NG Kit Car

Having just finished decorating the kitchen, I just had to get out and give Dobby another run to celebrate. His favourite 23 mile run this time.

A quick response to the email invite secured a place inside the Walled Garden at Luton Hoo where, despite occasional drizzle, a good collection of classic vehicles assembled for a pleasant evening.

21-24 June. This has to be the highlight of the NG Calendar, a chance for Dobby to meet up with his many friends and for us to catch up too. We now go as a family including my 4 grand children - so 3 generations enjoying the friendliness of the NG Owners Club. Almost 40 NGs attended over the weekend, with several new members. Riverside Caravan Park make the club very welcome and a trip (walk) into Stratford has become our family's annual pilgrimage.

A pleasantly warm evening for a lovely St Albans MG run to the Green Man at Great Offley. Their garden looks south over the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside.

Dobby and an Austin 7 made an appearance at the Carnival on the St John's Methodist Stall. The public were invited to take photos with the cars and cardboard cut-outs of King Charles III, William and/or Kate (The Prince and Princess of Wales).

24-29May. A short 5 night break near Pershore gave us a chance to enjoy the sights of the Cotswolds. A visit to the Cotswold Wildlife Park (beautifully laid out) was very much enjoyed, as was our climb into the Malvern Hills. A brief foray into Bourton-on-the-Water (which was packed) and other villages such as Broadway, Bourton on the Hill and Chipping Campden provided a taste of the area. We also visited Bourton House Garden and Cotswold Falconry Centre. We broke our return journey to enjoy the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway steam train 28 mile round trip (Broadway to Cheltenham) from Toddington Station while Dobby watched the trains from the car park.

St Albans MGOC had a 14 mile pub run on a warm and dry Wednesday evening to the Cowper Arms at Letty Green, where we were well looked after with a table for us to chat and drink around. 7 Cars made the outing (11 people) including 2 MGAs, BGT, Midget, TF, Sunbeam Alpine and, of course, Dobby.

Over the last month I have lined the boot and remade the sidescreen hinges (see Modifications). At last, a warm and fairly sunny day with a bit of spare time. So another chance for a 20 mile run out in Dobby with the modified sidescreens.

Easter Saturday and it feels like Spring is finally here! A quick afternoon run of about 20 miles (without the need for a coat!) and Dobby is feeling on top of the world.

Another tempting run of 24miles in the sunshine, keeping mostly to main roads to try to avoid the standing water.

Organised by the Cambridge MG Owners Club, this was a run of 60 miles starting and ending at the Shuttleworth Collection, Nr. Biggleswade making a toal round trip of nearly 140 miles. Shuttleworth have early aeroplanes (all airworthy) including the World's oldest flying aeroplane.

Took a run of 17 miles to check everything was OK.

Completed a service in preparation for the Snowdrop Run and the rest of the season.

Took another run of 16 miles during which a visit was made to Peartree Crash Repairs to show Scott his work on the completed car.

Took the first run of 15 miles after rebuilding the front end.

8th December to 27th January 2024. Collected front wings, nose cowl and driving lights from Peartree Crash repairs who did a superb job.
Over the next month or so, various parts of the front suspension, brackets, etc. were cleaned and some repainted. The radiator was taken to Herts Radiators be repaired and this was also repainted. The front end was rebuilt and all cooling hoses replaced with new rubber ones (the silicon ones had been hard to seal and the joints always seemed to seep).

Took front wings, nose cowl and driving lights to Peartree Crash Repairs for repair and respray.

Having agreed to have the nose cowl & wings repaired & respayed in early December, I began dismantling the front end after an oil & filter change.

Took Dobby back to visit the bodywork specialist and organised some minor fibreglass repair and paintwork to be done. Another 18 mile round trip.

Took Dobby for an 18 mile run with the intention of speaking to a recommended bodywork specialist but they were on holiday.

As the evenings draw in, we (St Albans MGOC) had our last pub run of 2023 organised by yours truly. Mostly following some of Dobby’s favourite country roads for about 14 miles, 10 cars descended on the Cowper Arms at Letty Green where we were made to feel most welcome.

6th to 12th September. A chance for Dobby to stretch his wheels and give us all a break from things. We stayed is a lovely B&B in Torquay (no, not Fawlty Towers!) and managed to spend several enjoyable days, despite a small bump on the way down which reshaped Dobby's nose a little. The first day gave Dobby a chance to rest as we travelled by GWR train and then on the superb Dartmouth Steam Railway which goes from Paignton to Kingswear and includes a passenger ferry link to Dartmouth. Another day was spent exploring Dawlish Warren and Dawlish (very pretty). Only a few days after our return, we saw Dawlish on the news under flood water where we had been standing. Our raison d'être, however, was to join the Cream of Devon Run organised by the Torbay MG Owners Club. This was a delightful 80 mile drive through the Devonshire countryside and Dartmoor, starting and finishing at the Langstone Cliff Hotel, with a Devon cream tea at the end (it was emphasised that in Devon, cream is put on the scone first then the jam on the top – most important!).

A lovely day (without a shower this time) to enjoy the Redbourn Classics Motor Show. This is becoming a favourite of mine as it has a lovely feel to it. A good selection of cars, various stalls and time related live music all contribute to the occasion.

Dobby went for his annual trip the the Knebworth Show. The weather was kind and there was a much better turnout (of both cars and the public) compared to last year.

Dobby had another pleasant little run this evening to the Prae Wood Arms in St Albans for our club meeting.

This event is in aid of the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance and the Rotary Club. This is the first one since COVID hit and they have tried to make it more family orientated. There were a few children's activities but there were not very many vehicles there and I thought the food choice was sadly lacking (only Indian/Oriental options). Despite being a nice day, the attendance did not appear to be as good as in pre-COVID years but the Women's World Cup Final may have had an impact! The big saving grace was the excellent "Shades of Midnight" band singing the songs of the 50s and 60s. As always, and despite having 3 new members, a great sound to listen (and for some, to dance) to.

Another pleasant evening with the St Albans MGOC, this time to The Boot at Sarratt. Warm enough (just) to sit outside overlooking the green.

Several Gallery items have been added for 2023, also details of the Starter Motor change to a high-torque unit in the Modifications section. I have also corrected a few out-of-date links.

Joined the St Albans MGOC evening pub run again, this time to the Grand Junction Arms at Bulbourne, nr Tring. This venue has a lovely, cosy, sheltered, outdoor space.

Classics in the Walled Garden (Luton Hoo) was a new venture for Dobby. We had an enjoyable evening in a relaxed atmosphere and met several of our St Albans MGOC people.