A word of advice for modern car drivers
After an experience this morning, I have been compelled to write this little post.
Many modern car drivers seem to think that Morris Minors (or indeed, any ‘old’ car) can only do 30mph, the breaks are rubbish, and bits fall of as we drive along. This couldn’t be further from the truth. As mentioned in my previous post, Martha was up to 85mph on Sunday, and there were no problems with her at all (Martha is also pretty quick off from a standing start, so I am happy to race any boy racers at traffic lights, and have done 😉 ).
However, old cars do have their drawbacks, one being trouble with speedbumps. The old suspension on a Moggy is not as good as that of a brand new car, hence my having to actually slow down when going over a speed bump. For anyone who has been in a Moggy that has gone over a speed bump at speed, you will know how much it can hurt as your head hits the roof, not to mention the damage it can do to your car.
People still get exceptionally annoyed when having to slow down behind me though. For instance, this morning, I had a fella right up my arse along a road, with a college AND a school on it, so really, I wasn’t going to be speeding along anyway. The said road had those awful speed bumps that are just squares on each side of the road, so naturally I went quite slowly.
Despite me almost slowing to a stop, he kept so close to me I couldn’t see the front of his car, yet he didn’t overtake either (which is most annoying). Past the speed bumps I put m foot on the floor (as it were) and went up to 30mph, and he stayed quite a way back, most odd, thought I.
This went on, until I turned off to go to the petrol station, when HE CLAPPED!!!
Seriously, he clapped at me turning off.
Martha could take you on any day you silly little man!
But my advice to modern car drivers is this – if you ‘get stuck’ behind an old car, deal with it, you can always overtake, and I know a lot of moggy drivers are like me, we see you getting annoyed & trying to intimidate, and lightly tap the breaks, you know, a Moggy can do 5mph comfortably…
MMOC National Rally 2011 – Knebworth
This past weekend, Ashley & I made the trip from Birmingham to Knebworth for the annual MMOC National Rally.
A weekend of camping (after my last camping trip at Glastonbury in 1998) and Morris Minors, what more could you ask for?!
We arrived late on Friday afternoon and found the rest of the Young Members, and set up camp. It wasn’t long before we decided on a YM run to Tesco;
I had been looking forward to the National Rally, and I am glad I went, however, I have so say, I found some of it very disappointing. A number of people were exceptionally rude, and the lack of organisation was rather astounding, for such a big even that is now in it’s bazillionth year.
I am not going to focus on the negatives though! It was wonderful to meet some of the people I have been talking to online.
Peter certainly brightened up my weekend, and certainly made me giggle with his wig on Saturday night!!
Craig & Bobbie also deserve a mention for helping Ashley & The Other Ashley see how many people we could fit in a Morris Minor (there were only 5 of us, and we all fit in), and The Other Ashley (Wakeling) was an absolute joy to be around!
Steph ‘Minor Mafia’ Holloway was obsessed with the communal showers, and took every opportunity to make sure everyone knew this fact & how appalled she was by the thought of showering in a big room with other people 😉
There were ups & downs to the weekend, but on the whole, it was a lot of fun, and my first motorway drive too!
Ashley led the way there and back, and we even had walkie talkies to keep in touch on the journey. I particularly like the call names Ashley came up with – Black Devil & Blue Angel 😀
I picked up some great little bits for Martha – new light rims, as the current ones are exceptionally badly rusted on the inside & very
bent out of shape, I also got some fuzzy seat covers, as vinyl seats aren’t great for travelling long distances in any kind of heat, unless you particularly like having a sweaty bum. Steph got me a ‘Happy Passed Your Driving Test’ present too – and it really is an amazing piece of kit for the car – a picnic table! Oh yes! All I need now is a drive in movie theatre and I’m sorted!
In other news, plans are underway for the first cake run. The first run is via Stoke & Blackpool, across to Leeds, then back home via Nottingham & Derby. This is going to be taking place very soon – leaving basecamp on Friday 22nd July, and returning on Sunday 24th.
If you donated to Katies Car Fund, please please please make sure you send me your address so I can add you to the trip!! Email kdexeter@yahoo.co.uk
Martha & Me 