tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308182580115538882024-03-06T07:48:26.231+01:00Rust and musicA random collection of rambling about a Triumph Vitesse, playing bass in tiny groups, living on the Belgo-luxembourgish border and stuff.GGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-46184793181529593702009-04-09T21:34:00.003+02:002009-04-09T21:43:15.560+02:00I'm BrokenOK, it's a Pantera song, not a disco ditty from the 70's but you get the idea...<br /><br />Last Sunday, the neighbours dog escaped while they were out. While attempting to stop it running madly onto the road, I lost my balance. The result is three broken metatarsus in my left foot...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HQzhpsv6yIEjpM8HdEDWO5U0UDxSNpRTUFE3gK0-4-81-wlV9CM6YqCOIiqzUBip8wIEkm3E_BR_Zbf2V0E1e9dtF3dISeBzYqud5XkCmnv8N6cbaeduqk2Y8rgIOmVyiJPzsyspu_A/s1600-h/DSC00076.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HQzhpsv6yIEjpM8HdEDWO5U0UDxSNpRTUFE3gK0-4-81-wlV9CM6YqCOIiqzUBip8wIEkm3E_BR_Zbf2V0E1e9dtF3dISeBzYqud5XkCmnv8N6cbaeduqk2Y8rgIOmVyiJPzsyspu_A/s200/DSC00076.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322778623104787634" /></a><br /><br />Obviously, seen as how I'm handicapped for the next few weeks, I recieved a parcel for the car :))<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5cS0191S1s1UBZtqcHtD9fTTXWhxlhnnfMngb8yMPP3RHSB8Tuz4EvL8Ijkl1te-Qi0vDYU8IZPeyOFHUCkalNA1iSIQ1VGGLHJoQ9MYFtngT1ND5Hw1EHMslwKK5KZCqZfSraiKNz8/s1600-h/DSC00079.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5cS0191S1s1UBZtqcHtD9fTTXWhxlhnnfMngb8yMPP3RHSB8Tuz4EvL8Ijkl1te-Qi0vDYU8IZPeyOFHUCkalNA1iSIQ1VGGLHJoQ9MYFtngT1ND5Hw1EHMslwKK5KZCqZfSraiKNz8/s200/DSC00079.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322779254919796594" /></a><br /><br />So I've done what I can with one foot and debatable balance.<br />I'll be able to see where I'm going, if I ever get the car running again...GGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-69419875533991931382009-02-04T19:23:00.004+01:002009-02-04T19:35:39.923+01:00Will it ever Stop?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4d/Goose_Fair_Roundabout.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4d/Goose_Fair_Roundabout.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />It's winter, so it's been snowing, then melting, then snowing etc... everybody's driving is atrocious, people are grumpy. The parts I need for the car to get the engine and gearbox back in aren't arriving (which is incredibly annoying), there's grumpiness in the band (due to a member wishing to quit, then not wishing to quit, then getting angry because someone had taken precautions) and it's <span style="font-weight:bold;">very</span> slow at work.<br /><br />As if that wasn't enough, a bunch of fat, flag waving, xenophobic middle-aged cretins are picketing for jobs they didn't want 12 months ago.<br /><br />Sometimes it's incredibly embarrassing to be from the Isles...GGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-37183695244148806552009-01-07T21:01:00.002+01:002009-01-07T21:10:27.684+01:00Gold!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsFdlAhKfnmcnCKzap-co7ZD6PAfnRhDAqF28-k62WKf0FPRrjylPGKpy5y6SXlUqW4TBw5zIIDCY850rs1hlc8pam_ptAyoVXjdJtJnWIAeVH-OB7GSfRI24wA4L-5nWpSsaxXWNuNQ/s1600-h/2009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsFdlAhKfnmcnCKzap-co7ZD6PAfnRhDAqF28-k62WKf0FPRrjylPGKpy5y6SXlUqW4TBw5zIIDCY850rs1hlc8pam_ptAyoVXjdJtJnWIAeVH-OB7GSfRI24wA4L-5nWpSsaxXWNuNQ/s320/2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288644826796193890" /></a><br /><br />Continuing on my sporadic theme of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spandau_Ballet">Crap songs from the 80's</a>, I've (slowly) advanced on the "let's get this pile back on the road before I'm 40" project.<br /><br />I wondered what could possibly encompass what I think of this engine<br />1. It weighs a ton<br />2. it was "finished" for Christmas (tenuous I know...)