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Today was day 11 and the final day of this latest ‘tour’ of the south and south west…

After leaving some really fantastic digs this morning we headed over to Carterton, Oxfordshire for work on Deans 2004 TF 135 (in LEF). We went with quite a list of things to do, but when we got there he had changed his mind about a couple of things and resolved others. Not complaining of course, though it’s usually the other way round.

Cambelt, water pump, tensioner, plugs, all filters replaced and alternator belt. Couple of other bits sorted. All went nice and smoothly and ready for him to do the NC 500 next month.

Rather ironically our first call of this epic trip was to see Richard in Hereford for preemptive head gasket, amongst other things. He contacted us a couple of days ago to say that after just over 300 miles there was signs of coolant loss on the garage floor, but no over heating. So we arranged to call back over on way home to see what was occurring. We discovered that there was a minor leak from the back of the block, this may have been caused by a piece of dirt being dislodged when the head was going back on and got trapped between the head and the gasket. Cylinder head was removed and fresh gasket put in place. Then put under pressure to make sure it was anything to do with the block surface or the cylinder head. All back up and running nicely again. Thank you Richard for the cuppa and cakes, nice to see you again!

Really good weather today too 🌞

Now we’re heading back home, it will be good to see the cat and see what she’s been up to and sleep in our own bed. 10 nights and 7 different hotels and guest houses, which have all been excellent, not one grotty one this time! – https://ift.tt/SwXJBLc

A short commute to Tuffley, near Gloucester this morning…

Brian had bought this fab 1998 MGF 120 mpi (in JRJ), a couple of years ago and had enjoyed some great runs out in her so far. The cambelt service was due and he also wanted a preemptive head gasket replacement done, just for peace of mind, at the same time, so he put the car on SORN until our visit.

Today we replaced all the gaskets, the cambelt, water pump, tensioner and alternator belt. What a pleasure to work on, and a very quiet smooth engine on startup. So he’s all set now for the summer months.

Really good to meet Brian and have a chat, he’s got an interesting fleet of vehicles, including this Rover 100, that’s absolutely lovely! So nice to have doggy cuddles with Bailey his gorgeous Labradoodle. Thanks for the cuppas Brian.

We then went over to Cheltenham where it was good to see Steve again for annual service on his TF 135 (in MBB), who had asked if we could come over when we were next in the area. A chat about things he’d like sorting on the next visit. Thanks for the brew Steve.

Great weather today, considering the forecast wasn’t too good.

Bit of a storm last night, but an amazing sunset and clouds following it, with great views from the top floor of our amazing digs. Last night here and then we head over to Oxford in the morning. – https://ift.tt/SwXJBLc

After departing from our digs in Poole this morning we headed to a little village near Blandford Forum called Child Okeford, where it was great to see Tim again and his 1999 MGF 143.

Minor service carried out, plus pre MOT check. One of the sun visors was missing so we took one with us to fit. Thanks for the homemade Victoria sponge and a welcome cuppa Tim, we look forward to our visit again next year.

We then pootled a few miles along the road to Stourpaine, where it was lovely to meet Matthew, who had got in touch to see when we would be in the area, for work on his 2002 TF 135 (in HFF).

Cambelt, water pump, tensioner, spark plugs, all filters and alternator replaced, plus oil change. Thanks to Matthew for a cracking brew and homemade brown

We bid our farewells and headed further north, with a steady plod through glorious countryside, with many quaint villages and are now in some fab digs in Cheltenham which will be home for the last two nights of this trip. – https://ift.tt/C61xU8Q

A picturesque commute down to Swanage this morning and thankfully clear skies, following an absolute deluge last night with an amazing electrical storm!

It was really lovely to meet Tricia, who had got in touch a few months ago asking if we could give her Stepspeed a check over when we were next in the area.

What a great example in Trophy blue, that had been evidently very well cared for with the previous owner. Alternator belt replaced as it was squealing a bit on start-up. Good check over the car and all 16 error codes cleared, that were there from the previous head gasket failure. We look forward to seeing Tricia again next year for the minor service.

Tricia recommended that we return via the chain ferry (thank you for the ticket!) from Shell Bay to Sandbanks. Had a walk along the beach for a look at the amazing houses along there. What a beautiful coastline, well worth a visit. Bacon sarnie and a cuppa and purchase of the requisite fridge magnet.

Back to our fab digs for the last night in Poole, before we start heading north. – https://ift.tt/kQugWA1

A day off today in the middle of our trip to rest our bones and enjoy a run across the South Downs, taking in a visit to Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove on the way.

Despite the squalls of rain we went down to the beach. But, poor Jon’s dodgy ankle didn’t fair well, so the resting of the bones didn’t work out quite as planned. A nice day though, appreciating where we are in the country and making the most of it.

