Diary of a Country Lad - VW V6 4Motion & Citroen C4

[Whatty]

mwstewart said:

Thanks for sharing. I also love the Golf Recaros - fantastic seats!

You can say that again. Actually you did

In time the FoMo will probably go, regardless the Recaros are staying with me.

Comfy seats? Balloon tyres? I must be getting old

[Sirf]

I made an account just to comment on this thread - I hope that shows just how much I love it.

First of, as a person who's always wanted to move to the US and who lived in New York for a couple of months + a month in Tom's River New Jersey your previous adventure thread was a mighty good read.

Keep looking at this thread on a daily basis waiting for further updates. Wish I had something equally interesting to share but unfortunately I don't own a car and all my adventures take place on pedal powered two wheels..

[Shadow R1]

Brilliant thread, please keep the ramblings going.

[MotorsportTom]

I concur with the above.

It may seem like ramblings to you but it makes for good reading, even the small details that only really matter to you and your family are interesting.

A great writing style and a good sense of humour keeps me checking back regularly.

Keep up the good work!

[Whatty]

Sirf said:

I made an account just to comment on this thread - I hope that shows just how much I love it.

First of, as a person who's always wanted to move to the US and who lived in New York for a couple of months + a month in Tom's River New Jersey your previous adventure thread was a mighty good read.

Keep looking at this thread on a daily basis waiting for further updates. Wish I had something equally interesting to share but unfortunately I don't own a car and all my adventures take place on pedal powered two wheels..

Well I'm humbled to think that someone would take the time to sign up to PH cos of me, thank you Mr. Sirf for your kind words.

Toms River, NJ eh?

Uncanny it was Toms River where I looked at a Mark I Mini back in 2008.

So a month in Toms River would have seen you taking in the sights of the Jersey Shore, Red Bank, Asbury Park (see the Stone Pony Club?) Belmar, Seaside Heights etc ?

The trip down the Garden State Parkway to see 'this' Mini was memorable for all the wrong reasons and it was really Ms Whatty's first insight into the twisted world of the classic/collectors/project car.

Albeit somebody else's in this case.

Having spotted the ad on a forum I'd duly made a mid-week appointment to view it after work. This necessitated a 90 minute drive in rush hour and a barely digestable McD's from the quaintly named but in reality ghetto-like Cheesequake rest stop en route with a bemused Ms Whatty riding shotgun.

Pulling up at the sellers house in Toms River I spied the Austin lurking in the open garage and knew immediately that it had been a wasted trip. In fact if I hadn't called to let the vendor know I was outside I would have bundled Ms Whatty back into the car and left to salvage something of our evening.

Obviously PH is crammed with tales of wasted journeys thanks to dishonest sellers that are blinded by the $$$ that they've invested in their hobby.

This particular guy was no exception and I couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm for the disaster that I now had to politely examine. One man's meat is another man's pathology lab.

A picture can say a thousand words.
In this case - Turd x1000.

Imagine a car that has been used for training 1st year apprentice paint sprayers to practice on and....Actually that's very unfair to apprentice sprayers.

Consider the result of giving two five year old's a catering size drum of 1970's P-38 filler and a selection of mismatched aerosol cans containing a variety of ivory/ white paint and you get some idea of the result.

The panels that didn't have drips had orange peel, those that were free of drips'n'peel had been filled with clag. I can only assume that it was the excess of filler in the sills that prevented the doors from shutting. The Grp 2 arches had been riveted on and then creatively backfilled with a poorly wielded trowel.

With the seller assuring us that it was a genuine B.M.C RHD car the shop soiled lemon was started up and reversed into the driveway leaving Ms Whatty and self wreathed in a cloud of oil smoke so as to give us 'a better look.'

I didn't want to. Suppressing the urge to point out the bleeding obvious I politely admired the red carpet which was quite well fitted before turning to the eagerly proffered engine bay.

The engine bay was dirty, ditto the engine. I felt dirty just looking at the 1275 BL Goldseal exchange lump. In truth it was beyond embarrassing, the chrome rocker cover and polished single S.U carb, jewels in a cesspit of dirt and oil.

