Under, On and Over

Foot traffic first thing. Walking around the lakes but under the M42.

Then drive in it - busy and then the Coventry ring road to ... another National Trust House of course.

We went for a short walk first to explore the industrial heritage - well a stream with this ...

... and a Borris bike (or whatever they are called in Coventry) dumped in the weeds a few yards further before we found the viaduct so over grown it was impossible to see really.

Back again and walking around the house there was a Coventry motor club visit picture.

Now that looks fun - well for the driver it did. The Tri-Cars are from Coventry as they are Coventry County Borough registrations DUT 8 etc. so perhaps a Riley.

A45/M42 back and then home to the camp site on the small roads. Final SAAB run for take away that evening and that's the month done. 160187 on the milometer.

Just pottering again

Wet over night but the SAAB is holding up and still looking quite clean.

Anyway another day - another NT house and another garden. Thank god I'm a pensioner.

The only 'car' fun being the little Grey Fergie in the coffee shop.

I had to chase the kids off that to get the shot - although Sue was keen to have a go too.

So we went to go home, but as Antony (16 stone) got in the back there was a very loud bang. Nothing seemed to be wrong but I'd swear the car is sitting lower at the back - but on both sides.

It hammered down with rain in the evening with violent storms. Lucky we're not in a tent. 

Oh yes you are ...

Dull - turning wet wet wet

SAAB showing off the polish I put on the bonnet first thing.

We parked up at the Hall to be met by this acid yellow midget from the Netherlands - I think by the registration.

The run back was even wetter with the roads starting to flood. So that was that.

Packing on the Miles

The SAAB, us and all the gear (which seemed easier to pack) were off the the midlands almost exactly at 2:00.

The run was busy but fine but as we went West the skies darkened considerable although it was still very hot in the car. A quick change over at Kettering and off we went into the looming black clouds.

I noticed the car had just ticked over to 160,000 miles as I set off too.

Obviously I had to fake the pic but it was OK I thought as I was driving.

We hit bad traffic and the rain from the M6 onwards - but then it is a Bank Holiday Friday - oh and there is a Golf tournament on at The Belfry (or whatever) but we arrived in the dry.

Quickly unpacking and erecting the tent we were inside before the first showers hit. Finally complete by about 18:30

A quick late run for fish and chips and that was that.

Prepare for the Deluge

I looked at the weather for the weekend ...

It is not looking that good, so I started packing early to dodge the showers here. Mind you they don't appear to be arriving on schedule.

Lots more to go though. Eventually we had a few slight showers but not enough to wet the car really.

PM it was a MK7 ride to Harkstead and then and collect the lead from the boat.

Back home and it was still warm and sunny - so the E-type got a run out.

Other than the rattles and squeaks it is running very well. A pleasure to go round the block in it.

Finally I took the miles, but as I went around the cars I started the Aston. That started fine - twice. I'm going to leave it off the trickle charge for the weekend and see if it starts easily next week.

Miles wise - wow the Talbot was streets ahead - with it's Gloucester jaunt - at 425. Mind you the Alpine did over 200 again and the others were not too far behind. Alas the smoky Imp and the Troubled Aston were low scores.

Pick-up and Spruce-Up

MK7 to pick up the SAAB first thing - then once home I set about cleaning it.

First tyres - all needed air, then under the bonnet checking water (none) oil (a little) etc. What struck me though was the leaf litter under there.

By the time I'd cleaned both sides I had enough to fill the bucked to 1 inch. 

That done I gave the car a clean in the gutters before running it though the car wash and filling it up with petrol. I did spot another MGB (honest) but no way to take a pic.

Back home, I did the windows, door shuts etc. and then I cut and polished the bonnet. It was looking quite smart after that - if you ignore the multiple stone chips and rust on the wheel arches.

Then off to collect the top box.

Here we are - in Stutton again - so that was that.

But wait it is still sunny and there is time to take something for a run ... what needs it ?

Well, the Talbot had only been out once since the return from Gloucester more than three weeks ago - so it got released. The rattle from the dash had gone - although the door seems to be joining in again - but I'll count that as a success. The car went well and kept cool - I'd forgotten how heavy it is though and had to correct the path around a bend a couple of times.

Home again and packed away that was really that.

3 out of 3

I checked on Talbot battery 2 first thing and it was green to go as expected. Then Mk7 ride to Melton for walk and brunch. A bit cleaner than usual today.

Although in the shadow it is hard to tell. We then wandered into and around Woodbridge only to spot this in a garage.

Another tidy MGB - looking good - are they following me ?

Back to the Golf again and home. Then very dirty SAAB to our evening meal via the dried out road. The old Ipswich Road that went through Tattingstone and was covered by Alton Water is now above the water lever due to the extended dry spell.

After that excitement we set off, parked up at the restaurant, had our meal and took a taxi home.

2 in 2 and Smoky Imp

AM pottering - including trying to flatten the driveway a bit more in the grass verge.