<br />3. The cost has risen dramatically since last year<br /><br />I also like a bit of heavy metal, which is considered by some as tasteless, so there really was only one colour choice, really.GGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-53473321071177038982008-12-21T17:23:00.002+01:002008-12-21T17:27:25.920+01:00Wee!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCWDiJJQaiBf6z1y8DV7T2o1NjtUv_xRzjnoN5IfH5f_FBakZte7lOZAoYtIy7jdM37Bx0GG2jMCKyjYHrnOC2mIYZIXfQ4s4iqtZAjw6Uze4i3TMZpqnfNyh0twfqnHXnXX6QsoC-_Y/s1600-h/tiddles+009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCWDiJJQaiBf6z1y8DV7T2o1NjtUv_xRzjnoN5IfH5f_FBakZte7lOZAoYtIy7jdM37Bx0GG2jMCKyjYHrnOC2mIYZIXfQ4s4iqtZAjw6Uze4i3TMZpqnfNyh0twfqnHXnXX6QsoC-_Y/s320/tiddles+009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282280517358900114" /></a><br /><br />This is a new "bottom end" that has been constructed this weekend. Thanks to Gareth and Jean-Claude for the hand :)GGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-91378333769924430702008-12-03T15:40:00.003+01:002008-12-03T15:46:12.777+01:00snow laughing matter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sideways-technologies.co.uk/blahdocs/uploads/brr_8189.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100%;" src="http://www.sideways-technologies.co.uk/blahdocs/uploads/brr_8189.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Well my place of residence is slowly beginning to resemble northern Alaska...<br />I know the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Bulge">Battle of the Bulge</a> was fought not far away, but bloody hell; it <span style="font-style:italic;">could</span> have waited until my winter tyres arrived...GGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-53099740870398571962008-11-25T20:22:00.002+01:002008-11-25T20:28:10.280+01:00Getting there...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiNv9mHKUoAU3y9rGLmza1cUW3PHsfXfxfPXyJFgmyQNniq1_TzFmK-FtLYnGLdmzufCThu6DdbwpNKuw9scmA9CAU37o_HTxaKejwDiYpZgWx_6DQjkDQXJnOCeV8gmiApE-iABG1-w/s1600-h/meuh+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiNv9mHKUoAU3y9rGLmza1cUW3PHsfXfxfPXyJFgmyQNniq1_TzFmK-FtLYnGLdmzufCThu6DdbwpNKuw9scmA9CAU37o_HTxaKejwDiYpZgWx_6DQjkDQXJnOCeV8gmiApE-iABG1-w/s320/meuh+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272677944367635490" /></a><br /><br />Work has started on the engine replacement. I have spent a couple of hours taking all the bits and pieces off, including the surprisingly heavy bonnet. A friend popped round last night to help me get the last stubborn studs out of the block.<br />So soon I have to drag the 250 kilo engine/gearbox combo out before the aptly-pseudonymed "GT" builds my 'new' engine. If all goes well the replacement should kick out a few more horsepower than the original :DGGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-72446594115623157922008-11-19T10:01:00.002+01:002008-11-19T10:04:32.553+01:00Well that's it.Following a stream of rather offensive mails, I've quit the band "Substitute".<br /><br />Cyril too has decided to drop the project for more or less the same reasons.<br /><br />Therefore the band is officially dead. That said; it had been in a coma for two years...GGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-861403500877155622008-11-12T16:30:00.006+01:002008-11-14T11:00:45.977+01:00Oh yes, I have a blog...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/08/Billiards-q75-1426x1200.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100%; height: 100%;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/08/Billiards-q75-1426x1200.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />That I don't update very often...<br /><br />Well the latest erm... news is that my dear wife is replacing my practice room with a pool table, ashtray and bar.<br /><br />Probably a wise choice, seen as how my musical activities have a zero pulse rate.