So, off we went back to Spain to pick up some spares, and en route, a stop at Leroy Merlin for a nice attachment for the compressor to inflate tyres.
22€ for the full kit. Better than legs falling off using the bicycle pump.
Sunday, 29 November 2009
Compressor attachment for tyres
Slashed tyres are not good. Ever.
So, off we went back to Spain to pick up some spares, and en route, a stop at Leroy Merlin for a nice attachment for the compressor to inflate tyres.
22€ for the full kit. Better than legs falling off using the bicycle pump.
So, off we went back to Spain to pick up some spares, and en route, a stop at Leroy Merlin for a nice attachment for the compressor to inflate tyres.
22€ for the full kit. Better than legs falling off using the bicycle pump.
Monday, 19 October 2009
Toll roads - Costa del Sol
And the good news is, the toll prices have gone down with the end of the summer holidays.
Mountains on the way up at the rest area between Estepona and Marbella.
It wasn't all cloud though - blue sky looking towards the coast.
Dog.
So new prices:
Fuengirola - Marbella: €3.75
Marbella - Estepona: €2.55
(although I could have sworn on the way up it was €4.15 between Marbella and Fuengirola).
Finally we decided to try some tapas at Los Altos de Marbella service station/rest area/restaurant, narrowly beating a coachload of customers to the counter. Phew.
1 racion of pimientos asados
1 racion of ensalada de patatas (incl egg and olives)
1 portion of pizza
bread included
1 coke
1 18.75cl bottle of Rioja
Total: €14.60
Pizza.
Pimientos.
Potato salad.
And yes, the helpings were bigger originally. They were well demolished by the time photos were taken...
Thursday, 10 September 2009
Compressor - Clarke Hunter 50
Acquired from Freecycle.
It wasn't working. It seemed like an electrical fault. First thing was to check the plug and the fuse.
Someone had put a Spanish plug on it, so I disconnected that and put a three-pin plug on it. As the compressor is designed for live, neutral and earth it wouldn't work without the earth wire.
Still didn't work, but at least it had current - it didn't before the plug was changed.
Removed the cover of the interruptor switch, put on a test screwdriver, and it fired into life. The noise frightened the life out of me and I nearly went through the store backwards. I hadn't expected the motor to work.
The next step was to look for the parts to put it right. As I was busy working, I decided to let the shop fit the parts as well and left the compressor with them. They gave it an overhaul, changed the oil, fitted the new switch and I bought a new flexi air-line.
Total cost - approx £120 for a machine worth around £600 - or more in Gibraltar. Half of the cost was labour, and the parts costs were for an air filter element, switch, back entry gauge, nipples, a plastic cover and a gland.
Oh and if anyone is wondering what on earth this has to do with Land Rovers... respray?
It wasn't working. It seemed like an electrical fault. First thing was to check the plug and the fuse.
Someone had put a Spanish plug on it, so I disconnected that and put a three-pin plug on it. As the compressor is designed for live, neutral and earth it wouldn't work without the earth wire.
Still didn't work, but at least it had current - it didn't before the plug was changed.
Removed the cover of the interruptor switch, put on a test screwdriver, and it fired into life. The noise frightened the life out of me and I nearly went through the store backwards. I hadn't expected the motor to work.
The next step was to look for the parts to put it right. As I was busy working, I decided to let the shop fit the parts as well and left the compressor with them. They gave it an overhaul, changed the oil, fitted the new switch and I bought a new flexi air-line.
Total cost - approx £120 for a machine worth around £600 - or more in Gibraltar. Half of the cost was labour, and the parts costs were for an air filter element, switch, back entry gauge, nipples, a plastic cover and a gland.
Oh and if anyone is wondering what on earth this has to do with Land Rovers... respray?
Sunday, 23 August 2009
Sunday, 19 July 2009
Sunday morning starter?
Nigel mentioned he had a problem with his Discovery (1). It's a V8. Sounded like the starter motor to Adrian, so off he went to take it out for him.
It took some time when he first took ours out from the Series III many years ago, he didn't realise that it wasn't just two threaded bolts, but that they are allen head studs, so an allen key/socket is needed to remove them.
But with that at the back of his mind, he went over there this morning fully equipped.
'It shouldn't take long,' he said. A famous Land Rover quote. With that in mind I printed off some geocaching info, although realised that was unlikely to happen.
And some three hours later, he had finally got it out. No geocaching but a successful starter motor day. When Nigel gets it fixed, he will put it back in for him.
A couple of comments. Adrian was working on the street under the Disco which is much lower down than our Series and our Santana. The three hours includes driving there, and loading and unloading tools.
It's not a difficult job, it is awkward, it can be frustrating, and you have to clean out any crud ie oil, gunge, dirt, before you can get the allen key to fit. If anyone doesn't know where it is, it's under the manifold on the driver's side.
One of the difficult things was to remove the electrical connections to the solenoid, he had to take out the starter motor before he could remove the nuts.
There was also a stud that he couldn't see. There was one that came out of the top, one wasn't there in the bottom (but should have been) but the starter motor still wouldn't come out. So then he had to feel around to eventually find the third one.
Finally, the starter motor is the original factory fitted one from 1991 - even had the original cable tie holding it together. Eighteen years - not bad value for money there.
Nigel - didn't lose patience and was great at passing the tools.
It took some time when he first took ours out from the Series III many years ago, he didn't realise that it wasn't just two threaded bolts, but that they are allen head studs, so an allen key/socket is needed to remove them.
But with that at the back of his mind, he went over there this morning fully equipped.
'It shouldn't take long,' he said. A famous Land Rover quote. With that in mind I printed off some geocaching info, although realised that was unlikely to happen.
And some three hours later, he had finally got it out. No geocaching but a successful starter motor day. When Nigel gets it fixed, he will put it back in for him.
A couple of comments. Adrian was working on the street under the Disco which is much lower down than our Series and our Santana. The three hours includes driving there, and loading and unloading tools.
It's not a difficult job, it is awkward, it can be frustrating, and you have to clean out any crud ie oil, gunge, dirt, before you can get the allen key to fit. If anyone doesn't know where it is, it's under the manifold on the driver's side.
One of the difficult things was to remove the electrical connections to the solenoid, he had to take out the starter motor before he could remove the nuts.
There was also a stud that he couldn't see. There was one that came out of the top, one wasn't there in the bottom (but should have been) but the starter motor still wouldn't come out. So then he had to feel around to eventually find the third one.
Finally, the starter motor is the original factory fitted one from 1991 - even had the original cable tie holding it together. Eighteen years - not bad value for money there.
