Sunday saw Gill and I attend the Iceni MG Owners Club run. Meeting at Rougham Airfield Control Tower, home in WW11 to the USAF 94th and 332nd Bomb Groups. http://www.rougham.org/
We where entry 91 so a good few cars on the run around Suffolk. We enjoyed the Traditional pre-run Bacon Butties and Coffee available before the start, 4 CT members where with us and a couple of our Wales trip participants, one in a MG BGT and one in a Lotus 7.

Couple of Triumphs and a lot of MG's old and modern.

Lotus Excel at Rougham Control Tower.

With an excellent route book we waited for our start time of 10-45am then headed out into the country lanes.

Chasing the MG.

We enjoyed a good run, total of 85 miles on Suffolk roads, heading out round Bury St Edmunds in a loop, then through various villages towards Newmarket, past all the expensive looking race horse trainers stables, then out towards Clare and Cavendish and Long Melford.

Quick stop near Cavendish.

We completed the circular route back to Rougham in a fairly quick time, been some of the first back to the Airfield for a picnic in front of the Control Tower.

Picnic time.

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 21st May 2013 9:23pm gmt

Earsham Hall and Langley Shows

Earshall Hall Country Show

May Bank Holiday we attended our first show of the year. This was a new show at Earsham Hall, nr Bungay. Luckily we had lovely weather for the day which made a pleasant change. We had the usual club cars on show at Earsham Hall with the owners all glad to chill out in the sun.

Forget my camera, so here's some phone pics.

Usual Norfolk contingent.

Nice roller.

Couple of old coaches.

The rich boys had prime spot in front of Earsham Hall.

Military vehicles.

Was a really good day with non stop sun and blue sky. Not a great deal to do other than look at the cars and wander round the small auto jumble and craft stalls, but a good start for a new show and hopefully will be bigger next year.

Langley School Craft and Country Show
The following weekend was a lot cooler with blustery winds, usual story when we go to Langley School Country and Crafts show. This is normally earlier in the year but was postponed until last weekend due to bad weather.

Triumphs with a couple of XK8 interlopers, they brought Triumphs too.

Various classics.

Older classics.

Langley School.

Luckily we where able to get nourished with bacon butties on arrival. There was the usual crafty stuff to keep Gill and the girls amused. The guys had to make do with looking at cars, traction engines, miniature railway, and some boys toys of radio controlled boats and lorries, oh and real ale and BBQ food too. As with most shows nowadays due to Health & Safety overkill and Risk Assessment's we have to commit to stay from early to late, so the gazebo came in handy to shelter from the wind and the threatened rain although this held off.

Next up this weekend we have a run, the MGOC Iceni run around Suffolk which is always well organised with a choice of routes. Hope the weather improves.

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 15th May 2013 7:39pm gmt

MOT Time

MOT time for the TR7 again, prior to the MOT I got the parts I needed for the Brake master Cylinder, easy job to replace the seals and bleed the brakes. Checked all the usual things pre MOT, bit of a struggle with electrics, firstly the hazard lights which worked one day, not the next. Had a spare relay which cured the problem. Then the number plate lights and sidelights stopped working, which was a dodgy fuse and fuse terminal which needed cleaning up.
On the day it failed emissions so the garage had to back of the mixture and then passed it.
A few advisories, play in front wheel bearings, but no mention of the rear axle end play! diff oil leak and noise, and a couple of hoses that may need changing soon. I have an axle lined up via Mick Papworth but have to collect from Coventry. Also bizarrely the rear fogs cut out when high beam comes on, no clues on that one as I have not touched any wiring that may affect it and don't know how long it has been like that.
Glad its passed and out of the way.

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 14th May 2013 7:28pm gmt

Wales 2013 - Part 2

Sunday we awoke to a very windy day. we had plans to head to the coast but would see what the weather did.
We first headed off up the Horsehoe Pass at Llangollen,pausing at the top for a photo.

Top of Horseshoe Pass.

We then headed along good yellow roads to Lake Bala, it was very windy here.

Waves on Lake Bala.

We passed around the lake on a minor road before pulling over at the Bala Lake railway.
A few Triumphs in the car park here, I think it was Cheshire TR Register.

Selection of TR's

Good to see a couple of TR7's

Ex Llanberis Quarry loco on Bala Lake Railway.

