tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2009-11-21:/MokoFeed2009-11-21T08:10:44+01:00tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-12-16:/2007/12/16/in_the_words_of_a_great_author_an_embugg~3453174/magnox2007-12-16T22:28:26+01:002007-12-16T22:28:26+01:00 <p>Mignon II is leaking. From the area we spent a week working on. I suspect the hammering and assorted cussing has cracked the seal on the roof vent at the over-cab bed.</p> <p>All the new roof has to come down, the new timber frames.. the lot. Just to squirt some sealant around the roof vent.</p> <p>To say I am mildly miffed is an understatement. However, these things are sent to try us. I wave a couple of fingers in the roof's general direction.</p> <p>Sadly, the plan to have Mignon ready for New Year is a no-go. My airline interpreted 'I would like New Year off' as 'please give me the longest series of flights I could possibly get over New Year' and my colleagues with children work over Christmas and get New Year off. I'm sure if I saw it from the planners' point of view I would understand, but how on earth you can give 20 people exactly the opposite of what they wanted as opposed to giving 20 people what they wanted.... surely it must balance out somewhere.</p> <p>Bleh. Anyway...</p> <p>Just as well - poor old Mignon II is wetter than a cat's mouth at the first crack of a tuna can, and I don't have the time to fix it until next year.</p> <p>I also discovered, only last night, that one of my cousins is a skilled restorer of VW camper vans himself. Nods to self slowly... ! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/12/16/in_the_words_of_a_great_author_an_embugg~3453174/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-11-22:/2007/11/22/it_s_starting_to_look_habitable~3337473/GilraenH2007-11-22T20:16:38+01:002007-11-23T02:09:22+01:00 <p>Yep, that's right. The old van is starting to look as if someone could live in it! Most of the wallpaper is up (although Magnox has got to spend some time with the roof boards). It's a light blue - there is very little choice for bathroom/kitchen papers that don't have fish or carrots on them. </p> <p>This is definitely a Summer project, not ideal doing it in a Scottish near-winter where the hours of darkenss are ever encroaching! But a good light and heater and the job was done. I could go on about the had work that Orangeblossom has done on the van so far - so I will! All hail the Orangeblossom!  I have to finish the wallpaper off in the shower room and ceiling and I have never done that before. Should be a laugh. </p> <p>So here is Pippin singing the praises of the new wallpaper (insert your own caption if you want). Him and Polo were curiously absent whilst there was work to be done: </p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=2164179','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="STA70572"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/179/2164179_c29bed0887_m.jpeg" alt="STA70572" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>So you want to see a before picture? OK then: </p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=2164190','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="STA70532"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/190/2164190_5dcd2fe784_m.jpeg" alt="STA70532" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>An improvement, wouldn't you say? </p> <p>And how long do you think Magnox is going to have his tools as neat as this? Answers on a postcard...</p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=2164195','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="STA70568"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/195/2164195_472dff2d67_m.jpeg" alt="STA70568" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/11/22/it_s_starting_to_look_habitable~3337473/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-11-18:/2007/11/18/nice_knobs~3314647/GilraenH2007-11-18T14:19:20+01:002007-11-18T14:24:21+01:00 <p>Ha! That'll teach you perverted Google searchers. </p> <p>Old knobs</p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=2153778','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="old knob"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/778/2153778_f89a3f506d_m.jpeg" alt="old knob" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>New knobs</p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=2153780','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="new knob"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/780/2153780_227735f675_m.jpeg" alt="new knob" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/11/18/nice_knobs~3314647/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-11-18:/2007/11/18/transformations~3314566/GilraenH2007-11-18T13:59:49+01:002007-11-18T13:59:49+01:00 <p>Hello, Mrs Magnox here again. Yes, the lining paper is going up and is making a big difference to the interior. However, it is tricky to put up the round windows and shelves. Well done Orangeblossom! Here is a before and after photo. The wallpaper (which is going on tomorrow) will make a huge difference. </p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=2153717','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="Before"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/717/2153717_9755399962_m.jpeg" alt="Before" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=2153718','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="OB Lining"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/718/2153718_5bd575c061_m.jpeg" alt="OB Lining" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=2153719','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="after with lining"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/719/2153719_794d546c5f_m.jpeg" alt="after with lining" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/11/18/transformations~3314566/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-11-18:/2007/11/18/before~3314453/magnox2007-11-18T13:32:10+01:002007-11-18T13:32:10+01:00 <p>I'll leave the honour of posting the 'after' pictures to my wife who is doing all the hard work at the moment. I've just watched an elephant walk past me with a tree trunk in its errr trunk, which is not something you usually see in the early evening hours...</p> <p>Just an idea of what we (didn't realise !) were taking on. Click on any to enlarge.</p> <p>I have a suspicion I will not be allowed to do a project like this again... either that, or I'll have to learn how to sew and wallpaper !</p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=2153644','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="1"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/644/2153644_bcccc09313_m.jpeg" alt="1" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=2153645','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="2"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/645/2153645_8d02f1b111_m.jpeg" alt="2" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=2153646','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="3"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/646/2153646_d33864ac23_m.jpeg" alt="3" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/11/18/before~3314453/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-11-17:/2007/11/18/restoring_the_interior~3312814/magnox2007-11-18T00:27:13+01:002007-11-18T00:28:53+01:00 <p>Yup, it was worse than we thought. At some point the seals between the camper body walls and roof had given up the will to live and had let in water. It's been properly fixed with a very nice fibreglass repair, but the extent of the damage was not evident until we had pulled the roof and wall boards away from the joists.</p> <p>Old campers and caravans were built in a very similar fashion to timber-framed houses, and the water had spread to many of the joists, and then worked its way down the walls. End of wood.</p> <p>5 days of stripping wood you could put your finger through, bench-sawing, cutting, grinding, shaping, filling, glueing... it's not difficult, but takes days of work. We also discovered that one of the shower walls was so rotten, the slightest slip would have sent you through a splintering, rotten, horribly-papered wall of gangrene nastiness. Solution - hit with hammer until wall is no more. Replace.</p> <p>We don't have the time to do this properly and there are still areas which are not great. The real solution is to strip the interior completely and start again with everything from scratch - new cupboards, units, everything, but this will last another 10 years. I hope !</p> <p>Front brakes still don't work properly either...</p> <p>More photos to come when I'm back from a tough week on an Indian beach. We work hard you know.... