Suite you sir.

As some of you may know, I have something of a retro theme when it comes to cars. The retro-ness often leaks into the house. As with many retro activities, timing is important, the best way to get the best in retro stuff is to do nothing but sit and wait. A few years ago, a friend of mine was clearing out his house and had an old bedroom suite to get rid of, not good enough to make the charity-shop cut, but too good for us to pass up. It turned out to be a slightly tatty walnut veneer set with wardrobe, drawers and dressing table. Well, since then it has languished in various rooms in the house, covered in junk. This weekend, after a ten year residency the suite has finally been reunited in it's rightful place - our freshly-decorated bedroom.

High Hopes...

Well last weekend the family toddled off to Fuerteventura for a week's basking the the sun, eating cakes and generally having a Summer holiday. Unfortunately, being a grumpy old man and ginger means that such a trip away would be absolute hell for me - I know because it was last time, and the time before, so rather than spoil their fun - they went and I stayed. So what was a chap on his own to do? Yeah you've guessed it, get in his camper van and head for the hills. Van + Man + Mountain.

As it was just me, there was no need to rush, so I took a leisurely drive up through the Trossachs to Glen Coe.

The plan for the Friday was to head up Bidean nam Bain. Now this was the first time I had gone hill walking on my on my own so I was a little trepidatious. As it turned out I needn't have been so worried. The mountain was quite tame.

Intrepid explorer?

That's Ben Nevis that is.

The route down, once I was off the main ridge, took me through the Lost Valley where some people allegedly once hid some rustled cattle. Well that I think someone was pulling someone's leg there. It was a bit of a pain with two legs and proper boots. No chance with 4 hooves. It was a remarkably beautiful place though.

The raging torrent which was rushing down the valley was an amazing sight (no chance for hooved animals)

Picturesque river. Just before I fell in!

There's a Commer in them there hills.

Once I was back down, tired and very very happy, I headed back to the camp site for a well earned shower and bottle of Pinot Grigio - a perfect end to a perfect day!

The following morning it was time to head home, so obviously I took the long route via Oban and Loch Fyne, and of course the oyster bar - rude not to!

Old van in Oban

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!

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.

whiter than white....

Or more like white then white....

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?

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...)