Nigel - didn't lose patience and was great at passing the tools.
Monday, 13 July 2009
Macharaviaya .. and some travel updates
Macharaviaya is a tiny village in a cul-de-sac. Or, to be more accurate, it is not far from anywhere, but stuck in the middle of nowhere, and there is only one road in and out (unless my maps and navigation misled me)
It seems to have enjoyed good times in the 18th century when the influential Galvez family (who came from Macharaviaya) built a playing card factory there and sold the packs of cards in America. Strange tale. There is a large church in the village - San Jacinto - and a mausoleum to the Galvez family.
We went there some time ago, when we were exploring our local area. It was the sort of place that when you arrived, everyone stared at you because you were obviously so out of place. It felt rather intrusive to get out and do the whole tourist thing in somebody's face so we cleared off.
Apparently it is home to lots of artists because of its tranquility and peacefulness. Isolation is the word.
Anyway, last month it suddenly acquired a geocache. Even more interestingly, no-one seemed bothered to dash there and claim the First to Find. We clearly haven't quite got the geocaching bug because the first thing we did on arriving at the finca was not to dash off to Macharaviaya. In fact we had been back four days before we went to hunt down the elusive FTF - on my birthday.
Now while we had been before, my memory had clearly hazed over the detail. I remembered rolling hillsides covered with olive trees. I did not remember a vertiginious narrow road (it had actually improved since our first visit) that snaked along the top of the ridge with steep drops on either side and hugged the precipitious hillside on the ascents and descents.
'Oh that's it down there isn't it?' said my helpful chauffeur.
'I don't know and I'm not looking,' I said, eyes firmly fixed on the reassuring hillside to the right of me, rather than the vomit-inducing drop to the left.
Pretty place, nice location, great views ............. but if you have problems with vertigo and heights - be warned.
The cache was fun. I was glued to the GPS and announced we were getting near. A convenient parking spot appeared and we pulled in. We set off down the road and I suddenly realised we were getting further away from the cache. We turned round - and realised we had parked right next to the location. Duh.
machdiff.jpg)
It was well hidden and in a good spot. I hope other people take the time to go and find it.
Other Landy travelling news: well, we have now tried out all the toll road stretches between Gib and Málaga. The toll road between Sotogrande and Estepona costs 2.90€ and in my opinion is not worth taking. Plus it has some horrid viaducts and tunnels. Even more horrid than normal. And the alternative coast road is pretty and usually not busy.
On the toll road between Marbella and Fuengirola, the cafe/restaurant at Los Altos de Marbella does great sandwiches - we got a bocadillo de tortilla para llevar (to take away) and it was great. They really had some excellent looking tapas too: some potato salad, a salad with tomato, onion and olives, and yet another delicious looking vegetarian one.
Down side, it is increasingly busy at this rest area at the moment, and the once tidy and clean toilets are no longer immaculate.
The rest area on the toll road that by-passes San Pedro is pretty quiet, and a great place to stop. I've only used the shop, so maybe I need to test out the bar food next time. It was pretty busy today though. The car parking area was quiet though.
Oh, and we sat in the border queue for half an hour today. No idea why. A first for us, we have usually been incredibly lucky with no queues.
It seems to have enjoyed good times in the 18th century when the influential Galvez family (who came from Macharaviaya) built a playing card factory there and sold the packs of cards in America. Strange tale. There is a large church in the village - San Jacinto - and a mausoleum to the Galvez family.
We went there some time ago, when we were exploring our local area. It was the sort of place that when you arrived, everyone stared at you because you were obviously so out of place. It felt rather intrusive to get out and do the whole tourist thing in somebody's face so we cleared off.
Apparently it is home to lots of artists because of its tranquility and peacefulness. Isolation is the word.
Anyway, last month it suddenly acquired a geocache. Even more interestingly, no-one seemed bothered to dash there and claim the First to Find. We clearly haven't quite got the geocaching bug because the first thing we did on arriving at the finca was not to dash off to Macharaviaya. In fact we had been back four days before we went to hunt down the elusive FTF - on my birthday.
Now while we had been before, my memory had clearly hazed over the detail. I remembered rolling hillsides covered with olive trees. I did not remember a vertiginious narrow road (it had actually improved since our first visit) that snaked along the top of the ridge with steep drops on either side and hugged the precipitious hillside on the ascents and descents.
'Oh that's it down there isn't it?' said my helpful chauffeur.
'I don't know and I'm not looking,' I said, eyes firmly fixed on the reassuring hillside to the right of me, rather than the vomit-inducing drop to the left.
Pretty place, nice location, great views ............. but if you have problems with vertigo and heights - be warned.
The cache was fun. I was glued to the GPS and announced we were getting near. A convenient parking spot appeared and we pulled in. We set off down the road and I suddenly realised we were getting further away from the cache. We turned round - and realised we had parked right next to the location. Duh.
machdiff.jpg)
It was well hidden and in a good spot. I hope other people take the time to go and find it.
Other Landy travelling news: well, we have now tried out all the toll road stretches between Gib and Málaga. The toll road between Sotogrande and Estepona costs 2.90€ and in my opinion is not worth taking. Plus it has some horrid viaducts and tunnels. Even more horrid than normal. And the alternative coast road is pretty and usually not busy.
On the toll road between Marbella and Fuengirola, the cafe/restaurant at Los Altos de Marbella does great sandwiches - we got a bocadillo de tortilla para llevar (to take away) and it was great. They really had some excellent looking tapas too: some potato salad, a salad with tomato, onion and olives, and yet another delicious looking vegetarian one.
Down side, it is increasingly busy at this rest area at the moment, and the once tidy and clean toilets are no longer immaculate.
The rest area on the toll road that by-passes San Pedro is pretty quiet, and a great place to stop. I've only used the shop, so maybe I need to test out the bar food next time. It was pretty busy today though. The car parking area was quiet though.
Oh, and we sat in the border queue for half an hour today. No idea why. A first for us, we have usually been incredibly lucky with no queues.
Saturday, 20 June 2009
Electrics....headlights......relay
Dipped headlights not working.
Fuse?
Bulb? – unlikely – not both of them.
Stalk/switch?
Emailed my favourite source of electrical advice and asked what else it could be.
Relay, he suggested.
We checked the fuses, all fourteen of them. Then we looked at the little black box stuck on the side of the fuseboard. A three pin plug, one of which was dirty.
Santana fuse box - relay on the left - note Hella not Lucas!
Scratched the dirty bits off, and put it back in. Switched on the headlights. And main beam. And back again. Working perfectly.
