Got The Bug Back....

[mainline 2 1 Cars]

I had the day off on Friday so finally got around to putting my interior back together, fitting my new heater matrix and sorting a few other issues (MOT next week ) Sat in the sunshine working on cars is one of the happiest things I can do when everything is going well. And after my previously disastrous attempt at fitting the new matrix (followed the Hanyes manual, almost stripped the whole of the interior in the process, bodged fitting the matrix, coolant pissing everywhere, put the dash back together badly, speedo not working etc) I took my time and relaxed in the warm weather. Before I knew it, the matrix was fitted, the dash was back in place, I had no screws left over (minor miracle) and the heater, speedo and all switches were working. I also hoovered the car out, cleaned up the interior I bought off Baz, painted and fitted the arch trim I bought from Lemmingzappa and a new aerial to boot.

 

So with the warm glow of a job actually done well for once, I took the 205 out. I hadn't driven it for many weeks, and had become totally accustomed to Mercedes cosseted luxury and reliabiliy, so it was quite a cuture shock to be doing things like changing gear, blipping the throttle, feeling what the front end was doing and chucking something light around country roads. Thoroughly invigorated I returned a happy man.

 

Took the 205 out again on Saturday for a mini blat, and then again this morning, really early, round to a mates' to watch the F1. There was literally nothing else on the roads, just as the sun was coming up. What a great feeling. We got the DAF out round at his after the racing had finished, where it has been hibernating awaiting some welding during the extended bank holiday in April / May. Was good to feel the thin rimmed wheel and dodgy handling of the 2 cylinder beast once more.

 

Drove 220 miles to London today, bored and insulated against the real world in the CLK, wishing the weekend wasn't over and I was going to be driving the 205 again in the morning. Was great to finally devote a weekend to driving the 205 after all these months of crap weather / excuses!

 

Also wondered if it was anyone on here in the sorrento Green 1.6 GTI on 1.9 wheels with the boot spoiler in Watford Gap(?) services, on the M1 southbound at about six o'clock? Pulled up next to the car but nobody was in it and it had gone when I got back. Think it was a G Plate phase 1.5.