We had a quick coffee in the station buffet, had a quick look at the trains and then headed across the mountains towards Dolgellau where it started to pour with rain. We pulled in at Dolgellau for lunch and a look around the few places open. After lunch we decided to skip the coast which would not be nice in the wind and rain. Instead we headed across towards Trawsfynydd, past the Nuclear power station and on to the slate mines at Blaenaau Ffestionig.

Wet Dolgellau.

Slate Mines.

Having had enough of the wind and rain (I have never been to Wales when it has not rained) we headed back to the hotel and spent some time in the Spa.

On the Monday we spent a few hours in Llangollen, weather much better, had a look at the canal moorings where we have been on Centurion, the moorings looked deserted for this time of the year.

Llangollen Railway Station.

Llangollen Moorings.

We left for Norfolk around midday having a decent run back home.
Enjoyed an excellent weekend with good company, although we feel we should maybe have stayed 5 nights like the rest of the group, 3 nights was just not long enough to do it justice.

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 12th May 2013 9:13pm gmt

Wales 2013

Gill and I took a car tour to Wales at the end of April spending 3 nights away. We where due to take the TR7 however the brakes have gone a bit spongy, as its an up-rated and sleeved master cylinder I am waiting for special piston seals from Past Parts who sleeved it, so it was the more modern MG TF we took.
Friday
We where based in the excellent White Pheasant Hotel in Llangollen. The organiser having done an excellent deal on room rates.
Setting of early on the Friday we arrived in the area around 2pm, we used the A5 from the end of the A14 which was a bit slow around Tamworth, Brownhills, and Cannock.
Off course been into canals we took a detour to Chirk to look at the stone aquaduct and a quick look at Telford's Pontcysyllte Aquaduct.

Chirk Aquaduct, railway viaduct alongside.

Pontcysyllte Aquaduct - the stream in the sky.

After booking in at the Hotel we spent the afternoon looking round Llangollen then joined our fellow guests for drinks and a evening meal, Welsh Lamb Shank, lovely.

Llangollen, River Dee and preserved Llangollen
railway station.

Spotted in Llangollen a large party of MG's on a tour.

Saturday
On the Saturday we took a long drive, first along the A5 to Corwen, then a good minor road to Llan Ffestiniog, then to Tan-y-Bwlch station on the Ffestiniog railway.

Road to Llan Ffestiniog.

Still snow around on Arenig Fach at 2259m.

Looking over to Blaenau Ffestiniog.

We had a coffee at Tan-y-Bwlch Station whilst waiting to catch a glimpse of the steam trains.

Ffestiniog up train at Tan-y bwlch, Replica Lynton and Barnstable
Railway "Lyd"

Double Fairlie "Merrddin Emrys" on down train at Tan-y-bwlch

We carried on to Porthmadog for lunch in the town and a quick look at the harbour and met some of our party of the train we had photographed. Other members had chosen Portmerion as a venue. we do not have a set itinary on these tours, each doing whatever suits them. We where going for the mileage award today.

Porthmadoc Harbour.

We noticed a train was about to leave Porthmadog for the Welsh Highland Railway to Caernarfon, reversing out of the station, then travelling forward along the street before heading off to Beddgelert.

Welsh Highland Train crossing Brittania Bridge in Porthmadog
drawn by Double Fairlie "Earl of Merioneth"

Double Fairlies have 2 boilers
and 2 driving bogies, one at each end.

After lunch we headed for Beddgelert and the lovely Aberglaslyn Pass.

Afon Glaslyn in the Aberglaslyn Pass.

End of Aberglaslyn pass.

Lovely view from Beddgelert Station

We stopped for ice cream in the village of Beddgelert, the Glaslyn ice cream parlour is supposedly the best in the UK having won awards, the chocolate cone was great. Had a quick stroll round the pretty village before the afternoon up train on the Welsh Highland Railway was due. See a theme developing here! We headed down to the end of Aberglaslyn Pass to photograph the train.

Beyer Garret NGG16 No 138 leaves the Aberglaslyn Pass
heading for Beddlegert.

No 138 crosses the Afon Glaslyn.

We then headed back through Beddgelert then along the A498 pausing to take pictures of Snowdon with just a little cloud cover on it.

Snowdon.

Llyn Gwynant.

Looking back to Llyn Gwynant.

We then took a quick detour up the pass of Llanberis as far as Nant Peris before heading towards Capel Curig, then the A5 to Betws-y-coed and Llangollen for drinks in the hotel. Had another excellent evening meal and chilled out in the lounge.

Llanberis Pass.

