First start in anticipation of Spring

To be fair, it was Brooklands Austin/Morris day yesterday and I would not really have wanted to miss it. But it coincided with Mother's Day! I have to prioritise the ladies in my life and Amy came last!!

But since I was visiting, it seemed a good opportunity to fire her up. Took a while to pull fuel through and spark, but within probably 20 rotations oil pressure was up and ticking over nicely.

Just left her running for 10 or so minutes to get the choke off and then a few revs to blast out any carbon.

So looking forward to the clocks going forward and getting her back home. I think it will have been a very wise choice!

And to bed (second try!)

Planned to put Amy away last year, but it didn't work out due to a small petrol leak smelling the place out. Drove her the short trip across to her sleeping place today.

Today : Mostly Sunny
Conditions : Dry
Temp : 5°
Journey : Finchampstead - one way!
Distance : 4 miles

Night night! Probably until Easter, depends...

Welcome 2016 Driving at last! - Go Karting and Old Somerset in Bracknell

First nice day of 2016 that was at the weekend at least. Go karting run and straight back under cover. Fitted the trafficator chrome trim whilst she was out though.

Today : Mostly Sunny
Conditions : Dry
Temp : 8°
Journey : Woodley and back
Distance : 13 miles

There has been A LOT of rain at the start of this year. But only slightly damp under the covers, so happy enough. Started with ease after a 3 week lay off in the cold and wet,so also another reason to be happy. Nice to get behind the wheel again!

Last night with some friends over we were looking at old pictures of the locality again. Found another Somerset in one of the pictures. This time driving down a main street in Bracknell. No worries about trying to recreate that scene though - it's all been knocked down and bulldozed now!



It's apparently a picture from 1962 and it's interesting how (I feel) the Somerset and the A35 going the other way look out of place already, compared to the sharper lined cars around them)

Acknowledgement and any copyright to this Bracknell and a bit of Wokingham Flickr Album that was chocked full of great pics that we browsed!

Austin presents - Quiet Christmas and New Year - Driving-wise

The 20th Dec turned out to be the last drive of 2015. There were one or two days that Amy could have got out for a spin, but never bothered in the end! Bit different to last year where she was out and about in minus temperatures!

I bought a semaphore cover which has been missing since I got the car, so that tidies that little niggle up.

Also splashed out on a copy of the Austin 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee book. I've had an eye on one for ages and finally bought it. £50 didn't seem bad. Really good condition for 60 years old. It's the illustrations that caught my eye. But it makes for an interesting read too.

Sadly it closes with the words "We await the future with eagerness and optimism." I think most would agree that the road was mostly a slow downhill from there and the second fifty years ended in the final demise of Longbridge and the British Motor industry as a whole.

Shopping and dog walking trip - Sunshine and Rain!

Started off a nice day, forecast said sunshine and clouds all day and rain returning Monday, so possibly a last drive before Christmas was on the cards. Family day out - well three of us and Reggie anyway.

Today : Cloudy, Heavy Rain, Cloudy
Conditions : VERY Mild for December - but unexpectedly wet!
Temp : 12°
Journey : Farnborough
Distance : 24 miles

All started to plan until around 1.30, when it started to rain a bit. It died off again so didnt think too much of it, but by the time we had visited the shops, had a coffee and got to the park to walk the dog, then heavens opened on us mid-walk. First visit to Queen Elizabeth Park in Farnborough - so new picture in a generic woods setting. We got back to the car slightly muddy, very wet and me wondering if i had made a mistake bringing Amy out after all.

Windscreen wipers (smearers) on, heater (window warmer) on, extra air vent open and quarter lights open too!!. Ah the mod cons of the 50's!! They kept the windscreen clear enough inside an out to make a safe journey home!

During which the weather cleared, the sun came out and we gave the dog the rest of his walk at Ambarrow Court.

Amy just needed a light rub down when we got home and she's now back undercover, no worse for the expercience! Very pleasureable and quite fun in the end. I will need to clean the mud out of her interior on he next outing, but messy inside but better that than being wrapped up in cotton wool and not driven.

ACCC Christmas Dinner!

Christmas meal at the Kingfisher. Nice food, nice drink, good company. Oh and a dry night and following morning so I could easily justify getting Amy out for a spin.

Today : Clear Evening
Conditions : Mild for December
Temp : 8°
Journey : Kingfisher on the Quays, Mytchett
Distance : 21 miles

Journey 4th December 2015 - Work

What with the weekend weather being mostly atrocious, being busy at work it's been over two weeks of wet, wild, windy conditions and no sensible opportunities to drive Amy in over two weeks, I kind of like the fact that I still get the jitters when I haven't driven her for a while. But unlike the early days it's not a negative thing. I had no doubts whatsoever that I would have any problem. A squirt of EasyStart at the worst was my thinking. Didn't even need that!

Today : Sunny turning Cloudy
Conditions : Calm and Dry
Temp : 7° - 11°
Journey : Work and back with a couple of stops
Distance : 17 miles

Just noticed though - only ONE drive in the whole of November! No matter.