PM though Ferrari out and about. I spotted this nice MGB GT V8 parked near me.

That's two MGs in two days. The Ferrari still trumped it in the V8 stakes.

Mind you I was watching the learner drive in the background as much as the car.

Next I took the dusty Imp out in the wind.

It feels slower or less responsive or something and is definitely smoking a little. Perhaps it's time for some professional care ?

Or at least a clean.

A Bus by George

We awoke after a sleepless hot and noisy night in Brixton to another warm and sunny day. We had a few hours to kill so we JUMPED ON A BUS and went to a market. 

So I used my free bus pass for the first time. When we got back we shot off to lunch in the MK7 - parking on the street.

Then we walked to the venue - which was fleet appropriate as before.

After Lunch another walk to the park and I spotted this tidy looking MGB on the road.

Good I thought, but that was the motoring highlight. The run back home was ok but punctuated by the usual 20 mins slow traffic at the Dartford crossing.

A tale of two chargers ?

The Talbot battery was still charging - after two days ? The Aston one was on full. But we were London bound so I left it there and just finished packing the MK7.

We had a fine run down - even over a bright and sunny Dartford bridge.

However we arrived in Brixton later than expected as even the South Circular was now limited to 20mph. After getting our parking pass and looking at the Porsche now parked outside the flat - with a subtle cover on - we set off into central London.

A quick hop on the tube to the Escher exhibition which was good - bigger than expected - with some nice interactive sections, but no cars ...

Then a later we went for a wander around a packed and warm central London with me spotting various cars - and registrations - like this Tesla.

Almost Tesla - then a BMW with this:

Almost Berlin ? Then a white Ferrari Roma which looked much better than the red one I drive a while ago.

I gave him a thumbs up which he appreciated. Then back to Brixton on a hot and very noisy tube and called it a day.

E=MC2

Well E - out twice least.

We started the day with the expensive deliver van. I took the long way around the block too. Car going like the wind in the cooler air.

Yes the E-type to collect some wine from town. The chap in the shop liked it.

Then after a bit of pottering I decided to try to start the Aston - the battery charger was on green.

She fired up first go - so I decided to go for a run. Oh that was good too. The car started twice again in the garage when I got back - although the key did feel hard to release.

Finally rain and wind predicted but it was ECR. I decided to risk it and took the  ... E-type again.

Mind you this was the most interesting car there.

I think the chap said it was a Riley 9 Merlin Saloon - sold from the estate of a local Riley chap.

Battery Boy

A nil points day.

I did pop the Talbot battery on to charge for a few days time but that was that.

It did rain a few times too so I expect that's it for the Summer now.

Route 66 ?

Ferrari up to Thorpeness for a Lads day out. The car looking good still after cleaning it a week early. I put some fuel in it on the way and the cashier was amazed it was almost 50 years old.

I picked one passenger up on Woodbridge as arranged and we scooted up country until we came to a halt five miles from out first stop. Looked like heavy plant was moving to Sizewell. We got there last which was a little annoying, but here we all are.

Four very different cars again. The Nova, an Audi R8 V10 GT Spyder, an MGB and finally the Ferrari hiding at the back. 4/10/4/8.

The run up was slow from this point though on the back roads, but I have to say the Audi exhaust note was epic. We parked up at Thorpeness Cafe - well after 20 minutes trying to get the parking payment system to work with very little signal - we did.

We let everyone admire the cars too. An elderly lady seemed to like the Ferrari a lot and asked to take a picture of it - obviously we said yes. When we were leaving she left too - only to find a parking ticked on her windscreen ... was she distracted ?

Anyway we moved some of the cars onto the 'Shell' carpark and had a walk into town and back.

I tried to take an 'arty' show of the MG but it was not that good - until I did this with it.

All done we went our separate ways and I let the Ferrari off the leash on the bypass for a bit. It sounded great with both windows open - really showing off the Webers.

So Route 66 ? Actually the route was 66 miles.

When did the SAAB Shrink - and Premium Delivery

Just an admin day - and jobs - getting glass and mountboard (bored yet) so trusty SAAB. I looked at the car when I walked back from the shop.

How small it looked. Some of that is perspective but really - that Audi was huge.

The job was framing the cards and it took most of the morning and some of the afternoon. Hopefully it will be OK. Delivery was the best bit though.

E-Type as van to Stutton.

Vanning - again

Oh well - AM pottering - a SAAB visit to the allotment for work and then nothing else.

PM the Van got out again, so MK2 Golf up in the Harkstead forest.

Then after the usual loading faff - off we went. Here we are at the Co-Op in Belstead.

And here we are a bit later at the RIGHT Co-Op in Belstead !

Who knew there were two. 

Back again and I was surprisingly knackered after all that - so I gave it a rest.

Pottering around in the evening I checked on the Aston - battery charger where it should be - but it was not locked. Pratt. "It is Now !"