Travel Preparations!

Travel Preparations!

By roychinnorNo Comments
"The following are the thoughts of the author, but not necessarily the practices" Without doubt the most enjoyable adventures that I have experienced are those where preparations were almost non-existent. This way of travelling means that you may miss many events, views, sites and even people, of interest, but the other side of the coin is that you discover just as many unexpected delights as well as people in their natural, cultural surroundings. I prefer not to know where I will be next week, or what I will eat, or what I will be doing. This type of adventure does require a total removal of time constraints however, no scheduled events, ferries, or flights to catch, and definitely no planned date by which you must be back at home. Very few people are able to unshackle themselves from these obligations and so I have assembled the following thoughts on what preparations are necessary for those that are time constrained, but would still like to be more adventurous....
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Cars That Rock

Cars That Rock

By roychinnorNo Comments
Although I can rarely think of a good reason to stay in the UK during the dark ages (winter), seeing my grand-daughters make it worthwhile. It was fortunate that I did stay here this year as a little before Christmas I was contacted by Back2Back Productions, the company that makes the series 'Cars That Rock', presented by Brian Johnson. Brian, of course, was the front-man for rock band AC/DC and is also well known as a petrol-head with a fine collection of cars. MG was selected as a marque that should be included in the second series of the program 'Cars That Rock' and I was asked if Bridget would take part. Of course she did, and the result can be seen on the Quest TV Channel on the 21st May 2015 at 9:00pm (BST). It was a fun afternoon filming the episode. I have no idea what Brian thought of Bridget, which of course he drove, but perhaps we will find...
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Red Is This Years’ Green

Red Is This Years’ Green

By roychinnorNo Comments
Yes, it is true, Bridget has a new set of clothes. Following her visit to the little red car factory and museum in Maranello she has been pestering me for a 'nice red outfit'. I have to say I think it suits her and clearly so do some of her fans. I have already received a letter from a young lady in Germany. I can't make out her signature but I think it is Michelle Shoemaker, back in history her family were probably all cobblers! Anyway she says she is currently working out her notice from her present employer and asked if she could drive my car next year? Of course I shall have to refuse her request as Bridget will be otherwise disposed. The new floor pan has been fitted and so all I have to do now is re-assemble everything with as few parts left over as possible. I am hoping she will be ready by Christmas and...
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Damage Repair

Damage Repair

By roychinnorNo Comments
All the examinations and problem diagnostics are over; it is time to rebuild Bridget in preparation for next year’s run. The experts have identified the damaged box structure of Bridget’s chassis, the distorted floor pan, and the damaged passenger seating anchor points. I now need to strip her down to the bare shell for the experts to repair and repaint. There is the usual gallery of pictures available of the progress made, stage by stage. There have been some surprises already and I am making some small changes to Bridget’s mechanics as I go along. These are mainly replacement of parts that are showing signs of ware, but also upgrading her timing chain to a duplex one. The surprises so far; when unbolting the engine mountings, one was found to have sheared off! So for the past six thousand miles she has only had one supporting mounting, which may have been the reason for the judder every time she pulled away. The second...
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Damage Analysis

Damage Analysis

By roychinnorNo Comments
Bridget arrived safely into Southampton on the 21st March and Alan and I fetched her back to Abingdon. She started first time which after three months without running was very good. She appeared to drive well for the sixty mile journey. I had arranged to take her first to Frontline Developments in Steventon to establish whether or not her body had been twisted when she was dropped. If so then the most probable remedy would be a new body shell. Alan noticed when following us back from the docks that she was 'crabbing', confirming what Bruce, in South Africa, told me. I wasn't hopeful. However, like a fretting father, I was worrying unnecessarily. Frontline pronounced that Bridget was one of the straighest Midgets they have checked for a long time. Her 'castor angle' is rather flat!! The castor angle is the angle, measured in degrees, formed between the axis of the kingpin and the perpendicular to the ground, looking at the vehicle...
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