Time elapsed so far? About 4 minutes.

Would I like a drive?
No but thank you.

Ms Whatty, in a fit of politeness, gave me the look that told me not to be rude so thirty seconds later I'm piloting a P-38 Austin down a side street, grinding gears and killing mosquito's with 20W50. I 'kin hate 'squito's so not all bad.

After 500 yards I could take no more and pushed the brake pedal. Clearly a Democrat the car pulled so hard to the left it could actually have been a 'genwine Commie'.

I duly voted to U-turn and do what I should have done two hours previously. Go home.

The ASKING price for this gem? $13800.00
Vendor obviously an Everley Brothers fan.

Thank you Sirf, for the trip down memory lane.

Cheers
Whatty

[alangtt]

Yessss your back, I checked the 10 year thread, disappointed there was no update, but saw the link to this one.
Bookmarked.
Welcome back. Where do you prefer to live. Does mrs W like it here?

[Whatty]

alangtt said:

Yessss your back, I checked the 10 year thread, disappointed there was no update, but saw the link to this one.
Bookmarked.
Welcome back. Where do you prefer to live. Does mrs W like it here?

Hi Mr.alangtt

Nice to see you again

Still loving your French Bread?

11 years without sight of a Renault/Peugeot/Citroen has been odd.
I'm seeing them in a whole new light these days. Usually foggy.
Deux Cheveaux




In answer to your question: Its nice to be home but its taking a bit of adjustment.

Lots of things have changed in Nelson's County since I left 'for good' in 2003.
For a start I can remember when all this was fields.



As for Ms and Master Whatty's take on the UK? Good question.

They blew (literally) back into town on Monday after three weeks Stateside. Quite a few loose ends needed to be tied up in the Garden State despite our September D-day deadline. Completion of our house sale for one thing, saying goodbye to the neighbours another. Sadly one of them probably won't be around next time we visit.

Goodbye Big-Chief-Bob-Across-The-Street. Fair winds on the other side.

Carpe diem.

Been up to lots in their absence.
Like my old career the last month has had a lot of automotive and engine content.
Very enjoyable, very Pistonheads.

Working on my Uncle skills.
The only police car I saw that week.
Refreshing.



Kicked some tyres.
'Salesman' told me a good tale or two.



Enthusiastically showed my his new project.
Heavy Metal Norfolk style.



And one of his older restorations.
Better than new OEM fit and finish. MWStewart would approve.



Last time I was this close to a crane I was talking shop in Kentucky.
The safety yellow a bit brighter, the conversation more profitable.
But strangely less satisfying.



Rediscovering forgotten Britain. 'Politeness costs nothing' - quite.
Even the road signs are apologetic.



Doing some freelance 'stuff' for Mr. Arms Dealer
He's scratching that Alfa itch.
Serious business: the obscured registration is mandatory given his client base.



Business trip?
Fun trip?
Can't really decide. Comfy GT seats regardless.



The East Anglian Fens, the Badlands of the United Kingdom.
Big Sky Country - very flat.
A girl here is only a virgin if she can ran faster than her brother and talk faster than her Uncle. (ye olde E.Ang:joke c.1745 AD)



Bloody paperwork. Mr. Arms Dealer (and Exporter) hates meddling bureaucrats.
"Price and end user certificates on application sir"



'We play with guns and people get hurt'

Quote from a work related discussion I had back in the Summer.

Spare a thought/time/cash for 'Our Boys & Girls' as we get into poppy season.

www.walkingwiththewounded.org.uk

SUPPORT not sympathy needed.

Cheers
Whatty.

[mwstewart]

Another great read - thanks. I'll echo the rememberance comments; In London its nice to see that all of the DLR trains have a large Poppy decal stuck to their front window.

[Sirf]

Jersey shore; cruised around the area in my friends parents SL63 AMG - blasting up and down the Route 35 was rather fun.

Red Bank; had some pretty average meals out there

Hung out around the Ocean County Mall a bit.

Went to Retro Fitness a lot as there was not much for me to do.

