Mug Plugging into the New Year

Lots more rain - most of the day in fact. Left the Golf parked up but the Audi got a very muddy trying to move it. 

Spotted this truck down the road when we went for a walk. Need the ground clearance around here I guess. However research says it's a 1989 VW Transporter - but converted to run on Electric power.

The New Year arrived in wind rain and a few fireworks across the valley.

ION: This year we upped the end of year count to two major wars, to that we add continuing strikes in the health service, a faltering economy and no plan to 'Stop the Boats'. All this in an election year here, in the US and in many other countries. So 2024 looks like a year to watch. 

Grinding down to Gloucestershire

MK7 packed early for the run down to LV.

First 'via' was Harkstead to drop off something, then the second was 'via' a very packed Sevens and Classics for their open day even though it was raining hard when we arrived. There were obviously lots of Caterhams but this rally spec. Sunbeam Tiger was actually the highlight for me. 

A source in the Tiger group said it belongs to “Patrick Watts - past UK Rally Champion. He’s going to soon be driving it from Beijing to Paris, one he has been the keeper of for 30+ years".

Only one other Seven with clamshell wings and that was a modern throwback model I think.

Then back onto a very slow  M25 - stopped at the services around 1:00 - also rammed full - past an accident on the slip road. Back onto an even slower M25. Grind for the next 30 miles past another multi car pile up but then it was ok. 

Arrived in the light and before the rain- Result !

All over the place

Started with a nice clean SAAB this morning. 

Then we went to Flatford Mill down muddy tracks and through deep water. Followed by a run to Dovercourt and back on the small roads - more mud and standing water. Then to Manningtree only to be faced by this gap.

Well we squeezed through that - just.

Then off to Ipswich shopping. Finally Harkstead and back home - more mud and water. Home in the dark so I can't see what the dirt has done to the clean car we started with. Ho Hum indeed.

Clean - Well for a few hours

Started the day with the SAAB on the drive looking dirty and in need of a clean.

Out came the pressure washer. Water first - then foam and finally hand wash and rinse off. Half way through the rain started so I had to finish off under cover.

Lucky to have al that space.

PM saw a few run around jobs - Stutton/Pig Farm/Harkstead and finally Ipswich as all the local bottle banks were full.

Still looking OK - although it was getting dark.

Final run back to HArkstead to remove another loo. Ho hum.

Not quite a Day Off

I was planning a quiet day - but I was needed in Harkstead first thing for a simple job - so back went the loo as well.

Giving it the once over the SAAB is looking very dirty now and deserves a good clean.

More shuffling

SAAB in use again - this time in the sunshine - just a collection and delivery job.

Drive very full today - mostly estate cars too !

Taxi for One

Just another Holbrook/Harkstead/Holbrook/Harkstead/Holbrook shuffle in the SAAB.

A filthy night on the return leg too with wind and rain - but 11 degrees at 5:30.

Taxi for several

Just a couple of SAAB runs backwards and forwards - well:

Holbrook/Harkstead/Freston/Harkstead/Holbrook - Holbrook/Harkstead/Holbrook.

Ho hum.

Convenience can be over rated

Oh for a dry day at last - it was very much that and at times so warm you could forget it was late December. 

So I treated the Aston to a spirited run and of course a recycling job too. However I 'bumped' the curb on the narrow bit going past Oliver's old house when a lory seemed to want both sides of the road. 

Stopping at the flag to check the tyres all looked undamaged though.

Then home via the coast road thinking things were ok.

Next was a SAAB run to pick up two from the train station. Finally a SAAB run to pick up a Loo from Harkstead in preparation for Christmas. Well, an add on one anyway.

Odd the loads that car has to carry.

All Tooled Up

Big boys toys on the drive most of the day as the tree men were back.

Then late pm as the gloom returned I managed to get the MK2 out - with tools to Harkstead (again). 

They were not needed but it was nice to get the car out for a short run. Seemed to be starting properly too - perhaps I was just a bit quick on the key ?

