83C's Shite-esque Fleet: Let’s all stand in a hot field.

[83C]

A collection is in progress:

[83C]

And back. No collection pictures because I got a bit short of time:

[83C]

Had a bit of a ‘meh’ day today. 

As mentioned elsewhere I found that I don’t fit in a Mk.2 Citroen C4, which became a proper pain about an hour later when Mrs. 83C’s Tiguan failed the MoT. I’m usually ok at presenting cars for test but this time I missed the leaking o/s/r damper and both lower arm rear bushes on the front being badly split though in my defence they weren’t knocking at all and could only be seen when looking directly at them from under the car. Annoyingly that’s a 3 year run of 100% pass rate (over 20 tests) ended, must try harder. The Tiguan is now VOR until it can be got into the garage to sort, I don’t have time and nor do I have a press to get the bushes out of the mounts, which left me with a problem.

Mrs. 83C is not much keen on automatics, so whilst browsing Marketplace this afternoon a listing for a ***** appeared for cheap, and even better it was about a minute away from where I was collecting my daughter from school. It was also priced at easily roffleable levels so I was straight round, test drive done, deal done, and collection arranged for this evening. Mrs. 83C reacted to the news of her not having to drive an auto for the next week in her usual cheerful manner, asking “why the fuck have you bought another fucking car?’ She’s smiling on the inside, I’m sure of it…

[83C]

Well, I’m off on a collection mission again this morning. 

Just to tidy up the outcome of the last post in this thread, the mystery car that came and went within a week was of course the Fabia, now up for roffle again with the current owner.

It was a fun little thing but I’d already spotted something I quite fancied in the for sale section, from a manufacturer that I hadn’t owned an example of until today which in itself is becoming quite a rare occasion for me. 

So, usual morning routines then off to the railway station to catch the 1019.

[83C]

First station achieved. 

[83C]

Fucking great.

[Dave_Q]

They could just admit to it being late rather than adding in a load of stations with obviously made up names to try and account for some of the delay

[83C]

Right, off we go:

Engineering works overrun at Crewe, which delayed the driver who was supposed to come from Crewe to prep and bring the train off the yard at Shrewsbury. No standby or spare drivers on Sundays so delays are inevitable.

[83C]

Now to await train no.2:

[83C]

New MiseryRail train. Not been on one of these before.

Next stop…?

[83C]

Nearly there.

[UltraWomble]

Are you off to Purple Kens?

[83C]

[83C]

And home. Thanks again to @purplebargeken, the Saab drives very nicely. 

[83C]

It’s been an odd few months, and suddenly it’s become quite busy also. The house is on the market, my employment is changing, my needs are changing, and my available time is changing. For some time I’ve been fairly fortunate with regards to just being able to buy and sell chod as I please, the Saab being an example of this - I neither needed or could justify it, but it looked a bit of fun for a month or two. However with things changing I’ve got to get a bit serious about the state of my driveway, and be realistic about what time I have to do work on a large fleet of vehicles (or indeed a fleet of large vehicles) when I just need to minimise stresses. 

Added into that are jobs elsewhere, such as getting rid of the old Ibiza at the in-laws, something which was achieved this week:

Seen here on arrival at the bridge, just prior to a few spares being pulled. I did learn something during the move, DSG boxes don’t much like being towed. I’d sort of assumed that being an automated manual it would just disengage in neutral, but whilst it rolled easily something was definitely engaged somewhere because the person steering it reckoned there was a horrible burnt clutch smell and a bit of smoke by the time we got near the scrappy. It’s not been a complete loss, there’s a small stock of spares that have gone to be used on the white Polo that replaced it (mainly common plastics such as fuse covers), and a decent set of wheels and the battery which will fit when needed. 

Speaking of the Polo tomorrow’s job before I drive home is to replace the front n/s shock, lower arm and droplink because I hit a large pothole. The bushes in the lower arm were probably on their way out so this finished them off (some horrible thunks and bangs getting back to base after the hit) and the shaft of the shock now rattles in the damper body so something is amiss there. Just what I wanted to be doing on holiday. 

I know I need to be reducing the fleet but I’m struggling to let go of a couple of vehicles. My head says get rid of one bike (probably the Blackbird), the Tonga Green L322 and the Arnage. Of those I’m almost settled on the idea of selling the L322, but I do really like it despite it only being a stopgap while I sort the Buckingham Blue L322. The V8 is ruinous on fuel if used as a short journey daily, but it sounds ace and everything works. I can sort of justify keeping it until November because I need a big family car for a European trip that isn’t going to allow the authorities there to bum rape me for ridiculous emissions charges (taking the diesel L322 would rack up hundreds of quid in fines) but then common sense comes back and says I’m stupid trying to justify keeping the V8 and paying out on it over the next six months just because I need it for two weeks in October. 

The hardest machine to come to terms with the idea of parting with is the Arnage. It’s been SORNed for a year because I’ve not had time for it, and yet every time I look at it or sit in it I love it. I always promised myself I’d own a Bentley by the time I was 40 and I managed it, not with a cheap Eight or ropey T2, but an Arnage with the turbo 6 3/4 V8. I could sell the VXR8 instead but I like that car very much as well, plus it’s far easier to find parts for and live with. The Arnage is ready for MoT but I just never seem to get around to it. 

Anyway, that’s enough procrastination for one night.

[83C]

Today the Polo got some new suspension bits:

 

New lower arm, droplink, shock and topmount. I’d hit a substantial pothole on the road down to Perranporth which gave some fairly alarming rattles on the way back, turned out it had mashed the rear bush in the arm and damaged the piston in the shock - I could rattle the damper rod around with lots of lateral play and hear clunks inside. Still, a few hours later and all sorted. Just got the other side to do and then tracking next time I’m here.

[Cavcraft]

Are you having a change of career or just not driving C(heap)A(s)F(uck) trains anymore?

[83C]

2 hours ago, Cavcraft said:

Are you having a change of career or just not driving C(heap)A(s)F(uck) trains anymore?

A reduction in driving Call A Fitter trains, sadly not a complete step away yet. Working for the same company but a different location.

[Cavcraft]

1 hour ago, 83C said:

A reduction in driving Call A Fitter trains, sadly not a complete step away yet. Working for the same company but a different location.

Good luck, is it a house move job or commutable?  My 'acquaintance' has to go to Machynlleth now and then, amongst other places.

[83C]

Commutable, just. There is a house move happening too, but sticking with same area for schools etc.

[83C]

Another Day/Another Collection.

With the Saab gone to @Split_Pin and the Tonga Green L322 about to depart, it is time to collect the sensible daily that will replace them. So, to the station!

[83C]

Exciting* view.

[83C]

Onwards:

[motorpunk]

14 minutes ago, 83C said:

Onwards:

I’m firmly convinced that Welsh isn’t a language, but a sound the locals make just to annoy and confuse any visiting English.

[Coprolalia]

49 minutes ago, motorpunk said:

I’m firmly convinced that Welsh isn’t a language, but a sound the locals make just to annoy and confuse any visiting English.

Ah yes, a perfect opportunity to share one of my favourite videos, the Welsh alphabet song:

https://youtu.be/mu7KKdcgwZc?si=Tn8xHzNtAhVAQchf

[83C]

Bye then.

Changing trains at the massive set of female genitalia.

[83C]

And onwards:

[83C]

Another change:

[83C]

Off train 3, onto station 4 for a 40m fester.

[83C]

Awaiting the next chariot:

This will be the 4th train, from the 4th station, operated by the 4th TOC since I left Shrewsbury this morning.