Did some motocrossing through the woods which was fun.
All in all a good place to spend Thanksgiving and hang around.

Enjoyed the story! Glad I could inspire some travels down memory lane.

Whatty said:

Well I'm humbled to think that someone would take the time to sign up to PH cos of me, thank you Mr. Sirf for your kind words.

Toms River, NJ eh?

So a month in Toms River would have seen you taking in the sights of the Jersey Shore, Red Bank, Asbury Park (see the Stone Pony Club?) Belmar, Seaside Heights etc ?

Much nostalgia.

Thank you Sirf, for the trip down memory lane.

Cheers
Whatty

[Whatty]

Saturday October 25th 2014

Up before the lark, very early.
Need to kill an hour.
Really missed reading UK newspapers.

Appropriate topic for homeless Family Whatty.
Currently our project de jour.



Alpine scenery a bit lacking in Norfolk.
Might be a good thing.
Previous winter sport road trip efforts with Ms Whatty worthy of a post.
Get well soon Herr. Schumacher.



BIG news story in the South Norfolk Mercury.

This doesn't surprise me, more charity shops than real shops downtown.
I reckon it was those slags from the donkey retirement place wot done it.



Hen sanctuary? I'll provide a toasty home for them c/o Chez Gas Mark 4.

05:50 am

VW 4Motion
A11 Southbound

Very dark. Love the lack of urban light pollution
Very quiet. CD player missing. Radio 2 lady jock a bit annoying.

Apex springs and sectional concrete don't make for a good snap.



A14 Westbound
Not quite sure where I'm headed, time to turn on the Beatch-in-the-box.
Antique Garmin stuck in Sheila-the-Australian's mode, trusty companion on our Eyetalian honeymoon. "Take next right on to the Ortostraaada"




A428 - Bedfordshire

Getting close but I need breakfast. Fed up with rip off roadside catering c/o Costabucks I'm rediscovering the delights of the layby bap wagon.
Support your independent local business.



Good start to the day.
Mug of tea, bacon roll, investigate slightly odd 2nd-3rd gear change.

Olympus reaches the parts I can't.
Hmmm, no time or expertise to properly diagnose.
This might be the culprit. 126k miles x XXX gearshifts?



Behind schedule. fk it.
If in doubt Duct Tape or Cable Tie.
Sorted. Feels better? Dunno, placebo effect.



Hurried "Arrivedeci" to tea wagon and Napoli fan man.
Got a date with another van man.


Cheers Whatty.

[Whatty]

Saturday October 25th.
Bedford Autodrome.

Well this must be the place. Not as late as I feared.
The road to get here was not that long - 88 odd miles.
The time waiting to get here was a bit longer - 6 years.
So another 20 minutes won't kill me.
And the view from my new office is infinitely better.



But why are we queuing?
Aaah - noise testing.
No more than 101 dB.
Nice man in safety yellow wants 4500rpm.

VW FoMo V6 manages a paltry 77dB.
No chickening out for me then.
Trackday here I come.



Of course they do have trackdays in the U.S.A or HIGH PERFORMANCE DRIVING EVENTS as their catchily titled.
Time, distance and weather conspired to prevent me pressing my NJ garage queens into active track duty.
No matter....
Have low sprung chaviot, will track it.



Snetterton circuit in Norfolk is very close to my heart and home. Bedford though makes for a handy rendezvous with Brother Breadvan and his VERY merry band.

They've brought BIG guns and a lot of track time to the fight.

BMW Z3M
M3 CSL
997 Turbo
GT3 RS
MGB GT V8 Sebring replica

By comparison Whatty & FoMo combined equate to a wooden chip fork.



Refreshingly brief driver briefing over.
(Common sense, you can't always buy it)

Participating in a Northern New Jersey Region Porsche Club of America Chapter High Performance Driving Event (or N.N.J.R.P.C.A.C.H.P.D.E for short) will necessitate a trip to the local OPC or recognized indie for a technical inspection. Safety first and all that.

Not sure if they charge for it, sneaking suspicion they do.