<br /><br />Now, All I have to do is find the rules of the game, and clean my glasses :)<br /><br />Otherwise I will be yanking out the heart of the Triumph. It is to be replaced with a new heart, with pacemaker and a proper gearbox that doesn't whine like a three year old child at bed time when guests are over...<br />I shall attempt to update with photo's soonGGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-59729036580462287122008-07-31T10:25:00.002+02:002008-07-31T10:28:42.605+02:00Breakdown!Seen as how we have marvellous weather, the cantankerous old clap-trap decided to die on me, exactly 484m from my house (luckily).<br /><br />Lesson one: Do not put your trust in a 41 year old fuel pump to get you to work.GGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-20203738233087308052008-07-14T12:36:00.004+02:002008-07-14T12:44:25.977+02:00No I haven't died<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6NSVhN5rM5JUD428Jz8AZZ2bxBO-yAoMv7BY4tVNUoiO_x0E9-Jlx2gCVXqV85gQQyNQmmge0XYJL1DYnHXZ27OLFp48ZmEY2lOCKBWGu_bmpIg0njnF61erF29LUE6vjL-ItJGOQes/s1600-h/L1030050.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6NSVhN5rM5JUD428Jz8AZZ2bxBO-yAoMv7BY4tVNUoiO_x0E9-Jlx2gCVXqV85gQQyNQmmge0XYJL1DYnHXZ27OLFp48ZmEY2lOCKBWGu_bmpIg0njnF61erF29LUE6vjL-ItJGOQes/s320/L1030050.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222818345160485858" /></a><br />I'm a really lazy sod aren't I?<br />Should really put a bit more effort into this blog...<br /><br />I am currently replacing the dashboard of the skip. This is very slow progress, as I'm not replacing a like for like. I have to cut bits out of the hardboard and fascia panel to get all my old bits in. Still, I'm not moaning, a pleasant lad in Coventry has procured me a sound piece of Triumph that will allow me to have a glove box!<br /><br />Also been busy with <a href="http://www.dizzygood.com">www.dizzygood.com</a> there's an extract of a track on there.<br /><br />If anybody reads this blog... LOLGGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-65787825132420245342008-06-03T10:58:00.001+02:002008-06-03T10:59:30.323+02:00Amazing!I have now been married a year and a day.<br /><br />My wife <span style="font-style:italic;">still</span> doesn't want to divorce!<br /><br />whodathunkit?<br /><br />Happy...GGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-19853595061439726082008-05-15T11:59:00.002+02:002008-05-15T12:24:49.811+02:00The joys of relic ownershipThe last couple of weeks have been rather interesting, due to fabulous spring weather and renewed vim and vigour in our social circles.<br />So after several barbecues, ignoring the computer completely, a trip to Ciney in a freinds nice old Porsche (that doesn't break down - this is important) and a few trips in my own tatty triumph, I finally am having little problems creep in.<br />Obviously, if your car is 41 years old and in dire need of restoration, it's not going to have modern Toyota-esque levels of reliability. Hell no!<br />So after spending a couple of hours with a friend sorting the carburettors, we noticed a timing problem wit the engine. after my treck to Ciney a couple of freinds (on who normally lives in Estonia!) popped by and sorted the distributor. So what happened next? Ah well, the electrical connections decided to go to pot. I thought I had sorted the problem with a replacement wire, so on a warm sunny evening went for a drive, to pay the lad who had sanded, repainted laquered and balanced my wheels. On the way back the car died...<br /><br />Bugger. <br />Luckily this is a great way to meet people who have the same illness! A rather pleasant chap in Habay who has recently got rid of his Triumph Spitfire for a very nice AC Cobra replica helped me out (yes, I set off with no tools...), and I got home before the wife started worrying. :)GGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-89572534503195660132008-04-28T20:14:00.003+02:002008-04-28T20:19:04.634+02:00How do you make a car look 1000 times better than it is?Let your wife take a photo.