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 08th May 2013 8:00pm gmt

Messing about on the River

Saturday of the bank holiday weekend we went over to St Ives to pick up Toni, our daughter. We had booked a small boat for the day as a surprise to help celebrate her birthday, so armed with a picnic lunch, Strawberry's and cream and a bottle of Champagne to help her celebrate we set off up the Great Ouse from Huntingdon towards Brampton Mill.
Was quite windy on the Ouse, and been used to narrow-boat's we found the small cruiser quite unstable, and the steering rather delicate, I was all over the place, give me a narrow-boat anytime.

Godmanchester Lock, note the stupidly short mooring ropes, only just long
enough to hold the boat.

Leaving the lock.

We headed up to Brampton Mill Lock and then stopped for the birthday picnic.

Brampton Mill.

The wind got up and we had a couple of showers shortly after finishing our picnic so we had to put up the rather amateurish hood on the boat, with the hood up you could not get in or out of the boat.

Ungainly hood.

We headed downstream, with a detour into Godmanchester, there was a lot of dredging with mud piled on the banks here so nowhere to moor, the small quayside was cordoned off so could not get out for an ice cream.

Godmanchester.

We carried on downstream, past Huntingdon and down Houghton Mill Lock to Hemingford Abbots. Was getting a bit cold and windy now and the girls sat inside out of the wind.
We passed narrow-boat Mad Hatter near Houghton lock.

NB Mad Hatter on their way to Bedford.

On the backwater to Hemingford Abbots.

Kayacks near Hemingford Grey.

We carried on to the lock at Hemingford Grey before turning back towards Huntingdon.

Hemingford Grey.

Busy moorings at Hemingford Grey and threatening skies.

Was a reasonable day, weather could have been better, but Toni enjoyed the day.

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 07th May 2013 9:27pm gmt

Grin all day

Had a grin on my face all day, after approx 7 years at Lotus during which I have asked to have a company product licence every year its finally happened, today I had driver training in an Elise and Evora on the Lotus test track and public roads.

My Chariot awaits.

The Venue.

All I can say is wow, wow, wow.
We had various tests to do, one to prove recovery from understeer and oversteer on the wetted large turning circle in the Lotus Elise, amazing how quickly you have to drive in a circle for the Elise to understeer.
We then had brake tests on the main straight, having to brake hard and steer around obstacles at speed, I knew the stopping distances where good but not until you approach the obstacles at 70 and see the distance you are expected to stop in or steer round do you realise how good the brakes and handling of these cars are.
We then had laps of the complete FIA approved circuit which was just fantastic, gaining speed with each lap.
The afternoon session in the Evora was on public roads, just testing awareness, road position, etc. Only had a couple of chances to open up the V6 in the bigger car, very impressive and comfortable too. Such a grin on my face all day. I can now do mileage accumulation on the cars and occasionally use one at the weekend. Cant wait.
Would have liked a chance in the new Exige S but these are a bit rare at the moment as we can not make them quick enough and the driving academy does not have any yet.

In the factory gift shop Lotus F1 have a car on show in this years new livery, not quite an E21, I think it is last years car with the new livery added, also no DRS on rear wing.

Lotus F1 Show car.

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 02nd May 2013 10:20pm gmt

Drive it Day

Sunday 21st April I organised an unofficial run for a few friends of about 30 miles from Attleborough to Gooderstone Water Gardens near Swaffham. Was a reasonably sunny day but there was a cool breeze, still hood down weather. Outward to Gooderstone I chose country lanes, then after tea and cake and a look round the gardens a rather faster route back to the pub at Attleborough for a Sunday Lunch. Forgot the camera so a couple of pics from the phone. Did not see a lot of other classics about on the day everyone is supposed to drive their classics.

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 30th April 2013 8:20pm gmt

Narrowboat's Across the Wash

During the week I had heard that a couple of narrowboat's where due to cross the Wash from Boston to Wisbech, weather permitting. Sunday was shaping up to be the perfect day for a crossing with very little wind and sun all day. The forecasters got it right and I read on Twitter on Sunday morning that the crossing was on.
At 6-30 on Sunday morning 3 boats locked out of Boston Grand Sluice on a level tide, They where NB No Problem, NB Balmaha, and NB Anastasia.
I decided to have a drive down to the River Nene to watch the boats come in from the Wash.
After parking the car near the old lighthouses at Guys Point I walked along the built up flood banks for approx a mile and a half. Through the binoculars I could see a large tanker but no narrowboat's in sight.

