Ups and Downs

So early morning 7:45 sunshine and off we go - heading East to go West again. Glevering and then cross country to the A14. Looking good and feeling confident ... Even if the immobiliser was playing up.

The fuel seemed to go down quickly - but then it went up again - odd. However the car started again when I picked up Chris - so at least we will get there I thought. We had a good run [only two stops to check and correct the route] and by 10:30 we were almost there when I noticed the numbers align. 50,000 exactly so obviously I stopped to take the pic.

We went in - ushered through the special exhibitors gate proudly showing our TALBOT sign (as the Sunbeam Rapier Owners Club was apparently called). As we parked up next to the only Rapier there a Traction Avant pulled up. Oh nice - but also not a Talbot !

Turned out he was not even in out party so was ushered away in the end - to be replaced by a Lancia. 

Anyway a few more cars turned up including a few Rapiers at last with several other non-Rootes interlopers. Then they drew the raffle and I heard my name. I had won - so I was quickly whisked off for a short flight in a Cessna 150F by one of the SROC chaps.  A but frantic to get off before the show was due to start but we made it there and back. [No flight suit this time].

Not easy to take pics out of the window but I was allowed - which was a bonus - in fact I was ordered to by the organiser.

Then the show itself began so I spent the next four hours shooting aircraft. The highlight for me being the de Havilland DH.88 Comet I had hoped would be flying.

So after a very hot and busy day we got going around 6 pm and hit the queue to get out. Great run too except the roadworks - but the car was enjoying the cool summer evening. The only worry was the fuel seemed to be going down a lot quicker than I had thought it would - I suspect the 'tweaks' I did were to blame - but we were looking fine.

As we turned off the A14 for the back roads the car gave the odd cough - which I put down to being hot and bothered. However about a mile before Glevering the temperature gauge started to go down quite quickly - odd I though - then the car coughed again. Then as we drove up the final leg of the drive was it just stopped. Dead. No power not even enough to sound the horn. Bugger - but at least it was here and not on the main road.

What to do ? I suspected a dead battery as we had had the fan on (well showing a high rate of charging) for most of the day. We went to get the Tiger battery but it was far too big. So Chris kindly drove me all the was home and back to get the one from the Golf - smaller but it should be OK for the run home - IF THE CAR STARTS.

But an hour later the battery was fitted and the dead one dumped in the foot well.

OK now for the moment of truth. The car started first turn of the key (so to speak) even if there were a few tense moments with the immobiliser not working again. Off I shot into the dark - on dipped beam and very low fuel. 

What to do ? Risk stopping to top up or just go for it. The fuel light only came on as I sowed for roundabouts then went off again as we leveled out. I guess I have 20 miles when the light is constantly lit so I kept going - and going - and going. By the time I got to Freston it was on all the time - but by then we were almost within pushing distance. So here we are - on fumes but safely back.

Almost 11 o'clock but home safe and sound.

As I say to myself - you don't have adventures or stories to tell sitting at home watching 'Cash in the Attic' - but some days ...