As this is a UK trackday and not a N.N.J.R.P.C.A.C.H.P.D.E I've opted for a trip to see the ever cheerful Mr. Grumpy at the local M.O.T station two days prior.

I must be the first person who loudly demanded he pay v. close attention to the brakes, steering and suspension mounting points .

40 minutes + 40 quid = PASS.
1 advisory - crack in passenger side mirror.

Pitlane preparation.
1. Insert front towing eye.
2. Remove boat anchor spare wheel. Weighs 38 pounds / 17 kilos .
3. Realize U.S tire pressure gauge in PSI not BAR.

Europe, its the little differences.




Driver preparation.
1. Check out hospitality suite. Free hot chocolate - wonderful.
2. Check unblemished helmet, 3 years and 2 hurricanes since the Sports Car Club of America deemed it safe to dodge cones in. Feeling a bit virginal myself.

Time for a sighting lap.
Brother Breadvan rides shotgun.

Bedford GT Circuit. Very flat.
Very long.3.6 miles.
Gran Turismo is right.
Wanted: Navigator.




TBC.

House viewing calls.
Wanted. 3/4 bedroom period home detached with 'sheds'.


Cheers Whatty.

Edited by Whatty on Saturday 1st November 08:24

[Whatty]

Saturday October 25th
Bedford Autodrome
GT Circuit.
Pitlane

'Whatty and VW FoMo V6, A Comedy of Errors'

Act 1.
Scene 1.

A lack of GoPro or other securely mounted recording device means that there is no evidence to confirm or deny my high performance driving talent.

Honesty though is the best policy so I'll come clean. And unlike a bad workman I won't blame my tools.

Surrounded by faster cars and drivers an open pitlane day is for this TD virgin quite an intimidating environment.

Driving the right line in principal is easy, in practice surrounded by faster drivers I'm experiencing sensory overload while doing it all wrong. Braking too lightly too late, turning in too soon. In short overdriving leaves me feeling underwhelmed.

Learning curves? More like a vertical straight line. Fast in slow out, go immediately to the back of the following track pack.

Track dunce in the naughty corner.



In the pantheon of great drivers I will not be compared to the great Al Unser.
Around the 3.6 miles of Bedford I'm more Al Zheimer, after 3 laps I'm still not sure what corner will be appearing next.

What I am certain of is that this is fun, my bargain FoMo V6 is quick enough, its Recaro's super supportive and that my overall priority is not spoiling the fun of others. There's some very fast machinery out here.

Racing Radicals, Caterhams, M3's, 911's all appear and disappear at a startling rate. Sticking to the right and keeping out of their way seems to be the best line to take.

Keeping my foot hard down while my eyes glued to the side mirrors on the straights takes its toll.

Time I think for a change of role.

Exit pit lane on right.

Stand in wings and admire other actors.



End of Scene 1 Act 1.

[Whatty]

Act 1 Scene 2.

Brother Breadvan suggests a couple of pax laps in his Z3M. Good idea.

1999 Z3M - 105K miles, he's likes it so much he's owned it twice. Resident in London SWxx its a bit of a pampered pavement princess but he pedals it pretty hard at weekends. Today a case in point.

The first time I drove it back in 2010 I was still enjoying my 964 back in New Jersey.

After a quick go with his 300 bhp straight six shooter my garage queen flat six seemed a trifle...well flat.

Then again Norfolk is a very different daily driving environment to the suburban maze that is NJ. Nor is the home county of Colmans mustard that flat in the tasty places we know.

The Zbreadshed is a place, like Norfolk, enjoyed best when you can really unwind it. Though unlike Norfolk you can't really stretch out in it, hard seats, limited leg room and a similar analog dial count to 911s.



Slightly more than 2 laps later and I've learned a lot from the man who thought taking a 993 tiptronic to a drift day was a good idea. We all make mistakes in life.

But their only mistakes if you don't learn from them and he promptly saw the light and bought the Zbreadshed back again.

End of scene 2.

Cheers
Whatty.

[Coker]

A very enjoyable read, cheers

[Whatty]

Coker said:

A very enjoyable read, cheers

Thank you Mr. Coker.

