What makes you grin? Antidote to grumpy thread

[Caffiend]

To save the sensitivities of those who are still in denial about the existence of the off-topic section, I won't link to the thread here. Tattoos thread. Not *quite* what I was expecting from the title

[daveb47]

Our christmas tree in garden,now about 35 foot high has about 40 pine cones on it all about a foot long..

We were given tree about 15 years ago when it was 2 foot tall & never expected it to grow.

[skattrd]

A mate of mime has (eventually) bought a Zil 131, and he said I can take it for a spin when I get back

[M'coli]

Our christmas tree in garden,now about 35 foot high has about 40 pine cones on it all about a foot long..We were given tree about 15 years ago when it was 2 foot tall & never expected it to grow.

Funnily enough, I'm currently reading this thread whilst sat on the bog...

[Station]

Toilet humour gets me every time!

 

 

That's brilliant! What an idiot lol!

[Lacquer Peel]

Our christmas tree in garden,now about 35 foot high has about 40 pine cones on it all about a foot long..

We were given tree about 15 years ago when it was 2 foot tall & never expected it to grow. P1000020.JPG

 

It looks like a Norway spruce, a tree favoured for commercial forestry because it grows very quickly.

[Lord Sterling]

Spent a couple of hours cleaning FATHA_Sterling's Volvo V40. I'm convinced he's not cleaned it since I was here last year. Not realising the enormity of the job, I removed probably a years worth of crud with an 11€ Top Wash, free hoovering at the car wash place, some car interior wipes. But at last I managed to get it clean again, and even though it was tipping it down wheb I drove there and it still is now, the weather did hold off long enough for me to give the car a good clean.

[Angrydicky]

Have just found out that a (very) local Austin enthusiast, and fellow Atlantic owner, now owns two more Atlantics. One a saloon, partly restored but an unfinished project. The other, a convertible imported from Australia, which needs a massive amount of work. He even wanted to buy mine, and asked for first refusal if I ever decided to sell it! He's also got three rotten Standard 10 vans, Somerset, Austin Metropolitan, Jowett Javelin and a Standard Vanguard from memory, crammed into a small unit in Westcliff.

 

Complete nutter. Makes me feel like my collection is sane!

[hairnet]

very crazy cumbrians

[beko1987]

Damn just sent a report for hairnets post containing my posted content, sorry!! Didn't realise until it said posting report rather than posting post

 

ZX derv hbol won for £3.98 inc postage!

[Cavcraft]

Wondered what that was about so have closed it now.

[phil_lihp]

Went for a run yesterday, on the return leg passed a rather ropey BRG Rover R8 parked at the side of the road, happened to glance at the bootlid as I went past and it's only a 220SLi!  Sad I know but rare and it's only in the next town.  Might have to put a note on it.  I don't need it and the paintwork is absolutely terrible but from the rather scruffy, dirty appearance it looks like it's being neglected and not long for this world.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Do it!!!! These cars need help!!!

[beko1987]

Wondered what that was about so have closed it now.

Sorry! Cheers!

[Gerald]

Had a Hillman Imp, a Singer summat and a 2CV based kit car in the car park at work today.

I spoke to the Cítron bloke and it's a galv 2CV chassis and running gear with a fibreglass body built by a bloke in Rochester.

 

Pics to follow when I Get ChAnCe.

[Gerald]

I spoke to the Cítron bloke and it's a galv 2CV chassis and running gear with a fibreglass body built by a bloke in Rochester.

 

Cheers Gerald, that narrows it down no end.

 

P.S. have you seen my cat? It's the grey and white one with four legs and a tail.

It usually hangs round the Barnsley area, mollesting Collared Doves...

Pics to follow when I Get ChAnCe.

[philibusmo]

I've just been for a raz about in the Lancia and took it at full tilt down my favorite "private test track." Usually a load of old people in Hyundais and Datsuns have managed to get on to my "private test track" and get in the way doing 40 - but today it was clear and I have a MAHOOSIVE grin on my face.

 

I tried out my Toshiba X-Sports on this drive, which is like a Go-Pro only much cheaper and I'm very impressed with the results. Picture is excellent and keeps up with whats going on, its just the sound that is a bit on the ropey side, but I might modify the case slightly and see if the sound is any better. I would upload the video to youtube but I think the police would want to see the people driving the other way, trespassing on my "private test track" and I don't want to cause a kerfuffle.

[beko1987]

I reversed into my space at work today and got the lovely aroma of hot cooking oil! Telling people that I drive a hybrid now, fuck you and your toyota pious...

[beko1987]

Found my massive flight case of CD's at my mums just now and filled the changer!

 

I have:

Sacred Heart - It's a Wonderful life (local band from peterborough in the 90's, was my dads boss, co-worker and 2 other people. Dad did the lighting at their pub gigs, I helped occasionally!