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/11/18/restoring_the_interior~3312814/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-11-17:/2007/11/17/current_progress_and_behold_the_hideousn~3311844/GilraenH2007-11-17T19:49:44+01:002007-11-17T22:10:39+01:00 <p>This is Mrs Magnox here, with my first Mignon post. Orangeblossom has come up to help with the 'cosmetics' of the van interior this week and things have moved along...</p> <p>On close inspection some areas of the roof were quite damp (well, the timbers were more like sponge) so they had to be taken down and new mdf put up (that was a bugger of a job to hold that in place over the top of the cab). I'm sure Magnox will fill you in on that (however, a 10 day holiday work trip to India beckoned for Magnox, so we are getting stuck in).</p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=2151911','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="STA70531 REDUCED"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/911/2151911_b7851895e1_m.jpeg" alt="STA70531 REDUCED" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>But I often wonder - who are the people who go into Homebase or B&Q or whatever, and think 'No, I won't get that lovely pattern or colour, I'll buy the most disgusting and hideous wallpaper/paint/material that I find. That will be just perfect!'. We have found some very worrying choices whilst stripping off the outer layer of wallpaper. </p> <p><a href="http://" title="STA70524 REDUCED"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/918/2151918_5d7359a18d_m.jpeg" alt="STA70524 REDUCED" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=2151919','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="STA70525 REDUCED"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/919/2151919_881b369734_m.jpeg" alt="STA70525 REDUCED" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=2151934','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="STA70522 reduced"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/934/2151934_275749cb45_m.jpeg" alt="STA70522 reduced" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>So we are being a bit more tasteful with our decor, a nice blue with a lovely navy blue tartan for the cushions. Pa will like it, and here is Orangeblossom up to some stitchery* in the dining room:</p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=2151927','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="STA70535 reduced"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/927/2151927_2c81959fcc_m.jpeg" alt="STA70535 reduced" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>* a craft I do not have and never will possess. All hail the Orangeblossom. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/11/17/current_progress_and_behold_the_hideousn~3311844/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-09-24:/2007/09/24/title~3033672/magnox2007-09-24T19:54:31+02:002007-09-24T19:55:01+02:00 <p><img src="http://data1.blog.de/media/607/2003607_606833bfa3_m.jpeg" alt="manual" hspace="5" vspace="5"></p> <p><span class="s"> An invaluable guide for using a Haynes manual:</p> <p>Haynes: Rotate anticlockwise. <br>Translation: Clamp with molegrips (adjustable wrench) then beat repeatedly with hammer anticlockwise. You do know which way is anticlockwise, don't you? </p> <p>Haynes: Should remove easily. <br>Translation: Will be corroded into place ... clamp with adjustable wrench then beat repeatedly with a hammer. </p> <p>Haynes: This is a snug fit. <br>Translation: You will skin your knuckles! ... Clamp with adjustable wrench then beat repeatedly with hammer. </p> <p>Haynes: This is a tight fit. <br>Translation: Not a hope in hell matey! ... Clamp with adjustable wrench then beat repeatedly with hammer. </p> <p>Haynes: As described in Chapter 7... <br>Translation: That'll teach you not to read through before you start, now you are looking at scary photos of the inside of a gearbox. </p> <p>Haynes: Pry... <br>Translation: Hammer a screwdriver into... </p> <p>Haynes: Undo... <br>Translation: Go buy a tin of WD40 (industrial size). </p> <p>Haynes: Ease ... <br>Translation: Apply superhuman strength to ... </p> <p>Haynes: Retain tiny spring... <br>Translation: "Jeez what was that, it nearly had my eye out !"</p> <p>Haynes: Press and rotate to remove bulb... <br>Translation: OK - that's the glass bit off, now fetch some good pliers to dig out the bayonet part and remaining glass shards. </p> <p>Haynes: Lightly... <br>Translation: Start off lightly and build up till the veins on your forehead are throbbing then re-check the manual because what you are doing now cannot be considered "lightly". </p> <p>Haynes: Weekly checks... <br>Translation: If it isn't broken don't fix it! </p> <p>Haynes: Routine maintenance... <br>Translation: If it isn't broken... it's about to be! </p> <p>Haynes: One spanner rating (simple). <br>Translation: Your Mum could do this... so how did you manage to botch it up? </p> <p>Haynes: Two spanner rating. <br>Translation: Now you may think that you can do this because two is a low, tiny, ikkle number... but you also thought that the wiring diagram was a map of the Tokyo underground (in fact that would have been more use to you). </p> <p>Haynes: Three spanner rating (intermediate). <br>Translation: Make sure you won't need your car for a couple of days and that your AA cover includes Home Start. </p> <p>Haynes: Four spanner rating. <br>Translation: You are seriously considering this aren't you, you pleb! </p> <p>Haynes: Five spanner rating (expert). <br>Translation: OK - but don't expect us to ride in it afterwards!!! <br>Translation #2: Don't ever carry your loved ones in it again and don't mention it to your insurance company. </p> <p>Haynes: If not, you can fabricate your own special tool like this... <br>Translation: Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!! </p> <p>Haynes: Compress... <br>Translation: Squeeze with all your might, jump up and down on, swear at, throw at the garage wall, then search for it in the dark corner of the garage whilst muttering "<strong>*</strong>*" repeatedly under your breath. </p> <p>Haynes: Inspect... <br>Translation: Squint at really hard and pretend you know what you are looking at, then declare in a loud knowing voice to your wife "Yep, as I thought, it's going to need a new one"! </p> <p>Haynes: Carefully... <br>Translation: You are about to cut yourself! </p> <p>Haynes: Retaining nut... <br>Translation: Yes, that's it, that big spherical blob of rust. </p> <p>Haynes: Get an assistant... <br>Translation: Prepare to humiliate yourself in front of someone you know. </p> <p>Haynes: Refitting is the reverse sequence to removal. <br>Translation: But you swear in different places. </p> <p>Haynes: Prise away plastic locating pegs... <br>Translation: Snap off... </p> <p>Haynes: Using a suitable drift or pin-punch... <br>Translation: The biggest nail in your tool box isn't a suitable drift! </p> <p>Haynes: Everyday toolkit <br>Translation: Ensure you have an RAC Card & Mobile Phone </p> <p>Haynes: Apply moderate heat... <br>Translation: Placing your mouth near it and huffing isn't moderate heat. <br>Translation #2: Heat up until glowing red, if it still doesn't come undone use a hacksaw. </p> <p>Haynes: Apply moderate heat... <br>Translation: Unless you have a blast furnace, don't bother. Clamp with adjustable wrench then beat repeatedly with hammer. </p> <p>Haynes: Index <br>Translation: List of all the things in the book bar the thing you want to do! </p> <p>Haynes: Remove oil filter using an oil filter chain wrench or length of bicycle chain. <br>Translation: Stick a screwdriver through it and beat handle repeatedly with a hammer. </p> <p>Haynes: Replace old gasket with a new one. <br>Translation: I know I've got a tube of Krazy Glue around here somewhere. </p> <p>Haynes: Grease well before refitting. <br>Translation: Spend an hour searching for your tub of grease before chancing upon a bottle of washing-up liquid. Wipe some congealed washing up liquid from the dispenser nozzle and use that since it's got a similar texture and will probably get you to Halfords to buy some Castrol grease. </p> <p>Haynes: See illustration for details <br>Translation: None of the illustrations notes will match the pictured exploded, numbered parts. The unit illustrated is from a previous or variant model. </p> <p> <strong><br>HAYNES GUIDE TO TOOLS OF THE TRADE:</p> <p></strong> <br>HAMMER: Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer is nowadays used as a kind of divining rod to locate expensive parts not far from the object we are trying to hit. </p> <p>ELECTRIC HAND DRILL: Normally used for spinning steel Pop rivets in their holes until you die of old age, but it also works great for drilling mounting holes just above the brake line that goes to the rear wheel. </p> <p>PLIERS: Used to round off bolt heads. </p> <p>HACKSAW: One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board principle. It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable motion, and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your future becomes. </p> <p>MOLE-GRIPS/ADJUSTABLE WRENCH: Used to round off bolt