The First Attempt

After a hot day hanging doors, adding seats and much playing with the engine, Ian and Craig attempt to take the van to the beach party at Middle Wallop and FAILED!! All was going well apart from the rather warm engine, leaking fuel and breathing exhaust gases until a large amount of smoke finally brought the ill fated attempt to an end.

The day started well with Craig appearing rather bleary eyed after a large night at his brothers 30th stinking of booze and looking generally worse for wear. After being fed large amounts of water by the lovely Miss Dockerty, Craig joined Ian in preparing the Van. After working til late the previous day and all morning Ian was well happy with the useless lump that was attempting to be useful.

Much mucking about, mainly fixing the bits that Rich had previously removed and couldn't be arsed to put back on, the engine was ready to have a nice drink of fresh oil. A quick trip to Halfords and armed with a bottle of oil and some nuts to reattach the exhaust that Rich had sheared the bolts off, oil was added and the engine was ready for action. A good start was made with the engine starting first time. After much air fives and pats on the back Ian attempts to time the engine with good old fashioned wing it til it sounds ok. After an hour of failed attempts to restart the engine again the beast rattles into life.

Deliberation and lots of phone calls later it was agreed to, man it up, and attempt to take the rather warm van on a 150 mile trip to the deepest darkest Wiltshire. The journey started well and after a trip to McD's the van hit the motorway. Reaching the dizzying top speed of 55, progress was painfully slow. I've never been overtaken by lorries before but then again I've never driven on a motorway in a furry van! Much picture taking by car passengers and beeps of horns the journey ahead looked slow but within reach.

Disaster, much white smoke out of the back of the van. After pulling over five minutes before just to check the van wasn't on fire defeat had to be admitted and it was time to phone a very nice man to get us back to Brum. Sitting on the hard shoulder for an hour was great fun, especially when the lovely Traffic Officers turned up to help us out. After five minutes of scribbling and the obligatory photo of the van the TO's buggered off and we were left to wait it out.

Recovered by a local garage, as we'd been fobbed off by the very nice man, we sat in a service station waiting for our fate. Without even looking at the van the nice local garage thought the best way forward was to tow the van back. A much quicker journey back and Craig and Ian are back where they started with an unwell van!

A quick car swap with Craig's parents lending us their '˜N Reg' Micra the journey was restarted. An uneventful journey was had and arrival was made at the beach party at 0130 much to the amusement of the very drunk party goers. Five or six Pale Blues and Craig and Ian have forgotten the days events, and their names!

Until the next attempt!