♻️ Grizz’s ~~ ASTRO Van 🚙 Renault SCENIC 1.5dci 🚙 1966 Chevy C10 🚘 1991 Oldsmobile 88 🚙 1999 Škoda Felicia Cube Van 1.9d 🚐

[Westbay]

When you first showed the panels I thought, nah never going to look good, I'm happy to be proved wrong ! well done !

[grizz]

24 minutes ago, Westbay said:

When you first showed the panels I thought, nah never going to look good, I'm happy to be proved wrong ! well done !

Ton of work to be done still. 
 

But thank you.  

[grizz]

So……..

 

Carnivores.

 

Beef biltong, it seems like I have it figured out for my and other peoples palates.

 

CHICKEN……. 

 

On the other hand.

 

Fills most of us with fear.

 

Chicken Biltong??

 

Unknown for most people.

 

Me included.

 

So of course I had to try making some while I was making John’s batch of beef biltong.

 

Bought 1.6kg skinless chicken breast with a long best by date of about 5-6 days.

 

Cost: £6.55/kg

 

 

*Washed the breasts under running water.

*Dried them with paper towel.

*Sliced into strips [ FIRST LESSON Keep strips even thickness]

*Laid out flat on salt base, cover in salt

*Leave salt drawing liquids out for 30 minutes [ Beef I do 20-25 minutes]

*Wash salt off in a bowl of vinegar

*Dry strips again, lay out flat

*Cover in my “secret mix” of spices

*Rub in spices

*Attach to hooks [I use a single stainless steel Tig welding rod ]

*Hang out in drying box with no contact between pieces

 

WAIT WAIT WAIT

 

I actually took most of the chicken out after 72 hours on Sunday and tasted it.

Pedro tasted it

Sarah tasted it.

 

We all loved it.

 

I shared the harvest between the three of us.

 

This morning (Monday) John is here to collect his harvest of beef after 90 hours. I will let him taste the chicken as well and.

 

All in all, I will say that the CHICKEN BILTONG is a definite success. 

 

Pics below.

 

Last night, Pedro was outside in his shelter, smoking and surfing the web.

When he came in, he declared that winter had arrived.

 

 

 

 

.

[grizz]

Well, Pedro cane in a couple of nights ago and confirmed winter is here. 
3’C or 45’F outside now. 
so smoking in his rocket is probably less pleasant. 
 

So I have cut to shape a waterproof patio cushion and made a small low down stable door to cut the wind chill down when he has the vinyl leatherette curtain drawn at night or during the day on weekends. 
I am also investigating thin insulation to add behind his back at seat height. 
found something, but need more of it.  
 

Current result with door screwed in place. 
 

.

[grizz]

Bryan “Daisycat” in Ireland sent another batch of his paintings done using observation and humour to capture moments from my life and friends who touch it. 
 

For those who don’t know, I will write a bit of comment and identify them. 
 

Woody the green ex Forestry department C10 PaulY has been building. It will be brutal. 

GlenAnderson and his “Infamous” BMW diesel powered Land Rover 

CraigRK’s Grey 47 Chevy Fleetline or Aero Coupe known as “Lil”  (his grandmother’s name, she had one) 

Fil “Sparkplug” behind bars when we helped CraigRK dismantle his stable block and move it 100 meters to his property  

A video screen grab of me showing Sarah’s Makita electric chainsaw running  

My favourite is 80 year old Mickey riding a suitcase (future project) Always game  

Then there is the Astro van with messages on it about side quests not being cool 😂

Finally a two sided coaster with two previous projects represented…… Canta LX and of course the Rezin Rockit  

 

Once again, mind blown by both Bryans kindness to do these, and of course his skill and keen eye and observation skills  

 

I will be forwarding the individual paintings to their intended recipients  

 

Life is Good  

 

Obviously  

 

.

 

[Bmwdumptruck]

Just brilliant, what a talent. 

[grizz]

12 hours ago, Bmwdumptruck said:

Just brilliant, what a talent. 

Absolutely. 
 

And I feel humbled that he feels me worthy of the time it takes to create them. 

[grizz]

My friend Sarah the widow, was going for surgery to both her hands and fingers today. 

 

She mentioned hating being in theatre clothing with no underwear and the ability to kill for a coffee and toast in an early morning text. 

 

 

So I replied. As a good friend should. 

 

 

 

 

I didn’t want to mention your lack of dignified or sexy whites 😉

What sort of masochist decides that wrapping your dignity in crinkle paper is a good idea? 

 

Toast, yes, the click of the toasters spring popping up and shooting its load for you to grab with eager fingers, not gripping too tight in order to prevent third degree burns, racing over to slam it down on the hard, uncompromising surface, gabbing a steely cold knife, spreading the fresh, golden butter and seeing it melt away, before plunging that knife deep into it’s hot, glistening surface and cutting it apart. 