heads. If nothing else is available, they can also be used to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand. </p> <p>OXYACETELENE TORCH: Used almost entirely for lighting various flammable objects in your garage on fire. Also handy for igniting the grease inside a brake-drum you're trying to get the bearing race out of. </p> <p>WHITWORTH SOCKETS: Once used for working on older cars and motorcycles, they are now used mainly for impersonating that 9/16 or 1/2 socket you've been searching for for the last 15 minutes. </p> <p>DRILL PRESS: A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching flat metal bar stock out of your hands so that it smacks you in the chest and flings your beer across the room, splattering it against that freshly painted part you were drying. </p> <p>WIRE WHEEL: Cleans rust off old bolts and then throws them somewhere under the workbench with the speed of light. Also removes fingerprint whorls in about the time it takes you to say, "F...." </p> <p>HYDRAULIC FLOOR JACK: Used for lowering car to the ground after you have installed your new front disk brake setup, trapping the jack handle firmly under the front wing. </p> <p>EIGHT-FOOT LONG DOUGLAS FIR 2X4: Used for levering a car upward off a hydraulic jack. </p> <p>TWEEZERS: A tool for removing wood splinters. </p> <p>PHONE: Tool for calling your neighbour to see if he has another hydraulic floor jack. </p> <p>SNAP-ON GASKET SCRAPER: Theoretically useful as a sandwich tool for spreading mayonnaise; used mainly for getting dog-doo off your boot. </p> <p>BOLT AND STUD EXTRACTOR: A tool that snaps off in bolt holes and is ten times harder than any known drill bit. </p> <p>TIMING LIGHT: A stroboscopic instrument for illuminating grease buildup. </p> <p>TWO-TON HYDRAULIC ENGINE HOIST: A handy tool for testing the tensile strength of ground straps and brake lines you may have forgotten to disconnect. </p> <p>CRAFTSMAN 1/2 x 16-INCH SCREWDRIVER: A large motor mount prying tool that inexplicably has an accurately machined screwdriver tip on the end without the handle. </p> <p>AVIATION METAL SNIPS: See hacksaw. </p> <p>INSPECTION LIGHT: The mechanic's own tanning booth. Sometimes called a drop light, it is a good source of vitamin D, "the sunshine vitamin," which is not otherwise found under cars at night. Health benefits aside, its main purpose is to consume 40-watt light bulbs at about the same rate as 105-mm howitzer shells during the Battle of the Bulge. More often dark than light, its name is somewhat misleading. </p> <p>PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER: Normally used to stab the lids of old-style paper- and-tin oil cans and splash oil on your shirt; can also be used, as the name implies, to round off Phillips screw heads. </p> <p>AIR COMPRESSOR: A machine that takes energy produced in a fossil-fuel burning power plant 200 miles away and transforms it into compressed air that travels by hose to a pneumatic impact wrench that grips rusty bolts last tightened 30 years ago by someone in Dagenham, and rounds them off. </p> <p>PRY (CROW) BAR: A tool used to crumple the metal surrounding that clip or bracket you needed to remove in order to replace a 50 pence part. </p> <p>HOSE CUTTER: A tool used to cut hoses 1/2 inch too short.</span> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/09/24/title~3033672/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-08-17:/2007/08/17/remove_the_stone_of_shame_attach_the_sto~2824720/magnox2007-08-17T16:28:10+02:002007-08-17T16:28:10+02:00 <p><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=1890559','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="burner"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/559/1890559_fb98c34271_m.jpeg" alt="burner" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>Hot water at last. Replaced a dodgy thermocouple and, more importantly, swore at it constantly for a couple of hours. It got the message... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/08/17/remove_the_stone_of_shame_attach_the_sto~2824720/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-08-14:/2007/08/14/an_unexpected_surprise~2809005/magnox2007-08-14T21:02:18+02:002007-08-14T21:02:18+02:00 <p>Started some serious work on Mignon the Camper this afternoon. None of the gas-powered facilities were working, but a blast through the lines with a tyre-inflator blew out the dead wasps, bugs, grass and other assorted rubbish. The heater, the cooker and the oven now all work perfectly.</p> <p>Shame the same can't be said about the water heater which is defeating my every effort to understand it. Time to pop over to my friendly Bedford Owner's Club website and ask those-who-know. If you ever buy anything like this, it really is worth the small amount of time and money needed to join a club.</p> <p>Here's Mignon with a set of newly acquired blinds, oil and filter for a service and the leisure battery. Leisure batteries (I hadn't heard the term until a few months ago myself !) are used to power stereos, TVs, etc separately from the main car battery to avoid draining it. This second battery needs a charging system which can be quite complex, but I've invested in a 'Zig' unit which will take care of it for me as long as I wire it up properly.</p> <p>(Click on any pic to enlarge)</p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=1883072','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="work1"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/072/1883072_63817d91b9_m.jpeg" alt="work1" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>So, I set about cleaning out the cupboard the Zig unit is going to be mounted in. Old campers do tend to turn up a lot of stuff, some good, some rubbish, some just plain odd.</p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=1883073','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="work2"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/073/1883073_9396f23c8d_m.jpeg" alt="work2" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>On the table you can see the Zig. It's the gold-coloured thingie with lots of switches to place in the wrong position and drain every battery, leaving you stranded. Time to write an airline-style checklist methinks ! Plus, my Dad loves rituals and checklists. He'll follow it slavishly, so I'd better get it right !</p> <p>But... what's that, lurking next to an old can of paint, some underlay, a half-drunk bottle of mineral water and a brush ??</p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=1883074','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="work3"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/074/1883074_ad308f9cf5_m.jpeg" alt="work3" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>Captions on a post-card please ! They look new, but I wasn't going to investigate any further.  And anyway, with a quick wash, they'll be ready for Gil to wear.....</p> <p>Battery went in ok, but it looks like some painting needs to be done !</p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=1883128','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="work5"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/128/1883128_ad512386ed_m.jpeg" alt="work5" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>And the air-con was installed. Overall, a good day. Enhanced dramatically by the discovery of used ladies underwear.</p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=1883129','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="work6"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/129/1883129_c517e43eb0_m.jpeg" alt="work6" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/08/14/an_unexpected_surprise~2809005/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-08-12:/2007/08/12/the_air_conditioning_system_has_arrived~2797019/magnox2007-08-12T18:57:01+02:002007-08-12T18:58:27+02:00 <p>Note hugely interested cat nearby  <img class="smiley" src="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/tinymce/jss/plugins/blogdeemotions/smilies/05biggrin.gif" border="0" alt=""></p> <p>This system uses no freon gasses, no evironmentally-harmful emissions.... Air Con Mk.I</p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=1876879','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="aircon"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/879/1876879_358edbf80d_m.jpeg" alt="aircon" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/08/12/the_air_conditioning_system_has_arrived~2797019/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-08-06:/2007/08/06/for_kevin~2761613/magnox2007-08-06T04:25:39+02:002007-08-06T04:25:39+02:00 <p>Hope you can take a joke Kev !</p> <p>Here's your cat-flap (and a fair bit of panel beating for me !)