That Dripping

The day was supposed to start with getting the Talbot ready for the run. However the Harkstead client had other ideas and it started with a SAAB run up there - and me in a very troubled mood.

I parked on the grassy knoll but left 10 mins later - job completed.

So next really was the Talbot. I topped up the water - quite a bit - put the back battery on charge - and then went to check the oil - a little needed but fine. I then spotted the wet patch.

After a few checks I concluded it was coming from the same place - the big joint on the water feed pipe to the top of the radiator. Annoying as the red dots were still in line so the packing had deteriorated. I tightened it up but I think it was still weeping. Oh well only about 70 miles to Ickworth House and back plus the 15 miles divertion to the Hawkendon VSCC meeting and back. We'll be OK.

After not getting lost but also not getting the satnav to show us the route we arrived fine - me watching the temperature gauge like a Hawk - for no real reason as it ran cooler then normal. Here we are just before 12:00 with lots of cars already there ...

... and more quickly arriving. It's odd how many people I am now recognising (and a few even remembering their names). Nice to See John (in the Vauxhall) and Alex already there.

There were several cars/people I recognised from the CVMC - one of which congratulated me on the artical in the CVMC mag.  Ian Polson arrived in a very small, very vintage and very rare Gwynne 8 Brooklands from 1924. Only 2 survivors it says.

Inside were more CVMC people I knew and (Chas and Ex Alpine member) the owner of this Ford Model A. 

Which was patina personified. As I wandered around I spotted another familiar face looking at TAS and showing his friend photos on his phone - my photos in fact from the London Night Rally ! He drives this 90 Team car replica so is obviously a bit eccentric.

- as are most of us in our own way. There were a few classics floating around but it was mostly about 25 pre-war cars.

Soon it was time to depart for Ickworth House to meet everyone else. An easy run and after lunch and a wander around the house it was time to get TAS home. 

We flew back on the A14 - still with the water temperature fine - at 65 to 70 most of the way. I even found the source of another new rattle (the sunroof know) so that was cured on the run. I must investigate the water leak but we had a great day and I'll try to go again.