Shouldn't have even bothered with the fuses. Spot-on diagnosis, and not for the first time. Top tip. Thanks pal.
Fuse?
Bulb? – unlikely – not both of them.
Stalk/switch?
Emailed my favourite source of electrical advice and asked what else it could be.
Relay, he suggested.
We checked the fuses, all fourteen of them. Then we looked at the little black box stuck on the side of the fuseboard. A three pin plug, one of which was dirty.
Santana fuse box - relay on the left - note Hella not Lucas!
Scratched the dirty bits off, and put it back in. Switched on the headlights. And main beam. And back again. Working perfectly.
Shouldn't have even bothered with the fuses. Spot-on diagnosis, and not for the first time. Top tip. Thanks pal.
Monday, 15 June 2009
Mud
Spotted in Morrisons carpark. A rather muddy Defender. We looked round and saw three other rather muddy vehicles. The group was returning to the UK after a three week trip to Morocco.
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Marbella to Málaga
Another toll road (peaje) post.
First point, the prices went up on the first of June.
Needless to state it was still quiet, with no arsey drivers. Some speeding but not the arsey types you get on the busy non-toll roads.
So the price of the toll road to avoid San Pedro, which runs between Estepona and Marbella, has gone up from 2.55€ to 4.15€.
Luckily we set off on 31st May so at least half of our journey was at cheap prices. We were so impressed with the last trip we did, that we tackled another toll road between Marbella and Fuengirola. This cuts out all the coastal stretch - Calahonda, Elviria, Mijas Costa, El Faro etc etc.
On the ordinary road, there are nice views out to sea, but the endless urbanisation is depressing and there is consistently bad driving on the N340 here. This is partly because the slip roads to enter the N340 - dual carriageway - are nearly all non-existent. Everyone has to grind to a halt, and then try and enter traffic travelling minimum 50mph/80kph from a standing start in first gear. So naturally instead of slowing down and stopping, drivers try and cruise straight on, despite not having right of way. And every single slip road has a stop sign.
So Marbella to Fuengirola on the toll road costs 3.75€ - or at least it did on Sunday. It now costs 6.10€. Today it was windy and hot. The temperature gauge climbed to half way, and we reckon it was well over thirty degrees. When we stopped at the rest area, the dog was jumping around on the pavement because it was hot for his feet so we put him back inside to drink his water.
The rest area (Los Altos de Marbella) was good - immaculately clean, the food looked delicious (we had taken sandwiches), loads of parking (no shade), and superb long slip roads.
We did buy a couple of things - Lay's Artesanas crisps, 95 cents for a small bag, 3.25€ for a big one, a can of coke is 1.15€, and beer (for non-drivers) is between 1.50€ and 1.70€. Note, there is currently a promotion on for Carlsberg, one costs 1.70€ and you can get three for 3.10€. This is actually at the petrol station Sprint shop rather than the slightly posher Medas restaurant/cafeteria/shop. There is food available at both.
If we hadn't taken sandwiches we would have eaten at Medas, the tortilla looked delicious and so did the salads and sandwiches, which were freshly made on request. It is also no-smoking - another plus point.
In fact we must have spent at least half an hour sitting outside enjoying the peace and tranquillity in the mountains.
Incidentally the men on the toll booth are surly and the women are smiley. Oh, and I might have confused the prices, it could be 6.15€ and 4.10€ but it's near enough.
First point, the prices went up on the first of June.
Needless to state it was still quiet, with no arsey drivers. Some speeding but not the arsey types you get on the busy non-toll roads.
So the price of the toll road to avoid San Pedro, which runs between Estepona and Marbella, has gone up from 2.55€ to 4.15€.
Luckily we set off on 31st May so at least half of our journey was at cheap prices. We were so impressed with the last trip we did, that we tackled another toll road between Marbella and Fuengirola. This cuts out all the coastal stretch - Calahonda, Elviria, Mijas Costa, El Faro etc etc.
On the ordinary road, there are nice views out to sea, but the endless urbanisation is depressing and there is consistently bad driving on the N340 here. This is partly because the slip roads to enter the N340 - dual carriageway - are nearly all non-existent. Everyone has to grind to a halt, and then try and enter traffic travelling minimum 50mph/80kph from a standing start in first gear. So naturally instead of slowing down and stopping, drivers try and cruise straight on, despite not having right of way. And every single slip road has a stop sign.
So Marbella to Fuengirola on the toll road costs 3.75€ - or at least it did on Sunday. It now costs 6.10€. Today it was windy and hot. The temperature gauge climbed to half way, and we reckon it was well over thirty degrees. When we stopped at the rest area, the dog was jumping around on the pavement because it was hot for his feet so we put him back inside to drink his water.
The rest area (Los Altos de Marbella) was good - immaculately clean, the food looked delicious (we had taken sandwiches), loads of parking (no shade), and superb long slip roads.
We did buy a couple of things - Lay's Artesanas crisps, 95 cents for a small bag, 3.25€ for a big one, a can of coke is 1.15€, and beer (for non-drivers) is between 1.50€ and 1.70€. Note, there is currently a promotion on for Carlsberg, one costs 1.70€ and you can get three for 3.10€. This is actually at the petrol station Sprint shop rather than the slightly posher Medas restaurant/cafeteria/shop. There is food available at both.
If we hadn't taken sandwiches we would have eaten at Medas, the tortilla looked delicious and so did the salads and sandwiches, which were freshly made on request. It is also no-smoking - another plus point.
In fact we must have spent at least half an hour sitting outside enjoying the peace and tranquillity in the mountains.
Incidentally the men on the toll booth are surly and the women are smiley. Oh, and I might have confused the prices, it could be 6.15€ and 4.10€ but it's near enough.
Friday, 29 May 2009
Range Rover Classic
Once upon a time I rather fancied a nice V8 Range Rover. It never happened.
This weekend we went to look at one.
It is a Range Rover Classic, year, 1991.
Naturally it is a V8 – 3.9. It sounds wonderful. It has a good chassis and seems rust-free. It has a beautiful walnut dash and a somewhat bizarre small sport-style steering wheel to match. In terms of colour and interior it is slightly faded, or worn, or however you want to describe it. It also has a crap new head-lining that in no way matches.
It costs 200€ a year to road tax in Spain (no road tax in Gib).
It has a few faults. Apart from anything else the ITV (Spanish equivalent of MOT) expired at the end of the month.
The water jets for the windscreen don't work. One doesn't even eject water, and the other sends out a pitiful trickle that doesn't hit the windscreen.