Nightwish - Once

Dream Theater -  Live Scenes from New York D1,2 & 3

Dream Theater - Systematic Chaos

Rainbow - Rising (for the cd slot in the head unit, only got 6 spaces in the changer)

 

It's hard work choosing cd's like it's 1997, I really should fit my crappy halfords unit and carry my entire collection on an SD card but I'd loose the nokia kit which is actually quite good, and it's got sub and amp wiring in too which is all done rather well. May buy an aux adapter for it though and bin the changer in time.

 

All I need is one of these

and the phone to go in it and I can be wisked away to my dads car circa 2000!

[dugong]

 

 

 

 

Did anyone else know that a car manufacturer other than Vauxhall existed in Ellesmere Port? I didn't. 

 

I spent a fascinating 20 minutes at the Lymm Historic Transport festival yesterday soaking up the history of DRK Cars, a small company formed in 1986 to build three-wheelers. Although demand was high, production on the Rossmore Industrial Estate was slow, ceasing in 1993 after 58 cars were completed . Mechanicals aside, everything else was hand-made to customer specifications, including the steel chassis and aluminium body. DRK decided on Renault mechanicals to keep a narrow frontal area. To that end, 1108cc and 1289cc engines and front clips were employed from the 4 and 5. Column and floor change gearboxes were available, and several DRKs left the factory with Gordini units, making for lively performance.

Club DRK was formed while the cars were still in production, and they attend most Cheshire classic car meets. I was a bit ashamed, really - my family have been into Renaults for years on end, and I thought I knew most county car history. I think the closest equivalent would be a contemporary Lomax. 

I quite fancy a Gordini-engined DRK on Gottis. That, and not having to use my camera phone.

[chaseracer]

The 205D averaged 53mpg on the last tank.  Considering I drive it as if it were a 2CV, ie. pied au plancher, that's more than acceptable.  Let's see if a dash of 2-stroke makes any difference...

[chaseracer]

Did anyone else know that a car manufacturer existed in Ellesmere Port? I didn't.

 

 

[dugong]

 

 

Other than Vauxhall, I mean!

[rml2345]

Those DRKs look like great fun. I bet a Gordini example is an absolute riot on a twisty back road.

[Cavcraft]

Did anyone else know that a car manufacturer other than Vauxhall existed in Ellesmere Port? I didn't. 

 

I spent a fascinating 20 minutes at the Lymm Historic Transport festival yesterday soaking up the history of DRK Cars, a small company formed in 1986 to build three-wheelers. Although demand was high, production on the Rossmore Industrial Estate was slow, ceasing in 1993 after 58 cars were completed .

 

I worked on Rossmore Ind Est between about 1988 and 1993. Never saw or heard anything about these soz, but I was probably busy trying to set the land speed record in my yellow Transit pick-up and avoiding any actual work as such. 

 

 

 

 

*Edit. Also making me grin was being equal first on a Strava section through Delamere Forest on my mountain bike at 41mph today!

[mat_the_cat]

 Also making me grin was being equal first on a Strava section through Delamere Forest on my mountain bike at 41mph today!

 

I had a big grin moment when I got a KoM on one of the tough climbs in Coed y Brenin couple of weeks ago. I'd been gradually working my way up the list, so went on a short ride purely to go balls out and get the first place. It felt a bit hollow when I realised the guy I'd beaten had done it as part of a 40 mile ride, so he was *probably* pacing himself rather more than I was

[Cavcraft]

One of those things though. I'm 8th out of 875 (or something like that) on a road section near here that involves a long descent and a half decent climb. The bloke that is KOM averaged it at near on 50mph, it just hasn't happened I reckon. I mailed him and politely asked what his secret was, but he never got back to me. It's possible he did it but he should be in the British cycling team if he did. If I was to be cynical I'd suggest he'd done it in his car, as his other times are all pretty average.

 

Anyhow with the right build up (traffic, traffic lights and current fitness) I reckon I could crack top five on my Wilier if I'm absolutely nailing it. We'll see though! 

[philibusmo]

I got on the bike for the first time in about 5 years yesterday. I did about 6-7 miles at a reasonable pace and I was surprised at how easy it was. I was expecting all my leg muscles to asplode.

 

When I got home I was walking about all pleased with myself and how unexpectedly fit I was right up until I decided to go up stairs at which point I learned what it would be like it my legs were made of liquorice and jellied eels.

[mat_the_cat]

If I was to be cynical I'd suggest he'd done it in his car, as his other times are all pretty average.

 

I once forgot to stop Strava logging, and set several rather impressive records on my way back home in the car. I removed them though!

[dugong]

Those DRKs look like great fun. I bet a Gordini example is an absolute riot on a twisty back road.

 

They meet up every month at a pub in Antrobus, which isn't far from where my folks live. I chatted with Rob Callister (he built the cars with his brother Brian) and I might see if I can blag a go in one.