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9N8xMRwsqFiQdaaDDYpWbTJsb9Ob4VKMxsHOOVV4rZTTyd4sG6klwoWEQQ-eO_kUdyLMzW4TYds19_y33tofAV5VPE8MSi2WXbZlYERFK_T7M_uqUgpJGrNHKHSTueMwPdG-ibtosEBM/s1600-h/Vitesse_0002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9N8xMRwsqFiQdaaDDYpWbTJsb9Ob4VKMxsHOOVV4rZTTyd4sG6klwoWEQQ-eO_kUdyLMzW4TYds19_y33tofAV5VPE8MSi2WXbZlYERFK_T7M_uqUgpJGrNHKHSTueMwPdG-ibtosEBM/s320/Vitesse_0002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194361930294570322" /></a><br /><br />Well, it was wonderful this weekend, so I hastily put the car back together and went to Insenborn. We are officially sunburned.GGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-2977405427579350262008-02-14T11:58:00.001+01:002008-02-14T12:01:18.935+01:00Love is in the air…(Yes, yet another reference to a cheesy hit…)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMpSobyUK2JgpIzBsL4vhgVmyXks7hO4r5rlZ8bRRAEsp1iUK2_h9sYQ7JmnsWzVSvi5vspGvNG9Ti79W48uRKGWjYnaUiJYRfSlYDyYb1lq5EWObZnmuWswJzGAgsJrW_6w2wzG9Cgg/s1600-h/loveair.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMpSobyUK2JgpIzBsL4vhgVmyXks7hO4r5rlZ8bRRAEsp1iUK2_h9sYQ7JmnsWzVSvi5vspGvNG9Ti79W48uRKGWjYnaUiJYRfSlYDyYb1lq5EWObZnmuWswJzGAgsJrW_6w2wzG9Cgg/s320/loveair.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166789039426094098" /></a><br /><br />Well, we are celebrating the slightly-removed-because-of-Geoffrey-Chaucer archaic right of fertility.<br />Obviously, the romantic overtones will be subdued on my part today, as the cat decided she’d howl at our door for food at 6 in the morning, I’ll have sat over eight hours in a boring office, an hour and a half on a train, will have a job interview this evening before rushing back home to take my lovely wife to the restaurant, to pay three-times-the-price-of-yesterday food. By the time we’re home I’ll probably be dead on my feet, so my wife’s pleas for baby making practice will fall on deaf ears until the weekend.<br /><br />Such is life eh?<br /><br />Other than the happy event of me being able to spend an hour with the woman I married, a friend has returned from his jaunt in the midlands with lots of bits of Triumph. I hope to pick them up this weekend. We’ve had sun all week, so by the time I get the car bolted together, we should have some monsoon weather…GGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-61289767882578518312008-02-11T09:41:00.000+01:002008-02-11T09:47:19.129+01:00Not much, but something so you know I'm not dead...Well that was a beautiful weekend!<br />As well as soaking up sun, catching up a bit on my studies, getting rid of the last of my head cold, changing the oil, sparkplugs and that on the rust bucket, we celebrated the 60'th Birthday and retirement of my wife's mother.<br /><br />They all decided they'd had enough... at 5am...<br /><br />I can't even say I'm too old for this!GGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-25680606064881753482008-01-28T16:09:00.000+01:002008-01-28T16:12:59.460+01:00Quick update.A bit absent due to being in extremely deep shit on the subject of the assignment I have to return to the Open university for the 31'st of January.<br /><br />Anybody knowledgable in Java is welcome to my home, and will get free beer and stuff if I pass this assignment.<br /><br />Feel miserable. Back soon.GGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-68937602138974517262008-01-24T16:42:00.000+01:002008-01-24T17:27:35.880+01:00Workin' 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin'....Not that I know anybody who works those hours...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkrEZmhiGBJF-Gyv-xO8NH5Trq4lClRPp6yLp_h53pe_KJmgVKEm-5op4Kn7vrcAC9tEMhPYJq41zSg-1uXJp70-bKXmT_W9-A3cMtl3Gsfa5ld98SmPymrN4Y8ga4DZgWADfExyfpn8/s1600-h/101-0161_IMG.