Lifting your treasure with still smarting fingers, up to your mouth, lips open, tongue reaching out to guide that first bite into your hungry mouth. The smell of fresh coffee wrestling for superiority with the smell of the hot toast. 

 

Heavenly. 

 

Shit !!! 

 

You’re Nil Per Mouth 

 

Bugger. 

 

Gotta wait. 😂😂😂😂😂

 

.

[grizz]

Yesterday Morning 

-3’C outside. 

Typically….. Perfect timing for thingd to go wrong. 
6.30 Pedro texts me (I was awake in bed) His car won’t start. 

So get up, get dressed, garage, battery, cables, connect…… 10 minutes later, Vroooom !! 

Obviously you don’t know Pedro, but being on the spectrum is his Super Power (as with a few of my friends)

So before rushing off, he asks me to find, order and buy him a replacement battery 

I come from the school of thought that batteries die at the most inopportune moments. Like 6.00am at -3’C or 28’F 

So replacing them is a given. My dad taught us that. 

 

So I looked online and then headed out via a few auto spares places. 

 

Online, GSF had the correct YUASA battery with a 5 year warranty at a decent price including a discount. 

 

Took a silly pic to send to Pedro to calm him down 😉

 

When he got in at 5.30 we fitted it. 

 

Happy guy. 

 

When he came back from his night shift (he works an hour at night between 8-9pm) filling diesel concrete heaters and doing an inspection of the grounds, always scavenging for dropped and disregarded stuff from off site visiting contractors, he brought a gift. 

 

When deciding on the battery, which is also linked to the disposable nature of his Fiesta, the 5 year warranty was part of it, the other part was that Pedro said he was hoping to continue working on the contract till summer 2029.

 

So I guess I should be thankful for a constant income stream and actually a nice, honest, trustworthy guy compared to some that have passed through here over the years. 

 

Tomorrow morning I have former lodger John bringing his oldest daughters car for me/us to work on. 

Replacing both complete front control arms and replacing the rear brakes. 

 

We start at 10.00 

 

Today, at 10.30 it was cold outside. 

 

Wish us warmth. 

 

 

.

[grizz]

I have just come up from moving shit about for two hours. 

 

From this to that and no difference. 

 

Chatting with Dennis, as we do every day, he suggested that it would take up less space assembled. 

 

Friends ehhh. 

 

I was out shopping in the Astro earlier. 

 

Funny how much attention it continues to attract. 

 

Stopped at UncleBob to measure up a petrol scooter for dimensions, for my first winter build as well. 

 

He always walks around it, ostensibly to check if I have damaged it yet. 

 

 

.

[Westbay]

Dennis is wise beyond his years ...  🤣

[grizz]

On 22/11/2025 at 07:37, Westbay said:

Dennis is wise beyond his years ...  🤣

Well…….

 

He is is shit stirrer 😂😂😂😂

[grizz]

Tonight was a triumph. 

Well, F#€£ me, that was restaurant level food. 
I used a cheap Asda/Walmart seafood mix, Thai green curry and fresh egg noodles. Chopped Mushrooms, onions, stirfried. A can of Coconut milk on top. 
Served up with fresh ground black pepper. 
30 minutes start to finish. 
If a woman put that in front of me, I would check my pocket to see if my condoms were in date. 
That plate of food was a marriage proposal in itself. 
Just WOW !!!!

[stuboy]

15 minutes ago, grizz said:

If a woman put that in front of me, I would check my pocket to see if my condoms were in date. 

i like that....

[grizz]

Saturday John and his daughter came over by 10.30 

Coffee, chat and by 11.00 I rolled the jack under the car. 

Modern, 2017 Vauxhall Mokka X or in America it’s known as a Buick  something 

 

Long story short…..

 

Last MOT on this car had advisory on rear brakes, front ball joints. 

 

John decided to replace complete lower control arms, 3 bolts and rear brakes shoes. 

 

I “helped” with coffee, tools, reassembly etc. 

 

Without space for two guys, I got some rubbing compound and polish out and fixed a few fender and door scrapes. Small things, make s difference. 

 

5.5 hours later they drove off. 

 

In both cases, the first side was longer than the second. 

 

But, another job done, karma bucket hopefully topped up. 

 

.

[93fxdl]

On 26/11/2025 at 16:37, grizz said:

 

this needs taking out of context and given a title

Think your karma bucket must be overflowing 

Ttfn glenn 

[grizz]

Today you tell the story about the pictures. 
 

What happened??

[grizz]

Walking home. 

 

Problem solved later. 