Just a bit of fag packet doodling on my part, appreciate your comment.

Bedford Autodrome October 25th.

Act 1 Scene 3

M3 CSL SMG

The old adage that variety is the spice of life seems to be holding as true for me today as the rest of my sabbatical 2014. Busy weekdays and now a busy trackday. Made all the better for the opportunity to sample a variety of rides in a relaxed atmosphere of shared automotive pleasures.

In fact there is more key swapping going on here than at a suburban dinner party.

I'm content to be along for the rides if not a ride. As it were.

After the Z3M the E46 CSL is more my new-father-role thing.

Sensible four seater tintop with two pedals and a bit of carbon roofing thrown in to show the cognoscenti that it’s not just another E46.

Fixed cloth Recaro's feel a lot more supportive than the Zedshed benches but lack the supple leather give of my FoMo's 'caro recliners.

Rhetorical question. Am I revealing a deep seated Recaro fetish?

Putting my soft furnishing fantasies aside we're off for a few laps. The SMG 'box that made me wince on a time-wasting test drive one Stateside Saturday immediately feels like the only answer to track related questions that I'm not really qualified to answer.

Any chance to ponder further is sadly interrupted by a vibratory sensation caused by warped discs. Dammit I was just getting warmed up and now we're running at 50% to cool them down. Home James best spare the horses.

Act 1 Scene 4.

Porsche GT3 RS

Seems like the 3rd sector world that is the business of charity is enjoying a bit of a renaissance.

Not immune to dropping a few coins in the bucket myself I enjoyed my first Pork fest courtesy of the Sporting Bears Charity Club at Snetterton.

A ten quid donation to a worthy cause found me giggling in the passenger seat of a duck tailed but battered 911 club racer that slithered to and fro for 4 laps one damp November afternoon in the late '80s.

I'm not sure if it was the engine noise or the unique view twixt those front wings but from then on this pimply youth of old was smitten.

Fast forward to 2014, acne and sadly 964 free I'm metaphorically shutting the door on the memories of past Porsche and actually closing one on the mother lode of Mezger engined 911's.

GT3 RS - road and track weapon. It gets better, a week from Halloween, Lucifer is at the wheel and we might just be going to hell in his handcart.
Having left my Big Book of Evo Phrases behind I'm left speechless as we carve our way through what might be the perfect PH smorgasbord of mixed machinery.

Late braking into the tight Turn One on the heels of a Radical might just be the pinnacle of my passenger career.

Any car bloke or blokette worthy of the name should really experience something like this before shuffling off their adjustable coilovers. No amount of late night Youtubing can replicate the first hand sensation of what this thing can do in the right hands.

The engine noise alone is worth flogging a kidney for, providing the cornering forces haven't rendered both of them useless. Always an admirer of Porsche brakes I'm practically dangling in my seatbelt into the corners as Lucifer happily whips his way around while I'm just inwardly laughing at my good fortune to be sat here.

A mere four laps and I'm spent, hooked on the speed and also a bit peckish.
Lunch, there is no substitute.

End of Act One.

A short intermission spent reflecting on my morning while refueling on bangers and mash with a modest helping of V-Power pudding for the Mongrel.

:Note to self: When exiting pub car park do not automatically drive on wrong side of road as though on track. The former 'U.S home' line doesn't ring true.
Sorry fellas.

Act 2

Scene 1.
Still Bedford, still chilly, FoMo driver’s seat heater broken.

Having seen my betters at work I put a few more laps in and begin to relax a bit and even improve on my morning’s hesitant performance. The corners become more familiar and the long back straight seems a bit shorter as my lap count increases. Bar an interesting moment as an impatient GTR scythes past mid corner I feel a bit happier in my new surroundings, albeit with a few pangs of frustration as I overcook it in the slower corners.

Scene 2.
Z3M Drivers seat.

'Neither a borrower nor a lender be' is not a bad axiom to follow when presented with the keys to another bloke's ride. Even when they're family.

