Driving with Imp - unity

Garden work, then butterfly pics, then evening run in the Imp and photos.

The seat (belt) of all our problems

Mk2 out after lunch as the Summer came back.

Oil buzzer on for a bit on the way bank.

Then E-type round the block in the early evening.

First the speedo did not work - but a swift 'tap' restored that, then there was an untraceable rattle on the passenger's side. I had to stop but nothing looked loose. 

I as I drove off then checked the seatbelt and all it was, was the clip sitting on the clasp. Dho.

Short hop

Quick passenger trip with O, L & EB in the MK7 to see Captain Blood at the creek.

All five of us were ok in the Golf.

Then not a lot else. Seems summer is back for a couple of days though - perhaps tomorrow.

I'm no mechanic but ...

Alpine plugs out and cleaned first thing. They were not too bad although a couple were a but dirty ...

... and now looking closely at one from the picture it might have had little bit of metal on it.

Anyway it started well and off we went for petrol but when we got to the petrol station the car was smoking and continued to smoke badly all the way home.

So that's not good.

Finally, took the Ferrari out in the late sun and that was making a 'howling' noise until it warmed up too. Umm.

More pottering around

SAAB out for jobs then Aston for more jobs - well an excuse to take it out recycling again.

Still like the winter wheels.

Lord Fisher will see you now

Popped up to Kilverstone hall - 80 miles round trip and was looked after by Lord Fisher himself - he was an E-type fan.

Good run there are back in convoy with the blue V12 from down the road.

Spit, Polish and more

I started by getting the E-type ready for tomorrow as the black clouds rolled past.

Checking the fluids etc. I also found a long length of fan belt coming off.

I guess I really should change it soon. 

Then Alpine dry washed and a bit of polish - the paint work is getting worse after almost 2 years outside under the cover.

Then SAAB to Harkstead.

Finally Alpine off the the monthly RGEA meeting. Felt as if it was running a bit rough though - there and back - so need to look at that. Plugs fouling ?

Did indulge in a pic though when I got back.

Fezza out again

Ferrari down to the marina to collect stuff we forgot yesterday.

Almost: Red, White and Blue - look closely and there is a light blue TVR in the background.

Then in the evening a few light painting experiments with the Golf.

Wet and Wild way back

Rassy stood up well to 24 knot winds and a bit of rain. 

Did over 7.5 knots as well - does not sound much but in the boat it is flying.

When we got back we topped up with the dreaded Diesel too - just to finish the planet off.

All at Sea or Land-rover

Stopped at Burnham Marina last night and found this nice Series Land Rover the next morning.

G2R at again at last

Seems a long time since we went sailing. Anyway got their as normal by Mk7.

Not the brightest of days either.

Half way round

Took the Imp out for a run - started quite easily and did not sound bad. I did feel the brakes need a little attention though - or it could be the fact that I'm driving it faster as I get more confident.

Could not go round the block as there was a loooong queue for the never-ending roadworks so I came back again via Tattingstone.

Stopped by the RHS for a quick photo though.

The in the afternoon sun the E-type as load luger to the boat.

Then finally after the clouds had gone away the Alpine out too at sun set.

And lo- the roadworks are finished - so that should be be better now.

Utility Stuff

Collected the SAAB in the dull morning light and ran it to Harkstead for jobs as the clouds rolled past.

No 'Fire in the hole' we hope

SAAB for jobs first thing - well to buy fitting from Halfords - with Lotus Seven Club discount.

Then put the fire extinguisher stick in the Imp where I can get to it quickly. 

In the tool box under the drivers seat  - even cut holes so I could pick it up. Hopefully I'll never need to use it.

Then SAAB again parked up overnight for a meal.

Popular Chap

Thought I should clean the Imp plugs and check fluids so we were ready for a run to Felixstowe - but should we use the A14 and the Orwell Bridge ?

Well the fluids were fine but the plugs were covered in oil - but on the outside - the plug itself was fine.

So we decided on the A14 route and it was great - it helped there was a slow farm vehicle already there but the road was smooth and the 50 mph we did fine.

The run through Felixstowe was the worst bit with traffic light etc. oh and getting into the car park - I might have scraped the frame on the bump.

The journey was to meet up with Anthony and his 1957 Ford Popular. So a few minutes after I arrived so did he.

The run back was ok but my plan to use more A14 was frustrated by road works so I ended up following him down the road.

Seemed to be making a different noise on the way home - 36 miles in total - oh and the bottom hose seemed 'sucked in' when I opened the bonnet. 

Then SAAB out to do recycling for the family ... and finally Mr E out for a spirited run in the dying sunshine. Hard to start (e.g. no fuel) but then it's been almost three weeks since it was started.

More SAAB trips

Moving mum to East Bergholt was the highlight - big and comfortable was the requirement..

Golf Out

MK2 out for a local run to Harkstead under the gloomy clouds.

Softly Sprung SAAB

Early morning moving a mattresses on top of the SAAB.

Then cleaned the Golf interior - lots of mud and stones everywhere.

Finally a dump run in the SAAB with another mattress on the roof.

Poor car does get abused - I really should clean that again as well.

Choose Golf

Well MK7 seemed to be the best bet for a run into Kentwell in the dull weather - even rained a bit on the way and when we were there.

Number 4 - Problem

Caterham out for a quick jaunt - it was looking unloved - and when you have to move three grasshoppers and a few spiders you know it is not being used enough.