</p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=1858874','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="catflap"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/874/1858874_0631312493_m.jpeg" alt="catflap" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/08/06/for_kevin~2761613/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-08-06:/2007/08/06/why_our_next_door_neighbours_can_t_sell_~2761555/magnox2007-08-06T03:31:08+02:002007-08-07T02:29:48+02:00 <p><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=1858864','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="why"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/864/1858864_4020cdb387_m.jpeg" alt="why" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>From left (clockwise):</p> <p>Mag's 'this-cost-70-grand-new-I-tell-you! gently decaying vision of grandeur', a BMW 740, Mignon II, Mignon I, the mighty Ebay Ford pickup and Gil's new birthday present, an Astra twin-top. Looks like a dodgy second-hand dealer's yard instead of our house !</p> <p>The village think the gypsies have moved in...</p> <p>Do you a new driveway guvnor ?</p> <p>(Click to enlarge)</p> <p>It's a bit like this round our place at the moment !</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/08/06/why_our_next_door_neighbours_can_t_sell_~2761555/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-08-06:/2007/08/06/first_evaluation~2761528/magnox2007-08-06T02:47:29+02:002007-08-06T05:56:02+02:00 <p>Well, it's mostly good but there is some 'oiliness' to be getting on with. First and foremost are the front brakes. Bleh.</p> <p>They're drum brakes and I've never dealt with them before. The front brakes shudder quite badly and pull to the left, but I'm hoping it's just a new set of pads that are needed. (Caution: Pub Talk !) The pull might be the slave cylinder binding which is even more 'bleh' as I've never attempted to change something like that on any vehicle. Fortunately the bits are easy to get (Mignon 1 is parked nearby !), even the special tool you need to adjust the brakes. However, the manual says 'you may find this tricky' which translates to 'do not attempt unless you possess Superhuman powers....'</p> <p>Mignon is too big to fit into the local garage so I'm on my own. Me and the trusty Haynes manual....</p> <p>Secondly, the Gauges of Doom.</p> <p>The temperature gauge plunges into the red about a minute after starting up, yet I know it is not overheating. The fuel gauge has a link to a parallel universe and is reading the contents of a fuel-tank in a different dimension. The fuel gauge we can live with - a simple bit of mental arithmetic will tell you when you need to fill up (i.e., before I didn't !). However, if it does overheat, we have no way of knowing.</p> <p>I know the gauge itself is ok, so it must be the sender unit. Easy job, happily. Replacing the fuel gauge sender requires the tank itself to be dropped out. I'll see how I'm feeling !</p> <p>(Caution: More Pub Talk !) Usually, behind the dashboard is a little device called a voltage regulator. It smooths out the electrical current reaching your gauges as the engine revs rise and fall (and thus the output power of the alternator). With both gauges a bit dead, I assumed it was probably that and asked on my club forum if anyone had a spare for this particular model.</p> <p>Well, it turns out this model doesn't *have* a voltage regulator; it was fitted to later models only. When I asked someone why they hadn't let me know, they said: "We didn't want you to feel like an idiot !" 10/10 for social discretion, 0/10 for usefuleness !</p> <p>So, both the senders have failed. Not the non-existent voltage regulator. Or the lunge-sprocket.</p> <p>Interior-wise, the roof boards need replacing as a previous leak has pretty much destroyed them. Not difficult, but very time consuming.</p> <p>Then all I need to do is install and wire the Zig power management unit, connect that to the car battery, wire in the leisure battery, wire that to the Zig, route the existing lighting circuit to the Zig, change the lights over to LED and fit some additional ones, attach the stereo to the Zig, the CD changer to the stereo, wire the TV in, connect the audio-out to the stereo's audio-in... <em>*breathes*</em>...... panel beat and respray the fridge vent, respray all additional vents, get the windscreen seal replaced, new carpet, new curtains and the furnishings recovered, fit wall brackets for the microwave, attach the awning, shot-blast the wheels, fit the chrome covers, replace the hazard light unit, re-wire the existing cab CD unit, clean/replace the roof vent guards, strip and respray the heater, fit new door mirrors, remove and respray the gearstick and steering column... <em>*struggles to breathe*</em>.... sand, prime and respray the cab interior metal, fix crack in worksurface, re-attach loose pieces of interior trim and fix or replace the ship's clock at the rear. <em>*chokes*</em></p> <p>Piece of cake these old campers, eh ?!</p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=1858853','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="Cab"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/853/1858853_03fc5a69d3_m.jpeg" alt="Cab" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=1858854','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="Interior Rear"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/854/1858854_ff4425f0d2_m.jpeg" alt="Interior Rear" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=1858855','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="Kitchenette"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/855/1858855_c7107128bb_m.jpeg" alt="Kitchenette" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p>(Click on any to enlarge) </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/08/06/first_evaluation~2761528/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-08-04:/2007/08/04/pub_talk~2755664/magnox2007-08-04T19:20:32+02:002007-08-04T19:21:51+02:00 <p>Sometimes we men have a tendency to complicate our problems, especially those of the mechanical variety.</p> <p>"Ah yes, it's definitely the splunge-sprocket wearing against the giggle-pin, which has caused the half-widget to come loose and that's stopped the lunk-ratchet from engaging properly. I'll definitely need a new whurt-grunzle first..." I bet you've heard talk like that in the pub...</p> <p>Mignon 2 was losing power going up hills and then finally conked out, arriving on the back of a recovery truck (see below). I diagnosed a faulty fuel pump - all the signs were there of fuel starvation under power.</p> <p>Which was true.</p> <p>Because it had run out of petrol.</p> <p>Doh !</p> <p>Filled it up from a jerry-can and within 30 seconds she had sprung to life once more. Note to self: must fix fuel gauge ! </p> <p>(And repaint the camper body... time to buy a proper spray gun, primer, cellulose paint and find a neighbour's car to practice on <img class="smiley" src="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/tinymce/jss/plugins/blogdeemotions/smilies/090twisted.gif" border="0" alt=""> )</p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=1855360','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="mignon4"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/360/1855360_d71a53bb39_m.jpeg" alt="mignon4" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></p> <p><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=1855381','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="mignon5"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/381/1855381_3c50e801da_m.jpeg" alt="mignon5" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><a href="javascript:window.open('http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_popup_large.php?item_ID=1855382','largeimage','width=100,height=100,resizable=yes,status=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,location=no,scrollbars=yes').focus();" title="mignon6"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/382/1855382_c547085175_m.jpeg" alt="mignon6" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><br>(Click any to enlarge) </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/08/04/pub_talk~2755664/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-07-22:/2007/07/22/title~2681870/magnox2007-07-22T18:06:17+02:002007-07-22T18:07:25+02:00 <p>Set off for Southampton yesterday.. easy trip. Apart from being jet-lagged and cursed with flu, that is. Still, flight was booked so I gritted my teeth for the 9 hour drive home.</p> <p>It was all going so well... until 20 miles before home. One dead camper van. I think the fuel pump has packed in, but luckily I have a spare. Thanks to the AA, we now have 2 dead, non-functional, 30-year old campers on our drive. I think this might have something to do with why our neighbours are struggling to sell their house - it looks like a load of gypsies have set up camp at the front of our house <img class="smiley" src="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/tinymce/jss/plugins/blogdeemotions/smilies/05biggrin.gif" border="0" alt=""></p> <p>Anyway, here he is, arriving in a somewhat ignominious fashion, at dark o'clock: 'Ole Henri, as the previous owners called him:</p> <p><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/219/1819219_ad46b690af_m.jpeg" alt="15-05-07_1042" vspace="5" hspace="5"></p> <p>Now it's time for doing, rather than talking. Lots of kit on its way, the bumpers need to be sent off for re-chroming, the wheels need to go for shot-blasting and the old wallpaper and carpets need to be replaced.