The support for the split upper rear door doesn't work. If you don't hold the glass up it drops down and hits you on the head if you haven't realised.
The small indicator lights on the side of the front wings don't work. Fuse?
Nevertheless they are not big things in the overall scheme of Range Rovers. Adrian drove it out of the underground car park where it lives so that we could have a decent look at it in daylight – where we discovered the above faults.
We also discovered as I was trying to get in – that it is not a five door. Or rather a two door as one can hardly describe the boot bit as a door. Now while I may have passed my lithe agile peak, I am not entirely immobile and it was hell to get into. It was the sort of situation where you open the door, dive headlong onto the back seat through the narrow gap (even allowing for pushing the front seat forward) and hoping the rest of your body clambers in after the first part. Not that I wear them, but it is no good for anyone who chooses short skirts or stilettos. Nor is it any good for anyone who wishes to look remotely elegant – woman or man.
I could see very little out of the front as the seats are high. I contented myself with looking out of the rear window. They are slidey windows so I opened it a tiny bit and decided I didn't have enough strength to manage more than a couple of centimetres. I leaned over to the other side and couldn't open that at all. Still, if we bought it, I wouldn't be sitting in the back. Neither would anyone else.
It sounded very nice as we drove a short distance down the road. We checked out all the usual suspect areas for rust. Think the owner was a bit surprised when we went through the routine of checking all the lights – like why would you not? Because we don't drive very much these days, checking all the lights are working (as well as oil and water) has now become standard practice before we set off anywhere – usually to Spain, as there is little point driving around Gib.
So. Verdict.
A good drive. Condition: good rather than very good, and defo not mint – chassis and engine were plus points, and they are what matters. Desirability: two doors, crap colour, and appalling new head-lining detract from it. Oh, I keep forgetting, it had air-con and a newish Blaupunkt stereo. I keep forgetting to mention them because they don't interest me but the owner seemed to think they were important. Mileage: 240,000 kms. Price: too much. Had a quick looky on eBay and couldn't find anything over a grand – he wanted more. He's not been able to sell it in at least the last six months if not more. What could we realistically expect for it if we wanted to sell? A few hundred?
So ….... whatever happened to my dream about Range Rovers? Guess I've been a leaf-sprung woman for too long.
This weekend we went to look at one.
It is a Range Rover Classic, year, 1991.
Naturally it is a V8 – 3.9. It sounds wonderful. It has a good chassis and seems rust-free. It has a beautiful walnut dash and a somewhat bizarre small sport-style steering wheel to match. In terms of colour and interior it is slightly faded, or worn, or however you want to describe it. It also has a crap new head-lining that in no way matches.
It costs 200€ a year to road tax in Spain (no road tax in Gib).
It has a few faults. Apart from anything else the ITV (Spanish equivalent of MOT) expired at the end of the month.
The water jets for the windscreen don't work. One doesn't even eject water, and the other sends out a pitiful trickle that doesn't hit the windscreen.
The support for the split upper rear door doesn't work. If you don't hold the glass up it drops down and hits you on the head if you haven't realised.
The small indicator lights on the side of the front wings don't work. Fuse?
Nevertheless they are not big things in the overall scheme of Range Rovers. Adrian drove it out of the underground car park where it lives so that we could have a decent look at it in daylight – where we discovered the above faults.
We also discovered as I was trying to get in – that it is not a five door. Or rather a two door as one can hardly describe the boot bit as a door. Now while I may have passed my lithe agile peak, I am not entirely immobile and it was hell to get into. It was the sort of situation where you open the door, dive headlong onto the back seat through the narrow gap (even allowing for pushing the front seat forward) and hoping the rest of your body clambers in after the first part. Not that I wear them, but it is no good for anyone who chooses short skirts or stilettos. Nor is it any good for anyone who wishes to look remotely elegant – woman or man.
I could see very little out of the front as the seats are high. I contented myself with looking out of the rear window. They are slidey windows so I opened it a tiny bit and decided I didn't have enough strength to manage more than a couple of centimetres. I leaned over to the other side and couldn't open that at all. Still, if we bought it, I wouldn't be sitting in the back. Neither would anyone else.
It sounded very nice as we drove a short distance down the road. We checked out all the usual suspect areas for rust. Think the owner was a bit surprised when we went through the routine of checking all the lights – like why would you not? Because we don't drive very much these days, checking all the lights are working (as well as oil and water) has now become standard practice before we set off anywhere – usually to Spain, as there is little point driving around Gib.
So. Verdict.
A good drive. Condition: good rather than very good, and defo not mint – chassis and engine were plus points, and they are what matters. Desirability: two doors, crap colour, and appalling new head-lining detract from it. Oh, I keep forgetting, it had air-con and a newish Blaupunkt stereo. I keep forgetting to mention them because they don't interest me but the owner seemed to think they were important. Mileage: 240,000 kms. Price: too much. Had a quick looky on eBay and couldn't find anything over a grand – he wanted more. He's not been able to sell it in at least the last six months if not more. What could we realistically expect for it if we wanted to sell? A few hundred?
So ….... whatever happened to my dream about Range Rovers? Guess I've been a leaf-sprung woman for too long.
Sunday, 17 May 2009
Avoiding San Pedro - the toll road
Cruised up to the finca this weekend. Round trip is around 350kms.
Here we are at Chilches. We usually stop here to let the dog out for a walk.
For the first time ever we used a toll road in Spain for the section between Marbella and Estepona, to avoid San Pedro de Alcantara.
Cost - two euros 55 cents (one way).
Reason – roadworks that are apparently going to last for the next 18 months and are causing huge delays.
Verdict – very nice. Worth two euros 55 cents. Possibly made up for in fuel efficiency by not sitting in traffic jams.
Note – toll road costs go up over the summer period so according to Via Michelin this goes up to five euros 72 cents. Probably still worth doing to avoid delays which will be even worse in summer.
The stretch of toll road is around 23km with a rest area/filling station/shop/cafeteria/toilets/parking etc on both sides of the road. Note, the shop prices seemed somewhat dear, but they maybe don't get a lot of punters. Loads of space and great for dog walking. Clean toilets.
On non-toll roads in Spain the slip roads are terrible, you have to go from a standing start to meet traffic travelling at minimum 80kmph. Here, you actually get a decent slip road to get up enough speed to pull onto the motorway, plus there isn't too much traffic anyway.
Another observation, the tunnels on the toll road are so much better lit. How bizarre.
It was pretty scenery and a great bit of road. Naturally, less traffic, as we all want to save two euros and 55 cents. Not any more. We'll be using it again.
