Sprint95m

Ah, so it is not just me who couldn't find any refills.... Ian

Hmm, I like Avengers (especially the Hillman versions). Simple and durable. Nice to drive. Alas they rival Triumphs for rust.... Ian

Were second (or any additional homes) not going to have full council tax charges levied? I think it was the Scottish Government who took this decision Ian

I am given to understand it is in the care sector and NHS mostly. (Hospitality is very seasonal on Skye and incredibly expensive!!) NHS Highland spends a huge proportion of it's budget in providing locum or temporary cover as well as the advertising costs for they positions but that is typical UK wide Ian

A really extreme example is the Isle of Skye.... The September before last there were 1700 job vacancies.... (Yes, one thousand seven hundred in a population of c. 20K) Potential employees would be moving to the island, but can't because there is no accommodation available. A possible solution is for employers to build houses but who has the money for such an investment? Meanwhile the depopulation continues......... Ian

Well I did speak to someone from the regulator but she warned me it would take several months to resolve….. In first instance I would have to complain to BT which would not be easy since they had closed my account. It would from then move on to BT opening a new account which I would have to close in the cooling off period in order to move to another provider…. a friend had a similar but worse problem because she stays in a mobile blackspot. BT took six months to resolve it and were ordered to pay £1500 compensation (they actually gave a credit note rather than a cheque) During this time access to the house was difficult because to lay a cable a huge trench was dug and left. Despite not actually offering mobile coverage BT sent a SIM card and router (so clearly folk who listen to customers) and for all that time there was no landline phone either Ian

Professional (Industrial) dryers have a trap, which is a drawer to be cleaned out daily. The hotel I work at has two huge (Hubesch) machines in constant use day and night..... kitchen tea towels and cloths are the most dangerous things to dry because of grease/oil. To avoid this danger we use a large dollop of washing up liquid on the 90 degrees boil wash At home I don't have a tumble dryer Ian

I do rather like the Glaswegian solution....make it a loop! Ian

Up until last April I was a BT customer.... That is until they sent me an offer for Broadband only with a significant cost saving. Alas Openreach disconnected me and didn't do the Broadband thingie. Obviously I complained, BT responded by closing my account, giving me a refund and compensation. Tried Sky but they couldn't get Openreach to connect me because, wait for this, Openreach don't have anybody qualified to complete said work. Cancelled Sky and, the promised refund of the connection fee didn't happen, because Openreach refused to cancel the order. Some 10 months on there is still no broadband internet. Sometimes, just sometimes there is a silver lining.... Instead of Broadband I am using mobile data via a router (bought in Argos) and you know what, the mobile data is £18/month, works just as well as Broadband and best of all there is no contract!!! Ian

It is reassuring that all they primers worked. About 30 years I carried out an experiment where I tested some Eastwood phosphate surface prep on bare steel, I applied one coat to part of some steel and then left it outside. It did eventually go rusty but it took a long time (here in northern Scotland) so I feel confident using it before overpainting. (Sadly Eastwood are no longer trading here, so nowadays I get something similar from Car Builder Supplies). Is there a risk assessment question within this subject, given that zinc coated steel gives off fumes? I prefer to weld outside if practical. thanks, Ian

Replacement of battery.....? This will be one of they occasions when you need to mind to have an extra big helping of porridge beforehand Ian

Frost? Are they still on the go? They once sent me an incorrect item which they refused to uplift, it cost me £20 to send it back, which, given it was their mistake, was unfair to say the least. They stopped sending catalogues after that... There was an American company with a branch in Bristol(?), Eastwood, who sold a comparable range of products. I was disappointed when they stopped trading, they were always helpful. Anyhow, you are making progress Richard. It is always a good sense of achievement to learn something new Ian

Shanness, that is most definitely red My eyes are fair dirlin' Ian

What a fantastic looking car. Always thought the Series 1 was the best looking, especially with the indicators above the front bumper. The late Queen Mother, during her annual holiday at the Castle of Mey, (which she had restored in the 1950s,) used an early XJ12 to get about. You are in good company! Ian

As always very informative Colin. A few years ago I was having bother with the Derailleur on my bike so went to my local bike shop fully expecting to be told that it needed replacing, but much to my surprise he said to try new cogs only and that worked just fine Ian

Two wobble bars together? Ian

In the 90s when I returned a Dolomite Sprint to the road I had the same thing happen (in fact putting dipped headlamps on caused it to drop even further to less than 12V). On inspection of the belt, I thought it was sitting lower in the crankshaft pulley so I concluded it had worn taking surface rust from the pulley with it. A new belt did the ttrick. Ian

Back to work on Thursday, should have a pair of black Dewalt trainers by then. Not what I had in mind but acceptable to the owners for my role doing nightshifts. Getting the shoes through the local ironmonger who I do some work for (as a subcontractor). As an aside, what happened to Dickies? They did do black safety shoes once upon a time, I saw them when buying something else in a local agricultural supplier's shop. During the first lockdown I bought some stuff direct from Dickies and used to get emails detailing new products and offers, until one email arrived stating they were withdrawing from the UK. Thanks for the suggestions Ian

Some time ago, one of my now deceased friends fitted a clear glass sunroof to a mark 3 Cortina bonnet, this was mentioned at his funeral last year. He did so to see the engine running whilst the car was mobile . He was one of life's characters and I rather think a see through engine would have appealed........ Ian

Very clever stuff Colin! I can only but echo Nick's earlier comment "Strewth….. you do suffer for your art!" Ian

I’m sure they would John, but there is a problem, they soles are no good on kitchen flooring and, not only that, they cost about two weeks nett wages! Thanks Ian

Any suggestions for safety shoes that are sufficiently comfortable for lots of walking, please? I work in hospitality doing long shifts which don’t permit sitting down, so I am constantly on my feet. As there is risks associated with the heavy objects, eg beer kegs or large pans, I consider safety shoes to be essential. Ideally they shoes should be a traditional black (brogue). Currently I have City Knights ones from Screwfix which are not very comfortable even with thick socks. I did buy a pair of Slipbusters but found, while these are okay for standing, they are not good for walking in. I tried fancy insoles to no avail…. Anybody got any suggestions please? Thanks Ian

Thinking out loud here..... Given that there is always heavy rain post the Autumn Equinox, is there are argument for bringing the RBRR forward, say, by a month? The A83 in Argyll saw eleven folk be airlifted to safety last weekend and is still closed.... On a more positive note, well done to all the participants, especially given the conditions. I do remember how poor T2000 wipers are, Dolomites with their fixed rods are so much better. On project Binky they cannibalised a Peugeot's wipers for their Mini, it os a wonder now of the specialists are doing something similar for Triumphs? Ian

Given the weather didn’t bother going to Groats this time Ian

These weapons are used in commercial kitchens to great effect. Larger insects such as crane flies positively reek........ Ian PS I do try and operate a catch and release instead, this year I managed to release two rather beautiful poplar hawk moths