At this location, based on the logic that everyone is going in the same directon and are concentrating the risk factor appears reduced, the odds of a safe return in one piece better despite the speed quotient.

The FoMo managed an indicated 115 when I risked a look. And while the GT3 RS saw 155mph the closing speeds on track seem quite benign without the usual roadside reference points of hedges, junctions and passing traffic.

Then again, you bend it, you buy it.

At present we need to buy a house, Ms Whatty will not be thrilled if I present her with a crumpled car of any make rather than a new UK home to call our own. In fact she'll be fking livid.

Best adjust right foot pressure .

Not easily done in the Z3M's tight RHD footwell. In fact my size 11 plates seem more like my lunchtime mash helping; too big.



And why, in the Ultimate Driving Machine, is the left foot rest way down in comparison to the clutch pedal? Low volume production tooling I guess. Ergonomics matter to me more than the other 95th percentile I suppose.
Despite my shoe size the Zedshed is a hoot easily steered at both ends. The engine really is the star of the show. Those M blokes knew what they were doing back in the day.

Scene 3.
997 Turbo mit PCCB's

The last time I sat in the seat of an automatic Porsche was Spring ’10 at a PCA Club Race Lime Rock Raceway in Connecticut

The lunch break saw the local OPC offering demonstrator rides and while Ms Whatty blagged pax laps in Cayman S I drew the short straw with laps behind the wheel of a Panamera. Compared to the long but taut drive up in the Bilsteined 964 the short drive in the Panamera seemed a bit too limo like.

Still I got to chauffeur while Auto -Only Ms Whatty had to mumble her excuses to the Cayman instructor when offered the wheel . We'll work on that in time.

Back at zee Autodrome I'm confirming what more powerfully built PH directors already know, money gives you options. In this case ceramic brakes plus a few other goodies I don't have time to note because ......... fk me this is a 'genwine' NASA rocket ride.



Even with 80k+ miles behind it the Turbo manages to launch me, still digesting my sausages, at the next corner with ease.

Just when my lunch catches up the carbon brakes induce similar indigestion to the GT3 RS albeit coupled with a fragrant aroma of extended leather.
And on the subject of smells I can safely say that not once did I feel fear at any speed with any of Bro'Breadvan & Co. or any other trackista.
Testimony to good old British common sense and road craft.

Scene 4.

VW FoMo V6.

Four more laps and with the sun setting I know I’m done, unlike those days in New Jersey on I-78 Westbound when I would come over all Thelma and Louise and just want to quit my day job and keep on going.

Today, in the UK, with friends and family and more adventures like today ahead I know I’m a very lucky man.

Still, sun not quite set over yonder Exige so time for a few more bangin’ GT3 RS laps.



Curtain.

Cheers
Whatty.

Edited by Whatty on Tuesday 4th November 21:31

[Whatty]

Halloween.
October 31st

T.B.A.T.O.W.I.E

Not much to report on the Citreon front other than the front brakes are starting to squeal like a lorry load of < insert current Gallic malingerers here >.

Front pads most likely.
Still looks cool.

[Whatty]

November 5th 2014.

Guido Fawkes bonfire night. Could be a damp squib, raining cats and dogs.

Its Barbour jacket weather - 'The Best British Clothing For The Worst British Weather'

I collect advertising copy and strap lines like other folk collect old Ferrari's and Porsche automobilia.

Handy really, advertising copy takes up much less space and I've been hauling my little collection around for years, mostly in my head. Went quite well with the old 24/7 day job.

The job kept the wet stuff off my head over the last 21 years.
Bit of a professional rolling stone, I've rattled around eight abodes with some suitcases, lots of books but not enough down time.

I've lived in crumbling clay lump cottages, anonymous aluminum condominiums, a plastic horse barn and finally in cahoots with Ms. Whatty a flood prone 1920's Craftsman style Bungalow in New Jersey which nearly electrocuted me physically and very nearly drowned us financially.



So now back in the Old Country Ms Whatty and I have found a new roof to shelter under while we start writing our freelance career chapters.

In this neck of the woods ‘new’ is a relative term.



