morning visited the Stutton Brazill's in the 308. That's still very clean and shiny.

Finally a pm by a ride in the MK7 - another car that could do with a good clean.

SAAB Treated

Running around in the load lugger again. B&Q and Halfords - what an exciting morning. The car was so dirty I decided to give it a treat.

A quick trip to Harkstead too - just in case I forgot where it was.

Evening Run

Most of the day was working on the house/garden but late PM the sun was still out and I had a chance to get a car out. Nippy though so layered up. What to take ?

The Imp got another run around the block. Although we stopped to check the rocker box cover as something sounded a bit loose - it was ... just. So I tightened it.

Then home again. Happy with the run.

Then noticed we were 'featured' in the VSCC write up of the Suffolk run - well our picture was in there twice.

I'm told Ludvigsen is a motor writer too !

Small Load and Smaller Car

The car events started pm with a run to Harkstead to pick up and deliver surplus Kitchen bits and bobs back to the shop. Not a huge load but better than just taking them to the dump.

Then early evening it was time to follow a neighbour to the ECR meeting in Shotley - but what to take ? Well the Caterham needed a little run to set the gunge I'd slapped on the exhaust so that was the steed tonight.

A busy but not packed show but then it was midweek and still quite chilly. Most interesting car for me was this 1950 Riley RMB. 

Un-plugging the Gaps ?

Time to clean the plugs and get the oil out of the spark plug recesses on the Imp. So that was the first automotive job. The plugs did not really need a clean though as the tip was a steady darkish brown.

But there was a lot of oil in the recesses so that got cleaned out.

Then after adding a light to the garage loft it was time for the Caterham to have some love. 

I found that the exhaust pipe was a little loose - just moving in the join. SO I put some exhaust putty in the gap and replaced the circlip - twice as the first broke. Mind you the second was a bit flaky too. We'll see how we get on.

I also tidied up all the tools etc. I had left out and was just putting the Imp soft top frame away when I noticed four screws each side and a spare one lower down. Ah Ha. I saw that if I removed the screws I could shorten the arms and get it in the boot. So I soaked them in DW40 and went to lunch.

Then after lunch I gave a few a try - not a chance. But I managed to get a couple out by cleaning the paint off and giving it a bit of a knock with the hammer. 

However it was SAAB time. Some small Kitchen jobs in Harkstead but thankfully it meant a backhaul of most of the tools.

As I put the tools away I tinkered with the Imp frame again and after 30 mins I had all the screws out. 

I even used one of the BSW taps I had salvaged to clean the threads too. Then I found that the 'bend' on the frame did not fit the new position of the one I wanted to shorted. A bit of tentative brute force on each side to re-bent it and it was there - well enough to get four of the six screws in place. I'll take that.

So would it fit in the boot ? After 10 mins I had managed to work out how it fitted and we're all good !

I'll have to see how low that makes the hood later but for now I'll take a small victory.

So what to do now ? It was still sunny and not exactly hot, but warm enough - so get the E-type out and pop around the block and drop off a bit of recycling. Can you guess where ?

Stutton of course.

So another busy day.

Writing up and Popping up

Made a start of the Imp run article and photos. 

Then PM SAAB to Harkstead for a few jobs but also a small back load again.

Then PM more writing and admin.

You are Number #35

Well, we did the VSCC Suffolk Tour today - me and the Riley Imp - and Chris from the RGEA. All told it was just shy of 140 miles after I did the run up and back to the start point. Here we are at the Mill with the adults, parked next to the tool room copy of an MPH.

Interestingly, the owner of that and many more people gave me the time of day - was it seeing what I came in or my confidence to engage with them ? Less so I thought when I was sporting my 'The Beeches Maintenance Team' top and looked like a contractor.

Anyway the route was good, although it was through really small Suffolk lanes - too small for my liking sometimes - up and down hills. It remained cold but eventually the sun came out when we arrived at the lunch stop and I had to strip off several layers.

Here we are outside a cottage opposite the pub in Hawkedon.

The afternoon route back was harder to follow and we got off the map quickly although I found the better 'B roads' easier to drive on if I am honest. We also avoided the Ford twice passing through a bridge just wider than the car instead.

Eventually we reached the Mill again and parked up - to be rewarded by tea and cake. Very civilised I thought. I also luckily found the Riley Area chap at last and had a positive reception, so I'll make an effort to meet up.

I checked the oil in the car park after the run and it was fine - about a quarter of the dip stick showing so - and the plug holes were clean. I decided to leave it alone until I got home. 

The run back was fine although the car started to sound different on the A14 and on investigation once home I guess that was because the cam cover had come loose again and I could hear different sounds. I topped up with fuel just before the end and noticed a slight leak again - but I may have over-filled it. I need to test this again as it did not leak last time I filled it full. Or did it ?

Headlines were: for the 140 miles we used 5.3 gallons of petrol, just over a pint of oil (half the dip stick) and almost no water despite running hotter then I had seen before. We seemed to have done about 26 miles to the gallon and 140 mils to the pint if my measurements are right. The tank was still c30% full when I topped it up so we might make just shy of 200 miles on a long run. The rack worked well too.

It was hard going through the lanes and very bumpy but much better on the wider better surfaced roads.

It's all in the Prep

7:15 am and I was spraying the Imp luggage rack. Getting a coat of black on it to dry.

Then MK7 out to take Oli to Colchester to pick up his van - the modern in case I needed the Sat Nav.

Home and unload the SAAB before we took it to a packed but very cold Weird and Wonderful Wood to meet the Stutton offshoot. Not really needed as we did not buy anything large - nor did they.

Then Loaded the Caterham for a quick run to drop of sheets to protect the furniture Oli is collecting in said van. Sounded as if the plugs need cleaning or the exhaust manifold is loose again - added to the list.

Then Imp prep for tomorrow as the weather is OK - perhaps not as hot as predicted but no rain predicted either. We will see.

Finished the rack and worked out the best way to strap the basket on it. What struck me is that the cord should be red. But that's just me. Did the oil and water next and decided what to pack.

Finally I finished it off with a detail and then a short trip to top up with petrol. Only took just over a gallon - I thought I'd done more miles since filling it up.

In the process of the trip I also tested the basket. Fine. Miles logged at 37399 when we got back - so we are ready for the adventure.

Four More

SAAB, SAAB, SAAB, SAAB. Harkstead, Ipswich, Harkstead, Ipswich, Stutton.

Here we are on the second run in the backstreets of Ipswich for a C-19 jab for the Harkstead offshoot.

Then off we went again with the 'Check Engine Light' on the third trip to buy parts to build a rack for the Imp. Needed fuel too as you can see.

The rack seemed quite good - if I say so myself - as I finished it quickly and then rushed a first coat of primer before the Stutton jaunt packing boxes to finish the day.

Lets see how it fits next.

Keep on trucking

Thunder rumbled all day - but not much rain with us. Too busy with DITY for classics though.

SAAB out PM for a 'Driving Miss Daisy Run'. Popped out for a B&Q run though during the job.

Then once home I decided to re-load the SAAB for the dump run tomorrow morning to save time.

So that's more of the old kitchen units and tiles. It will cost a bit too.

Another Small Backload

SAAB out first thing into town for exciting stuff - well a hair cut.

I then decided to look at the Imp as it's looking OK - ish for Sunday so should I take the hood ? I looked at the fittings and thought they might be on the wrong way around - hence the seat is a bit recessed. 

An hour later I had removed them and then put them back where they came from. Turned out they are handed too.

Then PM off to project Kitchen again. Brought some more tools home though so we're slowly clearing up.

The trouble is we also seem to be bringing back more crap.