</p> <p>Overall though, it's a lovely little van. Even Gil likes it and she's never been keen on these things. Photos to follow when our digital camera turns up !</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/07/22/title~2681870/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-07-07:/2007/07/07/mignon_s_wedding_list~2590998/magnox2007-07-07T16:01:47+02:002007-08-15T15:03:11+02:00 <p>This post is for our family and family friends who might want to contribute something to my father's retirement present. I've broken it down into price category so there should be something in everyone's price range.</p> <p>You will need to be a member of Ebay and have a Paypal account to get some of these items. Ebay is a hell of a lot cheaper than the standard retail shops and some items are just not available over-the-counter. If you don't have an Ebay account or have never used it - don't worry - it's very straightforward and people generally encounter few problems when buying or selling. The only thing I would add, is that Ebay sellers can be a little suspicious of 'new' buyers who don't have any positive feedback from previous sales. All you need to do is send the seller a very quick email, via the Ebay 'send the seller a question' link, telling them that you are new to Ebay but a genuine buyer. That's generally all the confirmation they need that you are not wasting their time.</p> <p>If you do buy something on Ebay, please read the description very, very carefully. Some sellers don't offer postage and state you have to pick the item up (might be on the other side of the country !), some ads are slightly misleading and the seller is offering something different from that which you expected.</p> <p>Some items are 'Buy It Now' - i.e., they are not an auction and it is just like buying from an online shop, but the sellers usually want the payment via Paypal. For those items which are usually run as an auction, I'll add a suggested maximum bidding price. Ebay uses an 'autobid' system which means it will bid, on your behalf, up to the maximum amount you are prepared to pay in increments as the auction progresses. You may well get the item for far less than your maximum bid.</p> <p>If you are unsure as to the suitability of anything you're looking at, just drop me a line at the usual address ! This list will probably drop off the front blog page at some point. You can always get back to it by clicking the 'shopping' tag at the left there. If you do buy anything, please let me know so I can cross it off too - my links are just suggestions. If it's cheaper somewhere else then all the better :-)</p> <p>Anyway - onto the list...</p> <p><br><em>1 - 50 pounds.</em><br><br><br>1 - A <strong>glass turtle or tortoise figurine</strong> for a dashboard mascot !  Shouldn't be more than a <u><strong>couple of pounds</strong></u>, but something tasteful please and quite small ! Something like this, perhaps:<br></p> <p>2 - A <strong>Range Rover Efi Classic Alternator</strong>. This is to uprate the electrical power coming from the engine and bolts, I think, straight in to the Bedford. This will be an Ebay Item, so try a search for 'range rover alternator' there. As high an output rating as possible (the 120A one would be nice), but it must be from an older vehicle - late 80s, early 90s. Don't bid or pay more than <u><strong>30 pounds</strong></u> for one and check that the seller will post it. Here's an example, but this auction will expire at some point:<br><br><a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Landrover-Land-Range-Rover-3-9-V8-EFi-Alternator_W0QQitemZ320134626981QQihZ011QQcategoryZ31348QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"><a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Landrover-Land-Range-Rover-3-9-V8-EFi-Alternator_W0QQitemZ320134626981QQihZ011QQcategoryZ31348QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem">http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Landrover-Land-Range-Rover-3-9-V8-EFi-Alternator_W0QQitemZ320134626981QQihZ011QQcategoryZ31348QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem</a></a><br><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1769778" title="alternator"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/778/1769778_3aa87c7b5c_s.jpeg" alt="alternator" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><br> <br>3 - A<strong> 'Zig' water level gauge</strong>. You'll find this in the electrical section of their shop. <u><strong>39.95</p> <p></strong></u><a href="http://www.olearymotorhomes.co.uk/"><a href="http://www.olearymotorhomes.co.uk/">http://www.olearymotorhomes.co.uk/</a></a><br><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/809/1769809_438d9202b7_s.jpeg" alt="zigwaterlevel" hspace="5" vspace="5"><br> </p> <p>4 - A <strong>'Zig' battery meter</strong>. Same again. <u><strong>16.49</p> <p></strong></u><a href="http://www.olearymotorhomes.co.uk/"><a href="http://www.olearymotorhomes.co.uk/">http://www.olearymotorhomes.co.uk/</a></a></p> <p><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/812/1769812_5e818ac951_s.jpeg" alt="zigbatterylevel" hspace="5" vspace="5"><br> </p> <p>5 - A <strong>12V to 12V Regulator</strong>. This stops the LCD TV (see below) from having strange lines all over the picture or, at worst, being fried by the battery ! You need to specify which tip to have fitted on the end, so this can't be bought until we have the TV. <u><strong>34.99</strong></u></p> <p><a href="http://www.action-replay.co.uk/Computing/12v12vDC_power_adapter.shtml"><a href="http://www.action-replay.co.uk/Computing/12v12vDC_power_adapter.shtml">http://www.action-replay.co.uk/Computing/12v12vDC_power_adapter.shtml</a></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/media/media_item.php?item_ID=1769848" title="regulator"><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/848/1769848_b3da4de047_s.jpeg" alt="regulator" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a><br> <br>6 - A <strong>camping crockery set</strong>. Normal ceramics will just be small shards after a couple of hours driving ! I found the following, but I'm sure there are plenty of other options too. White or green would be the preferred colours. Around <u><strong>25 pounds</strong></u>. If anyone wants to be creative and add things like egg-cups, a bottle opener, corkscrew etc etc, then please feel free :-)</p> <p> </p> <p>7 - A <strong>combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide detector</strong>. If the fridge or heater isn't venting properly, the build-up of carbon monoxide can be deadly very quickly. Clearly, this is a Bad Thing (tm). The one I've linked to is <u><strong>29.49</strong></u> - the Kidde 900-0122-UK 2-in-1.</p> <p><a href="http://www.safelincs.co.uk/section.php?xSec=42"><a href="http://www.safelincs.co.uk/section.php?xSec=42">http://www.safelincs.co.uk/section.php?xSec=42</a></a></p> <p><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/930/1769930_8639e777ac_s.jpeg" alt="detector" hspace="5" vspace="5"></p> <p>---------------------------------------------------------</p> <p><em>50 - 100 pounds.<br><br></em><br>1 - A <strong>Car Stereo</strong>. Plenty available in this price range, but I'm going to be a bit picky. Head off to Ebay and find a second-hand cassette unit with a CD multi-changer. The reason for this is that my Father still has a lot of cassettes and a multi-changer is a nice, lazy option for the CDs ! It doesnt matter if it's not a standard size, as it will be going in the side of a wardrobe. You may well get it for much less than 100 pounds. Here's an example:<br> <br><br>2 - The <strong>speakers</strong> for the above. We'll need 4 and they're usually sold in pairs. A nice quality pair comes in at around 35.00, so two of those would be <u><strong>70.00</strong></u>. Again, Ebay is the cheapest place to get them, so shop around !. Second-hand is perfectly good too....</p> <p><a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/INFINITY-6012i-16cm-6-0in-180Watt-2-way-car-speaker_W0QQitemZ160135358986QQihZ006QQcategoryZ18799QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"><a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/INFINITY-6012i-16cm-6-0in-180Watt-2-way-car-speaker_W0QQitemZ160135358986QQihZ006QQcategoryZ18799QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem">http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/INFINITY-6012i-16cm-6-0in-180Watt-2-way-car-speaker_W0QQitemZ160135358986QQihZ006QQcategoryZ18799QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem</a></a></p> <p><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/975/1769975_7287d75564_s.jpeg" alt="speakers" hspace="5" vspace="5"><br> </p> <p>3 - <strong>Television Aerial;</strong> these are a bit specialised and aren't cheap, sadly. Probably the best for our purposes is this one, the <strong>Teleco Wing</strong> at <u><strong>78.95</strong>.