We’ve both owned some old money pits over the years, cars and houses alike. So some hard time consuming lessons learned we’re playing the smart but short game.

We like the house, it even has a road trip story of its own to tell.
Red car, white trimmed shed, blue oval, very patriotic.



Rather than tempt fate I’ll keep Mum till the conveyancing planets align and we finally flash the cash.

Having bought the oil cooled car I always promised myself and then reluctantly sold it in the name of fiscal responsibility I am today counting my blessings.

Back in 2008 I very nearly blew a large chunk of my hard gotten gains on a 2 year old Porsche Cayman S (Artic silver, Sports seats, Sports Chrono ).

Fast forward seven years.

So, previously un-sellable old house sold, new old house on the horizon, modest fleet on borrowed driveway. For now we’re hopefully heading in the right direction.

Old houses + old cars = cash + hard work.
We like all four.

Ms. Whatty likes to create things. I like project cars.
Marque not really important.

This year’s sole effort. Formula Junior Single Seater.
Short angry Anglo American driver, no time or budget. Don't laugh.



C Minus - Could do better
So we’ll need a plan and some cash. And some tools.

Mine are mostly budget Sears Craftsman with the odd Harbor Freight breaker bar thrown in, reflective of my amateur automotive status.

Can't lurk here in the cosy virtual corner of PH Readers Cars much longer so time to head out on real roads, renew old acquaintances, establish new networks and start multiple income projects.

In this weather the FoMo Golf's low key AWD looks like the better professional bet for today.

The V6 sounds great, the Firestone shod Haldex system feels surefooted and despite being 98 in dog years the old Mongrel still scampers around quite well.
It needs to.

Very wet roads. But as my dear old New Jersey pal and '76 911 owner Mike might say this doggie ‘HAULS ASS’.

As a track day tool with me at the wheel we made for a timid combo. On these old familiar greasy B roads we're rapidly getting our sh!t together.



And to continue the canine theme this is one Deutsch hound that won’t be wagging its tail too much.

Which is a good thing because, like my irascible pal Jersey Mike, these bucolic hedge lined lanes do not suffer fools gladly. Blind S bends, deceptively radii'ed corners and small but sump smashing bridges can catch out the unwary.



Note to self: Must secure wobbly fixed camera mount.

And meeting one of these Big Boys on the wrong side of the road at speed will result in pig like squeals. Unlike John Boorman’s classic film tale of rural folk, ‘Deliverance’, your demise here probably won’t feature a dueling banjo's sound track.



Though the tractor driver will have C.B radio in the cab and 'Smokey and the Bandit' on VHS if not DVD.
Possibly Waylon Jennings or Kenny Rogers on the tape deck.

Edited by Whatty on Friday 20th March 07:05

[Whatty]

Friday November 7th
Busy week.

Family Whatty's remarkably short quest for a country home might be over.
Our offer accepted.

This is very good news.
There is now a shed light on at the end of the tunnel. I have plans for it.

And this Ikea tool bench set up is just silly.



Master Whatty now officially recognized as a British Citizen.
Dad a bit chuffed. Mommy resigned to being called 'Mummy'.



Everyone a bit amazed at the speed of UK passport processing.

Monday November 3rd.
Application and U.S Passport sent.

Thursday November 6th.
New UK Passport and all supporting documents received Thursday November 6th.

Cheers,
Whatty.

[Sirf]

Congrats on Master Whatty's shared citizenship. A dream I've had for many years and the little bugger beat me to it.

[Whatty]

Sirf said:

Congrats on Master Whatty's shared citizenship. A dream I've had for many years and the little bugger beat me to it.

Thanks Sirf

Dual nationality will give him options in the years to come. Interesting to note that the new UK immigration laws dictate that while he automatically gets British Citizenship as my foreign born son, my future daughter-in-law will need to be British born in order for my grandchildren to have the same claim to British nationality. And breathe.....

21st Century Britain like Brooklands racing circuit in the early 20thC might now be all about the 'right crowd and no crowding'.........

Edited by Whatty on Sunday 9th November 00:35