PAG 19, page 2
Pastures New
By Algernon ’Oddball’ Headerbox
As you may have gathered, Old Algy has been in communicado for a couple of months because he has traded in the ‘Towers’ for the ‘Lodge’. Reason being—It has a bigger abode for Pootle, quite a bonus, but not the real reason at all !!!!(honest)
Well, the actual move from towers to lodge was very traumatic. It took a couple of days to do the actual move, but in the planning of this move, Algy had arranged for everything to go to the new abode, but as I did not have a spare driver to help move my everyday vehicle and Pootle, it was planned that I leave Pootle until the last thing. All went fairly according to plan and on the final day, the only thing to do was collect Pootle from her abode where she was created. So the day dawned, a miserable cold wet day at that, but move she had to do. Old Algy arrived at his old abode, opened the garage doors for the last time and prepared Pootle, tonneau half covering the cockpit, the key was inserted and the fuel was pumped through to the carburettors, finally the old girl spluttered into life, the engine settled down to a steady throb and we moved out into the open air. As I closed the garage doors for the last time, the weather worsened, the rain got heavier, so the waterproofs were pulled tight, crash hat on, Algy settled himself into the driving seat and pulled out of the drive.
‘Farewell towers’ he mumbled as he set off towards his new abode
Now the lodge is only about 20 minutes drive, traffic dependant, from the towers, and even though the weather was really bad, the sudden urge to go for a sortie out over the hills was too much to withstand. So Pootle’s nose was pointed towards the high moors and away we went. As we drove up the main drag to reach our turning point for the moors all the other drivers, busy in their private little worlds, cosseted in their steamed up euro boxes were looking at poor Algy, and perhaps thinking that a lunatic had escaped. You had to be mad to drive an open car on a day like that.
The turning duly came into view, so we pulled over out of the traffic and headed up to the high ground. As we left all the traffic and civilisation behind the feeling of pleasure grew stronger. Even though the weather was lousy, the roads were clear. All too soon we were at the top of the moors road and an about turn was made to take head for our new abode. The trip back down to civilisation became even worse with the weather really piling it on. Dark grey mist, heavy rain, spray was flying from the guards and the aero screens were no match for the elements at all. We negotiated the twisty back roads and approached base from the ‘country side’ rather than the ‘town side’ so no real traffic was encountered before we pulled up outside the lodge.
The new garage doors were opened and Pootle was ensconced inside her new home. There she stood, water dripping from every surface, mud splattered up the sides, the exhausts crackling as they cooled down. We were home !.
An enjoyable sortie despite the weather and we are looking forward to a few more from this part of the city, which is nearer open countryside and the moors than before.
A footnote—It is 12 months since Pootle was first put on the road so an appointment at the MOT testing station was made. A Friday morning, clear and bright for a change but bloody cold. Never mind, on with the cold weather gear, get the old girl out of the garage, give her a cursory wipe over with an oily rag, pump a bit of grease into the king pins, fire up the old 2CV motor and trundle off to the test station.
Having previously arranged an appointment for the MOT, when I arrived they were surprisingly waiting for me, but this time it was the tester who drove the old girl onto the ramps and I was told to take a seat. Bonnet was opened , the chassis number checked against the old MOT certificate being as I had her MOT’d prior to registration. The ramp was raised and she was checked out underneath. I was then told it was one of the best they have in for test. All of a sudden, there were five of the buggers testing it and when I asked why, I was told it was necessary to make sure it was stable on the lift. Bollocks ! Is all I can say, then of course with them all getting in and out of the cockpit the inevitable happened and the rear deck got bent a couple of times, even though I expressly told them not to get in and out. The final straw was one of the bends split the paint and I now have a not so nice ally line showing thro’ the paintwork. It did get a pass with flying colours, but I was damned annoyed, problem being it is the only trike testing station in the area. With this in mind I had to have a little restrain even though I felt like making the irresponsible person who created the damage a suitable candidate for hospital food, sorry !!! But when aroused Old Algy can be a bit of a bugger. After collecting my certificate, I donned my gear again and with the weather still being fine I ventured on out over the high moors……….through the twisty lanes………… Pembling again……………….
Carry on Pembling Algernon