We've got it covered

So a wet and windy day with no car activities. Just playing with photos and creating things like this.

A bit childish but fun. Then the post arrived and look at this - another cover.

Plus it was used in another page and the insurance company continue to run their picture. So it was hard to get away from us.

In Town - Literally

SAAB off for shopping trips first thing - large bits of wood for shelves - the 3m lengths fitted well in the boot - even if they did go all the way through to the dashboard.

Manages a record £107 in petrol too - although I did notice the price has come way down recently.

Then PM more jobs in the SAAB. Firstly into the Ipswich Town club shop. I parked by the old bus garage which looked interesting - before walking past the ground.

Then Machine Mart for more collections. I tried getting the car washed on the way back but it was 'closed for maintenance'.  Then I diverted via Harkstead for more tasks on the way home but they had been done - so I did another on instead.

Splashing along now

OK it could be deep snow as it is getting onto late December - but no just more rain - and more flooded roads.

SAAB out AM for a run to Harkstead - the run off from the fields seemed OK and not too deep but it must be getting worse and ruining the road surface again.

INSERT PICTUER HERE !!!

Then it just kept falling down all day.

Bumping along

Decided to use the VW MK2 today. So first stop was Harkstead. It seemed to hesitate on the key starting ... but was OK.

Then off to town where I bumped into the railing. 

It's the same on I bumped with the SAAB two years ago too. The bloody tow bar went between the two posts ...

Anyway - no damage done. Next we sent off to two more stops - the same thing a hesitant key starting the car, but to seemed to settle down my the fourth one... We will see.

Filthy and Deflated

Firstly off to Cambridge and I noticed the SAAB is really shitty in the pub car park. This time I'll remember it correctly - the Plough at Fen Ditton. A walk and then lunch.

 Then after a walk the boots were even more muddy than the car.

Then home and I noticed the external bubble was deflated - odd as the lead seemed to be out for the fans ?

Anyway - a run to Stutton and then Harkstead rounded off the evening.

OMG - AMG

SAAB out and about mid morning to read the meter at Harkstead.

Then E-type lunch up country - guess what we took ?

At least Ray brought his E-type. Then we were joined by not one but two MERCEDES-BENZ AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ PLUS AUTOs. Caps because they are shouty cars.

Both looked gruff and purposeful - whether they are worth the £65k+ is another matter.

Caterham Cubed ?

OK - what is this then ? 

An alien space craft or a crushed car ? Well it's the top of the outdoor bubble.

So cleaned the base and then hung up the top. It seemed to be more difficult than last year - or perhaps it's just me.

So after more jobs it was time to take the Seven around the block - via the usual stop.

It seemed to go very well in the cold air - well not that cold actually.

Finally MK7 ride to Harkstead for Xmas jobs.

Mobile Office

SAAB out and about in the murk.

Putting stamps on the Christmas Cards in the carpark. Ho Hum.

Bad CoP Good CoP

SAAB out again in the damp. It is filthy - as are the roads.

This time Stutton then Harkstead and four more wheels out and about.

Followed by a return to Stutton. All in a dull days duty.

ION: CoP 23 - The final pact now calls on countries to "transition away" from fossil fuels specifically for energy systems, but not for plastics, transport or agriculture. Interesting - so the ICE car may not be dead just yet.

But given that 1. the War in Ukraine (remember that) rumbles ever-on in stalemate and 2. Israel has almost flattened Gazza it might just be a wild ride into 2024.

10 degrees

SAAB out early in the rain and across flooded roads - but the temperature is back up.

10 degrees at 10:30 in what should be the Winter.

The out again PM to town and shopping - oh how exciting.

That Inappropriate Car Again

This time we used the Caterham to pick up Jana from Stutton in the cold morning air.

Not the longest of runs - and not that cold really - especially as it was actually quite snug in there.

Vintage SAAB

Back from London in the MK7 via Greenwich, Peckham etc. and meeting family. Spotted this nice SAAB 900 Turbo (I think) on the road as we walked to the pub.