Mileage
Around 350 kms
Cost
Around £23 for diesel and €5.10 in tolls
As a comparison the bus trip is around €26 for one person (both ways), before you even think about getting something to eat, and takes around twice as long.
Here we are at Chilches. We usually stop here to let the dog out for a walk.
For the first time ever we used a toll road in Spain for the section between Marbella and Estepona, to avoid San Pedro de Alcantara.
Cost - two euros 55 cents (one way).
Reason – roadworks that are apparently going to last for the next 18 months and are causing huge delays.
Verdict – very nice. Worth two euros 55 cents. Possibly made up for in fuel efficiency by not sitting in traffic jams.
Note – toll road costs go up over the summer period so according to Via Michelin this goes up to five euros 72 cents. Probably still worth doing to avoid delays which will be even worse in summer.
The stretch of toll road is around 23km with a rest area/filling station/shop/cafeteria/toilets/parking etc on both sides of the road. Note, the shop prices seemed somewhat dear, but they maybe don't get a lot of punters. Loads of space and great for dog walking. Clean toilets.
On non-toll roads in Spain the slip roads are terrible, you have to go from a standing start to meet traffic travelling at minimum 80kmph. Here, you actually get a decent slip road to get up enough speed to pull onto the motorway, plus there isn't too much traffic anyway.
Another observation, the tunnels on the toll road are so much better lit. How bizarre.
It was pretty scenery and a great bit of road. Naturally, less traffic, as we all want to save two euros and 55 cents. Not any more. We'll be using it again.
Mileage
Around 350 kms
Cost
Around £23 for diesel and €5.10 in tolls
As a comparison the bus trip is around €26 for one person (both ways), before you even think about getting something to eat, and takes around twice as long.
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
Tarifa - one more time
The Santana hasn't been to Tarifa before, although the Series III went there some years ago.
So after visiting Parque Centennial outside Algeciras we headed off to Tarifa.
Parque Centennial looking across the Bahia de Algeciras towards Gibraltar.
+A%26P.jpg)
Parked up opposite the beach at Tarifa.
+santana.jpg)
Costa de la Luz. Atlantic Ocean and beautiful beaches. Love it.
+beach.jpg)
Mileage
Gibraltar to Tarifa via Parque Centennial and a trip round the nearby housing estate when we couldn't go back the same way we came in - 117 kms. Also includes driving past Rio Jara camp site in a fruitless search for somewhere to get some tapas on the side of the road.......
Cost
Around £10 - in Gibraltar.
So after visiting Parque Centennial outside Algeciras we headed off to Tarifa.
Parque Centennial looking across the Bahia de Algeciras towards Gibraltar.
+A%26P.jpg)
Parked up opposite the beach at Tarifa.
+santana.jpg)
Costa de la Luz. Atlantic Ocean and beautiful beaches. Love it.
+beach.jpg)
Mileage
Gibraltar to Tarifa via Parque Centennial and a trip round the nearby housing estate when we couldn't go back the same way we came in - 117 kms. Also includes driving past Rio Jara camp site in a fruitless search for somewhere to get some tapas on the side of the road.......
Cost
Around £10 - in Gibraltar.
Sunday, 3 May 2009
Brake (stop) lights
Travelling up the coast last weekend back to the finca, Adrian noticed the electrics seemed to be playing up.
He couldn't tell whether the dashboard lights were coming on and couldn't see if the headlights were working in the tunnels.
As the tunnels are pretty well lit, it's virtually impossible to tell whether your lights are working or not.
Plus, the ammeter seemed to be swinging around a bit. Maybe it was a fuse somewhere - always nice to hope for something simple.
Anyway, we got there ok, but before setting off on the return journey, we went methodically through the light check. It seemed the brake (stop) lights were the culprit and weren't working.
Now - some two years ago, we had a problem with the brake lights. We had been checking everything before we took the vehicle for the Spanish ITV - and, the brake lights weren't working.
At the time, we had no idea which was the fuse for the brake lights. In fact we didn't know what any of the fuses were for. There is no manual with the vehicle and we have not been able to find anything remotely resembling one.
Santana fuse box
So trial and error was called for, and we methodically went through the fuses, trying to identify what each one was for. Out of 14 fuses, we managed to identify nine of them. But even with a full set of working fuses, the brake lights still weren't coming on.
We posted on LRUK asking if anyone had any idea about the Santana fuse box - hoping it might be similar to a Defender one, because it certainly is nothing like a Series III one. We discovered it is nothing like a Defender one either.
But, help came our way, with a suggestion that we needed to check the brake light switch and see if there was any current going through it. There wasn't.
Brake light switch - really convenient position.....
The next day Adrian cycled into town to see if he could get a switch. He did, at a cost of 9€. So far, so good.
Then all we had to do was to work out how to replace it. There was no way we could do it without a dismantle job, so off came the wing, out came the pedal box, the reservoir, servo, brake master cylinder blah blah...... All for a nine euro switch.
Everything out
Pedal box on kerb complete with new switch
Anyway, job done and back in and on. Auto-electrician was well impressed with our efforts and he told us it would have cost hundreds because he would have needed to pay a mechanic to do the dismantling job.
All back
So back to the present, and when the brake lights still weren't working we had that nagging feeling that the switch might have gone again.
But, after the fuses, the next step was the bulbs. Checked those, no, not working either. Not looking good at this point.
Adrian jumped in the Landy and shot into town to see our favourite auto-electrician.
"Arranque," said the auto-electrician. Adrian started it up. "Ponga los frenos." Adrian put the brakes on.
"Muy bien," said your man. "Funcionan."
Adrian jumped out looking puzzled, so the auto-electrician duly demonstrated to him that they were working.
At which point the penny dropped. The second time we had tested them - after changing the fuse - Adrian had turned on the ignition, but not the engine. So the brake lights didn't come on. Everything else did - but not the brake lights.
Anyway, he made up a really cool story about how his useless woman couldn't even tell which lights were brake lights......... and drove happily home.
At least we know which fuse is for the brake lights now.
He couldn't tell whether the dashboard lights were coming on and couldn't see if the headlights were working in the tunnels.
As the tunnels are pretty well lit, it's virtually impossible to tell whether your lights are working or not.
Plus, the ammeter seemed to be swinging around a bit. Maybe it was a fuse somewhere - always nice to hope for something simple.
Anyway, we got there ok, but before setting off on the return journey, we went methodically through the light check. It seemed the brake (stop) lights were the culprit and weren't working.
