We had the first meeting tonight with Dave Webb to look at the maintenance schedule for the van, spares and my plan of action. Feel that we are now back on schedule with this and Dave is spending a couple of hours with me this Saturday to practice changing tyres and looking at brakes etc,Continue reading “Grease monkies”
Author Archives: RicH
Planning progress and a celebration
Rachel has just texted to say that her Career Break has been approved. Another hurdle ticked off the list! D-Day is approaching fast. Since my last post Alan (father) has enjoyed his 70th Birthday with a great party at the Rugby Club (TARFC). He’d asked the many guests to donate to www.motivation.org.uk in lieu ofContinue reading “Planning progress and a celebration”
Mechanical teachings
Dave Webb (TARFC and Sherwell Valley Motors) has just given Rachel her first vehicle maintenance lesson. Today involved an orientation of what’s what underneath the vehicle, the brakes, and the techniques to change a front wheel – followed by a couple of hours’ practical. With much gusto Rachel waded in and impressed her tutor withContinue reading “Mechanical teachings”
Getting there
The Azalai is going into OEC for what’s hopefully the last pre-trip works. I’ve decided to fit a cruise control as flexing ones arm on a long run is overly tiring (foot throttle uses extensor muscles) and probably not as safe as having two hands on the steering wheel on such a heavy vehicle. PaulContinue reading “Getting there”
We had a Ball
Got to start this entry with thanks to: Dan, Becky, Glenn, Penny, Pat T, Davina, Helen P, Julie, Mrs H, Russ, and everyone else who pulled together to make the Africa Ball at Paignton Zoo such a great night. Special thanks to David Towers and Nina Brzezicki and the rest of the Zoo staff whoContinue reading “We had a Ball”
If you can’t afford to fail, steer carefully and precisely – or take another route – Eastnor Castle Landrover Driver Training
Well that was a busy week. the Van went in to have its final tweaks on Monday, then Tuesday we made our way up to Eastnor Castle in beautiful Herefordshire for the rearranged Driver Training at the Land Rover Experience. We arrived at our campsite late in the day. We were staying at the friendlyContinue reading “If you can’t afford to fail, steer carefully and precisely – or take another route – Eastnor Castle Landrover Driver Training”
Visit to Motivation.org
This week we had the great pleasure of visiting the guys at Motivation in their Bristol HQ. It was really great to catch up and put faces to names. Hi Natalie, Chris, Marianne and David (sorry for interrupting your lunch David). Obviously everyone was very busy, so it was nice that they made us feelContinue reading “Visit to Motivation.org”
Shipping Update and a trip to The Land of My Fathers
The van is going for shipping at the end of the month, but now not from Avonmouth, but Tilbury docks. It will arrive in Durban at the end of April just in time for us to help it clear through customs. Thanks again to David Squibb of KWE for all of his help in arrangingContinue reading “Shipping Update and a trip to The Land of My Fathers”
Final Vehicle Prep stuff
The Azalai has seen much of Sherwell Valley Garage of late as Dave Webb and Chris kindly agreed to let us use their expertise and ramps to go through basic maintenance techniques on the Land Rover. A quick inspection identified that the transmission pipes could take another tightening as they had bedded down a bitContinue reading “Final Vehicle Prep stuff”
Landrover Broken by Landrover Dealer
So we were just about there with vehicle preparation, just a quick trip to Matford Land Rover to get a spare set of keys. Unfortunately whilst in their custody, the Azalai took a bit of a bump to its roof-rack. (Accidents do happen so importantly…) The Dealer was good as gold and covered the repair,Continue reading “Landrover Broken by Landrover Dealer”