 

£150.00 solution 

 

Prop shaft found on the side of the road walking home……

 

Yes, I am going to dig it out today. 

 

.

[grizz]

Today…..,

I am spray painting insidemy lounge.  

You know I have no woman no crime. 
Unsupervised and not responsible. Painting some hubcaps indoors. 
I have decided to go with the Wicked theme.

Green Hubcaps and Purple body.  

I think it will work out if I don’t get arrested .

 

 

 

[grizz]

Right tool for the job? 

 

[grizz]

Those who have been paying attention here will know that there is no romantic connection between Sarah (the widow) and me. 

However, I do enjoy her company and the fact that she gets on with life and makes me laugh, and she seems to get both my sense of humour and is always ready to kick me in the ribs.  This is a significant compliment in my world.  

 

She essentially adopted her late husband’s grown up sons and grandchildren, so looks out for them. 

 

Recently she asked me to keep an eye out for a used lawnmower for her. 

 

I am a great fan of £50.00 mowers, though that benchmark seems to have moved up to £80.00 for the Mountfield mowers I like.  The older ones come with a Briggs and Stratton “EasyStart” motor. 

 

So I kept looking, a few of the £50-80 mowers I messaged about were sold fast. 

 

Then this snotter came up…… 

 

One terrible photo and a spectacular description. 

 

So I messaged the seller and fetched it at 09.00 yesterday morning about 30 minutes from home. 

 

Started it on the sidewalk, put it in the car. 

Came home, cleaned it’s chassis and grass box. 

Managed to let some oil and fuel end on the floor. 

 

I think neglect, not over use was this mowers problem. 

 

Then I had coffee and a donut (Thanks Pedro) 

 

 

Part 2 later. 

 

 

Off to fetch an adult sized push scooter now. 

 

.

[Westbay]

"Those who have been paying attention here will know that there is no romantic connection between Sarah (the widow) and me. "

 

Strikingly similar phraseology to 

 

" No, not a project..."  😇

[grizz]

15 minutes ago, Westbay said:

"Those who have been paying attention here will know that there is no romantic connection between Sarah (the widow) and me. "

 

Strikingly similar phraseology to 

 

" No, not a project..."  😇

 

YUP………

 

And we know how that ended 😉

[bezzabsa]

420HP for a lawn mower...not bad!!! 🤣

[grizz]

£5.00 can still buy happiness. 
 

I picked this up for Scott, the kid who bought the tricycle from me a while back. 
It should go well with his Skoda/VWCaddy  pickup at shows. 
 

Adult sized fun. 
 

 

.

[grizz]

So on to part two of Sarahs lawnmower for Haydn

When I messaged the seller, I already knew that I was going to have to put lipstick on that pig. 

Just not how much lipstick would see the pig riding in a pumpkin carriage drawn by eight mice. 

So, after cleaning it up, I put it on my operating table. 

Completely lost the plot……

Removed the wheels 
Put it on blocks 
Grabbed a heat gun
Removed all the stickers 
Flap disc grinder, then. 
Knotwheels of truth. 
Thinners wipe down
Panel wipe washed
Masked up, taped up, 
Red oxide primer
Grey primer/sealer
Coffee break

Part three coming soon.


.

[grizz]

So we get to part three.

Obviously I don’t have heating and work in the open. So 5’C plus a breeze gets chilly. 

Spray paint…?
Sure, just warm it up. 
So heatgun used to warm the job
Then apply paint and heat again. 

Once the primer was down, I heated it all and then walked away for 30 minutes 

During this time I had a coffee and painted some hubcaps indoors. Remember that?? 

Green seemed like a great idea. 

Then back to the garage. 

Start all over and heat it all up and start with colour. 

Purple…… !!!! 

I love it, really love it. 

After drying the paint, I reassembled the wheels and said hubcaps. 


Showed Sarah……

She responded positively. 

As you can see in the screenshot. 


Tomorrow I will hand paint “Why so Serious?” By hand on the chassis. 
Hopefully that works out. 


.

[ruffgeezer]

Love it, I'm sure there is the same model in a hedge in my brother in law's garden, it'll be beyond fucked now sadly as I seem to recall him using it more like a battering rsm than a mower!

[grizz]

7 minutes ago, ruffgeezer said:

Love it, I'm sure there is the same model in a hedge in my brother in law's garden, it'll be beyond fucked now sadly as I seem to recall him using it more like a battering rsm than a mower!

My mowers get zero sympathy. 

I am not naturally destructive but mowers must MOW. 

 

I have found Mountfield being pretty robust. 
 

[ruffgeezer]

Yes, inrather fear he uses his as a way beyond its capacity - the length his grass gets to he'd be better with an Allen Scythe!