Now in our new digs in Poole for a couple of nights, ahead of a visit to Swanage in the morning to meet Tricia and her TF. – https://ift.tt/kQugWA1

Our call today was in Cornwall and a lovely drive over this morning from our digs…

Geoffrey had contacted us as he wanted a few things sorting on his 2001 MGF 115 (in CMU).

Preemptive head gasket replacement carried out, plus cambelt water pump and tensioner. New alternator fitted and belt. Originally it was also booked in for stainless underfloor pipes, but already had them fitted by the previous owner, and stainless engine bay pipes, but as there is a shortage on these and we used our last set this wasn’t done, but the pipes on the car were like new anyway. Another very nice example. Didn’t get a pic of the interior, but it had red alcantara seats.

They wanted us to have a look at their other car whilst we were there and assess for potential work for next time. The water pump was leaking and the car came with little history when he collected it from the Isle of Wight. They were pleased of the reassurance that they hadn’t bought a bad one, and hadn’t realised it was a 160, which also came with a Heritage hard top. A few things to do when we’re back again in August to get it up to the spec that they would like it in.

Really good to meet Geoffrey and Carol (and Pepper of course, their gorgeous west highland terrier) and have a chat. Thank you, both for the endless supply of a welcome pot of tea and biscuits! We look forward to our return trip.

We now find ourselves in, again, some fantastic digs on a working farm just near Launceston. We got to meet our neighbours, calves only a few weeks old and watch the herd being milked. Beautiful location, a 6 mile walk for me and a snooze for Jon. Eurovision on for the evening’s entertainment maybe? 😃 – https://ift.tt/k49SPEA

A good run down from South Wales this morning and we have spent the day in Weston-super-Mare…

Joao had got in touch a couple of months ago to see if we would be in the area anytime soon, as he suspected the head gasket had gone on his MGF 1.8 mpi (in JRJ) with thanks to Andy P for the recommendation.

As soon as we spotted it, we knew what was possibly at fault. A dodgy cap! We carried out all our usual checks and happily for Joao this is all it was down to. While we were there he asked if we could carry out the minor service as nothing had been done on the car for quite a while. This was done, plus two new pressure tested caps supplied. All error codes cleared and a chat with Joao about other things to be aware of. Good to meet him and he was really grateful that that’s all it was.

We then went over to the local euro car parts to get stocked back up on a few things. Spotted this lovely looking MGF next door. Then we went on to the sea front for a cuppa. I made the most of having an afternoon free and had a good yomp round to Sand Point and up to the rocky outcrop. Really fab views over to South Wales, good weather too.

Bit of a change in the plans today, as we were supposed to be seeing Mark Ford this morning in Bristol, for work on his ZR and MGF, but sadly for him he has had to sell them. We still keep in touch and wish him all the very best. We could have made other bookings in his place, but out of respect we didn’t feel right doing that.

We’ve got a lovely hotel for the night, with a proper sea view, shame we’re not staying longer! It’s another early night ahead of our next leg of the trip in the morning. 🌊☀️ – http://www.facebook.com/pages/p/1295587220479237

We left our fab digs in Lea this morning and headed over to Abertillery for work on Steve’s low mileage TF 135 (in CEV)…

Thanks to a recommendation from Lesley and Frank Hooper (thank you, both) Steve had got in touch back in November to see if we could swap out the underfloor coolant pipes for stainless ones when we were next in the area.

Underfloor pipes replaced, with an underneath that looks like new still, with shiny untouched bolts since the day they were put in. While we were there Steve asked if we could carry out a minor service and also check out a strange whirring sound coming from the engine. The cambelt service was recently carried out locally, but we found that the cambelt had caught the water pump bolts, which had then pulled the tensioner, resulting in about 8” of the cambelt to be ripped off. So it was decided that best practice would be to replace the belt and the tensioner.

Certainly a timely save from ultimate impending disaster, which would have been a huge shame to happen to this fantastic example.

The roof was also not fitting as well as Steve would have liked so this was adjusted and made a much better fit.

We should have been seeing another one in Cardiff this afternoon, but the chap cancelled as he sold the car, we could have fitted more in, but thought we would have the afternoon free, in hind site it was good that we didn’t and were able to spend the time getting Steve’s sorted. You just never know with these little cars what they’re going to throw at you. What was a simple smallish job doesn’t always work out that way.

Lovely to meet Steve and Sharon and have a chat throughout the day. Plus lots of cuppas and chocolate brownie always go down well!

The weather was a tad moist, this morning, so we were very pleased when we pulled up to a double garage! 🌧

We nipped up to Cwmtillery lakes for a look at afterwards on Steve’s suggestion as it was just a couple of miles along the road, what a lovely place hidden away, didn’t know that was there and we’ve been to the area a few times now over the years. Good to see Steve also out giving the car a blast in the sun! ☀️ 😃

A stop over in Pontypool tonight and an early night ahead of traveling further south to our next location morning… 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 – https://ift.tt/WLIUR4d