</u></p> <p><a href="http://www.olearymotorhomes.co.uk/"><a href="http://www.olearymotorhomes.co.uk/">http://www.olearymotorhomes.co.uk/</a></a></p> <p><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/984/1769984_348ed4d35c_s.jpeg" alt="aerial" hspace="5" vspace="5"></p> <p>---------------------------------------------------------</p> <p><em>100 - 150 pounds.</p> <p></em><br>1 - A <strong>'Zig' CF9 Charging system</strong>. These can be had on Ebay, second-hand, but it's the command centre of everything electrical and I don't want to trust the electrical safety of the entire camper to a used item in unknown condition. <strong>104.95</strong></p> <p> <br>2 - An <strong>Elecsol 110Ah battery</strong>. It's the Rolls Royce of batteries and should last a long, long, time. It comes with a Rolls Royce price too. Cheapest I could find it was on Ebay for <u><strong>104.00</strong></u>  :-(</p> <p><a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ELECSOL-CARBON-FIBRE-110AH-BATTERY_W0QQitemZ130095630469QQihZ003QQcategoryZ76066QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem"></a><br> ---------------------------------------------------------</p> <p> <em>Over 150 pounds.</p> <p></em>OK - I'm probably being a bit optimistic here ! I suspect I'll be the one buying these items ! However, if you win the lottery, I do need these to complete the package:</p> <p>1 -<strong> LCD TV/DVD combination</strong>. Again, cheapest on Ebay as a reconditioned unit, but it does have quite a tight spec. It <em>MUST</em> run on a 12V supply, and it <em>MUST</em> have an integrated DVD player and be a minimum of a 15" screen - anything less is just too small to be watcheable. Searching for '12v tv' seemed to do the trick for me. Example below:<br></p> <p><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/039/1770039_548b4e622e_s.jpeg" alt="tv" hspace="5" vspace="5"><br> </p> <p>2 - <strong>Fiamma F45i 2.5 metre awning</strong>. It's the smallest in the Fiamma range but still retails at around <strong>250.00</strong>. Again, they can be found on Ebay, possibly for a lot less, but second-hand ones are always a bit horrid - avoid ! There are some new ones on Ebay though.. 2.5 metres is a perfect length - anything longer won't fit.</p> <p>Just as a reminder - the camper is white and green :-)<br><u><strong><br></strong></u><a href="http://www.olearymotorhomes.co.uk/"><a href="http://www.olearymotorhomes.co.uk/">http://www.olearymotorhomes.co.uk/</a></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/07/07/mignon_s_wedding_list~2590998/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-07-03:/2007/07/03/if_you_want_it_done_properly_do_it_yours~2566917/magnox2007-07-03T18:00:19+02:002007-07-03T18:00:19+02:00 <p>Unfortunately, plan B as listed below can't happen. Due to family circumstances, he doesn't have the time to do the project. Whilst unfortunate for me, I'd rather be in the position of having a rusty truck than a family member who's seriously ill.</p> <p>So....</p> <p>Plan C !</p> <p>I've bought Mignon XVIII (no. 2) from a lovely family in... Romsey. Romsey. Why, oh why, oh why, does nobody in Scotland own one of these things ?! They're all daan Saaf in Kent or Cornwall. Another marathon driving session is on the way. Anyway, *sigh*, Mignon 2 was, and here's an ironic twist, professionally restored and resprayed last year so is in very nice condition.</p> <p>The interior is a bit like a student flat...Mignon's is oak.... Swap time !</p> <p>I've just been to my brother's wedding, which was superb, and my uncle, David, reminded me he volunteered to make the trek up to bonnie Scotland to help out with this. He's a welder, fixer-upper and generally all-round handy guy; he may come to regret the offer, which I will definitely be taking up. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>He's also the only person who will sit down and have a load of beers with me whilst talking about American cars and trucks. I'll have to reign him in though - if I let him loose, it would be like an episode of the A-team, with Mignon being fitted with a tank cannon, water jets, outboard motor, helicopter blades, neon lighting and 22-inch wheels. You know it to be so....</p> <p>Also - had an email from a fellow CF <del>nutter</del> enthusiast, who's going to show me how to fit an awning, a leisure battery and a split-charge unit. I think I'm on my own with the solar panel, which is now back in contention, due to the different body-type on Mignon 2, and also the costs saved by not doing a full metal restoration.</p> <p>Shopping list to follow !</p> <p><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/870/1756870_748d545d78_m.jpeg" alt="mignon2" vspace="5" hspace="5"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/07/03/if_you_want_it_done_properly_do_it_yours~2566917/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-06-24:/2007/06/24/abandoned~2509139/magnox2007-06-24T10:45:52+02:002007-06-24T10:45:52+02:00 <p>Well, my friend CC has launched off into the wild French countryside with his posh van, whilst I sit here contemplating all sorts of problems.</p> <p>I think this is most inconsiderate.</p> <p>I am going to use all my connections and have Interpol pull him in for using too many resistors in an LED light, or something like that. Once he has diagnosed and solved all my problems, I may allow him to be released, albeit with a tagging device to make sure he doesn't have too much fun.</p> <p>Seriously - this is what retirement is all about.. the ability to do what you want, when you want. Go to France ? Why the hell not.</p> <p>Mignon is progressing.. photos and stories when I return from my involuntary exile in the Caribbean <img src="/img/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif" alt=":>>" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/06/24/abandoned~2509139/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-06-20:/2007/06/20/tis_complicated_this~2484206/magnox2007-06-20T01:19:01+02:002007-06-20T21:01:01+02:00 <p>Right.. I've hammered out a deal with one of the Bedford CF Club members. We have a plan (tm).</p> <p>To restore Mignon's cab would cost in the mid to high four-figures. Too much. However, he would like the cab to work with for a show-class restoration he's doing. He has a Bedford CF2 chassis circa 1984 which is mint, and a wrecked camper body. See where this is going ?!</p> <p>We're going to crane Mignon's camper body onto the CF2 chassis, replacing various bits and pieces as we do. He's more interested in historical accuracy than I am, so he's taking some of the original '79 parts, and I'm getting some later parts. He's also getting the interior... I'm a bit sad about that, as it's original oak, but it will be better off in his restoration - I doubt my Dad will care too much. Mignon's interior will be replaced with a set salvaged from a caravan write-off.</p> <p>He gets: CF1 cab in rusty state, original oak interior.</p> <p>I get: CF2 chassis in very nice condition, virtually new interior including heated tanks, waste tanks, all new exterior fittings, new wiring, new plumbing, awnings, roof-rack.. etc etc. The CF2 is not as nice as the CF1, in my opinion.. all the chrome fittings were replaced with rubber, similar to what MG did with the MGB in the late 70s. However...</p> <p>It's gonna cost me 2k. Less than half the price of the restoration. You could spend that on 2 awnings alone. Strange how these things turn out sometimes.</p> <p>Mignon is dead.</p> <p>Long live Mignon !</p> <p>(CF2 shown below)</p> <p><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/281/1711281_5b46d0542a_m.jpeg" alt="pic1" vspace="5" hspace="5"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/06/20/tis_complicated_this~2484206/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-06-05:/2007/06/05/bah~2401804/magnox2007-06-05T23:09:06+02:002007-06-05T23:09:06+02:00 <p>Well, I've given up on the crew here in Scotland. After promising to get back to me with alternative trailering plans, they didn't. Unfortunately, although they seem to do a good job, judging by their previous work, I hate companies and tradespeople that can't be arsed, or can't remember, to call their customers. They've lost this one.</p> <p>I'm pestering companies in England now.. hopefully they'll be more reliable. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/06/05/bah~2401804/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-05-21:/2007/05/21/toiletries~2309737/magnox2007-05-21T18:23:58+02:002007-05-21T18:37:39+02:00 <p>Just been thinking about this. When you buy a house or stay in a hotel, you have no qualms about using the toilet facilities which have been used by countless other people.