Battling a Dartmoor gale in the Morgan

Helen and me followed the A30 today to Okehampton to buy some bee fondant at the National Bee Supplies superstore but Okehampton lived up to its nickname of Soakhampton.

A gale of wind was driving ice cold rain from the west, so we reluctantly upped the hood of the Morgan and headed back up the road to Whidden Down then headed south to Moretonhampstead for the dramatic weather scenery west, then on to Two Bridges. Here we tracked our way back to the sun which was towards Ashburton.

The mileometer that had been mended with a replacement LCD now working to my relief. A jiggle around behind the dashboard seems to make the connection.
We attempted to park in Chagford along the way but the town was too busy and so the usual coffee and toasted tea cake at the Bird Cage Cafe passed by.

Home once more and relieved to find the washing on the line bone dry.  Not a drop of rain had fallen in Kenton all day.

Whale watching at Start Bay, Devon

The first decent run of the year in the Morgan today for Helen and me in glorious sunshine down the A38 and along some scenic lanes through to Street via Totnes. Along the way the first Skylark was heard as we approached the sea and then the even greater surprise as the road beside Slapton Ley was so busy with what we thought were twitchers parked at all angles. The beachside car park was unusually full for February and even two police cars were parked up with the drivers gaping out to sea. 

Whale watchers

The excitement was the appearance at regular intervals of a Minky Whale that had been patrolling the bay for several days. The word had travelled fast amongst the local communities.

Minky Whale

The Morgan performed beautifully as usual except for the LcD crystal display that has failed a second time. Its clearly a known fault that has to be put right at the Caerbont Factory again.
Fish and Chips at the Start Bay Inn was delicious and even the run home again pleasant, taken back the way we had come.

Canada Goose

Slapton ley

Morgan back on the road

What a fiddley and mucky job that was. Fully overhauled brake system with new pads, rear shoes and cylinders and master brake cylinder. Probably overkill on my part, since the one leaking cylinder could have simply been recommissioned with new rubber seals. I shall replace the seals in them and have a spare set for next time. Total cost in the region of £295 -- seal kit for refurbishing original cylinders £25 approx.
Road test indicated air not entirely purged from the brake lines/cylinders, so a second bleeding was carried out and a further road test confirms all is now well.
At least I know I can do the job myself.

Meanwhile the Volvo V70 provided effortless comfort to our winter break beside the Med. The pay as you go motorways in France are simply light years ahead of the potholed UK dodgem track. Tolls ammounted to about £70 each way but the joy of driving the clear road through the stunning French landscape is well worth the extra cost.
 A midway stop was taken at a small B&B near Le Mans but 590 miles and ten hours on the road even on a Sunday - more than enough for anyone.

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