not much to report from me
been away to mum's in Somerset for christmas, and then flew to Marrakech for 3 nights, from Bristol airport... I used to pass this airport visiting Dad when he lived in Bristol, many journeys on the A38 and some old memories.. so it was nice to finally fly from there.. even at 6am with the plane being De-iced !
Marrakech, the old bit in the city walls, is an experience! .tip, spend most nights in a hotel in the new part of city, and one night in the 'Medina' , dont go all nights in there, its too much, claustrophobic and mayhem !
Learn french
dis-associate yourself from Iraq/Blair etc etc
the driving is without doubt the worst I have ever come across..
the taxis, well the expensive ones (£80 a day for car and driver) are all mercs, old and huge and way to big for the hundreds of alleys that they ply their trade in.. otherwise cabs are old 205 D's and Fiat pandas. One 205 had no springs (just squeaks) , no dashlights/clocks or external lights save for a sidelight or two!
the only people who dont seem to want your money, are the beggars !
I will make a blog of pics this week sometime
car wise....
Xantia is fine, starting up on mainly WVO even with -5C this morning.. Just wish the fast idle was better.. If I give it a tiny bit of throttle, for 10 seconds, it wont stall again.. otherwise seems to be stalling only while the suspension sorts itself out.
406 did the run to the West country, on Christmas day, what a pleasure, empty roads, cruise on, seat heaters, and even found a multidisk hidden in the rear wall of the gargantuan boot !... going to leave the music system as is, and make some old fashioned WAV cd's .. 6CD x 15-20 songs will give a bearable range
the suspension/handling is almost horrid ! its not really tough, lending to good cornering, its not soft enough to absord even running over a sponge, the car is heavy, it's just all a bit odd... the xantia feels a dream on every road in comparison.. the 406 is 100K so maybe a few things are worn, it almost feels like scuttle shake sometimes too.. tyres are 225/55's which wont help..
the front disks seem so warped that I hate to use them, will have a look one night this week..
but it's a nice way to travel, despite that.. worth hanging onto and keeping clean and tidy..
bikes, the VFR**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff] is still waiting for a few panels to be fitted and a good clean,
the little GPX resides on the back of the old American camper, but needs a few bits finishing.. the camper doesnt appear to have the GVW to take the bike and rack, but there is a big 4KW generator in the back which I could probably remove.. I notice that B and Q do a tiny 750W petrol genny for about £60 ! which probalby only wieghs 5KGs!
The camper still needs its 4 barrel rochester carb fitting and the cold start system sorting.. it does about 1 MPG when idleing cold and the black clouds really block the sun!
thats it
