23 February 2026

Getting used to the new car.

Car had problems starting from cold, should have had an automatic choke, but didn’t. Then discovered (thanks to a bit of help) that the ‘rear window’ switch is in fact the choke switch. Not very logical, but when you know it’s really useful, and the car starts…

Not fully grasped what the intermediate speed hold actually means….

21 February 2026

Off to pick up my latest toy from a little village in Lincolnshire. Was very impressed that a) there was a train to within 2 miles of the village b) that it only cost me £5, nearly 70 miles.

All went reasonably smoothly. Picked the car up, but had to stop for petrol (15-18 mpg – ouch) and some oil, a bit low.

But overall a smooth journey home, not bad driving 70 miles in a 59 year old car that has not been used much.

Krystyna and Mia trying it out….

Now it’s home, I will find out the problems/challenges. Already have quite a bit I want to do to it.

The collection of old British cars and tractors is growing ?

20 February 2026

Yet another excellent village Panto.

Mia came with us, she has been before, but clearly a bit older and understood the nuances far more.

As usual 3 out of 4 performances sold out, the other well attended. Always an enjoyable evening.

19 February 2026

Out in the park with my grandson and Alfie.

Look hard and you can see them.

Maybe they should be a little nearer, but they love running.

14 February 2026

Off to ice hockey in Nottingham. Sally, myself, son, two grandkids, and Mia for the first time.

I think Mia enjoyed it. Sadly the Nottingham Panthers were beaten 4-2 by Belfast (top of the league).

Even so, an enjoyable evening.

12 February 2026

Big advocate for heat pumps in the home, had one for over 4 years and been very pleased. However it did develop a fault and a motorised value stopped working (or at least that what the installer told me over the phone). Apparently a ‘common fault’.

So I bought one, thanks Fed ex for delivering it from Italy in less than 36 hrs.

Really pleased, I fitted it myself. Sadly it didn’t fix the problem. The value wasn’t working because it didn’t have any power, idiot, should have checked it. So gave up and the engineer came over and found a loose connection (so I didn’t needed to have bought the valve). The good news, he didn’t charge me (felt bad I purchased a part I didn’t need).

End of the story, a minor fault, and I am still happy with my heat pumps.

11 February 2026

The toilet system hasn’t been working 100% for over 6 years. Decided to fix it.

It took 10 mins to replace the system… oops

Cole over for the weekend. Off to church in the morning with Mia. Enjoying themselves….

Cole enjoys playing in my cars.

8 February 2026

Too much rain.

Not much fun walking through this with Alfie.

7 February 2026

Off to Derby v Ipswich. It was great to catch up with a friend from work in Nottingham who happens to be a big Ipswich Town supporter.

Sadly the best team won, and it wasn’t Derby….