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| On an interesting morning... | Posted on 29/10/2003 at 12:55 GMT |
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Well. Its been an interesting morning. Its just taken us 9 hours to get from Bournemouth to Dover. Yes, you read that right - 9 hours. It all started great - Mark and I left with military precision at 3am - the car started fine - everything was great... And then... Mini owners will tell you that minis are pigs in wet weather. They hate it - the design of the ignition system is very prone to rain and water coming into the engine. When this happens - minis stop.... Well, Gina is not just a pig in wet weather. She's a old sow, with bronchitis and bad depression. We got 10 miles out of Bournemouth when a jet of spray from a passing truck sent Gina into fits of engine misfires from which she didn't really recover. The car lost all power as it was, quite literally, not firing on all cylinders. We attempted emergency repairs by spraying WD40 into the ignition system to dispel all the water - but to no avail. Although we pressed on into the night - We never really got the speed above 40mph - and when we hit the M25 she went down to 30mph, and then 20mph. We had to stop. Emergency gaffer-taped cardboard over the grille to stop the influx of torrential water only served to start overheating the car. Finally, having called the rescue service - a friendly tow truck geezer (we never found out his name) appeared. He couldn't do much as we'd already tried replacing the spark plugs for fresh ones. We drove to a nearby town to buy emergency water sealant and fresh spark cables - and then he towed Us and Gina all the way to Dover!!! What a way to start our epic journey! We'll prove the power of Gina to you naysayers - we will! Head on over to our gallery to see some proud images of us, on a towtruck And thanks to friendly tow truck guy - you're a legend mate! |
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| posted by Wild | |
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Add New Comment? |
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| Comment by angelo | Posted on 29/10/2003 at 13:36 GMT |
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That brings back bad memories from my mini - I think later ones were fitted with better wet weather protection. WD40 was always near to hand. Good Luck! |
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| Comment by fongdongmong | Posted on 29/10/2003 at 14:33 GMT |
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All in all a very god start then! Bet you wished you stayed at home. Anyway, it is downhill from France so you'll get to the end in no time. |
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| Comment by Reg | Posted on 29/10/2003 at 14:40 GMT |
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Good work fellas - you saved on the precious petrol there. Nicely done. It's a shame all french rescue blokes are on strike. Probably. |
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| Comment by Reg | Posted on 29/10/2003 at 14:43 GMT |
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Oi, you swizz merchants, where are the pictures? |
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| Comment by MarkyMark | Posted on 29/10/2003 at 15:32 GMT |
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...YEAH!! |
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| Comment by Taz | Posted on 29/10/2003 at 15:38 GMT |
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I bet Wild is regretting the day he asked us for ideas for a holiday... moreso taking up MY idea! Hah! The trap is set... Fly my pretties, fly! |
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| Comment by Becky | Posted on 29/10/2003 at 15:50 GMT |
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Yes Taz, I'll know who to blame when Rich is too poor to buy me a Christmas present!! |
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| Comment by Sweepstake Sid | Posted on 29/10/2003 at 16:09 GMT |
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So, pounds in, place your bets. I bet the number of miles they get from Le Ferry is 100. (and I'm feeling generous) Anyone else? |
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| Comment by Reg | Posted on 29/10/2003 at 16:32 GMT |
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On or off the back of a break down truck? |
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| Comment by Taz | Posted on 30/10/2003 at 13:37 GMT |
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Becky, if you're coming to the bloggers party you'll get your chance to complain to me about it while Rich and I get wasted. |
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| Comment by rob whiteisde | Posted on 02/11/2003 at 19:52 GMT |
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Oi You set of duffers that why we bought the extra king size can of WD40 frtom your silent sponsor Halfords?! I told you to buy a marigold didnt I!!! |
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