Author: chasdarwin

I got Mini out for a cruise – testing performance – and then on October 8th we went on the annual LocoBrits Fall Colors cruise.  This year it was a bit early for most fall colors, but we stopped at three museums: Aviation in Urbana; British Transportation in Dayton; and US Air Force in Fairborn.  (The FCT is an excuse to drive on interesting, twisty, scenic, off the beaten track roads.)

And then went next door to the museum, where we lined up cars in front of the hanger.

The museum has a complete B-25, and a B-17 in process..

At the door, I was pleased to see Pete Stroble – Ohio Mini Owner’s.

We had a nice picnic meal there – well done!

(In 2010 when  Sharon, Mini, and I went to Mini Meet East, we travelled on some of the same roads as today, and the host motel was right down the road…)

Sunday morning, we went across the street from our hotel to the US Air Force Museum.

I relived all off the WWII aviation of which I have read, and then Sharon and I headed  home: SR4; I-670;I-71; SR301; US20; SR83.

Thanks to Stacy for a great job!

(Meanwhile, back at the home 40, Kerrie was watching our dog Babe!  Thanks!)

The Lorain County British car club  decided to have a garage crawl on 24 Sep – Pete Haburt’s idea – where we traveled to several members garages, and then visited over coffee, etc.

I prepped our garage and the house – cleaning the bathrooms etc, did some last minute shopping at Giant Eagle for one dozen assorted donuts – and at 10:30 on that Saturday, the people and the cars began to arrive.

The cars are great, but in the end, it is the people who make the difference

Thanks to all, and esp. to Pete for organizing, to all who hosted, and I hope we do it every year!

I have made progress in organization in the shop and the garage.

On Tuesday, we had Yoga with Katie, and her sister Kerrie came over to plan Babe sitting…

On Sunday September 4th, I organized the tools, adjusted the brakes, and drove Mini for refueling, in preparation for our trip on Monday.

On Monday, we loaded tools, a picnic, and Babe, Sharon, and I into Mini and travelled about 15 km to our son Allen’s house, where he and his wife Sarah were also entertaining their friends Ryan an Loren, from New England.

Babe was much appreciated, as was Mini: Ryan and Loren sat in her and liked her looks.

Mini did well.  I have learned a new technique: I don’t pull the choke out all the way to start- she starts, and the choke does not get hung up…

I cleaned and organized the top areas of the tool boxes – long time coming!

On the 7th, I worked in the garage and sent pictures of the same to carguygarage.com – they were published!

Tuesday Aug 9 saw the arrival of our new jack.

On the 20th, Allen came over, and we bled and used the jacks.

I adjusted the brakes and other details on the car, and on Sunday, I planned to set off for British cars at Shaker Square.

The trip home with the repairs went well!

After I took Mini for a run this week, I prepped her for the 40+ mile run to Ursuline college for the annual British car day.

The drive is a bit of an adventure avoiding inattentively operated vehicles that are much larger than Mini, but we made it in good order.

Enjoyed talking to people, and viewing cars.

Nice trip home, rested, ordered in pizza, and tomorrow onto our new jack.

The oil leak has been reduced considerably: I am suspecting perhaps the valve cover.

I took Mini for several good runs, and all seems well .

This last week was busy:

27 July: Loco Brits Meeting

I drove Rhoda, as I had a slight  (but unnecessary concern).

30 July: Loco Brits Summer Party

31 July: Annual Euro Car show

I drove to the German American Club in Olmsted Falls  for the annual show.

Rain fell, I waited, and had a nice drive home.

I checked things out on Mini, and Sharon and Babe and I drove her to our son’s house for a gathering with family.

The oil leak is either fixed or miniscule – AFT!

I took Mini out for a nice run, then re adjusted the brakes and gave her a bit of a sponge bath.

We had a ballroom dancing lesson with Julie, and we drove both Rhoda (2015 MINI Cooper S) and Mini.

I then drove to the show in Bay Village: a great collection of cars, and several loco brits showed, as well as George Zeck and his wife!

Our Yoga teacher Katie was there with her boys and one of their friends – see above.

Mini got lots of nice attention.

Drove home – ran well and brakes are better.

Some early Austin 850 (Austin Seven Photos)

see:

http://www.automobile-catalog.com/auta_details1.php