Harvey activity was somewhat curtailed again this weekend by Punto maintenance[xx(] The sump had rusted through and it was loosing more oil than the Mini[:0] Everything was going swimmingly until the new one was offered up - there was no way the holes were going to line up without distorting it[V] Looks like my bargain ebay purchase wasn't that much of a bargain. On the bright side the Mini passed the MOT without any problems so I get to use it while Lucy borrows the Focus

I had to laugh in the MOT place - a young Vehicle Maintenance Technician was given the job of checking over the Mini, everything was going great - even the emissions were spot on - but when it came to reversing back off the ramp there seemed to be a bit of a delay. Much revving and jumping forward then rolling back ensued - I guessed what was wrong and smiled to myself. After a few minutes the lad motioned to the older and wiser gaffer, I saw the guy lean in and reach across - it was only then the reversing lights came on and the Mini was able to back-off the ramp. A rather red faced young chap almost apologetically handed over the keys and a shiny new ticket. I would have thought he had seen a few Minis go through but he still couldn't fathom out how to use reverse

When chatting to the owner of the garage the conversation eventually got round to Commers and he said that a blue panel van from Liverpool get tested there and an Austin J2 camper comes in every year - he complained about the rust treatment the owner daubs on every year - a mixture of grease and oil that coats absolutely everything - lovely[^]
Any way enough of this waffle and on to today. I was delayed again this morning by some very welcome visitors - Caz, Colin and the boys dropped by on there way back from Blackpool and we had a good old chinwag and a visit to the inner sanctum where Harvey rests. You'll have to get Oliver a dolls house of his own

Hope you had a pleasant journey home - all 300 miles of it[:0]
A steady afternoons Harveying followed - I was feeling a little fragile after the Halloween BBQ so took it easy.
A visit to the local Market supplied the necessary
And a bit of beading to finish off the gas bottle compartment
The wooden bulkhead didn't fair too well with my non to gentle method of removing it so a sheet of 6mm ply is waiting to be transformed next week
OOGIE BOOGIE