Then another slow run back in the rain on and off.

Floods and a Classic

MK7 down to London first thing. Heavy rain and wind most of the way. A flooded A10 too - and that's supposed to be civilisation.

Then a walk to the Tube into central London - but first I spotted this MGC that has been there for many years now. Showing it's age now as the paintwork is very faded.

Mind you it's been there since at least 10 years now on the street. I don't like the new number plate though.

The only car in the Vincent van Gogh 'experience' was the one I drew though.

Well he did say 'If you tell yourself you can't draw - do it anyway'. 

OK - Three is getting Too Much use

What greeted us this morning was a drive full of tree cutting equipment. 

Then SAAB off to Harkstead for a job (1), in the cold.

Which lead to me coming home and then returning (2).

Finally a run into town - again the the SAAB (3).

Three is (again) the Magic Number

It must be that time of year again.

SAAB stuffed full of Christmas Trees - from a cold and blustery farm by the river.

Oddly they seemed to fit easier this year ...

More life in the SAAB Lane

Early morning SAAB defrost was in order before a run to town.

I think it was only -1 degrees - but its been so wet lately that it was quite frozen.

When I got back the drive was full of big kit though - as the tree men had arrived.

PM out again to drop off the trim that goes under the windscreen to Lee's as I'd left it on the bench somehow. They were moving more cars to the new facility so perhaps mine will get there soon too ?

Finally RGEA evening meeting and a dark and cold run it was too. The car park pot holes are also getting much worse.

20 Wheels on my Wagon(s)

Started the morning going around the bubbles and over inflating the tyres. Imp, E-Type and Ferrari done first.

Then I decided I'd check the Mk2 and even the SAAB. So there we have it - five cars and 20 wheels all done.

Then after lunch SAB to drop off the life raft.

Finally as the sun was just peeping though I warmed up the Caterham while I took the SAAB to look for a bird (it had flown).

So then off we went in the inappropriate car for the cold and shitty roads up to Harkstead again.

Not a bad choice and although it was a bit drafty we had a good run - I even went to long way around the block to home.  Of course that is one car where I've not yet done the wheels.

It needs a clean again now though.

Warmer but not Wetter

What I thought was a quick Harkstead errand turned out to be the whole morning - oh well it was a dreary day anyway as you can see - but at least the torrential rain held off until the afternoon.

So PM I went off to buy some food - exciting stuff really - SAAB again as steed of choice.

Nice Weather for DUWKs

If it rains any more we'll need a car that floats. Most of the day it persisted it down. 

That gave me time for reading though and I found this nice Sunbeam Picture that I did not know I had.

I also looked back at the events/shows I'd attended in 2023 - looks like 14 events in total - not counting the extra day in Dinard working out what was happening. Not bad.

On other fronts we went sailing on 12 days (plus the sail with Tom and the boat show) and spent 19 days in France - plus 6 on the crossings.

Passing the date line

Another rainy day - so just a quick SAAB jaunt early afternoon - this time getting stuck in the football traffic.

It also appeared to be December 2nd and I forgot to do the miles - mainly due to the shitty weather.

So not a lot of scores to report, although the E-type, Caterham did respectable miles but the winner was the MK2 probably because of the SAAB stay in the garage.

Mind you the Imp managed 17 - on two drives.

Later I spotted this on a French web page:

It says - Martin Beeches !

That's it until January

Chaos in the morning as the Orwell Bridge was still party closed after roadworks over-ran and the ice was making driving dangerous.

I waited until a bit of thaw and the traffic had cleared - I thought. I took the main road - which turned out to be the wrong decision. 15 mins to get off the peninsula as the traffic was gridlocked. Then 10 more to get onto the A12. The traffic was queuing for a few miles coming North though. 

The weather had got a bit warmer although still freezing down in Essex when I got there with the bits I brought for the Alpine.

So here it was again - now boxed in with equipment and not really being worked on until January now.

They need to move too, but that seems to be on hold until the new unit has been finished. I assume my car will remain here now until done.