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkrEZmhiGBJF-Gyv-xO8NH5Trq4lClRPp6yLp_h53pe_KJmgVKEm-5op4Kn7vrcAC9tEMhPYJq41zSg-1uXJp70-bKXmT_W9-A3cMtl3Gsfa5ld98SmPymrN4Y8ga4DZgWADfExyfpn8/s320/101-0161_IMG.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159069627797999682" /></a><br /><br />I am one of approximately 120 000 workers who cross the Luxembourgish border every day, from Monday to Friday. More precisely, I an one of the forty-odd thousand who cross from Belgium to Luxembourg and back, all to avoid the Belgian propensity of removing 50% of ones wage before it his the bank account. To put this into context, it's like the population of Norwich suddenly disappearing for eight hours (minimum) a day.<br /><br />Apparently, 300 people go the other way to work... I haven't worked this out yet...<br /><br />Now, Luxembourg has a small any very well maintained motorway network (unlike the rubbish the Belgian state seem to throw on the floor), which gets saturated every day of the working week with my fellow labourers, the thousands of wagons coming to fill up with cheap(er) diesel (fags and booze too...) and the pensioners who are probably paid by the state to drive in the second lane at 84 km/h and take two parking places on industrial sites with no shops. So as you can imagine it doesn’t always flow like the Danube after heavy rain.<br /><br />I would like to point out at this point that I am probably the most boring driver ever. I stick to speed limits, use all the paraphernalia like indicators and lights, and generally render the passenger experience as soporific as hot cocoa and CNN on a wet Tuesday night.<br /><br />Having lived in Leeds, West Yorkshire, and sitting in a major traffic jam, I know this is not a major issue, and largely replicated throughout Europe, but I was recently wondering if people’s behind-the-wheel behaviour is endemic, or if it is my notoriously bad memory painting pretty pictures.<br /><br />So dear reader(s)… do you also experience:<br />1. Vehicles braking to overtake and then flooring it once they pull in?<br />2. BMW’s flashing their lights for you to get out of the way as you overtake a mile of wagons, while stuck behind half a mile of other cars?<br />3. “Exocet missiles” that go from slip road to outside lane, then outside lane to exit?<br />4. Ditherers, who pull out regardless of the vehicle beside them?<br />5. Brake testers, who’s only aim in life is to be in front of you, then slam on the brakes?<br /><br />Please leave your own experiences, I’m curious :)GGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-89325510054275808252008-01-20T21:40:00.000+01:002008-01-20T21:51:51.895+01:00Sundays are supposed to be for chilling out...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsPyHm8TIbMHBLZRECGOY9GsA4Lq4CZkXk4P1_Lcg6GHNrq6t45idy7wVgBfqJ6te9TCGSiSlWM2AVMfMGtJNfEVmAEXplV9JAl0ISp_KKRVYbftwauwNoA-JGR_STU5I0KpSwNM9YYQ/s1600-h/Vitesse+034.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsPyHm8TIbMHBLZRECGOY9GsA4Lq4CZkXk4P1_Lcg6GHNrq6t45idy7wVgBfqJ6te9TCGSiSlWM2AVMfMGtJNfEVmAEXplV9JAl0ISp_KKRVYbftwauwNoA-JGR_STU5I0KpSwNM9YYQ/s400/Vitesse+034.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157661574869211778" /></a><br /><br />A quiet weekend, where not much happened... well apart from a couple of friends at long last finding a house, and a night out near Rochefort with some particularly good wine.<br /><br />The car is on stilts, as the wheels are being sandblasted and painted by someone who know wht they are doing (<em>ergo</em>, not me). I've also put the newly painted hood frame back on. I'll have to knock it off though as I have an Uni assignment to finish for the end of the month... shame, I prefer messing with the old rust bucket.