Turning Swedish

SAAB off to Stutton to fill with the old sofa body.

First though a quick trip in the Passat to drum 1/3rd of it that would not fit without more work.

Then filled with more wood etc. and off we went.

Then pm touched up the paint chips on the E-type and started the Imp to warm it up for a run.

Then SAAB to collect the scarifier - used a pallet as a ramp. Then took another pallet and matting to the allotment. Then the weather turned bad and it started to rain - stopping me taking the Imp out.

Instead I went to the boat to collect my old white roll-neck for tomorrow and the 1960's look.

More 1970's though I think - as I posed as a Swedish Architect - complete with 'man-boobs'.

More SAAB time

AM off to the dump with a car load.

Then pm Harkstead for a flue and C-19 jab. Finally back down the road again for Taxi duty. It needs a clean again now though.

ION: Tory mini-emergency-budget slashes taxes for the very well off planning to abolish the 45% rate - interesting re-boot of trickle down monetary policy. I give it three months.

Triple Wash - Double Bag

So the E-type gets its turn. Gosh how clean it come up with just some water, and then a dry, oh and the windows done.

Let's hope the weather holds.

Then I double bagged the Seven to try to keep it clean.

I was framed

Started with taking the E-type to the shops - just because it went so well yesterday - oh and to fill it with petrol for Sunday.

Hard to tell how dusty it is. Got three reactions - all nice of course.

Then after lunch a quick SAAB for loads to the allotment.

Then in the afternoon I looked at mounting a camera on the Seven. Umm. Not that easy. 

However it was time to go so off we went to get ready for the filming. Here we are in the frame.

Getting Katie ready for action

Time to give the Caterham a bit of love. Including blowing out the dust from the wings.

... and taking out the seats.

In fact a lot of love. Three plus hours I think and it's only a little car. Looked good though.

Another night in the car port for the E-type - but I did take it for a 'very spirited' run which it seemed to like.

Four Solemn Wheels

Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II today - here is the empty gun carriage before she was taken to Westminster Abbey.

Then afternoon SAAB run to Harkstead - renewing the routine.

It does feel like we've passed into the 21st Century now.

Not So Lucky

Early run off to the port and into more queues again.

This time we were almost last on and parked on the ramp - so due to be last off this time.

Queues through Boarder Control long again but eventually we were on our way home.

Reasonable run on quiet roads as the sun set behind us - although we did pop in for some provisions as the shops will be closed Monday.

Second Time Lucky ?

SAAB pointed back towards St Malo in the hope the vintage fair will be on this time. Cold but sunny start. Found easy and cheap parking on the road into the second swing bridge.

The vintage faire was actually on this time - and outside were a few odd classics, one vintage 1922 Citroen B2 Torpedo, pre-war rather than the 'war era that the faire was based around though.

On balance the event was not worth the €10 entry each but interesting never the less. 

Then long walk back and a visit to Corsair Frigate Etoile du Roya on the quay. 

Then one last supermarket visit just to round off the day - including a tank of 95 unleaded for 1.50 a litre - feels a lot cheaper than at home. 

Finally some packing the car (mainly booze) and into Dinan for an evening meal. 

Dinard Dining

Off to the coast again this time the other side of the bay at Dinard where we discovered a very similar TR2 in its garage with a Citroen Mihari (?). 

Then a long walk back across the town and coast - punctuated by lunch. Route took us all the way around the bay to somewhere we’d not found before but close to where we usually park the car. 

Then a stop at the diy shop for old times sake.

Joining the Chain Gang

It must be Dump Day so SAAB pressed into service as truck again off with the gardening waste. 

Then into St Malo looking for the vintage fair which we found starts tomorrow. Parked very close to the chain so had to be careful on the exit. 

However we did see a nice red TR2/3 on our way out although he was spluttering to get going. 

Then back via supermarket and now know not to bother with this one. 

So then Dinan and another supermarket and finally home again.

Don't believe all you read

I started the morning by by checking the internet for the SAAB fault and it told me that the engine light could mean “just get it checked” to “total destruction imminent”. Things to look at included check the fuel filler cap was on. Oh well. 

So we took the SAB into Dinan for a walk along the canal to Lehon. Seemed to go ok. I also checked the fuel filler cap before we left the car - seemed on ok too. 

Spotted a nice white Alfa at the port - looked familiar too. I'll have to look for it.

On our return to the car the check engine light was off. 

So SAAB home and we’ll see what tomorrow brings. 

That’s not good - x3

SAAB to the shops and then to the right bank of the Rance for a walk - both in 25+ degree heat and it’s already almost mid September. All over it was a nice area of small well looked after villages. 

Then a few short runs on steep village roads to see a couple of tide mills.

In the evening I took the SAAB out for sunflower photos and the check engine light was on. Umph. Not sure why of course - but no other symptom are obvious so we’ll monitor it. 

And the other two ? Dull stuff: a rumbling tooth and an investment call.

That’s not junk

We’ll it was true - we we’re off second and through passport control third just beaten by an RV and a chap on a bike.

First stop to buy breakfast after 1 mile - only to find because we were so early the supermarket was not yet open. 

So several SAAB trips during the day starting with a picnic at Saint-Briac-sur-Mer where we found a table near the car park - very civilised and very French especially as several of them had brought table cloths.

