All for a piece of Green.

I find it quite sad that Caterham are no longer part of the F1 world.  All the staff who worked so hard building the cars and getting the team organised.  It was even more sad today when I went to the factory to collect the auction item I had won.  (The rear left cover 'with M').  I wasn't sure whether to bid or not but then again the team had already been laid off and money raised should be going to those owed money.

Having won the auction item the next thing was getting it.  The Post and Pack option quoted £105 for an item which cost just £90.  But, from Lancashire to Leafield (via the scenic route) is ~168 miles each way.

I checked the weather, shifted a few work meetings around and today (Monday 27th April) I drove to pick up my peice of green.

An early and cold start at 5.45am.  The heater was on full,  I had a thick jacket and 2 layers and I was still bitterly cold almost all of the way there.

I plugged a diversion into the satnav to get me close to Jodrel Bank.  I have passed it many times on the train to London but never visited.  Needless to say it was closed at 7.30am in the morning.

Another Pic

And another pic. 

This was the road from Leafield back to Chipping Norton.  Didn't think too much of chipping Norten but great roads.

And the piece of green.  £60 in petrol and a great day off work driving the seven.

Tool Tube Installation

Many thanks to Jonathan Kay for organising a tool tube bulk buy.  Two tubes and two red bags for ~£16 is truly a bargain.  After the usual sunday events such as kids rugby and cutting grass, I managed to find an hour to install the two tubes.

I have the sumo version of a caterham and as such there is a little more room for the tool tubes than I guess some other owners may have.  The first one was installed at the end of the drivers footwell, this was put in at a slight angle to allow the top to unscrew easily.  The second one went under the crossbracing above the steering column.  The second one couldn't go above the crossbracing as that is where I strap the jack and wheel brace.

The first tube installed.

The M8 bolts inside the drivers footwell.

Three 19mm P Clips with 25mm M6 Bolts fix the tube to the underside of the crossbracing.

I also put a tie wrap around the tube and the diagonal to stop the tube rocking side to side and banging on the diagonal.

Two P Clips for the top end of the tool tube.

This shows the jack on top of the crossbracing.

I may change this set up and add a piece of metal to the tool tube to stop the plastic from bending.

Rammy to Fleetwood

I am coming up to a year of on the road ownership and with just over 3000 miles on the clock I can safely say I am getting out and about as much as possible.  I decided on a drive through the forest of bowland and up to Fleetwood on Saturday.  The sun was out but it was a little chilly when going at speed.  None the less the drive there and back was great.  Had a slight issue with the fuel guage appearing empty at ~180 miles yet I could only get 26 litres into a 42 litre tank when I went to fill up.