Life on the edge - the Diary of a C5

[Xantianut]

Ah.

Daddy has decided that the glue has set and has placed me back on my 4 wheels.

He's also lowered my suspension to it's normal setting so I can sleep comfortably.

Happy girl here......

[CitroJim]

You are a naughty girl for squirting a bit of oil beyond the bowl

Now you must take your poxy resin medicine!

[Xantianut]

PAPA IS A BODGER!!!!!!!

I am still leaking coolant from my radiator connection. This needs fixing, never mind wiping up the oil I spilled! Also never mind the rain! You're waterproof, I know this.

Daddy?

Please?

Oh, here he is now, with the resin.

[Xantianut]

Hello

He has remade the joint and just test run me. I am no longer widdling from my radiator. He used a lot more resin this time. Wasn't sure about that but it's worked.

Now, he needs to give me a good run to clear some carbon from inside my powerful engine. And he did not get wet, he did it between the showers.

Clever daddy. Or is this Expert Bodging?

[Stickyfinger]

Daddy used a lot more resin

Daddy is a Pot HEAD !

[Zelandeth]

Seems to be a month for it...poor old Gabriel, my Xantia has been being a van nearly the whole month so far...got the parcel shelf back in yesterday...for about two hours. Even Tango, my Skoda had to face the indignation of having the seats down and being stuffed full of lawn mower this evening...basically because Gabriel was boxed in the drive and I wasn't walking back out to get the mower in the rain! Even though Tango is officially living a gentle retirement, still has to do a bit of work now and then! He did end up getting talked about in a very complimentary way for about half an hoir with the gent I got the mower from...so I think he enjoys it really.

[Xantianut]

Oh.

The postman brought a small parcel today and Daddy has been drilling my new keyfobs. He tells me this is so he can fit new transponder chips in them so he can also fit my replacement steering lock. Once his new Lexia arrives.

Now, I have heard from various sources that my Daddy is not the most technologically competent person in the world so I am a bit worried by this. Even more worried if he uses the hammer on delicate electronic components. However, he tells me he's not as bad as he likes to pretend.

I think I have a split personality you know. I can go from an air conditioned limousine to a van at the fold of a seat. But still an air conditioned van. Hmm. I also have a towbar which Daddy has tested. Will I also be getting a trailer? I do hope so. A nice little one, not a dirty great big caravan!

I do sympathise with Gabriel. It's never nice being dragged out of retirement to be a workhorse again. I thought I was going into semi-retirement. Daddy soon put me right about that! Still, it's good to be helpful and to get a pat after a hard days' work.

[Xantianut]

Exciting day today.

We saw an interesting aeroplane today and Daddy and Mummy got very excited. It sounded lovely with a supercharger whining away on the engine.

Daddy says it was a Hawker Hurricane which, along with the Spitfire, saved our nation from invasion in 1940. This was a long time ago, before anyone even thought about designing me although Daddy says that my suspension system was on the drawing board.

Only thing is, I now want a Rolls Royce Merlin engine. V12, 27.5 litres and a dirty great big supercharger, what's not to like? OK, it burns petrol but I could live with that for 1,000bhp. How can I persuade Daddy to buy me one and fir it?

[Hell Razor5543]

Why would you want to fir it? I have fond feelings for the Hurricane, as my Great Uncle Jim (who was also my Godfather, and I am named after him) flew Hurricanes in the early stages of WWII (85 Squadron). While it may not have been so glamorous as the Spitfire it did the job, and was easier to repair.

[Xantianut]

Daddy can't type.

Nothing new there!!!!

He meant fit it. And he's just had a at his typing. And he thinks he can wield a lexia on me? It will say Eeeeeeek.com!!!!

[elma]

I've been to Llandudno airshow today where they had a Spitfire and a Hurricane flying together. It was quite a treat. The Lancaster they booked unfortunately had an engine fire fire recently so didn't make it. They finished with a P51-Mustang which is also Merlin powered. I thought the red arrows were a lot like my red Xantia with the coloured smoke everywhere they went.
I think Daddy should definitely get you a Merlin. just make sure he gets you a really good nose job to fit the engine and a fuel tank to go in that trailer your hoping for. I'd take him to Duxford tomorrow for day2 of their airshow, if he gets taken away with the atmosphere its probably the place to buy a Merlin.

[Xantianut]

Daddy took me to Tebay yesterday then Hellifield to see some steam locomotives.

The red one was like me, belching huge clouds of black smoke and running very slowly*. The second one was also slow because it was following the 1st. For some reason Daddy got excited about a Reliant Supervan. Why? Yes it is old but then so are standing stones. Oh, and Daddy is interested in them. I worry about him......

We saw the green one again at Hellifield where Daddy says it had to slow down for the junction. It was a good day out for me with plenty of motorway cruising with some driving along country lanes.

* just kidding!

[Stickyfinger]

Daddy may like these, 85 Squadron taken between 10-16 March 1941.Debden

[Xantianut]

[Hell Razor5543]

My Great Uncle (also my Godfather, whom I am named after) flew in 85 Squadron. I have just bought the book "Fighter Squadron at War", which is about 85 Squadron. Flight Lieutenant James Robert Maitland Boothby. When he started his own car company (Jim Boothby Motors, JBM for short) he used the squadron hexagon symbol on the badge.