Monday 26 August 2019

Oh, I should report that last week I went into work to discover that the students did fantastically in their final exams.  I'm a lucky man to work with great teachers and wonderful young people.
The summer has been much better than I could have hoped for.  Florida treated us well.  We hired a car and I am still somewhat disappointed that  we were given a VW, how can that happen?  I was so hoping for a big Yank Tank.  Oh well.  It was surprisingly nice to live with and we rattled off the best part of 2000 miles in mild luxury.  I was rather taken by the sensors that tells you when a car is about to pass you on the inside or outside care of a flashing symbol in the door mirror, very cool.  I also liked the reversing camera although I am not convinced it would be good enough to rely on without turning and looking.  It's not enough to make me want to upgrade the 11 year old TT daily driver.  Well, I say daily driver but I hardly use it, what with the motorbike and the push bike.

I was incredibly pleased to get 4 days in the garage this weekend.  It has been lovely being back at home and the garage has been a big part of that.  I finished the rear end and decided to work around the car in a clockwise direction rather than prime the panels at this stage.  The passenger door (LH) is now done and the front wing is well on the way.  It is hard work though as I need to rub down a lot of filler, my arms are getting bigger as I type.   I am feeling a little bad as the amount of filler I need tells me that I should be a better panel beater, but I am what I am so I pile on the filler and rub like hell.

My birthday did serve me well, I have a real mental problem with paying for postage and the Austin Healey parts suppliers charge it by the bucket loads.  I say this because my lovely lady decided to order the parts I wanted on my birthday so that I selected the parts I really needed. I noticed that the main supplier is exhibiting at Beaulieu next month and offering free collecting from the show.  I asked for that and booked a ticket, result, I get to see a great show and save money at the same time.


The rear end finished, yippee

























Mid way through loading the front N/S wing with filler, it looks much better now but I didn't take a picture.






































I spent the morning procrastinating, this included cutting back the garden trees and washing the motorbike.  I didn't just wash it, I cleaned the chain.   I know, but it is 33 degrees in London this weekend and that is very hot for a Brit.  What could I do?