Anyway the water pump sounded so bad I decided not to go via the petrol station and just came home.

Then I decided there must be enough time for another car. I toyed with the Imp or testing the Ferrari again. Chose the Ferrari as the clouds were a bit black and it did rain a bit too. Started well and went better. I also was followed by a Lotus Elan 2+2 for a lot of the way.

Well I knew what it was anyway.

ION: As Covid subsides in the UK, wildfires rage across Europe and other parts of the world - what next ?

Three out and three problems

Well first the Mk2 for a run into town. Can you guess where I went ?

Actually went well although the oil light and buzzer sounded for a bit on and off - the 'tap' to the dash sorted it though.

Then Ferrari out - the starter seemed to stick and the speedo was reading 20 mph - in the garage - started ok though after that.

Of course the roadworks are still there so we spent 10 mins getting through them with the temperature gently rising.

Finally an Alpine run tot he Marina for a quick walk as the sun had come out. 

A bit hard to start and a lot of spluttering - especially over the marina's bloody speedbumps. I suspect the car was sulking as we've cancelled the Summer trip to Spain. Too risky with C-19 restrictions changing unexpectedly. Ho Hum

 

Back in the Swedish rut

SAAB again for a couple of local trips in the rain.

Hoping for a few sunny days to come.

Drag back

MK7 back to Suffolk through roadworks and rain.

Never seen that before

A DKW Universal at the small Cirencester car show.

Actually lots of interesting cars were there squeezed into the square. Spent a lot of time talking to a couple of people - especially a chap with a MG PB and one with a modern Citroen C6 with added bonnet art.

National Dash

Off to the Sunbeam National at Thruxton circuit for a half day - but first we had to get past the cows on the road.

Quite a few cars there - including the Le Mans ones and a Harrington - but odd to be there without the Alpine.

Friday 13th - but no Horrors

Mk7 run down to LV for a few days - not a bad run either.

Then ferried around in a battered A3.

More SAAB times

Early Swedish jaunt and then later afternoon one too.

Missed of the classic run in the evening due to admin.

Peaking out

SAAB back and off to meet up and discuss prep for Spain. I was later and not in a positive mood.

Nowhere to park in Bury either - so a crowded car park and a walk.

It seemed so small when I got back to the car park and set off for the return to Harkstead.

In the evening I even made time to pump up the tyres - a bit low but nothing critical.

Blue light SAAB

The day started well with fitting the blinds to the garage window. Looked quite smart.

Then Aston the recycling and the bank.

Finally I thought I'd take the MK7 to Harkstead and tea to clear the path for the Ferrari and the ECR meeting that night.

Seems all plans are for changing and it ended up with a swap of cars to the SAAB and a blue light run to the fracture clinic. No fracture just a lot of bruising. So SAAB back that night and a sleepover.

Odd cargo

SAAB out a couple of times again - rain and thunder storms rolling about.

Delivered this weird cargo too.

A ball, a raincoat and a set of circle cutters.

ION: Wildfires sweep Greece and Siberia - and we're told it's just going to get hotter.

Airport Sir - that's £7

Picked up the Golf Mk2 - at least James had run it this weekend.

Then drove J&P to the airport in the MK7 - £7 just to drop them off !

Then a quick run to town as well in it. All working fine after the trip to the garage.

SAAB Ubering again

Just a couple of trips by SAAB as the rain came and went.

A short visit

Popped into the garage for a snap between the showers.

Then SAAB as Uber to pick up James from the station.

Running before the rain

Decided to get the Imp out as the weather is changing bad again.

Harder to start but went well once we were going, until we were turned back by an accident on the Manningtree road.

Then E-type to the marina - came back to find a chap looking at the car - seemed to make him happy.

Dust Up

SAAB run to do my driving 'experience' near Silverstone. About 260 miles for a bit of fun.

It turned out that I was better at the off road course in the Suzuki Jeep than I was at power slides.

Then the Alpine off to the Rootes meeting in the evening. A great looking Mark 1 Alpine joined us but ended up parked with another car club - gosh it was busy - everyone wants to get out at the moment.

He parked next to another period car whilst I parked behind a Tiger.

Another Eco Warrior

So SAAB first thing to town, then lift in MK7 for jobs.

Afternoon run in the Alpine though.

But the theme seems to be the Ferrari twice in 2 days. This time to the bottle bank.

Seems to make an odd noise before the oil warms up in the differential.

Another Fezzer Day

Afternoon run in the Ferrari - as the black clouds swarmed overhead.

I tried to get the Red Black and Yellow in the shot.

A Ripping Yarn

'The follies of our youth are in retrospect glorious - compared to the follies of our old age'. Not G K Cheston as I thought, but Michael Palin in a 1976 TV comedy.

So my folly was to volunteer to take the E-type off to Southwold to show a 'friend of a friend'. It was looking grim when we set off and got grimmer as we went and I was wondering why I was so keen to show it off. Hubris ?

Anyway as we got nearer the weather got better and we missed most of the rain and pottered into a very busy Southwold High Street. The reward was that we were allowed to park inside the Hotel grounds and delighted the chap who wanted to see it.

Perhaps this is just the start of a Ripping Yarn - Tomkinson's Schooldays in fact - but it ended well with our safe return home through a bit more rain again.

As to last month's scores, a surprising win for the 308 - the run back from Halstead and the show at Culford account for that, followed by the E-type again.