September 2022

 

September 2022

 

Life has been going at a pace with interruptions from colds and infections. I’m sure I’m not right yet. In Hackney on Colvestone road is the Rebellion Blue plaque for Dorothy Levitt “Fastest Girl in the World” learning to drive in 1902 was trained as a mechanic and chauffer she got the speed bug and was winning races from the start. Not satisfied with racing cars she turned to boats and held the water speed world record in 1903. She held a number of world records up to the First World War. She wrote books on motoring and even invented the rear view mirror using her make-up mirror from her compact strategically placed in the car. Who would have thought someone so ‘dare devil’ lived just a short distance from a Primary School? A notice for Girl Power if there ever was one but I’m sure few people take much notice of the Blue plaque and its significance.

Giving the El Cid a rest and wanting to put some miles on the Burton I had a number things planned, like the 2CV Club night, the Wey Valley Advanced Motorcyclists trade faire and the model railway exhibition at Whitewebbs Museum. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of that week all of which I missed. Sunday I was on my way to the Norfolk Broads for some quality time with my Brothers. I popped into the Museum on the way and saw four of the model engines I had built running. Number five had been working but had expired by the time I arrived. I had built them in the early eighties when working away from home. It was a real treat to see them performing again on the tracks at the museum.Arriving at the museum it turned out to be Morris Minor day and to my surprise  I was invited to display the Burton while I was there. 

The Norfolk Broads, specifically Martham, has a very good DIY store where you can get everything from tow ball covers to household fittings, rope, tools galore and paint for any job. It was a must visit place for me as I was able to replace the tow ball cover lost in Spain and another one for the Burton. It was a good escape to some fresh air with some sailing and trips out using a new lightweight outboard devised by Adrian using a 50cc two stroke strimmer engine. It worked well with a centrifugal clutch that had lighter springs that allowed the drive to disengage just above tickover instead of half way up the rev range. There was some fettling to be done to get the most out of the engine that probably needs a less aggressive propeller to make the most of the revs and power from the engine.

Back home and the fuel economy from the Burton returned 54mpg. Not bad from a thirty-five year old engine. Home a couple of days and Gita and I were off to Barnsley for an eightieth birthday party. The Burton returning 49mpg for that trip. Not quite so good but it is up hill going north.