Wednesday 22 August 2012

I cannot get the pictures up so will just tell you what we got up to. The day started at Lands End at just after 9. We first reconstructed the photo of 1912 outside the hotel before moving the car so Ian could be taken with the lighthouse in the background. Verification that we were indeed at Lands End! Kevitt and Sue had come to see us in their 1959 Singer (please forgive me if this is the wrong date - the photo will let everyone know once I can upload it!) and it was great as Kevitt had spent the last year getting it back into magnificent condition after 30 years of its retirement. So, with the three great grandchildren and Ian at the wheel, we set off for the open road. Now many will know that there are some pretty steep hills coming away from the coast and everyone was approaching the thought of them with trepidation. The 1907 had already been unloaded of all it's extra 'ballast', all tools, spares, bits and bobs and spare twine having been packed into the trailer. 100cwt lighter, progress was remarkably swift and the sunny, rolling countryside whizzed past us. People tooted and waved - we felt good! Just before the serious hills started, we shed the two great grandsons, and Ian and I went on alone. Fortunately, they were not left on the roadside to thumb lifts! On the two of us went until the largest of hills that day approached. Confidently Ian drove on and before we knew it we had reached the top - and still in top gear! (Good job I hadn't had that extra piece of toast this morning!) Having been going for about an hour Ian thought it would be time to stop for a cuppa, which we duely did. Quick look under the bonnet to discover the fan belt ball bearings and decided to roll out over the road as we travelled. Undetered, Steve drives on with Craig as passenger this time, whilst David and I are sent for replacements. As this is a CAR we are of course, sent to the BIKE shop for the bearings. Mission accomplished, we catch up with the intrepid travellers in a layby, where they have had to stop as the engine was overheating! Steve looks serious as he dons his work overalls and sets-to to make the repairs. Job done and off we go again for a few miles to the lunch stop at the layby just past Bodmin. Here we are joined by Simon and Mike with their gleaming black Citroen Traction. Stunning! And by our friend Rory and his daughter. Lunch over, Ian decides that as the weather is so good and 1907 is behaving so well, he will try and get beyond Okehampton by a few miles. Off he goes. Kelvin, who is cycling, is just about to reach us as we are packing up, so we delay our departure to have a chat with him - and feed him up for the extra 15 miles he will need to do on top of the 100 miles planned. He is thrilled, but does in fact make it in fine form, so HATS OFF to Kelvin. By 5pm we have reached the campsite near Cheriton Bishop with no further mishaps. All feeling very chuffed that this remarkable old car (and it's mechanic and drivers) has passed the first 115 with flying colours!

1 comment:

  1. Hello! Michael and Amanda here......
    Thank you to Iam for allowing me to ride with him in his magnificent car. I cannot believe that the Singer was actually nearly 50 years old when the Traction (that we came in with Simon) was manufactured!! Car amazing as was the company! Best wishes to you all for a safe and happy trip. A

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