NG Kit Car

Another run of about 20 miles.

Another run of about 23 miles.

Some September sunshine and time for Dobby's favourite 23 mile run.

5th -12th September. Dobby loves going on a ship and he really enjoys runs around the island roads. He gets lots of attention too! Only one wet day so a good time was had.

I think this is now my favourite show. There is a great village atmosphere, a very good selection of classic vehicles, a fair number of stalls and live music.

Despite my comments last year, this show seemed to have improved again this year. Maybe the weather had something to do with it! An enjoyable day out.

This is our most local car show, although it is mainly a family fun day now. It was a lovely hot day and there were more stalls and rides this year but fewer people I thought. A limited number of vehicles turned up which was a shame but the "Shades of Midnight" performed their 50s and 60s music which was excellent as always.

Another evening run with St Albans MGOC, this time to the Green Dragon at Flaunden. A round trip of 46 miles.

This show is a new one to us and is just over 20 miles away via back country lanes. We were able to join other MGs among a plethora of different classic makes and models. Being a hot sunny day, we were able to relax and chat. Dobby just enjoyed being out and about again.

An invitation to join a few other classics in the car park of Springview Care Home in Enfield in support of the RNLI. The residents enjoyed seeing the old cars, listening to live music and having a barbecue.

Another run with the St Albans MGOC, this time to the Green Man at Great Offley. With yet another warm evening, we looked out over the lovely countryside. A round trip of 49 miles.

Classics in the Walled Garden is another chance to join with other enthusiasts and view the many hidden classics which must normally be secreted in garages around the area. This year we were blessed with lovely weather. A round trip of 37 miles.

20-23 June. Once again it was time for the NG Owners Club National Rally in Stratford-upon -Avon. A chance to meet up with nearly 40 other NGs and many old friends. A really hot weekend and a round trip of 190 miles.

Our second "2nd Wednesday evening" run of St Albans MGOC this year was to the Grand Junction Arms at Marsworth, near Tring. The promised sunshine had not quite arrived but it was dry and fairly warm. This time 7 cars, all different, NG TF (Dobby), Lotus Elise, Midget, BGT, TF, F, RV8 drove a 22 mile route to the pub. My return run was chosen to avoid fast hayfever inducing roads and turned out to be very enjoyable too. A total round trip of 60 miles.

An evening run in Dobby to the St Albans MGOC meeting at the Prae Wood Arms in St Albans.

The first "2nd Wednesday evening" car run of St Albans MGOC this year. A lovely warm and sunny day gave way to a chilly breeze but we assembled at Nomansland as usual and had 12 cars - 3 MGAs, 2 Midgets, 2 MGF/TFs, 2 RV8s, a BGT, a ZT-T and of course Dobby the NG.
Our convoy mostly managed to keep together through the back country roads and villages of Hertfordshire to a pub in Ardeley called the Jolly Waggoner. After drinks and conversations we ventured back to our respective homes. For Dobby it was a round trip of 50 miles. The new generator belt I put on recently squealed occasionally in protest once the lights were on. I must adjust it before the next run!

Another 23 mile run to make use of the early May sunshine and to keep Dobby happy.

With the lovely weather, the St Albans MGOC decided to have a car run to The Cock Inn at Sarratt, Rickmansworth. We met at Nomansland car park just north of Sandridge, near St Albans. 8 cars took part, all different models. An MG 'M' Type (about 1929) was joined by a Midget, a BGT, an MGF, an MGTF, an MG RV8, a Sunbeam Alpine and of course my NG TF (Dobby). We had a sedate run through the Hertfordshire countryside and arrived at The Cock Inn to line up together in their large overflow car park.
After conversation and drinks at the outside tables I returned home to complete a delightful round trip of 44 miles.

The weather has been glorious over the last few weeks but somehow it's taken 3 weeks since the last run to find an opportunity for another one of Dobby's favourite 26 mile runs.

An opportunity only 2 weeks after the last one - some lovely weather lately - so a repeat of the 27 mile run around Hertfordshire.

At last some lovely warm sunshine with a feeling of spring and a chance to take Dobby for an enjoyable 27 mile run in the Hertfordshire countryside. This is what NGs are made for!

Dry but very cold weather meant that the hood was up for the Cambridge & District MGOC Run this year. It started at Anglesey Abbey Gardens nr. Cambridge, where we enjoyed a short walk through the snowdrop adorned woods followed by a warming coffee. The run of 53 miles finished at Jordans Mill nr. Biggleswade. After a delightful Breakfast Roll, we had a slightly wetter journey home and tucked up Dobby in the garage.

A short 5 mile run, just to get Dobby warmed up and ready for the Snowdrop Run.

A rare slightly dry day amidst all the January dampness, so another chance for a 26 mile run in Dobby and fill up with petrol ready for the Snowdrop Run next month.

Last chance to get Dobby out in the dry after some very damp weather. Dobby enjoyed a 26 mile run to bid farewell to 2024. All seems to be well after the recent service. Here's to 2025!

Over the last month I have completed a full service on Dobby. This included changing both rear brake wheel cylinders (because both showed signs of seeping), changing the brake fluid and the clutch fluid, changing the rear axle oil and the gearbox oil together with the overdrive filter.

Taking advantage of some rare November sunshine, I took Dobby out for a 15 mile run. With the engine warm, I was able to begin a service by changing the oil and filter.

A rare bit of October sunshine tempted me to take Dobby out for a good long 40 mile run through the Hertfordshire countryside. This is what NGs are made for!

Today is Dobby's 20th birthday so I had to take him out for a run even though the weather was not too inviting. It is 20 years since I built him and he passed his IVA test, and now with 51,000 miles under his belt, he is still a joy to drive and looks as good as ever. Happy Birthday Dobby!

6th-16th September. A time for Dobby to really show what he was made of - 280 miles in persistent rain, causing traffic chaos. Despite a couple of issues (see repairs), we had a good break with visits to the Eden Project, St Ives, Lost Gardens of Heligan, Land's End, etc. The home run was much better until we reached the M25 car park.