On my way

[kev131]

Woke at 1am this morning, well in advance of my alarm cal at 4.15. I guess that proves that even after 5 3MAs, these events still manage to excite me.

It was a dark wet road from Limerick to Rosslare but at least the route was traffic free. Stopped for petrol 10 kms from the port and of course the 131 badly needed a wash.
This it duly got and I joined the queue to board at 7.30. Boarded shortly after and left early at 8.50. I brought the iPad for the first time and luckily the ship has free Internet access for online junkies like me!!  

Expecting to land at 12.30 before heading to Dover and dinner with Bobby and his Dad. There will be at least two Fiat related stops along the way... 

Updates later if I can think of anything interesting to say. The crossing is quite calm .....so I'll have a look at what's for breakfast.  

[Thotos]

Have a good journey and see you tomorrow morning 

[stathe174]

Have a wonderful trip and an even better 3MA
And have some fun for us that we can't make it  

[kev131]

Have a good journey and see you tomorrow morning 

Has a meeting time and place been organised Theo? I guess we will just find each other on the Docks like 2010 but a time would be good. How about 6.30? If too early feel free to suggest a more suitable time.

Thanks for the good wishes Stathe.

[Heini131]

have a nice and safe trip and see you on Tuesday in Bad Bentheim  

[simon131]

Hi Kev,

Have a safe trip matey.

Weather here at the moment is total $h1t!!  Chucking it down with rain - stopping just long enough for me to get out to the car again and then raining again.  So, the upshot is that I've carried out all of the essential checks and top-ups that I think are needed - oil, water, washer bottle - the car will just have to stay unpolished until we get a bright, dry spell long enough on 3MA.

Had the fright of my life earlier though. I drove to the garage for fuel and came home, parking under a tree, with the road underneath still being dry, only to look at the car again 10 mins later to see a trail of water running from under the front of the engine  I was literally shaking as I opened the bonnet to investigate. Upon poking and running my dry finger around the radiator and washer bag area (yes, the Abarth has a plastic bag like the early Uno) I found the leak coming from said bag, which has worn a hole in the back side where it has been rubbing for 8 years against a length of threaded stud  You can only begin to know how relieved I am

So, all systems go in Farnborough, Hants, England for a 5am start in the morning tomorrow, which should get me to Dover Docks circa 6.30. It's exactly 100 miles from home to the Port so meeting at 6.30 should be about right - traffic, M25 and 'incident' dependant of course.

I hope my headlights work......must go and check!

[kev131]

G that must have given you a fright with less than 24 hrs to go!!! 

Glad it was a simple cause and that you have a solution. I think I remember them on the 124s too.

[Thotos]

Has a meeting time and place been organised Theo? I guess we will just find each other on the Docks like 2010 but a time would be good. How about 6.30?

Just like Simon, I'll be leaving at 5:00 am (but from Enfield) and I should do the 111 miles in an hour and a half so should be at Dover Docks for 6:30ish. But you know I'm always late.....  

The 131 checks are completed or as completed as they can be in the rainy weather we are having today. Just need to convert the headlights for Continental driving....

[Rob 131]

Kev

What are Fiat Related Stops (2 No).

[hammerbeirne]

I heard you were around the ballymahon area yesterday Kevin was talking to a friend of yours from Armagh Also a sport enthusiast I had my 131 there

[Sev131]

Kev we are on route but will prob get there late. If we don't see you, will catch you at 6am.

Theo and simon see you in the morning,

[jasonh131]

Well its been glourous sunshine most of the day , no car to prep for germany ,but i found a leaking fuel pump
 yesterday before my trip to duxford just swoped it for a know good one , have great convoy to germany guys ,   my seven lottery tickets in every draw this week didn't come up so im still here and still going to work in the morning 

[simon131]

Just had a surprise but very welcome visit from Kev on his way to Dover. Seems he's visited a number of us on his travels Gave him a quick cup of tea and away he went.

My son Ashley had actually just called me from three miles away asking me if I knew that Kev was in the area! Got sharp eyes for 131s that boy - must get it from his Dad!

See you in the morning Guys. Should be on the Dock between 6.30 and 7am.

[bellamacchina]

Fingers crossed for the weather here during the event. Today was okay, the temperature goes up, but they promised :(rain, later this week it will be better. Let's hope for the best. We start to be a little nervous but for sure will have a great event. The cars are ready, the roadbooks look good and everything is double checked.
See you tomorrow guys!

[kev131]

Rob - collection and delivery of parts. The world of 131s is an intricate network!

Enda - yes it was a special trip to meet Geoffrey. I watched out for you but as I left at noon I guess I missed you. There were no Italian cars there when I left...

Sorry you couldn't make this year Jason. Had another vote for Ireland and a surprising one for France from an unlikely source so next year may be quite close to you. 

Thanks for the tea Si - It was a handy drop off.

I had a little scare in the hotel car park. The drivers door key didn't lock the door. I wondered if there had been a problem after the recent bodywork when the door locks came off. It locked in the end thankfully.

I drove just short of 800 kms today. Glad to step out of the car at the end of the day but the car performed faultlessly and seemed to thrive on long sustained cruising. I keep forgetting that Sports are at their worst at 120/130 km/h!! You have to drive faster or slower to avoid the boom/noise at that speed!!