Converted lighthouse at Guys Point.

The narrowboat's hove into sight about half an hour later and promptly stopped and dropped anchors, well out of reach of my camera.
I had checked the tide tables so I reasoned that they had to wait for the tide to come in before crossing the various sand bars, they had a pilot with them from Wisbech who would be advising them on the route and conditions.
So it was back to the car for Sandwiches and coffee then, good job I had brought some.
After an hour or so the tide turned and the boats showed signs of moving, first heading East, round a marker, then heading West, all seen the through the binoculars before they turned in to the River Nene at further markers, thus becoming in reach of my camera.

Heading in to the entrance to the Nene round the marker buoys.

Boats well into the River Nene.

At this point they really picked up speed on the incoming tide and I had a job to keep up with them, from little dots in the distance I could now pick out the names.

NB Anastasia in the lead, NB No Problem next, NB Balmaha last.

At this point they overtook me, and I had to rush back to the car to get to Sutton Bridge, 3 miles away for more photo's.

The NB's reaching the lighthouses on each bank at Guys Point. The
level at high tide is seen on the far bank.

I arrived at Sutton Bridge with just enough time to park up and get down the bank. No need to swing the bridge for these.

NB Anastasia comes through Sutton Bridge, you can see the tide coming
in and pushing the boats along quickly.

NB No Problem.

NB Balmaha.

They then receded into the distance to Wisbech, I did not follow them to Wisbech as access is limited at the Port (where my wife Gill used to work) and Yacht Harbour.

Boats heading towards Wisbech.

Well done to Anastasia, No Problem, and Balmaha for completing the crossing.
Links to the blog of one of the boats. http://noproblem.org.uk/blog/ http://waterwayroutes.co.uk/blog/

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 07th April 2013 9:38pm gmt

Drive it day Route Checking

Sunday turned out to be one of the better and warmer days of Easter in Norfolk, even with a couple of snow flurries, so we decided to check out the route for Drive it Day due to take place on the 21st April.
I had planned the route with O/S maps and the use of Google earth to check junctions and road signs, then written the route out and we just had to drive it and check for correct signs and junctions, I think Norfolk was last mapped on Google earth in 2009 so there where a couple of minor changes.

Pickenham, between Swaffham and Watton, still not warm enough for Gill
to put up with the hood down!

Typical Breckland Lanes, long and straight between the trees.

Heater on, hence the leaves against the defrost grilles.

Today was spent helping a friend remove the engine and gearbox out of a rotten TR7 at Beeston, near Dereham.
Not a easy job when the unmovable car has been beached on gravel for 7 years.
He also got rid of a rusty old Spitfire today too. Pictures not good due to crappy camera phone.

Rotten TR7.

Rotten Spitfire.

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 01st April 2013 8:39pm gmt

Even more White Stuff

By late Friday most of the overnight snow was gone and it was looking like we could get on and clean the exterior of NB Centurion. However it started again about 4pm.

Centurion in Alvechurch Marina among all the other share boats just as
the snow starts again.

We had a good evening meal in the Red Lion in Alvechurch and a couple of drinks, this morning we woke to another load of white stuff.

Snow covered boats.

We had to get round to the wharf for the toilet pump out, diesel,and gas before handing over to the next owners.

At the Marina Wharf.

We left for Norfolk around 11am with continual snow all the way home, stopping of at Bar Hill, Cambridge to call in on the daughter.

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 23rd March 2013 7:23pm gmt

More White Stuff

Woke this morning to a couple of inches of the white stuff. Bit of a blizzard last night and blowing a howlie. Set of back to the Marina at Alvechurch around 9am.

White Stuff at Hopwood.

Very windy going past the Bittel reservoir, so windy it blow the coolie hat of the chimney.

Lower Bittel Reservoir, coolie hat still there.

Coolie Hats don't float so its lost in the depths.

Near Alvechurch.

Nearly Home.

Back at the Marina now, just driven Gill to the NEC for a Hobby and Sewing show, bit too dangerous to try cleaning the boat exterior as we keep getting short flurries of snow. Luckily it is not too dirty so hope the next owners are OK about that.
Have enjoyed the week with just the two of us despite the cold weather, at least we avoided rain and snow while cruising, the idea was to avoid too many locks so tally is 8 locks, 3 tunnels in either direction, and around 50 miles clocked up. Hopefully on our next trip we will have better weather and make it down to Worcester and Gloucester.