<br /><br />Oh yes, <a href="http://www.dizzygood.com">Dizzygood</a> - for whom I muck around on the bass - will be playing a concert on the 19th of April in the Clausen area of Luxembourg... so if you're in the area...GGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-3792915528088035382008-01-15T20:39:00.000+01:002008-01-16T12:45:50.692+01:00Look, ma! No Plastic!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0EAMdhJrXUX-_6I3GM9Uod7hj1mVRICe7cPlhbmcguFj6CU3RCFqMNuDSctBXMf4XyM2xlB_IN7iL9BcUY0MublQRQONSOndWzaIVsntSDmWbBmBFPUhKV0GvsFhzaD9hWoX2wh6BuE/s1600-h/Vitesse+031.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0EAMdhJrXUX-_6I3GM9Uod7hj1mVRICe7cPlhbmcguFj6CU3RCFqMNuDSctBXMf4XyM2xlB_IN7iL9BcUY0MublQRQONSOndWzaIVsntSDmWbBmBFPUhKV0GvsFhzaD9hWoX2wh6BuE/s400/Vitesse+031.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155790549676120690" /></a><br /><br />OK, it's a lie. All that black stuff is Polyvynil Chloride made flexible with Pthalates, but compare this with a modern car, and you'll know what I mean.<br /><br />This is the result of my cutting up hardboard, inserting speaker, nearly stapling my hand to the table, and a quick sanding and revarnish of the capping.<br /><br />Total cost 3€.<br /><br />I like it.<br /><br />Now I'm currently revamping the frame for the hood. I'm waiting for a delivery before the car stops looking like a skip, so that gives me plenty of time (OK, a month) to sand and paint the surprisingly rusty tubes that hold the flop-top up. The Vynil has been cleaned and will need cleaning again. Though the result so far is the same white I wish my teeth were, there's still a few blotches of ingrained filth.<br /><br />But my Java course is a little bit more important, so <em>piano piano</em>...GGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-90179791882600663712008-01-14T18:05:00.000+01:002008-01-14T18:25:01.031+01:00Round and round we go...I have had enough.<br /><br />Honestly. I'm waiting for a major accident here. Never in my life have I seen so many people cluelessly using roundabouts. They are bloody dangerous. Over the last five years, I have nearly been knocked of my bike by women in Volvo's, been cut up by fat men in BMW's, seen young and old scream round the outside lanes of roundabouts with no regard for other road users. They drive like donkeys, and I get the impression they think they are in the right!<br />I assume therefore, nobody get's the basics taught to them during their driving lessons...<br /><br />Well, Here is a little guide:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDNO8QBN5jHrq6VyeP3GJU0mUbIjgWvEGRs5Od0wfMt-Wj46NYhiZrZbkvNeFWaNA4zT2wL7a75bOuBXmmxb3-3zTJF9yTXs_0Z0KeDNCAfCCVgpOib-37u05tp00ZNKvd1A1fhUUoSA/s1600-h/roundabout1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDNO8QBN5jHrq6VyeP3GJU0mUbIjgWvEGRs5Od0wfMt-Wj46NYhiZrZbkvNeFWaNA4zT2wL7a75bOuBXmmxb3-3zTJF9yTXs_0Z0KeDNCAfCCVgpOib-37u05tp00ZNKvd1A1fhUUoSA/s400/roundabout1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155381217817975362" /></a><br /><br />First, Turning right. Use the <span style="font-weight:bold;">inside</span> lane. <span style="font-style:italic;">Indicate</span> in the <span style="font-weight:bold;">direction</span> you wish to turn. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Give way</span> to oncoming traffic.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOh0qGi96RhM2kN63qSgdLVVI4beBFvxyW0M6eBK9OVNjBJm1KWUXfYnfkFpk7AIDxT5MY0yr92D_lO1_MLfosTO3eFyJYEwXszbXttQD3yWcmxy3FxhiH5rpDugCnfpSvpDFhg8kCVmI/s1600-h/roundabout2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOh0qGi96RhM2kN63qSgdLVVI4beBFvxyW0M6eBK9OVNjBJm1KWUXfYnfkFpk7AIDxT5MY0yr92D_lO1_MLfosTO3eFyJYEwXszbXttQD3yWcmxy3FxhiH5rpDugCnfpSvpDFhg8kCVmI/s400/roundabout2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155381217817975378" /></a><br /><br />Turning left or U-turn. Use the <span style="font-weight:bold;">outside</span> lane. <span style="font-style:italic;">Indicate</span> in the <span style="font-weight:bold;">direction</span> you wish to turn. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Give way</span> to oncoming traffic.