Now - some two years ago, we had a problem with the brake lights. We had been checking everything before we took the vehicle for the Spanish ITV - and, the brake lights weren't working.
At the time, we had no idea which was the fuse for the brake lights. In fact we didn't know what any of the fuses were for. There is no manual with the vehicle and we have not been able to find anything remotely resembling one.
Santana fuse box
So trial and error was called for, and we methodically went through the fuses, trying to identify what each one was for. Out of 14 fuses, we managed to identify nine of them. But even with a full set of working fuses, the brake lights still weren't coming on.
We posted on LRUK asking if anyone had any idea about the Santana fuse box - hoping it might be similar to a Defender one, because it certainly is nothing like a Series III one. We discovered it is nothing like a Defender one either.
But, help came our way, with a suggestion that we needed to check the brake light switch and see if there was any current going through it. There wasn't.
Brake light switch - really convenient position.....
The next day Adrian cycled into town to see if he could get a switch. He did, at a cost of 9€. So far, so good.
Then all we had to do was to work out how to replace it. There was no way we could do it without a dismantle job, so off came the wing, out came the pedal box, the reservoir, servo, brake master cylinder blah blah...... All for a nine euro switch.
Everything out
Pedal box on kerb complete with new switch
Anyway, job done and back in and on. Auto-electrician was well impressed with our efforts and he told us it would have cost hundreds because he would have needed to pay a mechanic to do the dismantling job.
All back
So back to the present, and when the brake lights still weren't working we had that nagging feeling that the switch might have gone again.
But, after the fuses, the next step was the bulbs. Checked those, no, not working either. Not looking good at this point.
Adrian jumped in the Landy and shot into town to see our favourite auto-electrician.
"Arranque," said the auto-electrician. Adrian started it up. "Ponga los frenos." Adrian put the brakes on.
"Muy bien," said your man. "Funcionan."
Adrian jumped out looking puzzled, so the auto-electrician duly demonstrated to him that they were working.
At which point the penny dropped. The second time we had tested them - after changing the fuse - Adrian had turned on the ignition, but not the engine. So the brake lights didn't come on. Everything else did - but not the brake lights.
Anyway, he made up a really cool story about how his useless woman couldn't even tell which lights were brake lights......... and drove happily home.
At least we know which fuse is for the brake lights now.
Sunday, 12 April 2009
The trip - the start of the adventure
Wednesday dawned. As do most Wednesdays. But this Wednesday was the start of our adventure.
I'd gone round the house marking stuff for the removals people about what was to stay. They had an extensive typed schedule of what to move and we had sent them the keys.
The theory had been that they actually came and packed stuff before we left but life doesn't work like that and they claimed double booking. So we told them to come and move us after we had gone. The stuff was going into storage anyway.
We couldn't change our ferry booking date because everything was finely tuned round the certificates from the vet for exporting the dogs. For anyone thinking of doing this in future - the key combination is ferry booking, vet's appointment, and getting the certificates from Defra which are posted to the vet for them to complete. When you are in the midst of selling a house - and moving before completion of sale - it is not an easy one to juggle. Believe me.
Our planned early start ended up being lunchtime. In fact we were so late that I ended up shooting out to the organic shop for a couple of sanis just before we left, to keep us going on the road.
The trailer was loaded up to the eyeballs with all the essentials that you need for a European trip. Tents, stoves, ex-mil 6ft trestle table, generator, chain saw, spare exhaust, spare manifolds, brake shoes, seals, angle iron (to feature later..) three spare wheels plus tyres, axle stands.......
We shut the door and got in. This was it. The big moment, and no I didn't take a photo. The Hillbillies cruised slowly down the avenue, waving regally at the odd few neighbours who were about. It was a great feeling to be on the road.
The good thing about setting off late was that there was no way we could contemplate a detour to see my parents and have a tearful goodbye scene.
We had allowed two full days to get down to Portsmouth to give us time for the unexpected. Which had now become a day and a half. The ferry left at some unearthly hour, 7 or 8 am or whatever, so we were booked into a guest house for the night before.
Leaving the city behind, we cruised down the A1 at a leisurely 50mph. The old girl didn't seem too bothered about pulling a trailer full of not-so-scrap iron and went well.
Until we got to the services outside Sheffield. The exhaust tail pipe was not looking too good. In fact it was rotto. Adrian twisted it off and chucked it in the bin. I stood there aghast wondering what on earth was happening. We resumed the journey without tailpipe.
As it was November it got dark pretty early. We started looking for somewhere to stop when we got to Loughborough. It seemed there was a conference on and everywhere was full - either that or they didn't like the look of the Series III and the hillbilly trailer.
But eventually someone directed us to what was presumably the old station hotel. It wasn't cheap - £50 a night for tarted up tawdry tat, but it was a bed, and we could take the dogs, and breakfast was included. Oh and there was a car park too.
We decided against the unbusy hotel restaurant, had a couple of drinks in the busy bar and then wandered out to find an excellent Chinese restaurant. Another walk for the dogs and an early night was called for.
The next morning, after picking our way through the largely inedible breakfast, Adrian set about finding a garage to weld the spare tail pipe onto the exhaust. (Always handy to carry spare tail pipe we find). As luck would have it, there was a decent garage not five minutes away who agreed to do it immediately - ish. Adrian marked the exhaust where he wanted it cutting, held it in position while the tail-pipe was welded on, and then bolted it on to the silencer.
Even if we had brought the welder with us in the trailer with all the other essentials, we couldn't have fixed it ourselves. We had no power source and the generator doesn't have enough power to support the welder.
I sat in the hotel room writing a couple of letters in my unexpected leisure time. The Landy was ready mid-late morning, and we set off again. Just as well we had allowed extra time.
We reached Portsmouth before dark. There was no-one in at the guest house. We parked up and Adrian looked at the electric fan. It didn't seem to be cutting in. We rang the RAC. They wouldn't be long.
It got dark. The guest house people returned and I booked in. The RAC still hadn't arrived. We rang them again. And again. And again. Seemed there was a computer breakdown. We risked leaving the vehicle and walked up the street for a quick take-away pizza.
The RAC guy arrived around 10pm. It was freezing cold at this point sitting in a Series III in November. I had wimped out and gone to the bedroom (which wasn't much warmer) but not much point in two of us shivering in the Landy.
As with all electrickery it was simple. A cable had come apart due to metal fatigue. Adrian came to bed looking brain-dead and frozen cold.
We were leaving too early in the morning to be served breakfast so there was a sort of offering awaiting us. Some naff cereal, instant coffee and some bread to toast. We toasted a couple of slices of bread and cleared off.