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 22nd March 2013 12:56am gmt

Hockley Heath and Hopwood

We somehow let the stove go out overnight and as we turn off the central heating when the stove is lit we woke to a very cold boat, after a good breakfast we set of from Earlswood heading the last few lockless miles to Hockley Heath, there was some very weak sunshine which brought a bit of warmth.

Sun at last.

GIll working hard at the lift bridge at Hockley Heath.

We winded at Hockley and re-traced our steps, calling at the bakery at Illshaw Heath for fresh bread and an excellent pie for lunch. We where passed while having lunch by a butty towed by a another boat.

LMS Butty "Olive"

We soon caught them up and followed them all the way to Shirley where Gill walked ahead to operate the lift bridge for them.

Last bit of rural near Majors Green. Next more suburbs until
Wast Hill Tunnel.

Shirley Lift Bridge.

We let the butty get ahead when we stopped for water at Warstock and caught them again as they turned off the Stratford heading for Birmingham. We headed left to Wast Hill tunnel before mooring for the night at Hopwood. It got very windy and cold as the day ended.

Kings Norton Junction.

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 21st March 2013 8:16pm gmt

Back to Rural

After a very quiet night in the Oozell Loop and a morning in Birmingham city centre for more retail therapy for Gill we left Birmingham today. We headed through Brindley Place, under Broad Street Tunnel and onto the Worcester and Birmingham at Worcester Bar.

Brindley Place.

Looking back at Worcester bar.

Very cold today as we went along past Edgebaston and the University. At Bournville we met Narrowboat Albert /http://nbalbert.blogspot.co.uk/ who alerted me to a raft of wood all tied together in a bridge hole, thanks.
We left the Worcester and Birmingham and turned onto the Stratford Canal at Kings Norton.

Kings Norton Guilottine Lock ahead.

Eventually we returned to rural pastures after Warstock, good to be out in the country again, I do like the inner city canals, seeing the industrial heritage but eventually the graffiti and rubbish wears you down.

Near Dickens Heath.

Moored at Earlswood tonight, will have a couple of pints in the clubhouse at Earlswood Motor Yacht Club tonight, very friendly place but you wont find any yachts here, only narrowboats. Got colder as the day wore on, looks as though it will be even colder the next couple of days.

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 20th March 2013 8:05pm gmt

Return to Brum

Left the moorings at Merry Hill 9.30 this morning, the 48 hour moorings are filled with other boats that look permanent to me. Certainly the owners locked up and looked as though they where going to work, the one behind us has the path piled with pallets for firewood and ran generator till late!

Merry Hill 48 hour moorings.

We headed back towards Birmingham, up the 1 lock at Blowers green.

Blowers Green Lock.

Deja vu as we went along the Dudley No2 canal, through Netherton Tunnel again and along the main line, but at Bromford Junction we headed up Spon Lane Locks to the old main line.

Spon Lane Bottom Lock.

Spon Lane top lock underneath the M5.

Heading along the summit of the old main line we passed through the summit tunnel and Smethwick Pump House.

Summit Tunnel.

Smethwick Pump House.

Dropping down through Smethwick locks we picked up a load of plastic wrapping round the prop ensuring I get freezing cold down the weed hatch tearing it off the prop.

Smethwick top lock.

The locals seem to use this stretch as a dump, many cans of special brew are under and around the locks and bridges! What is annoying is that Canal and River trust clean up everyday around Brindley Place with a workboat and a couple of guys who scoop the rubbish out, but out in the suburbs its a mess. Suppose the real fault lies with the councils as the rubbish is from their residents. Saying that I saw someone 40ish feeding the ducks with a child, and then he threw the bag in the canal so there's no hope.
Now back in Birmingham on the Oozell Loop.

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 19th March 2013 7:46pm gmt

More BCN

Woke to a cold and frosty morning in Birmingham, set off around 9 down the main line heading for Wolverhampton, once the sun was out it was OK. Decided against Walsall and Wyrely and Essington Canal, just did not fancy all the rubbish in the cut and instead we are covering old ground.

Smethwick Junction.

Toll Island near Engine Arm Aquaduct.

They seem to have sorted the graffiti out on the aquaduct but it wears you out on all the old factories, must mean something to someone.

Smethwick Pump House.

Spon Lane Junction and locks.

