CitroJim's AX, C3 Picasso, Cycling and Running Tales

[CitroJim]

Nothing much to report on the car front. I've been very busy recently with non-Citroen stuff and that has conspired to keep me well away from then sadly, apart from some very enjoyable drives of the Activa..

I've got to a point now where I'm doing more miles on my bike than in the C1 or Activa...

I recently passed my Karate green belt grading and now looking hard at the purple belt syllabus. It's getting tough now.

Little progress has been made on the V6 conversion work but yesterday I was hoping to do a bit until a Pug 407 needing a new wishbone spoilt the plan.

We thought it would be easy but gosh, what a swine of a job that is First time I've known it necessary to remove a driveshaft before a wishbone can be swapped.

I'm hoping next weekend will remain clear enough to crack on with stripping the V6 donor... Some hope I expect We'll see...

[Citroenmad]

Glad to hear all is going well with you Jim!

Will I see you at the National? I'll be there for the Sunday

[Zelandeth]

Would offer to come lend a hand but sadly this coming week we have guests all week so will be tied up with that...week after though give me a shout if you want me to pop over for a couple of hours in the week sometime on an afternoon.

Dog is at least at the stage now I can leave him to entertain himself for a couple of hours if needed without him going crazy or destroying the house.

[CitroJim]

Will I see you at the National? I'll be there for the Sunday

Sadly not Chris I'm under strict orders to seriously rest for significant period following yet another crash this week.

Been pushing things just a little too hard recently and the price is being paid.

Zel, thanks That is very much appreciated.. For the reason above it'll be a while but as soon as I do I'll be in touch.

[CitroJim]

I hate driving! I've been feeling that way for some time but yesterday's trip to Malcolm's funeral in Hastings just about finalised it. The M1, M25, Dartford Crossing and especially the A21 were all awful Poor Activa coped well despite her fans running for so much of the journey... Getting stuck behind two huge Ainscough mobile cranes on the A21 didn't help. I belt Malcolm was laughing his socks off from his cloud knowing how much I hate the A21!!!

Malcolm's funeral was moving, emotional and fantastic. A cracking service and a most brilliant eulogy I don't know quite how to say this without sounding wrong but, despite the awful drive there and back I thoroughly enjoyed it. Sounds wrong but I hope you all understand what I'm trying to say...

[DickieG]

Malcolm's funeral was moving, emotional and fantastic. A cracking service and a most brilliant eulogy I don't know quite how to say this without sounding wrong but, despite the awful drive there and back I thoroughly enjoyed it. Sounds wrong but I hope you all understand what I'm trying to say...

Nothing wrong with what you've said and I fully understand what you mean Jim, I've been to a number of funerals over the past few years and thankfully there's been a shift from them being morbid upsetting occasions to more of a celebration of the deceased's life leaving me feeling uplifted if that makes sense, I'm disappointed that I couldn't get the day off work to be there.

[Fake Concern]

I didn't make the funeral despite living close as I work in Maidstone. Un fortunately I couldn't get the time off. I did pay my respects at the church hall a bit later.

Incidently I think I saw you (Jim) on the A21 just outside Hurst Green, if your Xantia is red. I was in a black C4 VTS with black wheels going towards Hastings.

[CitroJim]

Incidently I think I saw you (Jim) on the A21 just outside Hurst Green, if your Xantia is red. I was in a black C4 VTS with black wheels going towards Hastings.

It could well have been me or perhaps it was Kev (red_dwarfers) as he also went there in a red Xantia. Mine has a very distinctive plate and if I was following a big yellow crane it was me!

Nothing wrong with what you've said and I fully understand what you mean Jim

Excellent Thanks Richard!

Just got home from a fantastic day out with Val at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. That's a real hidden gem and very worth a visit.

Following more delays on the M1 (we came of at J18 and came home down the A5) I have now had enough driving to last for ever. If I never drive again it'll be too soon This evening I hate driving even more than I did this morning.

Thing is I'll be doing another long run to Somerset and back on Saturday in the Activa but delays on the back roads I favour are thankfully rare and driving them in the Activa is a relaxing and peaceful business...

Then I'll be only driving to work and back until the next rally or next visit to Somerset. This driving lark is seriously over-rated. I love cars as much as ever but only to spanner them and not to drive them.

[myglaren]

My satnav was set for shortest distance and took me a rather circuitous route to my son's place in Buckhurst Hill but did take me quite a way up the A21 and it was fine - I did wait until 18:00 to attempt it though. It actually took me a direct reversal of the route from the previous night - through the Blackwall tunnel. Despite much trepidation it was a doodle - and free

Probably a nightmare when busy but 02:00 it was dead.

Reset the satnav to fastest route and it took me up the M11/A1 no bother - home by 03:20 and shattered - up again for work at 06:00.

The journey down was interesting, through many picturesque villages that I would rather not have seen on that occasion.

I do still enjoy driving but was not looking forward to this one, partly the distance and the times needed to make it and the crossing the Thames bit. All went swimmingly ad the C5 behaved perfectly, 740 effortless miles.

[CitroJim]

Gosh Steve, that's a heck of a journey you had there.. How you got up for work next day is totally beyond me. Mind you, I did get up, swim 1400m and then go to Yorkshire for the day but then I wasn't driving the outward leg of that one...

Last long drive today for a while. I soon head off for Somerset...

In the Activa...

[CitroJim]

That last drive has killed me

Readers of my Facebook page can see why

But basically...

As expected, Malcolm's funeral, the trip to Yorkshire and the trip yesterday to see Dad had the usual consequence... Just got up and not feeling good

F'ing ME really pees me off... Once again I learn limits the sodding hard way... F this for a game of sodding soldiers

[daviemck2006]

I hope you improve soon Jim. I have had to learn the hard way too. It's not fecking easy to pace yourself when you have a condition that limits your activities. Espically as you are a bloke that's always doing something. Take care

[CitroJim]

I have had to learn the hard way too. It's not fecking easy to pace yourself when you have a condition that limits your activities. Espically as you are a bloke that's always doing something. Take care

Thanks Davie That's summed it up just about perfectly....

The worst thing, as I'm sure it is with you is the frustration that comes from wanting to do things you just can't.

My problem is I still try hard to do those things...

[daviemck2006]

That's it in a nutshell. That's why a garage is dung the wheelbearing on the 205 on Wednesday, and I'll do the operation on the horse sometime in the next few weeks.

[MikeT]

The worst thing, as I'm sure it is with you is the frustration that comes from wanting to do things you just can't

I hear that!