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

[bxzx16v]

I had the same problem Jim with the spare wheel carrier on the Zx , seized solid , I don't think it had ever been down from new . Sorted now though , next job is to remove the spare wheel carrier and give it a good clean up and some bilt hamber goodies will treat the rusty bits and a good coat of satin black .

Mark

[CitroJim]

give it a good clean up and some bilt hamber goodies will treat the rusty bits and a good coat of satin black .

I think I'll be giving Mr. Bilt-Hamber some of my money in exchange for his very fine products soon Mark...

I really want to preserve my XM and will be doing much the same as you...

[KP]

I'd recommend two thugs for the carrier Jim

1. Take it off and strip it back to metal and give a good paint them layering in stonechip paint.
2. Give the spare a really good clean but put it in a big bag. Preferably a rubble sack type affair. It stops so much crud building up on it and makes it less messy job should you need to replace it and you can then chuck in some old gardening gloves for if it ever happens as they would be safe in the bag

I guess it's one reason newer cits have a wheel well instead or tyre foam these days

As for battery's I'd measure up and get the largest Bosche S5 you can fit into the space from ecp using one of the 25%+ discount codes as they seem to be the cheapest around and delivered. The S5 comes from the FF crowd as they have a might big drain on batteries during cranking after the cabin heat/cool has been used while parked

[CitroJim]

I'd recommend two thugs for the carrier Jim

Kray twins OK for that Will?

Seriously, good tips indeed..

The V6 battery has done well as I believe it came from the previously owner's DS and wasn't new then and it's done me well for three years or so..

Ran down to Somerset and back in the XM to see dad yesterday.

It was a good but knackering day...

Good for spotting. Two Xantias, two BXs, one DS, one 2CV and finally an XM!

All but one Xantia and the XM were seen in deepest Somerset. The XM was seen in Buckingham and the second second Xantia near Milton Keynes...

[CitroJim]

One thing I forgot to mention is the effect replacing the oxygen sensor has had on economy - for the better

The difference is significant.

[Chris570]

One thing I forgot to mention is the effect replacing the oxygen sensor has had on economy - for the better

The difference is significant.

hint noted

i'll do mine

[CitroJim]

hint noted

i'll do mine

It's an easy job Chris. Just remember the secret is to remove the hydractive centre sphere first

[CitroJim]

Yesterday saw my girls, the XM and I run down to Somerset and back again. To see dad.

Excellent run. Very lovely day and the XM purrred. Gosh, that's a good car on a run!

I also found the wireless works well on medium wave for Radio 5. On the way home we were gripped rigid by Andy Murray's epic battle on centre court - what a nail-biter

We can all highly recommend the Little Chef at Tot Hill on the A34 Newbury Bypass. Good service and great food

No other XMs spotted though

Just one fairly late and tidy Xantia close to dad's house...

[CitroJim]

My little patch of strawberries has been incredibly productive this year, thanks to the slaughter of several thousand slugs and snails thanks to the magic little blue pills. At one point my garden looked like the Somme... Dead bodies and spent shells everywhere...

So bountiful have they been that I had far more than I could realistically eat. I gave a load away but still was inundated by them..

Today I did something I've never done in my life before. I made a batch of strawberry jam

It worked. I succeeded! I'm really quite proud...

Odd though is my jam looks nothing like the commercial stuff - full of fruit for one thing and much darker. Makes you wonder what they put in it

I must say that since I have stopped - except on very special occasions - eating any ready made or prepared food my health has generally been much better...

Before it gets too hot I'm going to give the XM an oil change and then settle back to listen to Murray slaughtering the bloke with the odd name on Centre Court this afternoon...

[Hell Razor5543]

When I was a child (many moons ago) my mother made strawberry meringue mountains. Utterly decadent, completely fattening, and superbly heavenly. I shall have to get the recipe for you.

[CitroJim]

When I was a child (many moons ago)

Not so many moons as me James

Yes, if you have the recipie that would be great. I have a very sweet tooth...

[Hell Razor5543]

OK, I will get that recipe off my mother. However, here is a different one you might want to try. It is her "Hot Chocolate Fudge Sauce", and she uses it on profiteroles filled with a decent ice cream. It is loosely based upon Kye (which was the hot chocolate drink used on the Russian convoys), as a way to get hot calories into the men on the ships, and it worked.

One tin sweetened condensed milk,
3 ounces butter,
The next three ingredients you can adjust to taste;
Icing sugar,
Castor sugar,
Cocoa powder,

Start off with the condensed milk and butter, on a low heat mix them together. Then slowly add the other ingredients while stirring (you don't want the chocolate to stick or burn), until you have a smooth consistency sauce. Then pour over the dessert. Make sure to use up ALL of the sauce, as it does harden up as it cools. We don't know the calorie count, as the test rig failed under the load!

[addo]

That does sound rich! I suppose you'd use it to wash down a serve of poutine?

[CitroJim]

Thanks James, I can taste it already..

Calorie count is infinity -1 I believe...

[daviemck2006]

I believe if i ate that due to being diabetic i would lose both legs and go blind all at once!