We carried on in the sun and turned onto the Netherton Tunnel branch. The tunnel has had quite a lot of work done, evidence of strengthening work with ground anchors, new concrete towpaths, and some shotcreting.

Renovated Tunnel Cottages at Netherton.

We pulled over at Windmill End for lunch and to top up the water tank.

Windmill End.

The Dudley No 2 canal was filthy with rubbish, the local populace must have dumped all their rubbish in the cut, quite different from our last trip, there has been some dredging done, but not sure they have disposed of the dredgings properly.

Dredging spoils near Netherton Hill. Its piled up untidily all the way along here.

Leaking lock at the only lock of the
day at Blowers Green.

Moored early at Merry Hill for Gill to have some retail time. Not the choicest of moorings, generator running behind us and oiks banging on the boat.

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 18th March 2013 8:46pm gmt

To Brum

After heavy overnight rain it dawned grey and overcast today. We decided to take a cruise into Birmingham from Alvechurch, first off I spotted the tug Kyle at Alvechurch, then passing the Lower Bittel reservoir we saw another nice tug on the permit moorings, I always like the look of tugs, not sure if these are real or replica.

Tug "Kyle" at Alvechurch.

Tug at Lower Bittel Reservoir.

Moored at the cottage where the water flow is controlled from the reservoir at Bittel are the working boats Seaford and Alperton. These are in BW colours and both are up for sale.

Motor Seaford and Butty Alperton.

After a very wet Wast Hill Tunnel, dripping water everywhere from the roof after the rain we passed Kings Norton Junction, the junction with the Stratford Canal and headed for Birmingham on the Birmingham and Worcester Canal.

Junction house, former headquarters of the Birmingham and Worcester Canal.

The sun made an appearance as we passed Vale Park near Birmingham University.

Vale Park.

We then headed through Edgebaston Tunnel and into central Birmingham.

Edgebaston Tunnels.

Heading into Central Birmingham.

We then moored up in time to watch the F1 race from Melbourne, good win for Kimi and Lotus.

Moored opposite the NIA.

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 17th March 2013 7:15pm gmt

Snug and Warm on the Narrowboat

In the Marina at Alvechurch onboard NB Centurion, nice dinner, good wine, now feet up and stove lit and Gill and I all cosy and warm. It is hammering down outside.

No real plans for the week, will see what the weather does.

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 16th March 2013 8:22pm gmt

More Snow

Had a rough couple of days in Norfolk. Rained all of Saturday causing some flooding, then turned to snow on Sunday, usual mess getting in to work this morning for 7am start, it had turned icy and there was no gritting by the looks of it so was a struggle.

That's an owl in the middle of the photo which I have been trying
to get a photo of since it turned light in the mornings. its generally
on a fence post but fly's away quickly.

Snow near Pulham Market

Hope this spell of cold clears up as we will be on the Narrow boat shortly, any good advice on the Walsall Canal and Wyrely and Essington Canal from narrow boat bloggers would be appreciated, ie: has any body used them this year. Don't want to be the first to plow through the winters rubbish!

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 11th March 2013 7:41pm gmt

Website no more

I recently closed down my website, Andys TR7.co.uk, I have had more than a little trouble with the provider, firstly they lost the information from the end of 2011 to end of 2012 and where unable to retrieve it. Then they decided that the platform it was created on would be changed, but they where unable to transfer the data from one platform to another. I would have to do this manually which would take ages, and the new platform was more expensive. Crap service so it had to go. Before it was terminated I tried to print it off and save it for posterity, but this was not very easy.
I have therefore paid to have it printed professionally for a reasonable fee.

I think they have made a reasonable job, the printing of text and pictures is very good. Some of the text does not quite line up with the pictures but I have also got a PDF copy as part of the cost which I can modify for a reprint. They also print blogs which may come in handy at a later date.

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 07th February 2013 7:38pm gmt

HS2 line and the canals

Just been having a look at the proposed HS2 lines from Birmingham to Leeds and Manchester around the Midlands, some quite significant crossings of canals in this area which are not far from where our boat is at the moment.
These include:-

The Manchester line crosses the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal immediatley below Curdworth Lock 5, Leeds line parallel to the canal at this point.

The Leeds line crosses the Coventry Canal at Pooley Fields near Polesworth.

The Leeds Line crosses over the River Trent and Cranfleet cut within view of Trent Falls on a large viaduct.

The Manchester line crosses the Trent and Mersey at Fradley and the 2 lines straddle Kings Bromley Marina.