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiY58fAVYQV7zUuE5iFrTAeU63b745ELZ959A7tQu3hn6FqRfjRCBMi6jg_SjsgIJuO_mgzYsYmhymCc3VKOteInjwUuWTsAaDErU6JjRSvTVzFjK9fACfn5iSRvBBUj5onu0rLy-htw/s1600-h/roundabout3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiY58fAVYQV7zUuE5iFrTAeU63b745ELZ959A7tQu3hn6FqRfjRCBMi6jg_SjsgIJuO_mgzYsYmhymCc3VKOteInjwUuWTsAaDErU6JjRSvTVzFjK9fACfn5iSRvBBUj5onu0rLy-htw/s400/roundabout3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155381217817975394" /></a><br /><br />Going straight ahead. Use either lane. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Give way</span> to oncoming traffic. <span style="font-weight:bold;">DO NOT INDICATE</span> until exiting the roundabout, where you indicate in the direction you will be taking.<br /><br />To me it appears simple. Apparently this is not the case for everybody... Please forward this to everybody you know, especially if the are blonde with a Ford Fiesta...<br /><br />Incidentally, for the alcoholics and hard of thinking, these roundabouts are mirrored in countries like Australia, The UK, Japan... where people drive on the left. Do not attempt to go anti-clockwise in these countries.GGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-29163730254285982152008-01-10T12:10:00.000+01:002008-01-10T12:30:02.608+01:00Radio killed the Video star?Possibly not, but appalling references to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buggles">Trevor Charles Horn</a> aside, I've actually finished the speaker mounted door cards. After moocho web browsing and such like, I was hoping to get one of these radio mounts:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YfhbGL3aji1gZRZHOf3kaIQIqcL9g_yZ6UxWnuhUCT9XtzSiRg3q0MFFJJQybbMLI63ETMfx6c-njL32p2WrD9Vd0GUBgUDYgOElfWh-rPhd3Lvcw-DU4VWEOaT_7obIxNN3D-9dTLc/s1600-h/radio_mount.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YfhbGL3aji1gZRZHOf3kaIQIqcL9g_yZ6UxWnuhUCT9XtzSiRg3q0MFFJJQybbMLI63ETMfx6c-njL32p2WrD9Vd0GUBgUDYgOElfWh-rPhd3Lvcw-DU4VWEOaT_7obIxNN3D-9dTLc/s320/radio_mount.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153805767979227698" /></a><br /><br />But they are (as the owner of this image stated) "as rare as hens teeth".<br />So I'll probably make my own cheap tacky, not-quite-right version. <br /><br />In other news, I am not alone in this part of the world with one of these vehicles! A chap named Jean Claude has a slightly more recent Vitesse with a proper roof. He is also the organiser of the Luxembourgish Triumph scene, and will normally be bringing a nice package for me to finish my soft-top all the way from the midlands. :)<br /><br />Musically, it's all very quiet (well, apart from in the Triumph). Hopefully something will happen before spring...GGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-51433609461704482007-12-31T13:59:00.000+01:002007-12-31T14:20:37.777+01:00Water and pressed wood = warped gungeSo, you've found your old car radio in a dusty box in the cellar, you have four nice shiny speakers to drown out the neighbours christmas carols. You inspect the door and rear-quarter panels and note the mis-shapen mess they have become after 40 years of british weather and abusive owners.<br /><br />You pop onto the various traders sites to price out replacement and think that cutting big holes into 300 € (<em>excluding postage & packaging</em>) might not be a good idea (<strong>especially </strong>if you get it wrong)?<br /><br />This is where DIY stores are very handy. I am recycling the old vynil and spongy stuff, replacing the hardboard, and more importantly, using some <em>not-legal-anymore-in-België</em> bin bags to plastify the rear of the hardboard, making it waterproof. If I muck up and have to start again, I will have wasted about 3€. There again, I'm not paying myself the time I'm doing the work, and doubt that the quality of my work is as good as what the three or four reputable Triumph specialists supply, but it'll do the job, and well :)<br /><br />In true <em>Blue Peter </em>style, here's one I made earlier... <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZg3TBFce1gVzBTMh5_0Ji65sfuZzVde8IcJYa1_FZOlmFfWapMBfju4udAmAsdz32KehOqTSJsefzTUyR9G2dgU3oU03AxJDwcolD6wJZjstDFNCaAsdq6v_Mt0kc7pGIi8aIMcX-1NM/s1600-h/Vitesse+028.