Monday, November and the weather could best be described as atmospheric, others may say gloomy.
The Giant Redwood tree in the Cemetery opposite our house, clearly visible from my home-working desk has distracted me from my tasks. A recent Facebook post announced that this magnificent specimen had been voted second-best tree in Chippenham. Quite why anyone feels the need to rank the best trees in Chippenham is anyone’s guess (the winner was a weeping willow). An internet search comes up short on detail of said tree, although the Cemetery was constructed in 1855 and the Giant Redwood was first introduced to the UK in 1853 (by a Scotsman, Patrick Matthew). So one could speculate that someone thought about planting this fashionable newly discovered species in the new Cemetery. In any case, it’s a constant source of inspiration by dint of its sheer size and natural beauty.
Thus inspired, I did a quick trip into town where I parked for free and took a few shots of other lovely trees and scenes in Chippenham. Just for fun. I used Google AI lens to identify the tree species so for any mistakes, you know to whom you should address your complaint.
Giant Redwood – Chippenham’s 2nd Best treeOak or Horse Chestnut TreesLondon Plane TreeI liked the pattern of fallen leavesScots Pine From the town bridge – I had to crop the image to remove the foul mouthed adults who were drinking on the park benches Grabbed a takeout coffee from this independent coffee shop – one of many in ChippenhamSt Andrew’s Church, still resplendent in poppies following Remembrance Day Accidently bought a croissant too…St Andrew’s Churchyard also has a Giant Redwood – absolutely magnificent, note the large bird box on the trunk, possibly for a Barn Owl?
That was a useful distraction for a few minutes, now back to work!
This last Sunday I took my Mum to Highnam House which was hosting a car show to raise money for a local children’s charity. We met my sister there with her husband and their dogs. It was an overcast, warm and humid day but pleasant enough browsing the cars around the trees and beside the lake. I took a few photos, shared below:
Bellissimo Fiat 500This Caterham 7 was just leavingTidy underbonnet of Alfa Romeo BreraA very early Porsche 928 in original conditionMum tearing up the green in her scooterAn immaculate MG MidgetAn immaculate MGB RoadsterA charismatic Mark 1 Chevrolet Corvette in a great two tone black/silverI really liked this custom Ford Pop van……tastefully trimmed……with a genuine flat head V8 and all the right bits…!Another impressive Custom Ford PopWhat a great looking carThis VW Golf GTI looked like newBeautifully simple Lotus 6 – keeping it lightweightA dignified Alvis SaloonA well-used Citroen 2CV…oddly left hand drive so probably imported. A simple interior.Austin 7 in ‘Brum’ coloursAuthentic rally Jaguar XK120 coupe with historyGreat to see this selection of Austin MinisPorsche 924 Carrera – I think these are rareA business like interior!Lamborghini Countach – or is it…?Here’s me in car spotting modeHere’s Mum!Is there a prettier car than an MGB in Primrose Yellow?Mercedes-Benz 190 Cosworth, with PatinaLotus Elan S2These folk were enjoying a picnic next to their MGBA ‘Q-edition’ Aston MartinMy Sister Sarah and her dogsThis Rolls Royce Silver Ghost had a Gold Supermarine Sea Plan model in place of the usual Spirit of EcstacyA 1920’s BentleyHonda NSX Mk2Aston Martin V8 VolanteBlower BentleyAn elegant Bentley ArnageAn historic race car – I didn’t identify the make
I had removed the centre dashboard panel to replace the hazard switch but I was having real difficulty finding the correct part in all the usual internet places. I got a correct looking switch but it was the wrong alignment and although I tried cobbling a Frankenstein switch made up of the old and the new I reached a dead end. Cue refund and another approach. I even considered remounting the hazard switch where it’s put on the later model but this would bring other complications such as having mismatched dashboard parts.
Regrettably I had to purchase ANOTHER WHOLE centre dashboard panel to get the correct switch! I really could not see another way around and having checked with the vendor that the panel included the switch I went ahead and ordered it. Fortunately all was well and the panel arrived with the switch and it all went back together very easily. Of course I had a couple of screws left over. I wonder where they were supposed to go?!
As it was a nice sunny day I then went under the bonnet to fit the new air filter and this went fine although the incredibly tight space to fit the rear screws was as hard to do up as it was to undo. I also put back the plastic engine cover which I had cleaned.
Last job was to put the wiper arms back on. These are very worn but new units are expensive so I’m wondering about finding something from a scrap yard. These will do for the moment (post test drive note: they were not tightened up enough!).
So with the car looking more roadworthy I was itching to have a drive so I taxed it and drove up the road to Tesco to lob in some petrol as it was getting a bit low. One brake was slightly scuffing but not enough to actually bind, otherwise she drives like a 116,000 miles VW – not bad all round.
After refuelling I dropped the roof down and enjoyed that wind-in-the-hair thing we all love.
There are quite a few things left to do for eventual sale, next will be the passenger door handle which has pulled too far out. I’ve looked at how to remove it and it either needs refixing or replacing. Also I need to find out how to replace the battery in the remote – I can’t figure it out but without it the alarm keeps going off when I park it which is antisocial and very annoying. Also, with the warmer weather I’m more inclined to crawl underneath to explore the oil leak and hopefully remove the undertray which was previously reluctant to come off.
The new air filter slotted into placeAir filter cover fixed, fiddly rear screwsI vacuumed this area (where I expected the cabin filter to be)and replaced the panelReconnected the speakerReplaced the panelI gave this area a wipe with WD40 before refitting the centre panel