</p> <p>However, there is something about a camping or portable toilet which just does not lend itself to second handed-ness. Call me old-fashioned, but giving someone a present of a second-hand porta-potty seems to fall short of the mark somewhere. Off to Ebay for a new, I say again.. new, replacement.</p> <p>Mignon is currently parked on a slope and is sat back on her haunches, as it were. Huge gap between the front wheels and the body at the moment, and I happened to see this painted on the front chassis rails:</p> <p><img src="http://storage.halcyondreams.co.uk/camper/slogan.jpg" alt="" title=""></p> <p>Now, the only people who would do this are students. The same little gits who attached football club stickers to the inside of the cab which need to be shot-blasted off. Would you want a second-hand toilet, as used by a bunch of people Mnon-ing their way around somewhere with dubious personal hygiene habits ?</p> <p>I don't know what the 'Mnon Tour' was, and I probably don't want to know (although it as close to an abbreviation of Mignon as is possible without being freaky), but I *do* know, my father is not going to get a second-hand potty as a present.</p> <p>My friends... to Ebay (again) !</p> <p>(Edit: were people actually 'Mnon-ing' their way around Europe or is it 'MN on Tour' ? Anyway, whoever sprayed that needs a good kicking.) </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/05/21/toiletries~2309737/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-05-21:/2007/05/21/ermmm~2308934/magnox2007-05-21T16:12:44+02:002007-05-21T18:41:48+02:00 <p>Well, Classic Restorations popped in this afternoon with their truck/trailer combination. As it drove past our house, I could see the driver wince as he saw Mignon, and he also saw me wincing as I spied his trailer. A bit of a breakdown in communications.</p> <p>You see, they were expecting something like this (as before, right click and 'view image' to see the full thingie) :</p> <p><img src="http://storage.halcyondreams.co.uk/camper/cfromany.jpg" alt="" title=""></p> <p>And you know what we've got ! Suffice to say, we've still got Mignon, but a cunning new plan is afoot. I felt sorry for the guy who came down from Perth, armed with the wrong info from his boss. Really nice guy; even though they got the 1st bit wrong, chatting to the driver (who had his own Bedford CF tales !), convinced me I've found the right company to do this. A bit of a misunderstanding, but they've promised to fix it tomorrow. Can't ask fairer than that.</p> <p>Still... we took the opportunity to strip out all the soft furnishings for off-loading on my mother who will do something Black Watch-esque with the fabrics. I also had time to note how.... brown.... all the water pipes are. Ergh. And the water tank is too small. And I found an old mug in the shower. Ergh again.</p> <p>Time to read CC's Guide to the Universe.</p> <p>Nothing is ever easy !</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/05/21/ermmm~2308934/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-05-13:/2007/05/13/could_have_had_a_pole_dancer_you_know~2259917/magnox2007-05-13T02:39:53+02:002007-05-13T02:39:53+02:00 <p>Not much to report at the moment. The gentlemen from <a href="http://www.classicrestorations.co.uk/">Classic Restorations in Perth</a> are coming round to take Mignon away for a body-off, bare-metal restoration on Monday.</p> <p>When I first came up with the idea for this, it was just going to be an affordable camper that I would do most of the work on. Now it's a full-blown restoration that will probably result in the nicest Bedford CF in the country, bare-metal respray, Waxoiled, full fibre-glass restoration on the shell.</p> <p>Now... the camper won't be worth the money that has been spent on it when it is finished, so why bother ? For the same money I could probably have got a 10-year old campervan with a much more up-to-date interior, all mod-cons, hot and cold running beer from gold-plated taps with a pole-dancing corner at the back somewhere. Probably...</p> <p>My father is a mad, eccentric loon who loves old things. He would not swap this for a Winnebago or (shudder) a caravan. That's why I've been going beserk on Ebay, laying waste to 'memorabilia' sellers' stock like William Wallace's sword to the English. Except, without the sword. What is memorabilia or a collectable item to most people is a proper, useable item to my Dad !</p> <p>He has worked so hard, spending 30 years in the Army, often in very dangerous situations and roles. My father was no clerk or storesman... He still works hard and if anyone deserves something they have wanted all their life, it is him. So that is why I am spending too much money on a daft old van that, by all physical laws in the universe, should have been in the scrapyard 15 years ago.</p> <p>Me ? I'd have the fitted, water-cooled PC, the 52-inch Plasma option and the Pole. You're missing out, Dad !</p> <p><img src="http://storage.halcyondreams.co.uk/camper/pole.jpg" alt=""> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/05/13/could_have_had_a_pole_dancer_you_know~2259917/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-05-02:/2007/05/02/i_am_currently~2194043/magnox2007-05-02T03:08:24+02:002007-05-02T03:08:24+02:00 <p>Somewhere where no-one should take their significant other. In a hotel in Orlando that is <strong>inside</strong> the biggest shopping mall in Florida. You step out of reception and into credit-card meltdown city. All 20 billion acres of it. You can buy a bag of sweets or a Lexus, depending on how generous your overdraft is feeling...</p> <p>At a 2:1 dollars to pound exchange rate, it all looks very attractive. Some definite Mignon purchases here. I especially like the caravan shop where you can buy things like 'older doggie steps' to enable your arthritic pooch to climb into the van, or.. for $500, you can have a fully automatic halon fire extinguisher system. So when the chip pan gets a bit smokey, it will automatically discharge, extinguishing any potential fire hazard and suffocating all the people in the vicinity, or at the very least cause irreperable lung damage. Bargain. </p> <p>I am toying with idea of buying a couple of Playstation 3s and selling them on Ebay to help fund the restoration, but Mrs. Magnox would frown and say something like 'oh, another one of your wild schemes'. Thing is, they're half-price compared to the UK.... very tempting. I have 2 more of these Florida trips, back to back.... and I just know I'm going to have to go for it on one of them.</p> <p>So... anyone want a cheap Playstation ? Or a Lexus ?</p> <p>Bag of sweets ?</p> <p>Anyone...?</p> <p><img src="http://storage.halcyondreams.co.uk/camper/flhotel.jpg" alt=""><br> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/05/02/i_am_currently~2194043/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-04-29:/2007/04/29/and_the_word_of_the_day_is_oops~2181710/magnox2007-04-29T20:08:22+02:002007-04-29T20:10:28+02:00 <p>Muppet, here, tried to reverse through a bush. Just as well it's going, rather than returning from the shop ! Right click and select 'view image' for the complete horror !</p> <p><img src="http://storage.halcyondreams.co.uk/camper/bang.jpg" alt="" title=""> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/04/29/and_the_word_of_the_day_is_oops~2181710/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-04-27:/2007/04/27/there_goes_our_new_kitchen~2172401/magnox2007-04-27T20:12:17+02:002007-04-27T20:12:43+02:00 <p>Well, Mignon is off to Classic Restorations in Perthshire in a couple of weeks.</p> <p>They are specialists in Rolls Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, Alvis, Aston Martin, Lagonda, Frazer Nash... I think the Bedford will be in good company ! I just hope she doesn't lower the tone too much, and I've got this picture in my head of the country bumpkin's daughter knocking on the door of a Gentleman's Club in Regent Street..</p> <p>The bodywork is just too much for me to handle. I can use fibreglass mesh and filler, but Mignon needs to go under the surgeon's knife (or angle-grinder to me and you) and it's way beyond what I can do. By the time it comes out of the bodyshop, I'm betting it will be one of the very nicest CFs in the country. This is not going to be a 'fill-over-the-nastiness' job. Proper craftsmen.</p> <p>Cheap ? Nope. Had to put off the plans for a new kitchen, but fortunately my wife is very understanding. All I need to do now is figure out how to remove this carving knife from my spleen without causing any further damage.</p> <p><a href="http://storage.halcyondreams.co.uk/camper/cf1.jpg">Large picture of the Bedford</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/04/27/there_goes_our_new_kitchen~2172401/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-04-25:/2007/04/25/life_on_mars~2156580/magnox2007-04-25T06:25:07+02:002007-04-25T07:32:10+02:00 <p>I've just been back in time. Back to 1979, in fact, in my own episode of Life on Mars. How ?