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZg3TBFce1gVzBTMh5_0Ji65sfuZzVde8IcJYa1_FZOlmFfWapMBfju4udAmAsdz32KehOqTSJsefzTUyR9G2dgU3oU03AxJDwcolD6wJZjstDFNCaAsdq6v_Mt0kc7pGIi8aIMcX-1NM/s320/Vitesse+028.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150124525740022306" /></a>GGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-66049991398594554152007-12-26T21:35:00.000+01:002007-12-26T21:47:27.092+01:00Bah Humbug.Well, Christmas has come and gone. The good news is I'm on holiday. The bad news is my wife is drawing up a list to keep me occupied and out of mischief...<br /><br />I'm slowly, but surely installing an old car radio I found in the cellar into the Triumph. "Why??" I hear you cry. Well, I probably won't need the radio... bar that... the CD player whilst driving, as I won't be able to hear it without a 2000 watt amplifier, <strong>BUT</strong> The road from Here to work, despite being a motorway, rarely moves over 50 miles an hour (if that), due to an amalgamation of Dutch and French Wagons, maniacs in their very big flash cars, old people crawling along in between lanes, and the masses of workers that cannot afford to purchase a house in the country they work in (I think Luxembourg is unique in this respect).<br /><br />So While I'm sat in a traffic jam in the middle of the summer, I can Drop the roof, stick on a Primus CD and irritate all and sundry :)<br /><br />But first, I'll have to find out how to make a bracket...GGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-21399321913462708042007-12-23T18:12:00.000+01:002007-12-23T18:21:04.736+01:00Dirty little bugger!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieB8GSnkgLtYowXJaouXLeZejf6dmypWxwogXk37R6RAcREwLsMliUyvSNsZ1SFlWZ7M6oc-BjQYnHK_bImJbh7trC1QYj485YcfRACB-MxL3OLr0rYTxDV8lOcFHft0YV1ZsnNiZpRUU/s1600-h/Vitesse+027bis.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147217760593566226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieB8GSnkgLtYowXJaouXLeZejf6dmypWxwogXk37R6RAcREwLsMliUyvSNsZ1SFlWZ7M6oc-BjQYnHK_bImJbh7trC1QYj485YcfRACB-MxL3OLr0rYTxDV8lOcFHft0YV1ZsnNiZpRUU/s320/Vitesse+027bis.jpg" border="0" /></a> Well yes, OK. The car is 40 years old, has a dubious history and needs quite a bit of work to tidy it up, but I expected it to be toilet trained.<br />As I was rooting around looking for future expense, I noticed a slight lack of oil in the gearbox. I say slight, a whole litre was missing...<br />And as you can see in the picture, there would appear to be a slight leak from the gearbox, and I can confirm that gearbox oil is not the nicest smell you'll come across in your lifetime.<br />Still, the brake pads are new(ish), so that's one expense I can put back.<br /><br />Next, to sort out the carbs and hood before the summer!<br /><br />Hairy Chrimble everyone :)GGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30818258011553888.post-77083115756776762502007-12-13T15:12:00.000+01:002007-12-13T15:26:09.612+01:00Chihuahua...Well, after months of doing absolutely nothing, The four of us got toghether for a couple of beers last night to decide a course of action.<br /><br />The band has been going a couple of years in various formats, but the last six months or so have seen no progress whatsoever, despite having enough raw material for a couple of albums.<br /><br />So, the others appear optimistic, I'll wait to see if we get my last four songs finished before banging on about motivation and stuff...GGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372848982286294649noreply@blogger.com0