April 2023

                                                       April 2023

 

Another month has dragged by in a mist of ill health, rain and the death of another 2 CV club member, Keith the apiary. He loved his bees and 2CV. This month there was drive day organised by the Mad Hatters, the club next door. The run was drawn up by Gill and Bill. It was a very good route to Nuffield Place with the starting point in Staines, Sainsburys car park. It was a bit wet to start but it became drier as the day went on. Out through Windsor towards Maidenhead to Pinkneys Green Cricket Club for rendezvous with other clubs and on to the Square Deal Cafe to see a display of Historic Commercial Vehicles which we joined. Enough time to enjoy a full English and be around the Burton to answer questions from admirers. Gita took the opportunity to have a photo shoot with a New York Taxi.

 We left the cafe and the convoy was split by the main road traffic. In the queue to cross the traffic controlled bridge at Sonning we all managed to become a convoy again and reach Nuffield Place as one column of cars. We were to park as a display in front of the house so we were let in at the private entrance and came up the drive. Parked up we all enjoyed the appreciation of the visitors. The National Trust did us proud and we enjoyed the ambience for a few hours. Gita and I enjoyed the day out immensely and many thanks to Bill and Gil for organising it.

The previous week there were Bihu celebrations that we took the Burton to. It was at Hornchurch going around the M25 to get there. It was my first longish drive since last year. Again it rained and Gita drove back. My navigation was not so good and ended up in the wrong lane taking the A12 and missing the M25. All worked out well because of the level of street lighting and lower speeds. Gita did well for not having driven the Burton since 2019.

I seem to be writing this backwards as at the beginning of the month was Wey Valley Observed Sunday which was my first run out on the Buell. Observed was quite busy and much was discussed about the coming London Classic Bike show next month.

I need to have a new hood for the El Cid. I have all the materials but not a suitable frame for the sidescreens. They are made from 40mm by 3mm mild steel strip and 6mm bar. To fit the screens have so many subtle angles and curves to fit the space it is a challenge to get is right. It took s few days of trial and error to achieve this. One more job towards the new hood