</p> <p><strong>1. The Old Car Effect</strong></p> <p>Driving through towns, kids stopped and watched, girls waved (woohoo !), and people, probably in their early 20s when this was built, just smiled perhaps remembering flicking through the brochures with no possibility of affording one. Or a wife...</p> <p>Or it could be the fact that it sounds like a cross between a Challenger Tank and a dying, asthmatic cart-horse, built by a Communist in Luton who got away with as little work and attention to detail as possible. His sandwich is probably still in one of the doors somewhere.</p> <p>Whatever it was, people loved it, and this is important for later on, because I had to make a decision about whether or not to actually go through with it and buy Mignon. The bodywork is disappointing as it has been standing for 6 months since the photographs I had seen, but the reaction of people and reliability clinched it. However, for a later post, Mignon needs to go to a professional body restorer so the fancy electrics are going to have to wait. Expensive, but as I'll explain later, completely worth it. She looks a bit of a mess compared to how she was last Summer, but I've had work like this done before and if you get the right bodyshop, they come out looking like new. Anyone who remembers my Cadillac will know what I mean !</p> <p>I had hoped to be able to do any minor work myself, but this is beyond my meagre skills. Strong with the Force..... I am not.</p> <p>However.. she did 500 miles in one night, and not a single complaint. This Bedford pulls like a train and the previous owner spent all his money on the drivetrain to make sure it was reliable, rather than the aesthetics, for a European tour. He got it right, but it's too shabby for a gift. As it stands, the interior is nicer than he said it was. It's still an excellent day van and will hook up to a 240V supply at a campsite and power a TV, microwave etc, for longer stays. The plan is still to go independant with solar and leisure battery, but financially, I've had to shift the priority to getting the body fixed. Who said this was easy, eh ?!</p> <p><img src="http://storagce.halcyondreams.co.uk/mignon/images/mhome.jpg" alt=""><img src="http://storage.halcyondreams.co.uk/mignon/images/mhome.jpg" alt=""></p> <p><strong>2. Driving How it Used to Be.</strong></p> <p>You <em>have</em> to double-declutch Mignon or she shrieks in protest. Get the wrong engine speed and it's very likely a piston will pop through the bonnet. You have to anticipate hills, bends. I haven't done that for years ! The steering tells you what road surface you are on, if there is any danger of aqua-planing or if you are set up into a bend just a little too fast. I haven't driven a car that gives me that level of feedback and you probably need to buy a Porsche 911 to get it these days. I loved every minute of the .. 10 hours.. it took to drive from Exeter to home.</p> <p>Driving up the M6 / M74 at dark o'clock in the morning, the only other people you have for company on the roads are truck-drivers. Professional ones, working for the big delivery companies, supermarkets, hauliers. Trucks normally annoy the hell out of me, but at 50mph I was the slowest person there. Almost without exception, overtaking trucks indicated for about 5 seconds to let me know they were going to drive close-up, ready to pull out. That meant I could have a look ahead and see if there was any possibility of having to brake.</p> <p>In the torrential rain and spray, I flashed the trucks in and always got a 'thankyou' sequence from their indicators. I would light up the road with full beam just before they overtook, flick it off afterwards. Again, thumbs up and indicator blips. If we hit a hill and the truck was struggling, I'd just let 5mph slip and past he'd go. I have to be honest - I haven't driven like that for far too long, and I got the same courtesy from all the trucks myself. When you drive with everyone else in mind, rather than holding your own position or just switching brain into neutral, it all works brilliantly. A quick triple flash from one of the trucks on the opposite carriageway.. round the corner... Mr. Plod. ( Not that there was any chance of me getting in trouble with the speeds that Mignon dictates. The speeds you can <em>tell</em> she is happy with through the seat of your pants.)</p> <p>I've just learned a new respect for these boys and girls who drive the big-stuff. You don't notice it when you snap past them and you curse when they pull out in front of you, but there's a reason, which I now fully understand. It really was a pleasure to be out on the road with only professionals for company. Where'd I put that CB set ?!</p> <p>Anyway, Big Grin Time, driving the CF. If you don't pay attention or drive sloppily, it bites you in the ass. Quite hard. If you get it right, you're like a kid in a sweety shop. My Dad will love it.</p> <p>So when was the last time you drove or saw driving like that ? 1979 probably...</p> <p><strong>3. Postscipt</strong></p> <p>I reckon if I had have been pulled over for whatever reason, it would have been by a Ford Granada and two plain-clothes policemen in donkey jackets. After beating a confession out of me and asking where Fingers McNulty was hiding, I'd have been told to get out of town and not show my face again unless I fancied 'some more of the same'.</p> <p>Ah.. those were the days. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/04/25/life_on_mars~2156580/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-04-23:/2007/04/24/wish_me_luck~2149864/magnox2007-04-24T00:16:26+02:002007-04-24T00:16:26+02:00 <p>Well, now is the time that all the periphery and accessories have to take a back seat. I'm off to Devon tomorrow to pick up Mignon and bring her back to Scotland. 450 miles says Autoroute, and at a cruising speed of 50mph, that's a long drive. So long, in fact, that a Holiday Inn, somewhere, will be getting my business.</p> <p>Obviously, on a daily basis, I stare death in the face and am a steely-eyed missile man, but there's no way I'm camping in the CF until I've checked it all out and refurbished the bits that need, well... refurbishing. I know my luck. Every van, truck and pickup I have bought or rented, I have had a tyre blowout within an hour of driving it away. Every... single... one. Now add the fact that the CF was built like this:</p> <p><img src="http://storage.halcyondreams.co.uk/mignon/images/CFproduction.jpg" alt="" title=""></p> <p>There is also an opportunity for the Goddess of Leakage to ally with the God of Tyre Blowouts and further hex me. I know my luck.. I'm not pushing it. There's nothing worse than waking up wrapped in a wet sleeping bag. I know.. I've done it a few times and it's miserable. Or gassed by carbon monoxide.. that's worse than waking up wet, but only marginally.</p> <p>The fuel additives are packed, and I'll be wearing clean underwear....</p> <p><img src="http://storage.halcyondreams.co.uk/mignon/images/def5_1.jpg" alt="" title=""></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/04/24/wish_me_luck~2149864/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:mignon.blog.co.uk,2007-04-18:/2007/04/18/now_this_is_what_you_do_with_a_motor_hom~2116473/magnox2007-04-18T19:19:08+02:002007-04-30T04:18:57+02:00 <p>Have a read of this blog, courtesy of Camping Cariste, who documented his trip across France. The style of writing is excellent, very humorous with lots of handy tips. Just goes to show how much fun you can have if you have the brass monkeys to knock on a farmhouse door at the end of the day. Although in the UK you'd probably just get a face-full of 12-bore and a shout of 'Get orrf my land !'</p> <p>The link is to the first post which, in usual Blog style is the.. last page, but it's much better read from start to finish than in reverse ! Click 'Previous Page' at the bottom of each page to see the...next page... get the drift ?! Reads from bottom to top too.  <strong>[EDIT: CC has resubmitted the entire blog so it reads 'properly'. It's a great read, don't miss out.]</strong></p> <p>This is mainly for my Mother's benefit who would rather face a herd of stampeding rhinos than go on a camping tour. See, it can be fun !!</p> <p><a href="http://campingcar.blog.co.uk/">CC's Tour de France </a></p> <p>This kind of self-sufficiency is what I am aiming for with Mignon the Bedford, but it won't be quite as good. The Hymer is a much more advanced vehicle and has been heavily modified by someone who knows that they are doing to include a wind-generator, solar power and all sorts of other goodies. Mignon's home-ground is more likely to look like this:</p> <p><img src="http://storage.halcyondreams.co.uk/glencoe.jpg" alt=""> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://mignon.blog.co.uk/2007/04/18/now_this_is_what_you_do_with_a_motor_hom~2116473/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>