We reached the ferryport and joined the queue - things suddenly looked better. Ports are exciting, and the Landy had got us there in time, in spite of a couple of minor blips.
Time to embark. We drove on, clunkety clunk. Locked up the Landy and went upstairs to explore the ship.
And then we set off. We moved slowly through Portsmouth harbour in the half light, leaving everything behind, and heading out to sea.
Pic courtesy of Britanny Ferries.
Mileage
Home to Loughborough - 288 km
Loughborough to Portsmouth - 276 km
Total UK mileage: 564 km ie 352.5 miles
Landy problems
Broken tail pipe
Time taken - a couple of hours, but that was mostly waiting for the welder to be free. Cost, can't remember, but somewhere between £20 and £40.
Electric fan breakdown
Time taken - five hours waiting for the RAC. Five or ten minutes to do the job. Cost nil - apart from RAC membership cost of course.
I'd gone round the house marking stuff for the removals people about what was to stay. They had an extensive typed schedule of what to move and we had sent them the keys.
The theory had been that they actually came and packed stuff before we left but life doesn't work like that and they claimed double booking. So we told them to come and move us after we had gone. The stuff was going into storage anyway.
We couldn't change our ferry booking date because everything was finely tuned round the certificates from the vet for exporting the dogs. For anyone thinking of doing this in future - the key combination is ferry booking, vet's appointment, and getting the certificates from Defra which are posted to the vet for them to complete. When you are in the midst of selling a house - and moving before completion of sale - it is not an easy one to juggle. Believe me.
Our planned early start ended up being lunchtime. In fact we were so late that I ended up shooting out to the organic shop for a couple of sanis just before we left, to keep us going on the road.
The trailer was loaded up to the eyeballs with all the essentials that you need for a European trip. Tents, stoves, ex-mil 6ft trestle table, generator, chain saw, spare exhaust, spare manifolds, brake shoes, seals, angle iron (to feature later..) three spare wheels plus tyres, axle stands.......
We shut the door and got in. This was it. The big moment, and no I didn't take a photo. The Hillbillies cruised slowly down the avenue, waving regally at the odd few neighbours who were about. It was a great feeling to be on the road.
The good thing about setting off late was that there was no way we could contemplate a detour to see my parents and have a tearful goodbye scene.
We had allowed two full days to get down to Portsmouth to give us time for the unexpected. Which had now become a day and a half. The ferry left at some unearthly hour, 7 or 8 am or whatever, so we were booked into a guest house for the night before.
Leaving the city behind, we cruised down the A1 at a leisurely 50mph. The old girl didn't seem too bothered about pulling a trailer full of not-so-scrap iron and went well.
Until we got to the services outside Sheffield. The exhaust tail pipe was not looking too good. In fact it was rotto. Adrian twisted it off and chucked it in the bin. I stood there aghast wondering what on earth was happening. We resumed the journey without tailpipe.
As it was November it got dark pretty early. We started looking for somewhere to stop when we got to Loughborough. It seemed there was a conference on and everywhere was full - either that or they didn't like the look of the Series III and the hillbilly trailer.
But eventually someone directed us to what was presumably the old station hotel. It wasn't cheap - £50 a night for tarted up tawdry tat, but it was a bed, and we could take the dogs, and breakfast was included. Oh and there was a car park too.
We decided against the unbusy hotel restaurant, had a couple of drinks in the busy bar and then wandered out to find an excellent Chinese restaurant. Another walk for the dogs and an early night was called for.
The next morning, after picking our way through the largely inedible breakfast, Adrian set about finding a garage to weld the spare tail pipe onto the exhaust. (Always handy to carry spare tail pipe we find). As luck would have it, there was a decent garage not five minutes away who agreed to do it immediately - ish. Adrian marked the exhaust where he wanted it cutting, held it in position while the tail-pipe was welded on, and then bolted it on to the silencer.
Even if we had brought the welder with us in the trailer with all the other essentials, we couldn't have fixed it ourselves. We had no power source and the generator doesn't have enough power to support the welder.
I sat in the hotel room writing a couple of letters in my unexpected leisure time. The Landy was ready mid-late morning, and we set off again. Just as well we had allowed extra time.
We reached Portsmouth before dark. There was no-one in at the guest house. We parked up and Adrian looked at the electric fan. It didn't seem to be cutting in. We rang the RAC. They wouldn't be long.
It got dark. The guest house people returned and I booked in. The RAC still hadn't arrived. We rang them again. And again. And again. Seemed there was a computer breakdown. We risked leaving the vehicle and walked up the street for a quick take-away pizza.
The RAC guy arrived around 10pm. It was freezing cold at this point sitting in a Series III in November. I had wimped out and gone to the bedroom (which wasn't much warmer) but not much point in two of us shivering in the Landy.
As with all electrickery it was simple. A cable had come apart due to metal fatigue. Adrian came to bed looking brain-dead and frozen cold.
We were leaving too early in the morning to be served breakfast so there was a sort of offering awaiting us. Some naff cereal, instant coffee and some bread to toast. We toasted a couple of slices of bread and cleared off.
We reached the ferryport and joined the queue - things suddenly looked better. Ports are exciting, and the Landy had got us there in time, in spite of a couple of minor blips.
Time to embark. We drove on, clunkety clunk. Locked up the Landy and went upstairs to explore the ship.
And then we set off. We moved slowly through Portsmouth harbour in the half light, leaving everything behind, and heading out to sea.
Pic courtesy of Britanny Ferries.
Mileage
Home to Loughborough - 288 km
Loughborough to Portsmouth - 276 km
Total UK mileage: 564 km ie 352.5 miles
Landy problems
Broken tail pipe
Time taken - a couple of hours, but that was mostly waiting for the welder to be free. Cost, can't remember, but somewhere between £20 and £40.
Electric fan breakdown
Time taken - five hours waiting for the RAC. Five or ten minutes to do the job. Cost nil - apart from RAC membership cost of course.
Monday, 9 March 2009
Vandalism
Some time ago one of our neighbours had her car kicked in.
It was parked in a relatively safe place - or so we would all have thought - although not in a particularly busy (hence safe) or well-lit area.
Months later we parked up from there, in a well-lit spot where people walked past.
No problems for months - until....
.....one Saturday morning and a rear window was smashed.
Not smashed in, just suitably smashed with a tiny hole where whatever it was had been thrown at the window.
Needless to state, there were lots of broken bottles around the area.
Decided to seal it up for the journey back to Spain. Nice bag and some strong gaffer tape to get us through the border and avoid it shattering en route.
