Monday, June 28, 2010

Boating sunday

So where did we leave it? Oh yes, Jessica had scored an MOT and was basking in the sunshine. Well Molly did stirling work and passed her own MOT a few days later which made me very happy. It also got me thinking about how annoying it is to have two MOTs on the same day (funny at first then not so funny after the first year or so). Maybe I need to delay one or other of the fleet to save my nerves and put some of the enjoyment back in to the summer. Saying that I could always get one of them done early maybe? Anyway to celebrate Molly's sucess me and the kids toddled off to Musselburgh in Molly for a sunny day out and to meet up with my friend Nathan. Musselburgh is renound for a number of things, like horse racing and being an "Honest Town" (whatever that is). But for people like me, the big attraction is the Lagoons. These small man-made lakes are aparently a way of disposing of ash from the local powerstation, however they also serve as an excellent venue for water base activities for the people of the Lothians. When we arived the place was packed with canoeists and dog walkers (swimmers), so we squeezed in and launched our boat. Yup the old boat made it on to the water for proper run. Once I had set it up properly (of course I had the first go - I helped build it and I am the most grownup) Megan and Rory took it in turns. Rory wasn't that keen, as he was more interested in the tiny frogs in the lagoon. Megan however went for it in a big way. As you can see from the photos, the boat was nothing more than a white dot for most of the run. It was so sucessful in fact that it had to be rescued by a passing canoist when the battery ran out!



Sunday, June 20, 2010

Win loose

Jess has an MOT! But Molly doesn't...

Jessica failed first time round with a misaligned headlight and a leaking exhaust, that was quickly sorted. Molly has some similar niggles, but she can't get retested until Tuesday.


Wednesday, June 16, 2010

whiter than white....

Or more like white then white....

Monday, June 14, 2010

Its funny...

..how quickly stuff gets done when you get yourself organised and it stops raining.

I was on decorating detail this weekend, and as you know watching paint dry is er... dull so rather than sit drinking tea looking at my handy work, I was popping out to the garage to do little bits and bobs so before I knew it, Jessica has the tank in, rear light on and was ready to go on the ground again. Still lots to do but Molly can move around too now.

Flame on...

I took the opportunity to do a little pre-mot check on the fleet. Jessica seems ok (once I had sorted the brake light) but Molly has lost her screen washers. Might be time for a leccie one maybe?


Saturday, June 12, 2010

Its a question of logistics....



Classic car lifestyle all seems like fun, fun, fun, I know. You have this image of me and people like me just basking in the reflected glory of our trusty (or not so trusty) steeds. I must, dear reader at this moment shatter your illusion.

The entire fleet is road legal but due to a logistical problem no vehicles older than 10 have turned a wheel in a month.

Boo..

The reason is that Jessica campervan is getting her now traditional early summer restoration session - and here's where the logistics element comes in (you were wondering weren't you?) Jessica required some welding to the rear end, so I (rather wisely in my opinion) reversed her up the ramps and took the fuel tank out. And of course the Taxed, MOT'ed and Insured Molly is stuck behind her in the garage. So what's the plan to remedy this situation? Well it goes like this (in reverse order)
  1. Drive Molly out of the garage
  2. Move Jessica
  3. Fill fuel tank
  4. Refit fuel filler
  5. Refit fuel tank
  6. Finish paintwork behind fuel filler
  7. Do filling and priming
  8. Finish welding
So there we are - I'm currently at stage 7, but the logistics between me and step 1 are bugging me somewhat. Oh that and the fact that a pair of MOTs are due, so the next few days are going to be a frenzy of sanding, filling and painting (between rain showers). Watch this space!




Not just white - Halfords Appliance White (not Commer white then...)