On the way back we visited a ratty junk shop with nothing worth even looking at in it. Highlight though was the nice classic Purgeut 204 that turned in before us and parked outside. 

I hope he had more luck finding something. 

Then another supermarket run for bit more shopping.

Autumnal Morning at Last

Cleaned the heavy dew from the SAAB in preparation for packing. Make it come up clean again though. 

Then usual packing for France - although we seem to take less each time we go out these last few years. 

The rundown was fine with light traffic all the way until we got to RHS Wisley - chaos there as every man and his dog had come that day. We found out after we’d been directed to the 'overflow of the overflow of the overflow' car park that they had a flower show on - well I'd not spotted that when I looked.

We got out eventually having queued for the exit too and the run down from then on was fine. Loading was slow-slow-slow and we we virtually the last car on. Eventually left about10 minutes late but no need to worry because... 

We were parked at the very front of the boat - so we thought …

... here is our chance to be off first !

SAAB shuffle

SAAB out and about early afternoon to Harkstead and then early evening to drop off the saw at Stutton and stuff the car with loads of old boxes... Why again ?

Well some of them have been with me man and boy !

Why 50 ?

Went to fix the doggy SAAB indicator first thing. Only to find I'd still got the boot full. Dho !

Then had to put everything back on to take the car to buy a new bulb as it was a special orange on with different fittings. So it got done in the Halfords car park. Seems to work.

I also topped up the petrol and decided to get it washed for it's work - even though it was due to rain - especially the wheels. Having done that it looked quite smart again.

I then checked the water (fine) Oil (fine) and tyres - WTF the fronts were 50psi ? How did I manage that ? I suspect the last time I pumped them up was in France at Leclerc's - so I'll have to watch that gauge.

Then of course it rained. Ho Hum.

SAAB and Showers

SAAB to the Heath again - hopefully the last time in a while - as the skies got darker.

Made it back with the rain following on - and the indicator is still on the 'blink'.

So no classic car action today. However I did check and I had an old picture of the clutch slave cylinder in another position ...

ION: Queen Elizabeth the Second died this evening - we're sailing into uncharted seas now.

Choosing sides ?

Investigated the Alpine clutch noise first thing and found the bar that pushes it (the one I made) was fully extended. So I adjusted it a little - so it was not so engaged when the clutch pedal was fully depressed. 

A little test drive and no noises so far. 

However - I don’t remember it being so extended when I fitted it - so is it slave cylinder fitted the wrong side of the ridge ?

Then ride in Golf to the Creek and then the Allotment.

Finally a night time adventure to the RGEA meeting.

As you can see it was light when I arrived - spot the white Tiger in the background. 

However it was very dark on the way home - nice and warn though still wrapped up in a couple of coats.

So the noise ? Nothing back yet ...

Belting in the Chorizo

Bit the bullet between the threatened showers and got the Seven out at last.

It's actually only been 17 days since I drove it but feels longer. The cobwebs are testament to that.

Went shopping - as you would expect - to get the missing supplies.

Again I'll report it went well at speed but a bit 'lumpy' in traffic - about normal then.

ION: Another new Prime Minister started today as Liz Truss met Liz Windsor. So a new horsewoman joins the other four riding towards us.

Swaps and Runs

Moved the Alpine back to the car port and the E-type to the garage - after a nice run in it that was.

I'd also started the Imp as it has not been used - so that got a run out as well before the weather turned bad. It always troubles me to take it out - but other than a sticking speedo it is always fine.

Queues and Clutches

Alpine off to Glemham Hall Car Show first thing - via Glevering Hall first though to meet up with Chris and his Rapier.

Then queued into the show for a long time - saved by the heater fan which reduced the temperature a little - but also stopped it going even higher. This was the highest I've seen it though.

However in the queue it felt like the clutch was slipping - or something was still moving sometimes.

Quite a big show with some nice cars although they were a bit random - and it was so hot we left early.

Run back was easier although it still suffers from under-bonnet heat - I must lag the exhaust headers.

Oh and Mr. E left outside for another night - although it's warm again.

SAAB and Swapsies

SAAB out am to attend a small car gathering in Felixstow behind the arcades.

An odd but not un-interesting collection to look at. I might get one of my fleet there next time.

Then SAAB to Harkstead and back - somehow I did not have the umph to take the Caterham as planned.

Finally finished off cleaning the Alpine - gosh the paint work is getting worse.

so left it in the garage and swapped it for the dusty E-type which will have to stay out side tonight.

Mind you it still goes very well - as I found going around the block.

Two Swedes and an Italian run

Alpine out first and given a vacuum and then a clean - which it needed although it was mainly dusty.

Then SAAB to the Heath for a collection.

Then SAAB out in the afternoon for more wood.

Finally Ferrari out for fuel - still looking very smart even though its not had a clean recently.

II must admit that every time I go for a drive I wonder why I would get rid of it. Must add to the fleet instead !

Back in the groove

SAAB to B&Q for a wood run early morning.

Then a shuffle on the drive again to get the top box back in the garage loft.

That done it was a MK7 ride to the Stutton Brazill's.

Finally the Ferrari out in the evening sun to put things back on the boat.