Just as well we did, because on the return journey it had shattered shortly before arriving in Gib.
Nice piece of board cut ready to fit while hunting down some glass. (Also carefully left in the pub so I had to go and retrieve it).
Still waiting to fit the board.
Thursday, 5 February 2009
The wished-for Christmas present
Before Christmas we managed to take a week's holiday so drove up to the finca.
The last time we drove down to Gib, the engine cut out when we turned out of the lane into the main street.
Once back in Gib, it didn't get forgotten about, rather put on the back burner as work took priority, and we rarely use the LR in the city.
So driving up to the finca, all went well. A good journey. Leaving the main road to turn into the village, left hand indicator on - engine cut out.
Started up again, and we pulled up outside the house. Reversed back to park close to the kerb. Engine cut out again. Even Mr and Ms Non-Electrical could work out there was an electrical problem that happened when some lights came on (LH indicator and reversing light).
Rather than spending the week messing around trying to diagnose the fault, we took the easy option and booked her into the local auto-electrician's which is pretty good.
Needless to state it wasn't difficult and he diagnosed it in about two seconds flat. Those of you who know more than us about electrics - not difficult - will no doubt have worked out what it was. One of my internet friends guessed it correctly straightaway. Oh well, electrics are not our strong point.
It needed a new ignition switch and barrel ie complete unit. One advantage was that we got new keys - and we have needed a spare one since we got the LR.
It wasn't too expensive either as it obviously didn't take long. The only problem was that it needed to come from Málaga, and it was a holiday weekend. So sadly we had to extend the holiday and take a couple of extra days off work.
Obviously needing something to do during those extra days, Partner went to look at another Santana. Older than ours but the same model, diesel, 3.5, 6-cylinder. The intention is to buy it for spare parts - although it seems such a shame to break something that would probably work with a bit of TLC.
Mmmmm he was lusting after it. And still is.
The last time we drove down to Gib, the engine cut out when we turned out of the lane into the main street.
Once back in Gib, it didn't get forgotten about, rather put on the back burner as work took priority, and we rarely use the LR in the city.
So driving up to the finca, all went well. A good journey. Leaving the main road to turn into the village, left hand indicator on - engine cut out.
Started up again, and we pulled up outside the house. Reversed back to park close to the kerb. Engine cut out again. Even Mr and Ms Non-Electrical could work out there was an electrical problem that happened when some lights came on (LH indicator and reversing light).
Rather than spending the week messing around trying to diagnose the fault, we took the easy option and booked her into the local auto-electrician's which is pretty good.
Needless to state it wasn't difficult and he diagnosed it in about two seconds flat. Those of you who know more than us about electrics - not difficult - will no doubt have worked out what it was. One of my internet friends guessed it correctly straightaway. Oh well, electrics are not our strong point.
It needed a new ignition switch and barrel ie complete unit. One advantage was that we got new keys - and we have needed a spare one since we got the LR.
It wasn't too expensive either as it obviously didn't take long. The only problem was that it needed to come from Málaga, and it was a holiday weekend. So sadly we had to extend the holiday and take a couple of extra days off work.
Obviously needing something to do during those extra days, Partner went to look at another Santana. Older than ours but the same model, diesel, 3.5, 6-cylinder. The intention is to buy it for spare parts - although it seems such a shame to break something that would probably work with a bit of TLC.
Mmmmm he was lusting after it. And still is.
Sunday, 21 December 2008
Took a wander round the Ark Royal when it came into Gib as part of British Forces Open Day.
It is huge. Or rather the aircraft hanger is huge as you would expect. The aircraft hanger was as much as we got to see, but there was some interesting stuff in there.
Not least this. Being ignorant in all things military I had to ask one of my sources what it was. He told me it was an AWD tractor, used for moving aircraft both on board and on land. A Douglas Tugmaster apparently. Thanks and credit to my source for finding out for me.
Of course there were a couple of Defenders to look at too, parked up at the Royal Naval Dockyard on the Open Day.
Next up - latest on our Landy and what he wants for Christmas........
It is huge. Or rather the aircraft hanger is huge as you would expect. The aircraft hanger was as much as we got to see, but there was some interesting stuff in there.
Not least this. Being ignorant in all things military I had to ask one of my sources what it was. He told me it was an AWD tractor, used for moving aircraft both on board and on land. A Douglas Tugmaster apparently. Thanks and credit to my source for finding out for me.
Of course there were a couple of Defenders to look at too, parked up at the Royal Naval Dockyard on the Open Day.
Next up - latest on our Landy and what he wants for Christmas........
Monday, 1 December 2008
A few pix
A selection of Land Rovers seen over the last few weeks.
So first up, three LRs parked near to each other in one of the car parks. Two Discoverys, and a Defender SWB.
Note the Maggiolina on one of the Discos which Partner is lusting after (the roof tent not the Disco - there are limits).
In the background of the shot with the red Disco, is the British War Memorial.
Lastly, what looks like the same Landy I posted about back in March, although slightly different appearance. One day we will catch the owner to speak to them.
So first up, three LRs parked near to each other in one of the car parks. Two Discoverys, and a Defender SWB.
Note the Maggiolina on one of the Discos which Partner is lusting after (the roof tent not the Disco - there are limits).
In the background of the shot with the red Disco, is the British War Memorial.
Lastly, what looks like the same Landy I posted about back in March, although slightly different appearance. One day we will catch the owner to speak to them.
Sunday, 12 October 2008
109 ambulance
Went for a walk this arvo, and set off down the street. Suddenly realised it would be more sensible to go uphill.
Whereupon, I spotted this fine 109 ambulance.
After chatting for a bit, I ran off down the street to get Adrian who needed to be alerted immediately to the presence of a Land Rover being fiddled on very nearby.
1981, fitted with a 19J four cylinder turbo diesel, Kenlowe fan, and Defender front end. Of course Adrian may have got some of this wrong. The engine looked very well fitted, pix next time maybe. Previously fitted with a V8.
Then I left them to it.
A good way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Yes?
Mine was spent taking pictures of Fedra - here.
Whereupon, I spotted this fine 109 ambulance.
After chatting for a bit, I ran off down the street to get Adrian who needed to be alerted immediately to the presence of a Land Rover being fiddled on very nearby.
1981, fitted with a 19J four cylinder turbo diesel, Kenlowe fan, and Defender front end. Of course Adrian may have got some of this wrong. The engine looked very well fitted, pix next time maybe. Previously fitted with a V8.
Then I left them to it.
A good way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Yes?
Mine was spent taking pictures of Fedra - here.
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
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