The Manchester line crosses the Trent and Mersey at Great Haywood and is not far from Tixall Wide, so that will no longer be tranquil.
The Manchester line runs parallel to Stone and not too far away.

I am sure there are loads of other impacts not only to canals.

Not good.

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 28th January 2013 2:10pm gmt

Troublesome fan unit.

With the snow thawing on Saturday I was able to get the TR7 in to the back garden, its been too cold to work on it for 2 weeks. The Kenlowe fan thermostatic control has gone haywire again so needed changing. After another a complaint to the suppliers about the unit (the unit is electronic, they do not seem to like the cold and wet which as it has to fit under the bonnet seems silly) and having to supply proof of correct wiring to them, they had sent me a third unit to install.
I am now getting a bit of a dab hand at fitting them, however the wires back to the ignition and forward to the fan are getting shorter each time. Used bullet connectors this time which should make it even easier next time.

Third unit in place, see how long this one lasts.

I took the car out for a spin in the thawing snow to set the fan cut in temperature.
It was thawing quite quickly as the temp had risen to around 8 degrees.

Made it to the top of our local "mountain" this time.

Sunday we joined other Club Triumph members for a Sunday lunch at The Windmill at Great Cressingham, between Swaffham and Watton. Nice lunch and good company. After heavy overnight rain the snow was all gone, just large puddles and localised flooding everywhere.

On the way back we stopped at the Desert Rats memorial on the edge of Thetford Forest. This was the first place I drove to in the TR7 on a test run after I restored it over 10 years ago. We then lived in Swaffham about 12 miles away for a few years after moving from St Ives.

Desert Rats memorial.

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 27th January 2013 8:00pm gmt

More Snow Pics

Sunday I had a ride out and a couple of short walks around the area. I was hoping for a bit of sun for some decent snow pics, but not to be.
First walk was was around Mendham, the road was still snowy and the snow covered village looked pretty.

Mendham Church

Pink cottage.

View over the Churchyard.

Roads still icy on the Sunday.

Flooded a few weeks ago, now snow covered.

I then wanted to head up the thing which passes as a mountain round here to take a overall view of the Waveney Valley.

The muddy bit on the right marks my limit of
forward movement.

I then had to reverse down and I made my way to Brockdish for a walk across the meadows to Syleham Mill.

Footpath to Syleham.

Path seems to disappear through the bushes.

River Waveney at Syleham.

Through the woods.

Young calf at feeding time.

After Brockdish I drove back to Needham for a quick walk along Mill Lane, passing this view of the icy bushes where they had been splashed.

Ice Formation.

The converted Mill buildings, now a nice residence.

The main part of the Mill.

Waveney, Downstream of the mill, will all be flooded when
the snow melts.

It was then home for a warm up and Sunday lunch. More snow was forecast Sunday for 3pm, the forecast was quite accurate as the snow started at 2-30.
That will mean another tricky journey to work.

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 21st January 2013 8:56pm gmt

More Snow

After a long week of struggling to work at 6-30 every day in snow and ice I was looking forward to a stress free ride to work today, no chance, it dumped it down again overnight with another couple of inches.
So the half hour turned into an hour and I was late again!

The scene over the ponds at work.

Snow covered Lotus's, these are development vehicles not customers.

Thankfully Fridays I leave off early so managed to snap a few snow photos on the way home.

The rear wheel drive has been a hand full this week, but managed to keep
on the road.

Pretty much the state of the roads this week.

Though turning slushy on the way home.

Did not fancy one of my usual shortcuts today.

The way home.

TR looking abandoned, already cleaned the first lot of snow, now
have to clear more.

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 18th January 2013 7:53pm gmt

Snow

First snow of 2013, a good covering this morning in Norfolk, 30 minute journey to work this morning turned in to over an hour.

View over Lotus Test track this morning.

View towards the long straights, not used today unsurprisingly.

At lunch time there was a fresh fall of snow which left my car in the car park at Lotus looking like this at home time.

Fresh Snow.

The journey home was even worse as the fresh snow turned to ice, traffic into and out of Norwich was gridlocked, it took me one and a half hours to do the usual 30 minute journey.
Gills 10 minute journey from Eye, near Diss took an hour as the A140 was jammed from Diss to Norwich.
The joys of motoring in the snow. Sorry for the rubbish phone pics.

posted by Andy Healeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521982341196107987noreply@blogger.com 15th January 2013 8:52pm gmt

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